I also have an Aerobird. I have flown twice and like it alot, but watch out for wind. The Aerobird, like most starter electrics, doesn't handle wind very well, so you want to start your flying in calm air, with under 5 MPH gusts or the wind could take it away on you. I know, I did my first flights in about a 12 MPH wind and a big gust took the plane into the woods on the second launch. I never found it. I went out and replaced the fuselage, which includes the motor and flight electronics, tail and wing for about $75 and was ready to fly. Wait for a calm day!

If you fly near woods or a corn field or something like that, you want to add some kind of locator for your plane. You can see my post on locators here:
locators for small electrics

Once you become accomplished you can probably handle a
10-12 MPH gust, but this is not a windy day plane. The plane is light which is why if flies so well and so long (7-14 minutes) on a battery, but a very strong wind can steal it away from an inexperienced pilot. However this is true of most
starter electrics.

27 MHZ vs 72 MHZ Radio

The FCC has set a range of the 72 MHZ band aside for RC airplanes only. The Aerobird uses a 27 MHZ radio which is assigned to general use for planes, cars and boats; mostly low end stuff. There are only 6 available channels.

So, if you have a kid with a RC car in the same area where you are flying, and he is on the same channel you are on, and he is close enough, when he switches on his transmitter, you will lose control of the plane and probably crash. Even with 72 MHZ radio systems, this will happen if you get two flyers on the same channel, but 72 MHZ is dedicated to airplanes. High end RC cars are on 75 MHZ so they won't interfere.

If you live in a very populated area, this is something to be aware of. Also if you buy two planes, 72 or 27 MHZ, make sure they are on different channels or you can't fly them together.

If you are going to join a club, check with them. Some clubs will not admit 27 MHZ based planes because they can't be flown with a buddy box. This is a training system, like a dual controlled car, that is used for pilot training. After long consideration I bought the Aerobird, but this is something I have to watch for. My club, www.lisf.org, does admit 27 MHZ planes.

Hop-up kit - X-pack

In case you didn't know, the Aerobird also has an X-Pak hop up kit available for $30. It includes a 7 cell battery (the basic is 6) and a larger tail. This makes the plane faster and more maneuverable. So, once you get good you can soup it up! I bought the X-Pak when I bought mine. I will use the 7 cell as my second battery and save the tail for later. These may also let it handle wind a little better since the battery is heavier and the tail as larger control surfaces..