About this time last year, I decided I was going to get into this hobby. I did it for multiple reasons and I can honestly say it has improved my quality of life. I was spending too much time being consumed with work and computers in general so I needed something to get me out of the house.

I just wanted to share some of my experiences for the people just starting. Yes, this is going to be a long post so grab a cup of coffee just in case it gets boring.

For Christmas last year (2004), my parents gave my brother and myself R/C Hummers sort of as a joke (he was 29 and I was 31 at the time) since we had joked a couple of times they could buy us a real one for Christmas. Well, R/C airplanes were always something I was interested in but time and money usually kept it out of reach and out of mind. I started thinking about it again on that day and made a conscious decision I "needed" it in my life. Working too much during the week and spending 12+ hours each weekend day on the computer video gaming was unhealthy. I had become a recluse for the most part and my friends had gone on and gotten married while I traveled M-F for my job.

So, after returning home from the holidays I purchased Real Flight G3. At first, I was really disappointed. I couldn't keep anything in the air! Determined, I trudged onward. After a week I was doing "ok" and decided yes, I WILL learn to fly no matter how long it takes. I was a silent lurker on the forums here so I read all of the posts about "learn the right way". So, I contacted a club in my area and in the mean time drove out to the field and just watched people fly without talking to anyone. The more I watched, the more I wanted it. So the time came to buy...from Tower Hobbies I ordered a Nexstar ARF, OS .46 AX engine, Futaba 6 channel computer radio, a combo pack of field equipment. I was ready! Well, so I thought... Not knowing anything about assembling planes, I consulted this forum quite a bit and within a week I had it assembled but it had been a struggle. Part of the reason it took so long was it seemed I was making a trip to home depot every single night. See, I didn't own any tools - figured I just needed basic tools to complete the plane. Heck, I didn't even have a drill!

The planes first flight I learned a few things. The instructor took it up and showed me how to start the engine. Proper safety techniques and how to make corrections mechanically to the control surface trim after he had landed (so that trims would be zero next time it went up). I learned so much that first day and I didn't even fly. The next weekend, I finally got to fly but it was with a different instructor (our club has 2). The sim practice showed but it was definitely different. The planes seem to fly faster, there are more distractions, wind, and other planes in the air...something a sim cannot prepare you for. However, the sim taught me not to over control, not get crossed up when the plane is headed for me and general turns. We went up 3-4 times that day and I left with one of the biggest smiles I've had since I was 13 years old.

After a few weeks my instructor told me to go ahead and buy a second airplane and he would help me. He said he knew it seemed soon but to do it any way. I bought a Tiger 2 from Goldberg at his suggestion and assembled it while continuing my training. After about 3 weekend we began landing. He tricked me into my first landing which saved my nerves but the plane really bounced. That whole weekend we did nothing but approach and land/approach and land. I think I did about 30+ landings that weekend and kept bouncing!!!!! Then, I went home to practice on the sim. I could land on the sim just fine, no problems at all so I had no idea what was wrong. The next weekend, I made a landing that was perfect and the light bulb went on. On the sim, you can 3 point. No bounce whatsoever, the plane just plops down nice and easy. That is what I was trying to do with the real plane - my flair was fine but I was letting the nose drop just before touch down causing it to landing on the front wheel and bounce. For those starting out, do not let the sim fool you into thinking you can land "correctly". It gives a false sense of security in that area.

The next couple of weeks we worked on aerobatics - snaps, rolls, loops. At 6 weeks, I soloed. His response was that I had been ready for weeks but *I* didn't think I was so we kept going. The next day, I also flew my Tiger 2 for the first time. I enjoyed it and looked forward to flying it. Over the next 2 weeks I got in about 3 months worth of weekend-only flying by going out after work. I then started flying my Tiger 2 full time. By this time, I had learned a few other things. 1) Get a seperate glow driver, not one that plugs into your flight box. The cord can get tangled in a prop too easily. 2) Low wings REALLY do fly differently than trainers - they are faster and more precise - not as mistake friendly as a trainer.

I continued to practice on the simulator following how my instructors had showed me the correct way to do certain things. I also bought a Hangar 9 Miss America Mustang. I figured I wouldn't be ready for it but I started on it. I finished it in May of '05 and my instructor (still call him my instructor even after I had soloed) said to bring it out. He had me maiden it! Keep in mind, I had been flying AT LEAST 3 days after work and every weekend (both days) for a month and a half - thats quite a lot of stick time. The maiden went great but I learned more about retracts than I ever wanted to know in the days ahead. As a newbie, listen to these guys when they tell you retracts are something you do not want to worry about when you are getting started. Yes, I'm a member of the "Are both gears down? Nope, just one!" club...and that was on a dead stick landing.

By this time, I had replaced lots of things that I had originally bought. Radio for one - my 6EAX just didn't do some of the things I wanted it to do so I upgraded to a 9C Super. My starter wasn't enough to turn over the Saito 100 in my P-51 so I upgraded my starter. Also, I ordered one of the RCAT lithium glow drivers - I have only had to charge it once since I got it this summer. Now, when I go to the flight line, I take my plane - a self contained starter, my radio and glow driver. No field box so my back feels much better now

In July, I ordered a Vectorflight Edge 540. Wonderful airplane! It flies like I've wanted to fly - does everything exactly like I tell it to with no fuss but you know, it's scary to not have a plane that self rights even just a little bit.

So this brings us up to date..sort of but I'll get to that a little bit later.
Just some additional tips for folks. Don't take off thinking "hope I don't dead stick!", you will panic if it happens. If it happens, fly the plane down. Don't give up on it and concentrate on the task at hand. Your instincts will kick in and you will be ok most of the time! Practice! Fly as much as you can - for real and on simulators if you have one. ALWAYS ask questions, its the only way you learn anything other than through experience and questions can sometimes save a bad experience. Be courteous to your flying friends and you will have a wonderful community of support. Take your time - don't try to keep up with the Jones'. Everyone learns differently and at a different pace. Don't trouble yourself with what everyone else is doing - enjoy what YOU are doing. Set up a practice routine - it helps you guage yourself. Also, the reason I mentioned I upgraded things is because they helped me on a level of convenience. Don't expect to have to uprade your radio or equipment just because I did. Use what works for you and what gives you the greatest satisfaction in the hobby.

Also, I went to or worked every single club function and missed only 1 meeting the entire year. Not because I felt obligated but because I wanted to say thanks to the people who gave me the opportunity to do this. There are great people out there flying - get to know them! They can teach you things just through chit-chat without even knowing it.

So here we are, one year later...I'm sitting here looking at a plaque I received from the club that reads "Rookie of the Year", I've made wonderful new friends, I have somewhere to go to spend my time instead of sit behind a computer on gorgeous sunny days and I can say something that gives me one of the best feelings..."I can fly!" So, thank you RCU- Minnflyer, Bubbagates,RCKen and many others for all of the answers to questions and the information, encouragement and guidance provided here. I'd also like to thank Ken Atwood and Dick Tonan for their instruction and putting up with my numerous questions and emails - I wouldn't have my wings today if it wasn't for those two folks. I'm starting now on my first giant scale airplane and looking forward to this new year!