Well, check-off another airplane addict to add to this hobby! I took my new Freedom for a test flight last night, and after several nose-dives on hand-launched take-offs, I was able to climb to a good altitude (about 100ft). I flew the plane for about 6 minutes, than decided not to push my luck and land. I bright it down slowly, and after several passes to get a feel for it, I was able to land without much incident.

History - I bought a set-up 6 years ago from a hobby shop. It was a ARF trainer electric with a Hitec 3-channel SS and two hitec S55 servos. It crashed hard the first time out. The hobby store didn't advise me on anything, other than how to give them my money. Needless to say, I was crushed, and gave up.

Then, last year, I was hunting for a present for my son, and I stumbled on the Air Hog Stealth plane. It was only twenty bucks, so I decided to give it a shot. Man, the first time I hand-launched that plane and it began to climb, wow . . .
I learned left-right stuff, and flew that plane about twenty times before I got stupid and flew it in too much wind right into a playground slide.

Well, I searched around the internet, and visited a NEW hobby store, and settled on the Freedom. I put about an hour or two using the Great Planes Sim (sp?) at the hobby store, and then put down the cash.

I have to say, I like the power of the freedom. I have a nice large field near me, so the space concerns weren't there. I could tell the ACT actually worked on a few times where I over-steared a little bit and began to dive, it definitely pulled out and leveled.

I flew it one more time that night for about 5 minutes, but then it was getting late, so I brought it in for another landing. I accidentally clipped a tree, but the plane was no worse for wear. I see many trips to the field in my future!

Some have knocked the Freedom, but in my experience I think it is a great first plane. It also has 3 channels and a 50!QUOT! wingspan, something most first planes don't have. It can be adjusted for more maneuvering, and the ACT can be turned off when I'm ready.