Well people, I'm another newbie. I got my maiden and first flight in today. 2 flights actually. I brought my plane home in 1 piece! Woo Hoo! And boy do I love it!
This site is just plain awesome. I've researched 5 different birds and this forum helped me decide on my choice. Plus the tons of information I found was priceless.

And thanks to my LHS, Hobbytowne. Great Folks over there!
Did I say Woo Hoo?

WOO HOO!!

congrats. what plane do you have?

Good for you! What airplane do you have and do you have anyone to help available?

I'm flying a Hobbyzone Firebird Phantom. I know to some it's just a toy, but I enjpoy the heck out of it. I tried it with Anti Crash first. That was kind of weird, but it really can help u stay up. Then I went solo on my second battery. I had a couple bumpy landings, but nothing to worry about. Im off today, so I will be heading back out to the park in a few minutes. It's a very nice morning.

I use FMS with the USB Tx and the good ole Internet for any question that ran across my mind.
In all my 37 years, I never had any interest in this hobby. But when I finally did, I was obsessed for 2 months. I HAD to get my first bird. I can't wait to get my first real kit.

Congrats Cajun! Click on the link in my signature for some great info for newbies.

Hey that phantom is great. I got one of those first did a couple solo flights on it. Then my friend buddy boxed me on his alpha 40. And now im flying my own alpha. but still love the phantom for walking 4 min to the park and puttering around the sky at sunset when the wind calms down, cause to fly the glow planes i gotta drive 40 min.
But the phantom doesnt get boring (at least not yet) i challenge myself to get as long as flights possible taking it real high and then gliding it down or just give it the smallest bit of throttle. And its fun if you keep one battery pack up for 15-20 min. I think its a great starter plane, to get your first tastes of flight.

You're absolutely right...the Hobbyzone Firebird Phantom is just a toy plane.

But then again, so is every other airplane we talk about here.

It's pretty obvious you're having a blast, and looking forward to staying in the hobby...and that's all that really matters.

Have fun, be safe, fly hard.

The Phantom is a nice flying little plane for beginners. One of the few 3-channel planes in that price range. You just have to learn how to repair/reinforce the tail boom.

I reinforced the boom where the control rods come out with Amazing Goop, some tape, and a piece of an old fishing pole. And strapped the wings and tail with packing tape. Now all I have to do is keep my heavy thumb from keeping it wide open the whole time.

Perfect! You got yourself a pretty bullet-proof trainer, then!

I got to fly one of these about 6-7 times for a demo at a local hobby shop. My club volunteered to come and fly some of the demo planes at a field near the shop to help sell some of them. I think they sold 5-6 of them while I was flying it that day. I honestly didn't expect much from the little Phantom, and the wind was getting pretty high for park flyers. I was really surprised how well it flew, especially in some wind. I almost got one for myself (they were only $59 back then). I honestly believe this is the cheapest RTF beginner plane that is worth buying. There are some better ones, but they are more $$$.

Welcome to the hobby!