started flying a aerobird last summer 04 little plane took alot of abuse flew on farm land bought a arrow trainer hanger 9 to pretty to risk set up a sturdy birdy w/osfx.25 flys great first flight's hand launched same field went down to millwaukee last sunday 4/3/05 flew w/some experinced rc flyers took my plane up turned it over to me said i was doing great asked if i wanted him to land for me i said know way and brought it in i continue flying at the farm field aside from some broken prop's [tail dragger] one spinner i have sustained no damage when i can confidently and repeadtedly touch a go i will moe on also experienced a succesful dead stick landing thus far i have learned to fly by starting out small & slow and working up + research help you all and listening all except the you cant learn with out a inst. present part it can be done the exp. rc flyers i was with last sunday were impressed common sens courtesy caution 3 c's ha ha it has not costed me 100's or even a 1000 dollars as some have indicated i havent killed anyone i treat my plane's like a loaded gun [6 years military exp.] this works for me i would not have a kid handel a loaded gun would not have nor fire a loaded gun around by standers ie dont fly arond by standers dont turn over to a kid dont get arogent over confident with it this has worked for me i listen and ask questions when the oprtunity puts me with other flyers i have a ama membership and im enjoying the hobby im learning to build the way i see it crashing gives me a chance to use that skill life comes w/certain risks thats what keeps it intresting i dont condone endangering others 3 c's thanx for all your help