The only thing I consider myself a master at is fixing computers

Yeah, ok, so I actually crashed an IBM mainframe, but that was an accident

Seriously, I am a trained application developer. I am pretty good at typing, but this kind of "exercise" really does NOT give you a "steady hand".

I actually "built" something once - and I refused all help - out of a hobby book for boys (sic! like girls couldnt built stuff). It was a very basic submarine model, built out of hardwood and metal print sheets (i dont know how they are called in English, in German it would be "Druckfolien"), which were glued to the skeleton.

Well, long story short, it did work. Once. The sinking part.

You show me an UML diagram for an application and I can program it, but with plans... no way I am gonna try that on my first plane

I tried some flying with the "FMS" freeware and my joypad, knowing that this isnt the same, and I found it pretty hard to keep one axis straight when handling the other one.

I heard that RC controllers - as well as the "Dual Shock"-Game-Pad I have - are springloaded on all axis?

Well, after all, I am basically pretty tense about crashing It's not like I have much money to spend on repairs, but I consider myself lucky for not having to support a family yet

Cheers
Sebastian (I feel sorry for using my Internet Nickname, but thats usually what I do in boards )

P.S.: Thanks for all the welcomes