after reading this thread it makes me gratefull for the area that I live as far as rc goes there are 4 flying fields within 20 minutes of my house 2 are 5 minutes from were I work all with a great bunch of guys. My learming curve was also step never had been on a buddy box first plane was a tower hobbies trainer I got at a pawn shop I flew this for about 3 months then got a hanger 9 p51 mustang that first flight of the mustang lasted about 6 minutes and then it went home in a trash bag but now they seem to last longer. I say the dirty birdie flys beter than anything you can try to practice with of corse this is just an opinion but if you flew it in the past once it leaves the ground it will be just like old times again. most of the planes I fly now are as old or older than me they just fly and are built better anyway ill stop rambling. If you ever in the gadsden alabama area look up any of the flying sites they will me more than happy to fly and share stories.