Ps I only started straightforward onto a 40 trainer as I already had the plane and didn't have funds to buy anything else.

It appears most if not all the replies lean toward getting an instructor and flight simulator. I taught myself to fly helicopters without either. I had my share of crashes but in the end I did succeed.

I kinda went through the same situation and after getting blown off many times I went and bought Realflight 4.5. Once I was able to fly and land in strong winds on the sim, I bought a .40 Seagull Spacewalker and never looked back. First flight was a little shaky but I took of and landed with out crashing. It can be done with out a teacher if you can't find one.

Hey Drube, I'm just flying my seagull Spacewalker as my second plane now. If you managed it as your first then hat off to you and what's testament to the simulator. I do think its a very stable low wing and probably almost as easy to fly as my trainer was but it won't take the knocks as well as a trainer.

In my weeks as a new pilot I learnt that plane choice isn't just for an easy to fly plane but also one that is robust and easy to repair. oh and one where wings are held on with bands.

My flying buddy crashed his lovely Piper Cub today on take off. He hit a metal fence and caused considerable damage to lots of the plane, especially where the wings mount by screws.

If it was a trainer his repair would be twice as easy.

Yeah, I liked the Spacewalker. It was a fun plane to fly and I learned a lot with it.

Sometimes people forget at one point and time they were new and didn't know much. I usually end up helping new flyers or even some of the older members with engine problems, etc. I always bring tools and a parts box to try and help keeping everyone in the air. Our club and group are almost all this way and it makes for long term friendships and long term members. Good luck