I'll pretty much echo these other posts. Please don't give up before you even try just because the fear of crashing. I too have a fear of crashing because I have built some really nice planes that are way over my head! I do have enough sense to know I'm not ready to fly the kinda planes I like. So I Joined the AMA found the local club & am making new friends everytime I go out there. I broke down and I got a RTF .40 size Trainer from Tower hobbies. $249 ready to go in no time. Another $10 got me a buddy cord so I don't have to be scared to re-kit it right of the bat. I have allready re-kitted a couple of smaller electrics that I decided I was willing to crash before I ever cobbed the throtlle. And as someone earlier mentioned it was nothing to repair either of them. A little glue and some new covering and before I new it I had gotten into it & totally rebuilt the whole plane just for the fun of it & the experience. In an evening I had that Mountain Models Switchback looking much better than the the way it was when I picked it up in a trade. So don't be afraid to crash, it isn't allways catostrophic. But it is a reality of this hobby. The fun just out weighs the risk for me. Here's a couple pics of the switchback after the rebuild from a pretty good crash, cost: some glue & some covering, both of which I allready had lying around in the garage, & a couple hours of my time that were thorougly enjoyed! So please don't give up. I too did cars, but am now totally addicted to these planes. Good luck to you, Mark T.