beginner_1

MinnFlyer answered your question pretty well, but as most will, I strongly recommend AGAINST trying to teach yourself to fly. The horror stories of people who have tried are many. Personally, I considered it myself. I had over 15 years flying flight and combat sims, as well as a good understanding of how airplanes fly. I went to our local club field looking for used planes, and advice on what plane I should get. I had my mind set on a P-51, and was convinced I could teach my self. Fortunately, the first person I talked to was polite, and showed me great respect for being so naive about the RC. Being a college professor, he was able to explain the differences in sitting in the cockpit (simulator) of an airplane and standing on the ground. Eventually, he said he would sell me his trainer for $150, and teach me to fly. I still wasn't convinced that it was a difficult task, but, since I needed to be registered with the AMA in order to fly at the field--unless I was with him--I agreed to take him up on his offer. It was an ugly little trainer but I thought I could just take the radio and engine out (for the P-51) and would still be getting a good deal. I met him at the field the next weekend, handed over the cash, and got ready for my first lesson. He took it off, flew around one circuit, and explained what he expected me to do, using the !QUOT!buddy box!QUOT!. As it flew down the field, he asked if i was ready and said !QUOT!sure!QUOT!. I banked a little steeper than he liked but not too bad. I flew the downwind circuit fine, made the third turn with no problem. As I turned onto the last leg, I suddenly became aware that the controlled appeared to be reversed. The more I tried to level the plane, the more it banked. I was suddenly extremely confused, terribly nervous, and could suddenly envision the plane piling into the ground. The instructor calmly said !QUOT!I got it!QUOT! and the plane leveled out in his competent hands and he gave a little chuckle. I was visibly shaken, my hands were literally shaking, and felt very humbled. He gave me a few minutes to calm down, and then explained what to expect the next time, and how to compensate.

It only took a few lessons before I was able to solo, and was soon able to fly at the field all by myself. Even though I was able to fly pretty well, the plane came home in pieces at least three times. I eventually moved up to my second plane and radio. I brought that one home in a garbage bag once, and had to make several repairs on other occasions. It ended up in a tree twice. I now have my P-51, and although I don't fly it a lot, I haven't crashed it yet. One of the first saying I heard when I first took up this hobby was, !QUOT!There are two kinds of pilots, those who have crashed, and those who are going to.!QUOT! I sure there must be at least one person on here, that has flown many years and never crashed, but everyone else will probably agree it is going to happen. There are also sadly countless others who you won't find on RC Universe, that have only crashed once. Then they walked away from the hobby and never returned. A large percentage of those people, tried to teach themselves to fly. I personally know one person who did manage to teach himself to fly. I have seen his videos. The first three show him crashing before he Even gets off the ground. Three more, show 15 to 30 second flights before he crashed. Two more resulted in crashes on landings. His first successful flight (followed by a lot of whooping and jumping up and down) but was no more exuberant than mine. :-) My point being, it is possible to teach yourself to fly, but it is much easier (on you and your airplane) to get and instructor. I was sure glad I did!