Just wanted to tell of my experinaces of my first flight, (instructor aided). The weather finally cooperated...well it was cold, but at least it didn't rain or snow.

First off I would like to state that I have decided to go with paid instruction, for two main reasons.

1.) I know that clubs and some individuals are willing to give free asisstance to people in my position....complete beginers, however I am a full time student and full time worker, so time is somewhat a concern in my book. There are only one or maybe two days a week that I am able to break away for a few hours to fly. When you get into "volentary" instruction the selected time frames must be convient for both student and instructor. With paid instruction I set the time and date, and weather permitting we fly.

2.) I am a firm beleiver in the old myth that you get what you pay for. Although I am very new to this hobby, I am sure that there are a lot of great volentary instructors out there, but I know if I were an instructior I would want something in return for my time and services. I am a law student because I find intrest in law, much like instructors have intrest in this hobby, yet I would find myslef a little reluctant to pratice law for free. Anyway just my thoughts.

After my instructor took off and climbed to altituide he handed me the controls...no buddy box here. After flying for only 20-25 mins, (It was getting too cold to stay out any longer) we brought the plane down. This is the amazing part, after only 25 mins of flight I was able to land the plane, in fact now that I think about it my instructor never had to take the controls from my hand the entire flight. Instead of using the buddy box, my instructor just stood to my right where he had the ability to make any minor adjustments to the aircraft. He also teaches beginners to fly helis with out a buddy box, and he will even teach you on his heli!!! Just curious any other beginners out there learn to fly this way???

I think had I not had such an awsome first experiance in flying, that I would probobly not pursue the hobby. Speaking from the shoes of a true beginner I think that this is very important. I had no runaround with my instructor and his teaching methods are superb. I probobly would have started in on this fun years ago had I know that it was possible to learn so easily.

How do some of you other beginners feel about your first few flights???

I think I'll be in this hobby for a long time, I can't wait to fly again!!