RE: R/C club "experts" snubbing newbies
You know you don't expect people to restrict your use of a toy, which is basically what a park flyer is, it isn't likely to hurt anybody when your parkfllyer hits somebody. On the other hand you don't expect to just hop in a full scale airplane and expect to learn yourself. Our model planes lie somewhere in between in danger which means there should be some demonstration of skill. You may fly a slow flyer now, but if someone doesn't bother to check you out you will likely bring a larger model to the field later.
Wish our club would be so restrictive. We have models flying over a house and the neighbor will probably shut the field down, yet the leadership doesn't seem to see the need to even make meetings mandatory.