Okay, I didn't solo, but my instructor let me take off by myself 3- times tonite. The first one was pretty scary, he had to take over. But the last 2 was ...............what can I say......GREAT. My take off roll's were pretty good (i thought). He would tell me when to add rudder and when to start my climb. But it was great.

CC

Great job. Let us know when the solo happens as RCKen has a special award he will send you. Good Luck, Dave

Havin' fun flyin them there RC planes huh? welcome to the addiction! nice to hear your enjoying the time with an instructor

after the solo it just gets more fun... think about all you have to look forward to. first good crash. soon to follow the first good rebuild. and even better than that the re-maiden of the re-built plane. somehow i think that is more fun than the first flights. then the first sport type plane then... well welcome to the addiction like they already said.

I don't think anyone actually looks forward to their first 'good crash', but, like death and taxes, it will happen sooner or later. Just shake it off when it happens, and get back in the air as quickly as possible, either with that plane after repairs, or even quicker, with another plane.

Soon, though, we will be seeing a post from you asking about a second plane!!!

Thanks for the props. I've already come to the realization that, yes a crash will come. But not to soon I hope. Since I built my trainer from a kit, I have a close attachment to it. But if it does happen, then at least I know what it will take to repair it. I've always wondered why RC pilots would take long breaks between flying, and now I know. It takes some serious concentration when flying.

CC

It's been 2 years since my son's and my solo flight and we're STILL flying the same trainer today. I did manage to put it down in the last couple of rows of corn surrounding our field a couple of weeks ago but it's so far unscathed - save the usual amount of hangar rash it picks up moving from room-to-room and in/out of the house/vehicle.

I upgraded my NiCD packs and a few weeks ago we put in a total of 8 flights. We must be up near 100 total flights by now - it's on it's 3rd gallon of fuel.

hey again,
at some point your level of learning will allow you to fly in a much more relaxed state. it comes with practice and time. as you get better with a trainer consider teaching some else ...talk with your instructor about when. few people MASTER their trainer plane.
glad your having fun

Later, when you`ve soloed and are moving on to other models, please consider keeping your trainer. You`ll have it as a backup when ( not if ) you find yourself with a banged up plane or two and wishing you had something to take to the field. Also, you might find at times it`s nice to bring out a plane that you`re totally comfortable with for some relaxed flying.

I'm not getting rid of my trainer. I've got several kits in the closet to build. The trainer is my first build and I intend on keeping it till it won't fly any more. If I build em I'm keeping them "till death do us part". I'm probably old school (young 50) but I just want to fly em nice and easy. But yet I'm new to this and I could change into evil knievel. Don't think so at this point. I just want to fly a plane like the full size ones. Well maybe a few tricks now and then.

Thanks
CC

You'll crash when you realize your not concentrating anymore ... When it becomes "famililar" and you get a bit to lax not having to think it through.... Then future crashes will come from hotdogging (to be read overconfident) Mike

kitBuilder, from my training flights I've gotten lax and thankfully my instructor has bailed me out several times. I've learned to constantly pay attention to what my stick movements are. I know it's very easy to relax and then all of a sudden you're in trouble. I just need to practice my recovery skills, and try not to be lazy.

CC

I think there is a difference between flying relaxed and flying laxed. When you're relaxed it shows in the smoothness of how you are flying and how you act towards various situation that may arise like a dead stick. When you get laxed in flying, your not paying attention to your plane or what your are doing. You let the plane get a head of you and then panic or do something stupid. This is part of the learning curve and you will soon find your are relaxed while flying, yet paying attention to your surroundings (situational awareness).

Hogflyer

Gods truth here, every RC pilot I have ever seen who flys in an aggressive type rough manner, always holds the transmitter up in his own face. if he put that dumb thing down around belly to waist level, he'd be much better off.

For those who don't understand. Walk around the house for a few minutes holding some heavy books in your hands casually down around your waist. Not really a big deal. Then walk around with them up around your chest for a while. Way to tense the higher you get.