Hey, everyone! New here, and brand new to the sport. In fact, I just got my first plane on Sunday. I bought a complete Eagle 2 w/radio/engine and a partially assembled kit. Flew it, or tried to fly it on Monday. It had to be about the most exhilarating 15 seconds of my life. She looked beautiful taking off, and very graceful as I started to bank to the right. Then, well, you know. I think I made two mistakes; first, I don't think I took it high enough, and second I don't think I took her fast enough. She pretty much stalled about half way through the turn. Not too much damage though, so I'm pleased. Total cost of repair about $7. I'm looking forward to getting her back up again in a couple of days.

Anyhow, just wanted to say hi. Not looking for any advice at this point, as I have far too many questions. I just don't know where to begin. I'm going to play around on the site, I saw the tutorials, those look nifty. Seems like a great place.

Regards,

Terry

Welcome! Glad to have you. Feel free to jump in anytime.. We are a pretty lively bunch here, and everyone really wants to help you guys get off on the right foot.

First off welcome to the addiction, er hobby. don't try it alone again, you'll most likely end up with the same results. get a hold of a Local club and seek instruction. as you've found out it isn't as easy as it looks, and the eagle 2 is one of the better trainers. With an instructor your radio will be hooked to his and he can take over instanly when you get in trouble.
You can find an AMA club here

[link=http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx]ama club[/link]

99% of the clubs train for free, and for the sake of your equipment and the public around you get instruction.

the toledo area should have several clubs around you. I don't know your acual zip code but the fist pop up shows at least 8 in the area

Welcome to the addiction. I'm fairly new and still training. I'll say the best thing I've done is to find a local club and get a instructor to help me learn to fly - I'm sure its saved me at least a couple of repairs/new planes. The second best thing I've done is to do lots of reading here. I've been able to find answers to most of my questions by searching the forums here and if not I just ask questions and the folks here are very helpful with answering them. I'm flying a LT-40 I built from a kit and the beginners forum, and RCKen's build thread, have been invaluable. I get complements on my plane and covering job every time I go to the field.

Hello and welcome to RCU,
As you can see even though you said you are not asking for advice you are going to get it anyway.
We just want to see you succeed and enjoy the hobby. Won't be much fun if you total your plane completely after only a few flights.
I agree with the above posts, get with a club and take advantage of free training (at least most clubs offer free training) baring that a simulator will pay for itself if you insist on going it alone and can speed your training if you do get an instructor to help.

I think I made two mistakes

Welcome to R/C! Actually, you made three mistakes. Your first one was not getting with an instructor. Unless you want to make more short flights and repairs, possibly more expensive than your first, GET AN INSTRUCTOR. The number of people who have taught themselves is VERY low.

Don't let this discourage you, but give yourself a fighting chance.

Dr.1

Welcome to RCUniverse!

Ditto on getting an instructor

And in case you don't know it, Toledo is home to one of the Biggest R/C shows every April at the Seagate Center

Believe it or not, we are not ganging up on you. We just want you to succeed with a minimum of pain and expense. Self-taught piloting is not easy and few do it well. By the way, none of us get a commision for recommending a club to you.
I wish you well and welcome you to RC and RCU.

Please consider the good advice from above. You probably don't realize that a trainer is capable of reaching speeds of 70 mph! This speed can take you by surprize and leave you wondering what to do. Thats where an instructor can take over and give you a chance to catch your breath, rather than have you frozen on the transmitter as the situation gets worse. IF your plane were to hit a vehicle or worse, a person, you would be liable and the RC hobby would get bad publicity would hurt all of us in the hobby. [X(]