I don't know that opjose and I are actually arguing. The three of us, Missleman, seem to agree completely that working with a flight instructor on a larger 4-channel trainer (glow or electric, but glow is more cool) at an AMA chartered flying field is the best way to learn how to fly RC.

The greater investment in initial equipment isn't even necessary upfront; most clubs have club trainer airplanes for new or potential members to fly with an instructor. If the student enjoys their flying lessons and they decide to buy their own trainer, that plane could last them for many years, and even if it doesn't, the engine and radio system will likely last them for many years.

The main contention is simply this - what do you recommend to the complete beginner who wants a small, inexpensive electric plane that they can learn to fly all on their own with no help in a park or a schoolyard? Convincing these people to take a leap of faith and find a local club works in some instances, but some folks don't like clubs and don't like asking for help.

The reason that the Super Cub RTF from Hobbyzone keeps getting mentioned is because it fits that role. Sportrider FZ6's comments are typical of folks who taught themselves on the Super Cub - they like the plane and were successful learning on their own with it. His comments also support opjose's ascertion that the Super Cub doesn't prepare you very well for your "next step" in RC flying.

I started flying in 2005 and new nothing. I remember what it's like being a complete beginner with a Hobbyzone plane. I remember dropping $130 on a plane that the hobby store recommended and then being told it was a piece of crap toy and I needed to spend $250 on an Avistar instead. I have no problem saying, "I don't know anything about this and I'd love it if you guys would help me learn." I also had no problem dropping $400 or so on a Nexstar Select RTF and a field box w/ accessories as I'd already made up my mind I wanted to fly.

Not everybody is comfortable admitting they don't know anything about a subject, and not everyone can spend $400 or so on a new glow trainer after already dropping $130 on an Aeroturd. Fear of looking foolish prevents many beginners from finding help from more experienced pilots. Fear of spending good money after bad and getting in over their heads prevents more still from investing in quality airplanes and equipment.

You guys need to understand that flight training, instructors, and chartered clubs aren't anything folks usually know about unless they are already in the hobby or brought into the hobby by an experienced pilot. To the outside world, the AMA's mission is to promote the art and science of medicine.

If you talk to somebody who has no idea that a club system and chartered fields even exist about AMA clubs and flying instructors, it just raises more fear, uncertainty, and doubt about trying to get started in RC flying. They start saying things like, "I have to join a club? What does that cost? I need to join the AMA before I can join a club? How much more is that? Wow, that's as much as my plane! Oh, I get liability insurance if I crash my plane into somebody's car? I didn't even think about that. I need to pay for club membership and AMA membership every year, huh? Boy, that kind of ads up, doesn't it?..."

When I was a rookie, I had already made up my mind that flying RC planes would kick ass and I wanted in. I ponied up $153 for two club memberships and an AMA membership without batting an eye. I joined two different clubs because their training nights were on different nights, so I could learn twice as fast. If you have the disposable income and you've made up your mind that this is the hobby for you, parting with the cash isn't that big of a deal.

I think a lot of the guys buying Hobbyzone Super Cub RTFs are the guys who don't necessarily have the time or money to jump into the sport with both feet. They might be still going to school. They might be newly married and/or have young children at home. They might live in an urban area, and the nearest chartered flying field is an hour's drive. They simply might live in a small apartment and may not have storage for a larger plane.

Anyway, I'm sure you'd all agree I've droned on and on for far too long already. Try to put yourself in the new pilot's shoes and there might be plenty of reasons why what we think of as the "best" solution isn't necessarily the best fit for someone else.