Pertaining to the seasoned pilot comment...


I couldnt agree more...I wish I had known of a local club with an instructor when I was learning....Wouldnt have saved any airplanes but it would have taught me a few things that I have had to learn from experience. The only problem I have seen is when a "seasoned pilot" is stuck on one line of thinking. Ive heard too many say things like, the best plane to learn on and the only plane I will instruct on is a Sig. Well me personally, I think that Sig's are some of the least attractive planes I have seen and I wouldnt own one. Nothing wrong with them, its just my opinion. An instructor should be open to teach a newbie pilot on any good trainer. But thats just one example. Another is that alot of instructors that I have seen will only train on nitro planes. Well, there are some very good electrics out there too. The Alpha and the Nexstar are two of the best trainers on the market, and you can get an electric verson of the Nexstar...but still Ive seen some instructors that refuse to train on the electric version. Personally, I believe that training on electric for the first flights is great...less chance of engine failure and therefor taking one or two variables out of the equation allowing the student pilot to focus on the flight itself.

Ive personally talked to people that get away from the idea of an instructor for these exact reasons...

I myself wasnt aware of any of the local clubs at the time...so I had to go it alone. Turns out there are three within an hour of my house. The main thing that people should realize is that everyone has their opinion, and thats all we have. We can advise people as to what worked good for us...but thats it. We cant tell people, go nitro if there interest is in electrics, or vice versa. Regardless of our likes and dislikes...this is a great hobby that can provide years and years of enjoyment for many generations and we need to be spreading the word...just a few points to remember when we start talking to someone less experienced than ourselves.

But then again, thats just my opinion...

TonyG