I just wanted to say that I took my nexstar up for the first time with and instructor today!!! ...I flew for about a half an hour in total, just flew the basic flight pattern making left hand turns....no landings or takeoffs yet, but I must say the nexstar flies great!!!!!! it really handles well and after about ten minutes of flying the nerves left me.....I'm just really happy I got to go home with a plane still in one piece....hahahaha....

Fun huh?

Welcome to your new addiction.

Congrats!

Excellent!

Very nice! You'll have fun with this addiction..:-)

Welcome to the addiction!!!


Ken

lmao... addition... nobody warned me about when i first started!!!! lol.. now i'm spending ever doolar i have on planes... how about this.. welcome to RCU

Great job, and welcome aboard!

Congrats! Most of us don't bother trying to tell the new flyers about the "adictive part" because they wouldn't belive us any way!

Congrats on your first flight! Welcome to the hobby.

I'm torn apart between planes, RC trucks, and eventually boats.

I started off with a NexStar, too- still have it, still fly it. Have fun, and congrats!

thanks, cant wait to fly again this sunday!!!!! it is so addicting!!!!!! hopefuly the next flight will be as successful as the last one....I just cant wait for my first solo flight....just a guick question...how long did it take for you guys to fly your first solo.....

Took me about six weeks but I stayed on the buddy box past the point I could have soloed. My instructor said he thought I was ready, but since I didn't think I was he wasn't going to push me. So, based on what he said I could have soloed in 4.

Nexstar,
I'm an instructor and I can tell you that how long it takes to solo is different for every student. I had one guy that soloed in 2 weekends (4 days of flying) and I've had one that took a year and a half. It depends on a lot of things, natural talent, hand-eye coordination, type of trainer, weather, talent of instructor, availability of a simulator, etc...

All I can say is don't rush it, and listen to your instructor. He'll let you know when you are ready. I assume from your name that you have a Nexstar. Although it can't replace actual stick time, time on the simulator really does help. spend as much time on that as you can. And use the simulator like you fly. use the same view on the plane as you look at it at the field. and fly the same patterns. This will help reduce your learning curve.

Hope this helps.

Ken

It takes as long as it takes, and the most important thing is to stay on that Buddy Box till you feel comfortable with your skills. It will be great if you solo in as short as a couple weeks, but there is no shame in months either. Even after soloing you will still learn new things everytime you fly as the learning process never really ends whether you are on a buddy box or not. No matter how many weeks or months it takes, when you finally solo, just remember that the learning don't stop there. Sounds like you are really enjoying yourself so far, and that is what it is all about. Good Luck in your Training.

............oh and to answer your question. I was flying my Nitro Trainer solo after two sessions, but I self taught myself to fly small electric Airplanes a year or so before I ever bought my first gas Trainer which was an old now Discontinued Great Planes Trainer .40 (Bridi Kit). I also had several hundred hours of computer simulated Flights before I ever started flying gas. If it hadn't been for previous experiences with other types of Planes, and time spent on the sim it may have took me months to learn. So alot depends on your background as well, and previous experiences that may help speed up the process.

Welcome to the hobby! Strangely enough after about 10 minutes into my first flight, I lost my mind(as opposed to your nerves)! Havent found it since.

The time it takes to solo is as vast as there are people and planes. I took about 10 weeks. and the week after I soloed, (9th flight solo)[:@] I put my plane in. not a bad crash, but enough to remind me that in the battle of planes and gravity,,,,,,gravity will always win. lol.

After my past year of flying, I can say I have had a great time overall. The guys and gals in RCU are great, and more helpful than you can imagine.

Again, welcome and if you have any questions, feel free. There are no stupid questions.[X(]



(now if I could just figure out how to sprout balsa trees from all these splinters)

thanks for all the advise....you guys are right..I guess it depends on the student.....I have been flying on the simulator for about 4 months now....I must say..the real thing is TOTALY different. but I did notice that the simulator does help with basic manuvers..and with not getting directions messed up(like flying towards you)....well thanks again for the advise, you guys are great!!..





P.S. I do fly a nexstar..hahaha.....

Hey Nexstar- the simulator will really help you with landing approaches, especially. Practice touch-and-goes and full-stop landings till your eyes bug out, and you will be amazed at just how easy that transfers over to the real world.

And when your instructor cuts you loose for solo --and for the rest of your piloting career-- always remember that a go-around is always your first option. You'll never regret it.

WELCOME !!! Just remember "EGO'S break planes and spirits". Keep it smooth, keep it kool. ENJOY !!! RED