Hey everybody, MERRY CHRISTMAS. Thanks again and again for all the support. You guys are truly great ambassadors to this hobby. After doing a little more homework and question asking, I will be going with the Aerobird Challenger (thanks AEAJR). According to the pros at the LHS, Hobby Zone/ ParkZone's tiered skill level system is a good alternative to one-on-one instruction, although that's still the preferred method. RCKEN: you're right about the clubs, I'm sure I'm rushing to judgement there, it's just that Im 0 for 2 at two different clubs, and I have a GREAT flying field about half a mile from my house. I also have a lake across the street, which prompted my wife to give me an R/C boat (isn't she wonderful?). It's no plane, but the thought that she went to the shop, asked a bunch of questions and came back with a nice set-up...ho friggin ho buddy. So, I'll check back in when the ABC is purchased. The Blade CX is still going strong, and I'll soon be "graduating" to a CCPM machine. This R/C stuff is worse than crack I swear...