Now, now. The two things many Austrailians and Americans share is self-confidence and bull-headedness . . . and that can be a good thing.

Chris750 - I recommend you find an instructor. Grass is actually harder to take off and land from, and kissing it at 40 mph it can be concrete, grass, dirt or water - you still get toothpicks.

But, if you can't find one here are some tips.

Taxi a lot. Get used to the plane on the ground uncer acceleration and slowing down, turns, etc. Drive it around until you are comfortable with just that. This also gives you a change to get familiar with the engine - something the simulator is useless at.

Get a wind sock of some type and place it on the other side of the runway from where you stand (which should be in the central part of the runway with the sun behind you if possible). You always want to take off and land directly into the wind. DO NOT put the wind sock behind or beside you. NEVER take your eyes off the plane when it is moving, whether in the air or on the ground. Never fly directly over your head or behind you. It is unsafe and disorienting. And, if you look at the sun you'll likely lose the model. Another thing simulators don't teach you.

Once you can ground-handle the model, start revving up and taking little hops of a few feet then letting it settle. If you're lucky the direction she points on the wheels will be the same as in the air. This is not always the case and one GREAT reason you should have an instructor. He/She can trim out the model for you. On your own . . . Just be aware that you will probably need to make some trim adjustments and it's better if you find out at low level and relatively low speed. The short hops will help you determine that. Remember to taxi back and only try these into the wind.

Once you have some confidence - take her up. DO NOT try to circle around low to the ground thinking that will be safer. Nope. You need to be high enough that you can make a mistake or two on the controls - which you will. "Two Mistakes High" is about 75 or 100 feet.

If you still have a plane in the air bring her downwind and slow down to 1/4 throttle and try for 20 to 25 feet altitude when you begin your landing. One helpful trick is to face your body slightly upwind and look back at the model (remember - the controls seem reversed when it is heading at you vs. heading away from you). Take a deep breath and throttle down, letting the plane settle in with as little help from the elevator as possible. You should need to be feeding in just a bit of up as the wheels touch ("flairing").

Turn off the plane switch first - then the transmitter and take 20 minutes to get your knees to stop shaking.

Good luck!