Piper Chuck - You know reading all these beginner posts I feel old.

I think the likes of your and I are of a dying old school breed. I too tend to warn people off flying hot models and years ago most would listen. Nowadays they don't care and want to do it one their own.

The only reason I can't think of for the shift in attitude is the invention of the ARF. Back when you and I started we would spend a good bit of time taking great care creating our models from planks of wood. Once we had finished it was our pride and joy. The investment of time alone meant that we would be much more concerned for the model then newbies these days.

I might go so far to say that the modern attitude is a bit cavalier, mostly because ARFs are so cheap, quick to build and thus easy to regard as toys.

Back in the good old days we were heartbroken when we smashed something we spent weeks/months construction from raw materials. Smash one now and you just buy another one.

At least we can benefit from lower cost engines and radios these days, and it's always really great to see people appear on the Kit Building forum who are bored of ARF and want to do something for themselves.

I remember when I flew my first warbird years ago, it was a 1/8 Top Flite P-47. I could have sworn I could hear my heart pumping over the 2-stroke engine as the tail lifted off the ground for the first time. I was so nervous I might have been dangerous. The feeling once I saw the wheels retract one after the other and realised that it flew beautifully is one that makes all the effort worth while though

To the thread author, well done on a lucky first flight with minimal damage, but congratulations on your decision to join a club. You'll find the hobby much more rewarding learning from others and later passing your experience on to future newbies. I'm 100% confident you'll progress much faster in their company too. You don't need to make all the mistakes yourself that way!!!