FatOrangeKat,

I would recommend using the buddy box with an instructor until you become familiar with this airplane. I recently had a student that was soloed for a few months buy one. I helped him check out the airplane and stood with him for his first flight. He took off on the first flight and immediately started porpusing all over the sky despite my suggestion to not 'move' the sticks but to put 'pressure' on the sticks to avoid the possibility of overcontrol. The airplane was also a little out of trim, which didn't help. He quickly began to really get behind the airplane, so I recommended he give up the TX. He handed the TX to me as the airplane became a small speck flying all over the place going in and out of strange attitudes. I trimmed it out and flew it for a few minutes before landing it. The throws were as recommended, but still a little much for him, so I showed him how to put in some expo. Moral of the story: yes, it's a good second airplane, but NOT your trainer. It is faster and more responsive. These are actually good characteristics but take some time to get used to. Raise the throttle slowly for takeoff and be gentle with the sticks. Learn to anticipate the need for rudder on the takeoff roll. When you're nervous you will inevitably move the sticks more than you think, so like I recommend, imagine just applying 'pressure' to the controls.

Have fun, but be careful and take it slowly-

Nathan King