Can you tell me all there is about trainers as well as starting out and being a complete novice to all of this flying stuff.Are there better trainers out there that are much better than cheaper,rookie ones?Is this hobby difficult and full of pitfulls?What are they like to r/c cars?Is the hobby addictive?Where have most of you ended up after your first fly?Most importantly,what is it like to fly(Explain in detail to a rc plane virgin)?Your help is greatly appreciated.

this thread is going to have answers coming or from many to really get down to the weeds.

G-2 helped me learn to fly rc planes.
i would say compared to cars its night and day and a lot more fun.
cars can't do loops and stunts like the more advance planes will do.
the sig lt-40 arf is an outstanding training plane.
join a rc club to get your foot in the door with planes and training along with g-2 if you have a computer and dont mind spending some $$$
this hobby can get you into it very cheap but the $$ start adding up once you get hooked or wreak a lot either way it happens.
if $ is to be saved u have to search for deals like this site offers or hobby shops on used equip.
i hope i have enlighten u some.....

There are lots of good trainers out there....they all fly well....you first need to ask yourself if you want to build a kit, assemble an ARF (Almost ready to fly) that will typically take 5-20 hours, or get a RTF (ready to fly) which is about 30 minutes of assembly.
You can expect to pay about $300 to $400 to get a plane, engine and radio...plus you'll need some field equipment (glow plug ignitor, starter, fuel, voltmeter, etc)
The only real pitfall is that when you mess up, you'll do a lot more damage than you would with an RC car! To minimize this possibility, GET AN INSTRUCTOR FROM A LOCAL CLUB TO TEACH YOU HOW TO FLY!!
To me, flying is a total rush....I absolutely love it....it's a total addiction to me....but I've always been fascinated by planes. It's pretty amazing to see a minature version of an airplane take to the skies and do whatever you want it to (usually!) This is the best hobby in the world....and it can be as challenging as you want it to be.......you can fly lazy circles around the sky, or put your plane into manuevers that aren't even named 3 feet off the the runway...it's all up to you. 99% of the people you'll meet in this hobby are great...and you'll make some great new friends.....hanging out at the flying field with your buddies is half of the fun!

Like Krazy said, this all can be very expensive, or if you are carefull, and learn quick, it might not be.
It is very addictive, vastly different than cars, gobs more fun.

As far as a trainer, choose a secondhand flatbottom wing trainer. might be able to pick one up for 200 or so ready to fly. Granted you still need ground equipment, but not much.

Most importantly, find someone who is already in the hobby, and local, have them help you.

RichmondM,

To answer all your questions all you have to do is use the search function built into RCU

I'll give you my short answer to some of your questions

Basically all trianers do what they are intended to (provide a stable airframe to help you learn) Which ones are better is more a matter of opinion.

Is this hobby difficult and full of pitfulls? Short answer No, If you seek help here and at your local club. If you try it alone it becomes more difficult (and expensive)

What are they like to r/c cars? RC Vechicals (cars/planes/helis/boat) share one common characteristic the operators perspective is outside side of the vechicle this is best illistrated when the vechicle is coming towards you and you must remember control reversal you left is the vechicles right!!
Planes because the operate in 3 demensions tend to be shall we say less forgiving of mistakes. with ground vechiles you can usually let go of the throtle let the vechicle come to a stop and "plan" ougt you next move. Doing that with a plane or heli usually results in you next move being shop time for repairs and or replacements

Is the hobby addictive? In a WORD YES!!

Most importantly,what is it like to fly? For those of us that are addicted Its the best thing since sliced bread!!!


Hope this helps

Try reading the beginner's information at http://www.rcflightunlimited.com

That should answer most of your questions about the basics.

Can't say if you'll find it addictive or not. I'd guess most of us here did but plenty of people start, discover it's not as easy as it looks and give up.

Steve

Is the hobby addictive?!? Not if you call 9+ planes after just 1 year of flying addictive.