I've been lurking since January. Bought LT-40 ARF then based on the recommendation of local club members. Have .46 Thunder Tiger Pro.

I've been flying RealFlight simulator for 2 months. Turned on the wind up to 20 MPH with gusts - shot landing with all different angles of wind.

Last weekend had first flying - windy and no buddy box so just flew high and demonstrated that I had the fly towards me stuff down.

Saturday - nice day here - 2nd session with instructor - buddy box - worked a couple of approaches and then some landings. Not perfect but showed that I could get it down without being a danger to the other guys on the flight line. Did stalls, loop, rolls. The instructor signed off on me that day. I've had a couple of hard landings but some nice ones too now. No damage to plane yet. Forgot to tighten the wing bolts down on one flight - the plane was acting pretty flaky but got it down in one piece. Discovered the loose (1/4 inch or so) bolts and realized that I was very lucky.

Lots of hours on the simulator made a huge difference in the amount of time needed to solo. BUT it was really great having the instructor checkout the plane, do the first flight and trim it out, talk me though the first approaches and save a couple (thanks Mark). Flying the LT-40 is easier than the simulator PT-40.

The .46 TT Pro has plenty of power for this plane. Takeoff runs of 50 feet or so if I push it.

So - a great weekend - keep the advice coming - I used lots of the comments and suggestions from here.

Oh yeah - do all of you have funny sunburns from looking up all weekend?