I appreciate the quick reply and the good advice, opjose. I've read through quite a few threads here, hoping to find a solution to my problems without starting a new discussion. I learned how you feel about noobs who view these model aircraft as "toys" - and you are absolutely right. When I read an old thread started by "Beforetime", a noob who got his A-10 six-inches above the ground before it crashed, I literally laughed till I cryed. Someone suggested that he upgrade to brushless motors, and he replied that the only "brush" he needed was to sweep up the debris! I thought you were going to really admonish him for being a nitwit, but you were actually pretty easy on him.

I'm a noob to rc, but I have a commercial pilots license, instrument rating, multi-engine rating, CFI and CFII. I've also got countless hours on various versions of Microsoft Flight Sims. I've also got a 4-acre back yard with a 3/4 acre pond, so I thought I'd at least have a fighting chance with a plane as slow and docile as the Catalina appears to be. My plan was to start off with hand launches and grass landings, then transitioning to the water. If I should crash and destroy a $69 model, I'm not going to view it as a disaster, nor am I going to give up on the sport. Having said all that, I agree that you're probably right, and I'm seriously considering something more noob-friendly to learn on.

In the meantime, I'm just interested in what I have to do to get my fresh-out-of-the-box Catalina working properly.