Hey Guys,

I've been looking around for a club to join and last Saturday I went to the 2nd club field in my area. There were just a couple fixed wing guys there at the time since evidently Saturday mornings are designated for Helis. The first club I went to didn't seem too friendly and I was only approached by one person that was also a spectator, but the guys at the second club spent more time talking to me then flying. Anyway, I've been invited to come buddy box with them on Thursday!

I'm in the middle of building a CG Electra 2M electric Sailplane and just entered covering stages now. I have NEVER flown a powered aircraft. I have not flown in 15+ years, but I have been flying Realflight G3 for the past couple months. I know that nothing beats real world flight training, but without a plane computer sims is all I've had for a little while. I can take off and land the Nexstar trainer and sailplanes with ease. I don't think I'm that bad at all on the sim, but I'm still a bit scared to fly a real model... What should I expect from my first buddy box? How do instructors/trainers view the computerized flight sims? Do they view them as a valid form of training? Do they look down on those who have been using the computer sims? Are the sims realistic enough to give a good portrayal of real world flying?

Any other info I may need before my first buddy box? I just signed up for the 3 month introductory AMA program. I was not AMA previously, so I should qualify for it. The club said I didn't have to be AMA to start training, but it wouldn't be bad to have. I just received my confirmation email from AMA for that. Is there anything else that I might need... I don't have an aircraft, but their lead trainer said that they will have their club trainers there. Would it be appropriate to show up with a gallon of fuel to donate?

Nope. You are right on track and have a good part of what it takes to learn.. a good attitude toward the hobby. You are doing it right. The training on the sim will help you out and the buddy box training you get will cinch that for you.

Are you planning on only gliders or do you plan on getting a powered model at some time in the future?

Keep it up.. you will get one of RCKen's certificates soon!!

I really enjoy sailplanes. There is just something about being able to stay up for hours on end without having to come down re-fuel is something that I really liked about sailplanes. Also, starting costs to get into Sailplanes is a little cheaper and just getting into the hobby again this will get me in the air without having to shell out cash on engines, fuel and stuff. Since I didn't have the necessary tools for building I had to purchase everything and that has pretty much forced me back into sailplanes for right now. Unfortunately the club that I like can't really accommodate high starts on normal days due to an almost constant cross wind causing launches to be directly into the flight line.

After messing around with Realflight G3 I found that really like flying the Yak 54 3D and Extra 300. So, powered flight is in my future... Since I'm nearing completion on my Electra I may pickup a trainer kit so I can try to gain knowledge in engines and stuff like that. Honestly, I'm sortta scared about powered flight.... I know nothing about engines, props, or anything like that. I'm always reading threads here and at RCG trying to absorb as much info as I possibly can.

Finding the right Club can be a problem , but sounds like Lady Luck was on your side and you got to where you were suppose to.
I`m self taught and the Sim was a very important tool for me . Your instructor well be glad you have had sometime on the sim as it well let him spend his time teaching you the basics of flight and not the basics of the stic direction.
Glow is a whole thing to it`s self. If your the type of person that changes his own oil, repairs your own gas powered tools and has more tools than 3 huge tools boxes will hold and your bathroom reading material consist of RCplane and tool catalogs, you may be a good candidate for glow.

On the other hand, If you have the latest GPS,cellphone,Blackerry,mp3 ,Windows Vista, dvd,plasma TV and a Flux- Capacitor. And your bathroom reading material consist of Forbes and the Wall Street Journal and you owe one pair of blue jeans and they still have the tags on them, you might be a good candidate for electric.

Or you could wind up like us normal RCers and just go on the the quest to own one of everything with wings.
All kidding around aside,go thursday and check it out. Your instructor well be able to tell you what your next step should be after he has had some buddybox time with you. You have the right attitude and will do great. Keep us posted.