I got the nexstar for Christmas a couple years ago and was giong to go at it alone just like you are thinking of diong. The nearest club was 50 miles away and I had been fooling around with the G3 sim and thought I could handle it with no problems. Then I stumbled on this guy who offered to help me with everything until I got my feet wet. I thought about it for a few seconds and thought sure, why not. (THAT WAS THE BEST DECISION I COULD HAVE MADE!!!!) If I would have tried to do I myself the plane wouldn't have lasted two minutes. When we got it to the feild and he checked it over it was just as the manuel said to set it up. When he took off the airplane needed so much down elevator trim that the trim slider on the transmitter wasn't enough. He had to hold down elevator and land at the same time. The sim doesn't teach you that. I have also learned numerous other things from him and have made a good friend and flying buddy.

mteal