Hello xoon,

I think my experience will help you. I started RC flying in highschool freshman in 1988. I was very intensely involved in flying throughout high school. I actually progressed to a point that I competed in pattern competition in 1991 as a high school senior. There were no 3D back then.

I also wanted to become an Aerospace engineer as a high school student. So I went to a private college called Harvey Mudd, which was the top specialized engineering school, and was very expensive. I ain't from a rich family, so I had problem making the ends meet. Combined w/ the hected engineering schedule, my flying took a break. I still had 2 flyable planes throughout my college years, but I didn't fly very much, maybe a few times a year. But it was enough to keep me from completely "getting out" of the hobby.

After college, I proceeded to get a MS in mechanical engineer from UCLA in 1996. Aerospace industry in late 90's had bad outlook, so I opted for the more general "mechanical" engineering, but still took some aero courses. Flying still was scarce for me after school. 5 years after MS were period of student-load repayment period, so no more new planes either. It's not until I got a good offer @ Ford and moved from LA to Detroit that I was able to settle down and have time & cash to get back into RC flying. None of the planes @ LA moved with me to Detroit. And boy, did I come back big time. In 2002&2003, I averaged getting 1 ARF every month or 2. 3D flying was beginning to take off, and I really wanted to master the moves I've never even though of before. Now I have 6 planes in flying condition, some needing repair, and 3 new ones sitting in the box.

So, you won't get lots of time and money for flying during college, especially as an engineering student. Unless you are Andrew Jesky who will be sponsored by big companies during college years, many things will be competing for your time and money. Dare I say girlfriend?

My advise to you is, get a few good all-around and durable profiles like Katana 40P, which are cheap to fly, easy to repair, can be stored in dorm room, and won't require dedicated fields to fly. Giant scales can be reserved for summer breaks.

Hey, maybe you will meet a special lady who likes flying too and let this hobby and college experience work for each other =)