I have flown a Nexstar for a full season last year, with no incidents. The plane was sold last December, to help cover the cost of car repairs. I brought part of a new plane to a local field, to determine how to glue up a few joints. The instructor was helpful in illustrating the proper technique, and showing me his model for reference. Mind you, this is a field that I would visit frequently, from time to time, to watch the RC planes in action. They just seem more interesting than anything full-scale. Besides, watching airplanes at the local airport has become an illegal act of terrorism these days, literally.

After showing me the good fastening technique he used, he seemed rather surprised: "Is that the wing to a Nexstar?". "No", I responded, "It's the wing to a Cessna". The guy looked puzzled, and said "I have no clue as to who you are, and I have never seen you fly here before". Then: "And then all of a sudden, you bring a Cessna!?" I emphatically stated that I soloed last year, and that I was certified at another club, and have the papers to prove it. I even had my AMA card in hand. I then stated: "I was not intending this for a trainer, but as a second plane, for its docile flying characteristics, and its affordable price." Another club member verified that Cessna's fly very much like trainers, except land slightly faster and handle better in wind. The Cessna on RealFlight compares favorably to the Nexstar, and is among the easiest planes for me to fly, on that simulator. In fact, the Cessna was easier for me than the PT-40.

I have read other postings, where a model Cessna seems to be the villain of scale models, ranking right up there with Cubs and war birds, maybe even scarier! I often wonder if they're feared as much as jets? OK, so the Cessna will look nice in my living room (I'll need to find some place to display it properly, it won't fit on top of my fridge). Meanwhile, I guess I'm off to get another trainer, as per his recommendation: "I think you're biting off a bit more than you can chew, but you do your own thing, I'm not to blame if you won't listen to my advice". Again, I am fine with getting another trainer, no problem. Besides, I need something to knock around with should I decide to have the Cessna stuffed and mounted as a hangar queen.

Back to the villain: Well, are they really that bad? Are people really afraid of them? Do they bite? I once tried to get a rattlesnake, to keep as a speciman, but decided against it for liability reasons. Maybe the Cessna would make a good substitute! But honestly, folks. I have read more crash reports on Nexstars than I have on Cessnas. What gives? Are 4-Stars and Tiger-2s an unspoken AMA rule that should never be broken? Could there be suspician among people in a club when ever someone brings something that they might consider as too "different"? Is there a possibility that clubs may be reluctant to let some people fly there, even if it's a public field and club membership is not required? Could situations like this be a contributing factor to the decline of AMA memberships, and the rapid growth of small electrics and helis?

NorfolkSouthern