I am always very nervous when I hear someone say "I crashed my trainer today, I guess it's time for a warbird" or 3D- ect.ect.ect.

Not to say that you will not succeed plenty of people do this with great success. If you feel you have outgrown you trainer step up. I just think that you should always have help with the second plane. I hate to see someone build a nice model and crack it up on the first day.

A student of mine lost a trainer after about a month of solo flying when he clipped our local plane eating tree. A few weeks later he showed up with a sporty .45 sized extra. He asked me to set the engine and trim it out for him and I did. I then flew it with him on the buddy box about three times. He clearly was not ready (at first) for the quick response and the ability to get into trouble very fast. But he was getting the hang of it.

Later that day he approached me and asked it I thought he should/could fly it solo. (I advised against it) But he was convinced that he had the hang of it. I advised him to spend some time on the runway (since it was empty) getting used to the tail-dragger setup. And he did. I also volunteered to help him get used to flying and landing this model. (I'm always looking for an excuse to go the field). He proceeded to practice taxiing as I packed up to leave.

As I drove off I looked back just in time to see him on a take off roll, or a super fast practice taxi? The plane went up then to the side> and then he must have panicked because the thing was all over the place at about 20 feet off the ground.

You know the rest.

If I sound all doom and gloom I don't mean to- I am just an angry-typer All I really mean is that you can do it just be sure to get help when needed. Never hesitate to ask for assistance because there are always two or three senior pilots who are more than willing to help and fill your ears with loads wisdom at the same time.

Good Luck.....