I taught myself to fly R/C planes using gliders. A Sophisticated Lady and a Sig Riser 100. Both were fantastic planes. Actually I first tried to fly with a Duraplane since the now defunct LHS said gliders were not the best and I should get a powered plane. Well after about 15 crashes I shelved the Duraplane and built a glider. After about 5 or so flights I was flying around without crashing. A year or so flying the 2 gliders and I was able to quite easily fly the Duraplane. My 7 year daughter is learning to fly now and has an Aerobird Challenger currently. This summer we are thinking about building a Dynaflite Butterfly together for her to fly. Then she’ll get a 4 channel trainer once she can comfortably solo the Butterfly.

FWIW, I used hi-starts, hand launches and an .049 power pod. All worked well, but the power pod was used the most since I frequently flew from my parents front yard. The thermals are great in the winter time over poorly insulated houses. I could never get the Riser 100 more than about 150’ flying this way, but I could fly for hours from the heat escaping from those houses. Flying over houses is a bit risky, but I was 15/16 years old. At the time I did not care much, good thing is that nothing bad ever happened.