Crashem,
I hope you understand that I honestly try to be constructive in participating in these types of conversations. As I stated, I was very close to going for it on my own and realize now (a year later) that that would have been a bad idea.
Originally posted by Crashem
GB,
How do you think people first learned to fly RC. Pretty hard to find an instructor for something when you are one of the first.
I'm not sure what you mean here. The Wright Bros. learned to fly with an instructor, but most people wouldn't recommend that now.
Have you ever lived in a rural area? From your response I'm asuming no. Your agruements about the dangers involved don't hold as much water when we are talking about rural areas.
Actually, I asked my grandfather to cut me a landing strip on his 12 acre farm. I've been waiting to get a bit better before I use it though. And I stated that it certainly is anyone's right to do what they want on their own property.
I'm not saying one should try it alone if alternatives exist but to make such a big deal when somebody states that they did do it is getting really tiring. Remember its their property, their plane and their life!!!!
People are also free to do "JackAss" type things, like set themselves on fire, but that doesn't mean they should be encouraged to. From what I've seen on these boards, sometimes the newbie can be encouraged to go find an instructor, sometimes they can't. So, I think this type of conversation is more important for lurkers than for TYCER.
Although TYCER seems to be ready to go get another plane, many people would have given up after totalling their first bird. I had a friend who did just about what TYCER described. Took his plane out with a few hours of sim time, pulled back on the stick, and watched the high speed impact with the ground. He never rejoined the hobby.