About a month ago, I decided to sell my Revo and get into planes. For my first plane I picked the GP Flatout CAP580. I know it was not a smart choice, but I figured being a licensed pilot would make things easier. The radio is a 6EXAS.[8D]

It took me 2 evenings to build the plane. A lot more than the advertised 2-3h build time on the box. Next morning I went to the local park. Huge area, great for flying.[8D] I was really scared of what could happen, but took off anyways. Flew for less than 1 min and the plane got into a nose down attitude and....CRASH![X(] I just couldn't believe it, but I wasn't upset. I knew I'd crash the little CAP. I am a novice, what am doing with this plane anywyas?[&o]

Went back home with the remaining pieces, sat down in front of the computer and decided to get a trainer. I ordered a Mini Max Blue before leaving to work in a hurry. But when i got back home and decided to do some research about my next plane. Damn! Not so good news about it. Now I am upset![:@] So, you know what? Let's get another CAP580. Off to ebay, got one, asked for overnite shipping.
Meanwhile I got the FMS and practiced on the computer with an adapted joystick. It was a good thing to do. Just to get that feeling of flying again, since the last time I was in a plane was about 2years ago.

I got the new CAP last nite and, after 6h, it was ready for flight. But only in the morning. Couldn't even sleep thru the nite. Woke up and off to the park we go. Checked CG, controls, motor, connections, servos, radio. But the wind's not very friendly today, but I couldn't hold the urge to fly, even thou I knew I was risking another crash. Full throttle, threw the CAP to the sky and started climbing to a safe altitude. Yes, the wind became a problem. The lil plane was struggling to go forward upwind. Well, let's face the wind at a 45 degree angle, then. I was freezing inside, thinking about my first attempt at flying. But everything went fine. Practiced some attitude for landing while I was high. Did a barrel roll, a loop. After about 4-5 minutes, I decided to land and...BINGO! Perfect landing![8D] My first succesful flight![8D] I did another 2 flights, but one of the wings kinda folded and the foam at the wing strut snaped. Thank God I was able to keep control after it spun 2-3 times and land.

Only thing I think right now is: Why haven't I tried planes an year ago when I got into r/c?

Well, let me go check if my patch on the wing is dried already. Time to go to the park again. See you guys later.[8D]

Thats great. Please be sure your not near any club fields though. I met someone last weekend that lost a plane worth several thousand dollars when some turned on the same channel radio to fly a 30 dollar foamie. Check for clubs in the area and be sure your not flying near them. Or better yet, join the club and fly at their field. It would be a big help to learn how to fly. Good luck, Jeff

Yeah, there isn't any flying club around. The one we have around the area is at least a 20 min drive away. I am a lone flyer in the area. Never saw anyone flying r/c planes since I moved here 6 years ago.

BTW, my first CAP came with a 10x3.5 propeller, but the new one came with a 10x3.8. The manual recommends the latter for best performance - even thou the first kit came with the 10x3.5. What's the difference between both?

the difference is the pitch (or angle) of the blades. The 3.8 may result in an extremely slight increase in top speed but may actually make takeoffs and climbs more sluggish. The difference is minimal in this case IMO.

BTW - 20 minutes isn't far to enjoy the friendship of fellow RC pilots. They could help with a lot of these little questions.

Welcome to RC flying and RCU.