ORIGINAL: j_jones84

Thanks overbored77 for giving me insight into what I need to consider.

I see myself doing this on the weekends. I dont see myself ever spending over $300 on a plane, I see myself being content with a non aerobatic plane. I dont ever see myself joining a club. I dont particularly enjoy tinkering/upgrading. I do repairs and adjustments as necessary evil to get in the air. As an example I have a BladeCX2 I bought off of ebay with a bad servo. I replaced it and now my swashplate is very out of balance, and I am dreading putting it back together. Eventually I will do my best to interpret written instructions and wing it, just to get it in the air. That's one reason I am more prone to RTFs. I imagine it would be different if I had a real person that could assist (Club, LHS) but I dont. My other hobby is shooting and I kind of relate this to than in the sense that I have some nice guns, good quality, even possibly used for some higher end activities... but I just enjoy plinking with them on weekends.

Electric vs. Fuel.

Not sure, fuel seems more complicated.. more parts to break down.. more things to learn (I can charge a battery.. but I dont mechanic well). But it also seems more powerful. Power would mean heavier planes, meaning more wind I could fly in? But that would also mean it would be more rigid and more apt to destruction upon crashing, though I believe this would be the same for electric or fuel.. due to the nature of the more advanced aircraft.

Size of the plane doesn't really matter. Expecting something with at least a 40" wingspan... but anything bigger would be fine. Smaller would too I suppose, but I'd be afraid of losing orientation too quickly due to the fact it would appear to be a black dot sooner.

Size of flying area. Have some flat, treeless property available for me to fly at probably encompassing 18football fields, but one football field sized area very close to my house that would be awesome if I could utilize ($3 a gallon for unleaded =/)

As for flying with an instructor.. I'll give it some thought, but leaning towards no. I've mastered my trainer (Though it practically flys itself so thats not saying much) and I really just want to toodle around in the air.. do a few loops, barrel rolls, flybys and land. If the Super Cub could just fly in the wind I'd probably stick with it until I was ready for some aerobatics.


Hopefully this wasn't too wordy.. it seems like the beginner topic is so popular many posts are on the dreaded second page before you know it. Thanks in advance