I still don't. Care to translate? I didn't bring my Captain Midnight Secret Decoder Ring.

I understand what BFE means; I understand where he is too. When reading a post is is very easy to eliminate the words you don't want to hear and it is real easy to say "BFE" but it harder to get someone to understand it when that is not want they want to hear. And last time I looked at a map Northwest Indiana is no where near Egypt.

Well I thought I could do it on my own too. Got my AMA license and contacted the local flying club to get permission to fly at their field. My first trip there I talked to a couple of pilots but I didn't bring my plane(mustang pts). Second trip I took my plane but no one was there. Instead of waiting for someone to show up, I thought I could do this. So I gassed her up and let her rip. On the third landing, I came in too hard and fast. Cracked the fusealage right in the middle. Today I ordered the arf version and will put all the stuff from the bird into this one. Will also reinforce the fuse. But the main thing is I learned my lesson. GET AN INSTRUCTOR!

I hate it when people learn lessons the hard way but they remember longer.

ok you live in BFE and you want to learn on your own. You could very well succed but the chances are not in your favor for sure. I know you said you want to start with nitro but there are a few EPP trainers out there now that could be a better route for you to take. They are electric but EPP can take a crash or 2 and keep on comming. If this is a hobby that you are interested in staying around in for a long time there will be plenty of time to fly a nice big gasser. But do your self a BIG favor and get a trainer. If not you will just get pissed off and quit the hobby.

Add me to the instructor is almost a must list.
I am surprised it has not been mentioned yet, the Hangar 9 PTS planes, both the P-51 and the F-22, are very disputable as to weither they are good trainers or not (and Yes I used to own the P-51, notice I said used to) but at the very least you couldn't have picked a worse trainer to "try it alone"
Get an instructor and you will have a fair chance of keeping your airplane, if not your odds are very low.

I think I get the idea, I will get insurance and to to a field and find an instructor. Is AMA cheaper if you're under 18? Thank you all for your replies.

AMA Youth membership (under 19 as of July 1st 2007) $1 per year or $15 if you want the magazine.
Some clubs offer free or reduced cost youth membersips as well.
Here is an AMA application:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/PDF-files/902.pdf

I had a P-51PTS (NOTE THAT I SAID HAD) I was doing okay with an instructor, and thought I was ready to take the next step... flying with no instructor, maybe I was, maybe I wasnt. I know that now I have a busted up P-51PTS and a big high wing traditional style trainer which has given me absolutely no trouble whatsoever even when the same situation occoured that caused the inevatible crash that the P-51PTS had the high wing trainer has better floating/gliding abilities thus i had more time to react, and the PTS didnt like slow flight so the controlls were not as responsive. Now you can take that how you will, sometimes i think maybe im doing better because i have more experience than before, but i think it has a good deal to do with the plane itself. Dont get me wrong ii loved the theory behind the PTS and it flew very well for a beginner plane, but i just dont think it flew as well for a beginnier as the traditonal trainer i fly now does. I would have done better off to start with the traditional trainer first.

I am searching the AMA site and don't see an application or anything about it, can you even be a member if you are under 18?

Here is the form you need. It must be signed by a parent.
http://modelaircraft.org/PDF-files/902.pdf

I have a Stryker and can fly it pretty well but I want to get into nitro planes would I be ok to solo with the p51 pts with all the training gear on ore should I get a instructor.
and I don’t want to go crash after crash till I learn how to fly it. also I bought the plane as a arf and I put a .46 sized engine on it this engine is slightly bigger and heavier then what comes with the rtf model and it puts out less rpm but more pour should I get a bigger prop for this plane ore am I ok with the stock prop.

If you can fly a Stryker pretty well, you might be able to handle the PTS on your own... But then, you might not.

It's never a bad idea to get some help your first time out.

What brand/model is your engine?

Thats Ok I bought an Extra 33o as my first and I never crashed. Now I can fly perfectly

<groan>

The H9 F-22 as a first plane. It's not going to matter whether he has an instructor on not, so why debate over it.

Yeah right, we believe that.[:'(]

after all the work I put into mine (see my previous post) I am PATIENTLY waiting to get with an instructor. Even though it will be a couple of weeks, it's giving me time to try and rebuild my other one.