Roughly three years ago I purchased a Parkzone Super Decathlon RTF from my local hobby store. After unsuccessfully trying to fly the plane 2-3 times with minor crashes, I ended up breaking the fuselage where the landing gear attached to it. I was advised by the hobby store to purchase a new 70 dollar fuselage altogether. I was very young (in middle school) at the time and was too naive to realize that I could have fixed the the problem with some balsa wood and epoxy. Likewise, I did not maintain a salary that could pay for such a repair.
Approximately one year later I purchased (from a different hobby store) a hobbyzone Super Cub RTF. It was about then I joined RC Universe, hence my user name. The Super Cub was flown more successfully than the Super Decathlon though i never flew it without a crash occuring at some point. Furthermore, the battery did not seem to charge properly which limited flight time.
At some point I visited my local flying club field. Club members seemed helpful enough. I ended up joining the AMA as well as the club. I was advised, much to my dismay(due to price), that it was necessary for me to purchase a .40- .60 size nitro trainer aircraft among other things. I purchased a hobbico nexstar. For about 3 months I eagerly participated in club events, meetings, etc. I even went so far as to attend a class the club held at my community center regarding the building of an ARF aircraft. However, within those three months, I barely recieved any flight instruction. Whenever I visited the field something prevented me from flying. Overall, I recieved less than an hours instruction total on how to fly the nexstar. The nexstar itself was an unreliable plane. The wing had trouble being fascened to the fuselage and in some instances it had trouble starting. Instructors in the club either seemed too busy to help me or simply did not have the correct budy box cord to connect to my controller. Most club officers and members SEEMED willing to help me out, but very few were ACTUALLY willing to lend me a hand. The one instructor who "took the time" to help me was intimidating and by my standards a poor teacher. After the three month period, I simply stopped visiting the flying field and going to meetings.
Two moinths ago i decided to give flying yet another try. This time I contemplated joining a smaller club that advertised as being "beginner friendly" I came to a meeting and met an interesting flight instructor who SEEMED willing to help me fly.I emailed him about making an appointment to begin training again. Aparently he was busy on weekends. My "job" as a student hinders the ability for me to visit a flying field during a week day. The instructor said that he would email other club instructors stating that I needed instruction. I however recieved no emails since. I've also visited the flying field several times only to find that no instructors were present.
I therefore gave up on learning to fly the nexstar a second time.
I will apologize if this story has wasted your time. My actual question poses whether or not an e-flite Piper L-4 or Beachcraft 450 (ARF's) would make for good "park flyer" beginer planes. It seems as though my age( or lack there of), schedule, and perhaps personality have wrecked my previous flying carreers. Other than answering my question, any feedback in regards to my story would be appreciated. Thanks.