Jason.. First of all we need to thank your brother for supporting us in our times of need. Our soldiers need support, both here and abroad. So, thank him from us!

Now, you're going to be the interem dad for a couple of years huh? That's a pretty big feat in and of itself. Your six year old nephew is lucky to have someone willing to take the time to spend time exploring different paths along the way. At six years old now a days, you could probably get him a 42% airplane and he'd be flying it like he's been flying for years in just a little while. It's so unbelievable how kids that have grown up with computers and joysticks (joysticks nothing, complete instrument controls) for their computer programs and that they have such unimaginable eye/hand coordination. You can probably see where I'm going here. I would certainly suggest that you get a simulator and let him have a ball on that. You can probably gauge his aptitude and interest on how he progresses on a simulator. You don't have to be right next to him to let him have a ball and practice flying. Hundreds of crashes = no loss in $$$. He can fly on windy or rainy days. It will at least give him the understanding of what does what and why. Then, when you take him out to the field and put him on a buddy box with a slow flying trainer, he'd know what to expect from the stick inputs.

Both of my kids, even though they were much older, flew on the simulator quite a bit before I gave them the chance to fly my airplanes. Guess what, after I took the airplane up and handed them the TX, one flew and landed the airplane on the first try and my other son landed on his third time up. They both seemed pretty excited about it at the time, but neither had the want or the urge to continue flying. They each went out with me a couple of times after that, but overall, airplanes weren't their thing.

So, I would suggest getting a simulator, giving him the help he needs on that before attempting the actual hands on flying of any kind, whether it be electric or glow powered. That too will give you the opportunity to see if flying is HIS kind of thing.

Good luck with your ventures and just enjoy whatever the kids like to do. Sounds like you're a pretty teriffic uncle to take on this homefront heroic task..