Wildo,

I am glad to hear that someone has taken a passion for this hobby and found ways around a "handicap" (I really do hate that term). At our club we have a 12 yr old boy who has SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). Now this boy cannot hold the radio and lacks the needed quickness for takeoff and landing but once he is in the air can this boy fly and in most cases he does it inverted better than right side up. He has flown a SIG LT-40, owns a 4* 60 and I have even let him have at my Twist and not a one has ever met the ground unintentionally and to the best of my knowledge I beleieve there has been only one time the gentlemen on the buddy box actually had to take control.

Here is a link that shows him flying, one gentlemen on the buddy box (basically for takeoff and landing purposes only) and the other gentlemen next to him is just holding the radio. Since this picture was taken we have made him a radio holder that clamps to his chair. Oh and by the way, his chair raises about 3 feet and angles back, coolest thing you ever saw.

http://www.krcs748.com/picnic_photos...0Flying-re.jpg

I agree that if it was better for you mentally as well as physically to learn on your own then I for one support you and am glad you did it. I do preach the instructor bit allot as some info you get from them is quite invaluable, but I am also aware that some people just do not need it (This boy has done all his flight training with very little input from anyone) as he flies everything on G2 then does it on the real thing.

Do not get me wrong but please do not feel self conscious about your disability ( i know it's hard I've been there before). If someone has anything negative to say at the club or anywhere else for that matter, then they are the one with the disability (having a closed mind [>:]). As far as being , as you say "old". If you have not already discovered, this hobby will tend to make you feel quite young again, I know it does me.

OK..rant over...