The first plane I bought was a Curare with a Picco 60 and a tuned pipe. I spent so much money on it that I HAD to learn how to fly. The instructor who was a pattern flyer and ex-owner of the plane was kind enough to stay the full day teaching me how to fly the beast. Soloed the first day and learned how to use the dive brakes/flaps too.

Sad to say that I sold it before coming to the US, which I promptly bought a Thunder Tiger trainer after a few years hiatus. Promptly crashed it and bought a pattern plane...a Tipo with a Rossi 60 and a pipe. Finally bought a trainer again, Avistar with a Rossi 40 and no dihedral. This has got to be one of the best sport planes made. That plane lasted me for years. After that, I started going slower and slower. Now I fly electric and my favorite plane for very lazy afternoons is the venerable Slow Stick with a Hacker motor.

B