hi, ive had my my .40 trainer for about 6mths now and i am to scared to take it off the ground, and have no one to teach me how to fly it. ive got a flight simulator on my computer and have mastered it, but still im not ready to fly. im lookin at gettin a (cheap) j3 park flyer to build up my confidence. is this a good idea, or should i just bite the bullet and fly the trainer?

Glad you've got the sim mastered! [sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]

While flying the sim well is a real plus, there are still a bunch of things you need to learn to get an airplane safely up and down without running your blood pressure to unsafe levels ... Strongly suggest you track down a club and an instructor for the first few flights.. will make it much easier on your nerves and your model Would even be worth a field trip if the nearest club is some distance away..

Sounds like a good plan; try a park flyer to get the idea of flying toward yourself and the opposite controls. Find one that has elevator control and not the ones that depend on motor speed for climbing or descending.

There are plenty of guys on RCU from Australia. You need to PM one or more of them and find a way to get with a club/instructor even if it is even just for a weekend or weeks vacation. The chances of surviving are going to be much higher.
Go to this link
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=1937039
and click on the email link at the bottom. I'm not sure it will still work but he is an experienced flyer/instructor in your town of Gladstone. His post is old so he may have moved on though but it is woth a try.
If that doesn't work, go to the top of the page to "member list" and click there.
In interest area select "airplanes".
In narrow by location select "Australia".
then click "find member".

You will then get 10 or more pages of Australian members. Reas through the list like I did until you find one in your area (I don't know your geography) and make contact. You can get more info by clicking on their names in the lists.

Good luck.

Hi, It would be best to find someone to help you for the first few times, I find out the hard way, Crashed the first takeoff, After that i got help, Once you get past the jitters, you are one your way, I've been flying for six months now and on my second plane (low wing), Good luck and don't forget to have FUN

I started with a park flyer myself ParkZone j3 cub everytime i flew it i crashed (more parts, more $$$$ )[:-] several things to consider
1. no dihedral on a j3 2. very light (any Wind is a problem ) if you can fly inside that would be great. 3 very small hard to see after 4 weeks of replacing parts $$$$ i went and got me a LT-40 kit which is almost complete now hope to be flying in about two weeks
SAVE YOUR MONEY JOIN A CLUB !!!!!!!!!!! make some new friends find a instructor or at least let someone fly you plane for you the first time out. i too have a simulater (still, scan't spell ) oh well good luck from what they tell me they all crash sooner or latter (a reason to get a new plane and a few extra parts ) Good Luck Mate!!!

I've contacted an experienced pilot in Gladstone,Australia via email. He is trying to contact you. Chech your PM's for information.

I was in the same position as you many years ago--a new trainer I was sure I'd crash, and no clubs around. No sims in those days, either, and no Internet. So I put the trainer away for awhile and bought an RC glider. Nowadays you can get a good electric glider, but back then you powered a glider by stapping a motor mount to the wing and hanging a Cox .049 engine from it. It made an excellent trainer. Very slow and stable. The Parkzone Cub can't compare.

But you shouldn't have to go through that now. I not only had to learn to fly by myself, I had to learn everything, through trial and error (mostly error), from tuning an engine to handling a deadstick. I got very good at making repairs. Finding someone to help will save you tons of time, and likely some cash as well.

PZ J-3 Cub was a nightmare. I eventually tought myself to fly it but I spent enough to by 3 of them in repares. Gas money to your nearest club would be better spent money.

Ultimately you may have to join your local club - they are sure to have instructors available to teach you.

GLADSTONE MODEL AERO CLUB Inc
PRES: Vic WHITTOME 07-4973 3380
SEC: Michael LUDERS 07-4972 2046
241 Auckland Street, GLADSTONE QLD 4680 [email protected]

Good luck.

hyper 701, If all else fails , i am just an hour and a half north of you at Yeppoon. I am an instructor and we have an excellent field, A private airport. So if you have no success in your city, then PM me and we will work something out
Bill

ok thanks alot guys, thats helped out heaps