bpbat21, I used and still use Real Flight 3.5. I flew on it for about 2 months till I could do all the basic aerobatics. It really helped me to keep from destroying my Hobbistar 60. The guys at the field were impressed that I could fly so well from the get go. I never destroied mt trainer. I saved that for later for the more expemsive birds.

When madening a new plane one thing I like to do after all the usuall checks and balances is to get the engine running now taxi out to the runway and just do low speed runs up and down the runway. When feeling a little more relaxed do some high speed runs never letting the plabe come airborne. That will give you a real good idea what going to happen from sitting still up to liftoff. You will find out if you have a plane that needs to be run out before you lift off or if it just needs have the coals poured to it.