Hi Carl: My name is Jim. I am new to the world of R/C. I bought an arf, the Hangar 9, Alpha 60. I got it put together. I joined AMA, went to the local club, which is about 25 miles away. I unloaded the plane
and set it upon the table and within 2 minutes, several of the old timers were coming by and looking. I had purchased the package, it included a JR Quattro transmitter, but not a "trainer cord.". One of the gentlemen offered to get the "club" TX and trainer cord and he would help me fly. We did. He checked several things on the plane, and then I asked him to take it up and check it out, and set trims for me. He did, took about 3 minutes, landed
and hooked me up. He took off, turned over control to me and I flew around in circles. I was overcontrolling a lot, and was not flying a very good pattern. Sometimes here, then sometimes over there. I was concentrating and focused so hard on my plane and trying to get it to go where I wanted it to, I did not see another plane, but there was one and it hit me nearly head-on. The instructor did see it, was aware it was in the air, but could not
avert the collision. I got to fly a total of 4 minutes. It was no one's fault. It just happens sometimes. The other plane was a foamy wing and the damage to it was not much. It broke my fuselage into behind the servo
rack, 4 ribs in one wing, dented the leading edge severely, broke the mounting dowels off and of course the propeller was broken, right along with my heart and my feeling were hurt.

The club guys all offered to help me. They reassured me that in all their years of flying, (some with 30 years) mid air's were rare, not the norm. There had not been one at the club in over 5 years. Plenty crashes, but not
mid air collisons.

Carl, I admire your spunk and determination. I know you have grit and you will succeed. But, please let the more experienced, help you. They get their kicks helping those like you and me. Flying is "old hat" to them. They want more than anything else, to share their experience. And it gives them such pleasure. At first they might seem a little stand-offish, but go over and stick out your hand and say Hi, I'm Carl and I need to ask some questions. Would you help me? I guarntee you with in a short time, they will know your life history and will be clucking over you like a mother hen.

I want to learn to fly. I am looking forward to flying in the pasture by myself, or with my friends, but in the meantime I am going to let those who have the experience teach me the right way. I don't want to have to learn
something twice. (right way - wrong way) Carl, join AMA and go to your local club, even if it's just 2 or 3 times, and let them. I promise you, after you go the second time, you won't stop, and you will have made some valuable friends.

Regards
Jim Vines Jr.