(im the original poster who asked where i can learn about flight principals)

i wound up buying a hobbyzone plane, a V tail. (i didnt like the way it looked, i wanted a cessna or a japanese zero or something cool!) but i succumbed to much pressure from the sales staffs at multiple hobby stores who kept saying this is the plane to learn on, if you buy something else youre gonna break it and wind up spending lots of time and money fixing it (altho i was given a choice- either buy one of these, or buy a $300 gas plane and take lessons)

boy were they right, i crash this thing all the time. it has taken quite a beating over the last week, last night it said enough already! and the tail broke. but the night before i had 4 successful flights/landings. no biggie, the tail costs ten bucks.

but through the school of hard knocks i learned a few things, and when god permits i can actually fly this thing in a smooth circle around me, about 15 feet off the ground. i had to learn that ALTITUDE is step 1 (g) and to be gentle with the controls. and to fly in an area free of obstacles. and dont fly in any wind. and i learned all this the hard way. =) (maybe im lucky to still have a plane)

i still have things to learn and really want to learn, but at this point its becoming difficult cause these are sortof nuances of flying... learning how little boosts of power can affect the plane, how flying in relation to the wind can gain me altitude.. when to power and when to back off, im still trying to learn how to land well.. i think at this point it would be helpful to be around people who know and can teach me, because i dont really 'know' anything about flying. but so far it's been a lot of fun. =) and not too expensive, i bought a plane that was bigger than i wanted or needed, i think i would have been just as happy with one of the smaller hobbyzone planes (i bought the big 'commander', i think it is 42" wingspan- i think i would have preferred something smaller and slower) but overall it has been a good plane and taken my abuse well.