The Phoenix is no longer available.

We have a few of the Bluejay Dirty Birdy kits flying here and they seem to be good flyers.

If you want to try building here's a couple things that I tell the guys that come to build night, if it's balsa and you make a mistake you can always fix it. You can add more wood or take it away with sanding or cutting.

If it's a fiberglass fuse and foam wing kit the fuselage is mostly done but by no means expect an ARF type build. Most of those kits come with almost no instructions. If you want to change the way the wing mounts you have to figure it out. It's not difficult but for most having to make it up as you go creates a road block. Don't be afraid of any of the built up planes. Anything can be fixed, at worst it can be replaced. For example, if you ruin the foam wings while sheeting them then just get some more foam wings and try it again; there are several people that can cut a new set of wings for around $50 but you'll need new balsa sheeting.

I guess with building many are afraid of they kits, foam and glass or balsa, but if you just set down and just do it you will be amazed at what you can do. By afraid it seems they either don't know what to do, or where to start, or that they will screw it up. The first one will be slow but you'll get faster with each build.

I will say starting out is a bit pricey because you have to build your stock up. If I'm working on a kit, or ARF for that matter, and I need to change something up I simply go to my wood stock and get what I need or grab some bulk stock and cut it down to what I need. That's another thing to consider is the tooling. Most of the tools aren't required, because basic tools will work, but it will be a little more difficult. The Bluejay kits should have most of the stock you need but if you get a foam and glass kit you will need to supply a bit of your own materials. The older 70s and 80s glass kits have some of the material you need but everyone seems to have their own method of building and I'd prefer not to pay for the lower grade stock they put in some of the kits.

If you build, post here or on some RC site because there is a wealth of information but I'd suggest to get some local help if there's someone in your area that builds. We have a network here where I live and I'm sure there is some underground group where you're at too.

So with all that said I'd go for the Great Planes Dirty Birdy ARF and get it in the air and build a kit on the side. I'd suggest the OS 55 or 65 if you're style is slower but if you want it to scream the NovaRossi Speed 13 with pipe can be had for just a few bucks more.

That's my 2 cents so know it's my opinion based on how I enjoy this hobby. If you made it this far, thanks for listening

You are going to absolutely love the way a pattern plane flies. Once you get it in the air please make sure you trim it right. Ask here about how to trim your plane. If someone says just set your elevators level with the tips to start...then ignore them. Trimming is based on a set of specific flight maneuvers and listing what the plane does in that maneuver and there is a list that tells you how to correct it depending on what it's doing. Once completed you will have the best plane you have ever had! It will make an OK plane fly like it's on wires. I have several lists that takes you through the procedures when you get ready.

Tim