- 1 flight with a friend on his trainer, passing the controller when I got into any problems.
- 2 weeks with his RealFlight sim - spent about 15 hours playing around getting the hang of take offs and landings, flying the pattern etc (I lost count of how many times I crashed with the sim! at least it was with the sim, right?!)
- 2 unsuccessful outings by myself trying to take off - couldn't get the hang of the rudder input needed, and broke about 4 props :-(
- 2 outings with my Tower Hobbies trainer with my friend giving me lessons and about 5 flights. Got the takeoff sussed by about the 3rd flight. Practiced loads of low level approaches, and many bumpy landings!
- joined AMA and my local club
- went out one afternoon and had an instructor check over my plane and did a check flight to be certified to fly solo... successfully took off, flew all the patterns, then made a pretty good landing but did come off the runway onto the grass.

The next flight immediately after passing the test I had a brief panic moment where I lost perspective and didn't know if the plane was coming towards me or away and I thought it was all over! Made a couple of turns and worked out where I was then everything was ok!

Made 5 more successful solo flights the following weekend, a couple in 10mph or so wind. Gradually building up more confidence and having great fun...!!