I was just wondering. Beginners come in to the 'Beginners' forum and ask the same question: I want to learn how to fly but I don't want to use an instructor. What plane should I buy?"

The obvious answer, to me anyway, and to several others in this forum is "Well, buy the cheapest one you can because, without an instructor, you will be replacing it on short order, and possibly several times until you either run out of money, or patients, or both!"

Why would someone NOT want to use an instructor?

Availability? That has been discussed before, and most areas have clubs with available instructors.

No club? Well, that could be, but doesn't seem likely. There are clubs all over the country, the world for that matter, that have willing and able instructors. I was in England a couple summers ago and was working with an engineer that was into RC. I was just starting out in RC flying, and we discussed my going with him to fly. So, we did, and I was absolutely delighted at the number of people that were willing to help. I went so far as to buy a plane and worked with an instructor while there. It definitely helped me when I returned to the 'colonies' (as they put it, all in jest of course), and I was very appreciative of their help.

Cannot afford a club or AMA membership? That too has been bounced around with the same results: you cannot afford NOT to join at least the AMA to protect both yourself and any property you are likely to destroy with a crash into someone's car window, or house, or even worse, into some other innocent bystander. And most clubs REQUIRE joining the AMA.

Any more reasons?

Add em on, guys (oops.. girls too!! !!!)

DS.