So I have decided to finally take up this great hobby and have been looking at planes and reading through forums to familiarize myself with the basics of how to get started. One day I was looking at Tower's site and was checking out a Phoenix Extra 300s and my fiance walks by and says "that is a nice one, get that one." I told her that I was going to get something else to learn to fly with, knowing that a trainer is really what I need. So I finally place my order for my GP PT40, engine, and radio and am ultra excited to begin my first kit and a new hobby. Today the UPS guy comes and he has not one, but two very large, long boxes. I open the smaller of the two and it is my little PT40 just like I ordered. I opened the second and, to my surprise, I found a brand new Phoenix Extra 300S!! [X(] My fiance went ahead and ordered the thing anyways. So today I received a PT40 trainer kit, a Futaba 6 ch radio, a new OS .46 for the PT, and a Phoenix Extra 300s. I guess the Extra will have to get used to the closet in the box for awhile. I am subscribing to the out of sight, out of mind theory on this one because it is so tempting to put it together. I have learned from reading these forums though, that a trainer is the way to go, and that is what will be in the air first.

Smart move and Great choices!

Let us know if we can help in any way. Check out the link in my signature for some newbie tips.

And welcome to RCU!

nice, you have a good girl.
good plan with the lt40, now find a club get an instructor and have at it.

Does your fiance have a sister?

Welcome to RCU!

...or two!!

Hahaha that's so awesome dude! My wife would never do that. Although I can't complain, she did "buy" me a trainer for Christmas the other year when I asked for one. Now I have a whole basement full of planes and tools and there's no way she'd buy me another, lol. If I were you, I'd have her buy you 3 while at it! haha

Welcome to the hobby and RCU. Read as many forums as you can and you'll learn fast!

She's buttering you up for something.... My wife has done it a few times.

If she does, we may have to fight for her.

LOL...I hope she keeps it up AFTER you are married. Course if she is like my wife, she will. There are some good women out there. And it sounds like you gota real Peach.
The PT40 is a very good plane to start with. I started with the PT 60 due to I like the larger size. Easier for me to see in flight. But I'm old. You did your homework well. Radio, engine, plane, all good choices. Good lu`ck and welcome to the show Dawg!
BTW, where is Dunwoody? I lived in Augusta and Savannah for awhile and Iam not far from Rome now. But Icant place it.
Another BTW, why dont you consider doin a thread in the kit building forum. Alot of guys there to help you with whatever comes up during your build.

Thanks all for the support of my choices. My fiance, like me, is an only child - sorry Dunwoody is just about 10 miles north of downtown Atlanta - just north of the 400 / 285 interchange if you know Atl highways. The kit build forum is a good idea - thanks for that. Looking forward to being a part of the forum...

I'm in the 8th year of a "2 only child" marriage. It's not easy in the first 2-3 years, but it is doable if you have some grit. Just continue to let her be generous to you, resisting the urge to get things for yourself, and you'll be just fine.

Just don't let her eat the wedding cake!! they all change after that!! Nah seriously. Sounds like you found a good woman! My wife doesn't support any of the Hobbies I do (well at least not as much as I would like), other than running, and she runs too. But she is still the best. Hang onto her and resist the urge to fly the first flight by yourself. Find a club and an instructor. This will save you alot of anxiety!! Be fore warned that once you fly, you will be hooked, addicted and obsessed with flying!!

If you need any help, give a yell since I am just next door in Sandy Springs. I have been flying models since 1953 and RC since 1973. The GMA is the closest club and we fly up in Forsyth County. Our home page is:

http://www.gmarc.com/

Bruce

That really is good news. My girlfriend actually likes it when I go out to the field for some flying. Crash or not, I always come home relaxed and happy. It's good to get out and have some good fun.

The PT-40 is a good trainer. Very tough! But don't make the same mistake I did. The manual "strongly encourages" you to build the "A" wing with lots of dihedral. Don't do it! This much dihedral will make your ailerons next to useless! Build the
"B" wing with less dihedral. It will turn better at lower speeds. Even the "B" wing has more dihedral than most other trainers. With the "B" wing it will be a great plane for you and you will have the satisfaction of having built it yourself. And by the way, I second the idea of your starting a build thread. And marry that girl. Best of luck.

Hey Man, Congratulations! I met my wife through one of my closest "brothers", Nick, in my platoon while we were deployed. My wife, Vivian, and his wife, are close friends. Nick was in an MRAP that got blown up and was ejected from the turret. He was wounded and sent back to WTU in San Antonio, TX. While he was there, Vivian went up to the hospital to see him and he put in some good words for me, since Vivian and I started talking on MySpace, of all places, lol. She and I were talking for about a year. As soon as we got back, I moved her down here to Ft. Campbell, got married April 13 last year. Time sure went fast! God sure blessed me with an amazing and supportive woman! As Bill Engvall would say, "She wears the pants in this relationship!" lol

If you're anything like me, before you take out your georgous Extra 300, I'd suggest a good second plane, like a Sig 4 Star .40 or something of the like. Those are more forgiving on landings because they float a bit better than the 300 will. Just my 2 cents.

But Best of Luck and Congratulations!! God Bless..
Clinton