You've selected an excellent first airplane to learn with, soop7667. The Solo Sport from Hangar 9 will provide you with years of enjoyable flying. It has a broad flight envelope ranging from mild to wild, and with an O.S. Max .50 SX on the front, you will be able to fly quite wildly when you're ready.

Being an experienced helicopter pilot should help you with basic flight in several ways. You're already familiar with flight controls, and you've learned that small stick movements can have a significant effect on the aircraft in flight. You are also familiar with control orientation and the difference between tail-in and nose-in control.

A Solo Sport refitted with 3" tires should be able to take off and land on a fairly rough grass field. Taking off with a .50 SX should be almost instantaneous if the engine is tuned properly and the appropriate propeller is installed. It's much more engine than is necessary for the airframe, but as long as the plane balances out OK, you should have a lot of fun with it.

With the .50 SX on the nose, your Solo Sport should weigh in around 6lbs. flying weight and is probably capable of 70mph + speeds. It's not an exaggeration to state that you could kill or severly injure or maime somebody with your airplane. An AMA membership would provide you with a subscription to Model Aviation magazine, a window sticker for your car, and $2,500,000.00 of liability coverage in the event you hit a house, car, person, or pet with your airplane. You'd also receive $10,000 in supplemental medical coverage in case you happen to hit yourself or get cut up by your own propeller. An annual AMA membership is $15 for pilots 18 years or younger, $58 for a standard adult magazine.

I've bought a lot of dumb stuff since I've gotten involved with this hobby, but I've never regretted my AMA membership. There are a lot more benefits to belonging to the AMA, but if you're planning on flying without liability coverage, I don't really need to go on. Spend the few extra dollars and protect yourself with AMA coverage.

Good luck, and post back to let us know how your first flights go!