I started from scratch with an electric trainer and a friend who handled initial takeoffs and landings. I was soloing after about 4 ten-minute flights, but having a borrowed simulator on my computer helped a lot.

Then I won a Hobbico Superstar 40 in a raffle and suddenly was into the glow-fuel world. After 4 buddy-box teaching sessions on that, I'm able to do a rudimentary solo without the buddy box. But the windy conditions where I'm flying make learning landings about twice as difficult to learn. After a couple more lessons, I think I'll get approval to use our AMA field on my own. I will admit to being somewhat cautious to avoid wrecking the lovely plane I won too early in the game.

I enjoy both the fuel and electric planes. The electric is a lot simpler-just charge the batteries and go, but the glow fuel plane seems more interesting and dynamic.