Hello my name is bowfish...I have a problem.
I was drawn to RC airplanes because of the building involved. Built a few peanuts and just hated the fact that I couldn't fly the thing after spending so much time building it. Had an old '75 Guillows Cessna that I have had from a garage sale many years ago and started building it for the experience and to hang in the garage. I figured I wanted to learn to fly so I got a Slow Stick off ebay and started teaching myself, along with the free flyer programs for the PC. I started building a minilaser 3d and know I am not ready to fly it yet. I was at the LHS and couldn't resist to urge to get an elec Elder. Now I have gotten a little better at flying but my slow stick has about had it. I have now started a replacement for it in a BLT. Worse yet...I couldn't resist picking up a TF P51D .60 size off ebay. I had no doubt that I couldn't fly it and am scared to start building it until I get more experience so I got a Great Planes PT20. I know nothing about gas, but figured I will learn now. Now I know I am sad. I have one working plane that is on its last leg, one mini laser 3d almost done, but I know I cant fly it yet. Have a cessna thats ARC that I will never fly. Have a BLT thats partially built and a Elder thats still in the box, along with a PT20 and a P51 that are still in the box.

What is wrong with me! I cant even fly very well yet and I got 7 planes in various stages and I cant stop looking at new planes to build. Well the good news is that I have plenty to do this winter while I can't get out and hunt down fish.

You're perfectly normal.
Is your name really Bowfish?

I don't like answering questions with a question, but, is there a RC club anywhere in your area? If so, go see those guys. One of the goals of many RC clubs is to get more people into the hobby/sport. Most clubs have someone that is designated as an instructor and can help you fly. Don't be shy about it. You don't appear to be too cocky about flying, so you will probably be accepted pretty well. There is no better way to learn about airplanes and flying than hands on experience--as long as you don't get your hand too close to the spinning prop :-). Teaching yourself is the most difficult and frustrating way to learn. Additionally, it is not very safe to fly a gas/glow fuel plane by yourself. You could hurt yourself, and others that you may not even know where around--if it gets away from you. In addition to learning to fly more easily, they can explain some of the finer points of flying that you may have over looked during your research and can go a long way in making your flying and modelling experience more satisfying. And you may even make a few new friends in the process. As a general rule, RC people are a good group.

I can't really tell you "what's wrong" with you, but, it happens to a LOT of us! Many of them can be found right here on RCU. Building airplanes does provide a great deal of enjoyment. The good thing is that you are smart enough NOT to rush out and try and fly them by yourself, so there is HOPE for you. If you are fortunate enough to find a good club, I am sure you will get to fly all your planes, and probably many more to come, in time! If it helps any, I have been in the hobby for a little over three years, and I just counted seven planes in my garage, and four are ready to fly!

Maybe someone else on here can steer you toward a good club. You are just north of Houston right?

Vinnie,,good one, LOL. I like that.

Bowfish,,,where's Spring Tx? Drive to me and bring all your planes. I'll teach ya how to fly.

No really, Goneflyn gave perfect advice. Look for clubs in your area and ask for some help. You'll make some new friends as well.

Hang in there bowfish. I have yet to solo and crashed my trainer. My instructor kinda relaxes when I fly than OOOOOOPS! Sooner or later I'll learn. I do OK with my electric Fighter Bird, slow is good.

Find an instructor, be patient, enjoy your building. Soon enough you'll get to enjoy repairing. I have a beautiful TF Contender I built and haven't built up enough courage to have someone fly it for me yet.

You can always try a slow flying, forgiving electric that will help build your confidence. It's helping me allot.

Good Luck & keep us posted.
AL

Man, I had a guy tell me he sent a newbie to me to learn. I asked what he had and he started rattling off a list of planes he built.

P-51
P-38
Corsair......

He has built about 8 warbirds in all. None suitable for training. Guess he has to build a few more.

Bow Fish I am not to far from you I fly in a filed off imperialvalley near airtex and 45.

Dont wory, after you start flying more, those 7 planes will no longer exist. I dont even Know how many planes ive destroyed... Welcom to the sport!

GO to the club and start selling some of the one's you no longer want and go get the ones you do want. It sounds like you like building as much as flying. May people are looking for builders, you can build the fancy models and still enjoy flying trainers.

Does this field have a name, or is it an outlaw field?

Is your field near Texas City? Could I fly there while on vacation at my sons house? I have had a simliar problem to Bowfish's but have finally mastered the art of flying. I have 12 planes in my hanger (garage) in various stages of completion. However I am retired so I have plenty of time to bulid and fly. All the new planes are so inviting compared to the ones we had when I was a teen. Did a lot of control line flying in my teens but doubt I could go around in circles for very long any more.

i learned all by myself. i started on a firebird, then went to a mini piper from hobby lobby, then a couple more electrics. i finally got a glow trainer and the only help i got from an instructor on that was trimming it out and landing on the first flight. it just depends on the pilot. some people get the hang of it easily, some take forever to learn. finding a club and an instructor is a great idea and learning the basics on a slow stick is also great. the building skill will also help you. also do a lot of research online. understanding how a plane works and flies is essential. the slow stick will help you with that. but when you move on to glow, get an instructor. have fun!

Thanks fellas I didn't think I was completely insane.

I am just north of Houston and there are a couple local clubs and a couple flying fields around that I know of. Getting a hold of them and myself into the AMA is my next goal...before I go get another plane. I do not want to try to fly any glow plane by myself or anywhere but a real field and with some help.

I really do enjoy the building part of it. I cant see myself getting an ARF it just wouldn't feel right. And I must say that my flying experience has not been good so far, but its been fun...you know its the crash and tape it back together, broken prop type flying. Guess that is one good thing about foam. And my 7 yr old gets a kick out of it too. I know he is not too far from flying himself.

Vinnie, its Robert, but because I bowfish a whole lot...