RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

Yes thats it in a nutshell CBP! I like the trying new things and learning as much as I can about the RC hobby, whitch keeps me a begginer!

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

IMHO: When you do not think twice about maidening a new potentially out of trim plane, you are at least an intermediate to advanced flyer.

If you have successfully maidened at least two new out of trim planes, you've left the beginner arena. ( it is OK that you were nervous doing this. )

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

My opinion of no longer being a beginner is when you go to fly and noone else is there and you fly anyway and bring the plane home in the same condition as when you left.

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

We watch the beginners more. One reason is for our own safety. The other reason is for our entertainment. They are more likely to do something "special" worth seeing.[:@]:D

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

People learn at different rates. I had my first real solo back in April, self taught, yadda dadda and thought I was on top of the world! I could sling that LT-40 like nobody's bizzness. I moved up to a Four Star 60 a couple of months ago and did ok the first few times out and then had a bad day. I was flying "Tight", allmost lost the plane several times and it took all I could to bring her in one piece. I let my Cadillac ego over-ride my Volkswagon ability and decided to get back to basics.

I flew the trainer for a weekend, got my confidence back and the last time I flew the 4*, I flew it like a Mad Man!

Since then I have set goals for myself. I will try to be the best builder I can be, but when it comes to flying, there are just some days I will alllways be a beginner.

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

You are no longer a beginner when you don't bash engines OTHER than OS, and can tune them. If you've only used OS, then you're still a beginner.

It's been a great measuring tool I've used evaluating people in the hobby. If they think LA is a great engine, I wait until their plane lands before I take mine up. I've seen experts enjoy Avistars, so I can't say when you're out of a trainer. I enjoy an Astro Hog time to time, gentle lazy flier.

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

when you can say I wish I had The new super micro cub so I could Fly off the Snow easier. Of course you got to have the custom skis and as soon as the new plane arrives you are a beginner all over again. then someone will make fun of your typing skill and your syntax.

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

I read the initial post and it got me thinking, then I read all the responses and it got me thinking even more as I thought everyone made good points.

But the Pig reminded me that we all go back to being beginners when we try something new. I know I did when I started with turbines.

However my 2 cents worth.

When you go to the field and EXPECT to come back with intact airplanes AND your fellow flyers do not worry about your take offs and landings then you are no longer a beginner.

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

hehheheh very true.... If i give them useful advice and they blow me off i just go back to my chair and watch them screw around... it can be entertaining just like you say

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

Very interesting and good points made so far. I agree with when you can fly in 10+ mph wind at do ok . Maybe still a beginner but definitley not a Noob. Also bring the plane home in the same condition 9 times out of 10. Shoot if you don't crash every once in a while are you really pushing it?

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

When you can fly for a season on the same wood prop, you are not a beginner.

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

Good answer.

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

That is a good answer!

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

When you finally can pass on the many hours of patience someone gave to you, to bring someone up to speed with setting up their plane, radio, engine, and getting them to solo, and beyond. A nice old guy named Jack, taught me to land. I can only hope to do half as good a job as he did. It wasn't just the instruction, he had a calm way of speaking while I was getting over being white knuckled on the sticks on that last turn for the runway. Made all the difference for me that day.

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

The man that taught me was 75 years old named Eddy, what a great man! never really got to know my dad before he died but Eddy showed me what I missed out on!

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

I like that definition.

Though there are exceptions.

There are a few pilots at our field that create an audience when they lift off . . . partially out of self-preservation so you know when to duck and partially out of curiosity - like not being able to look away dfrom a car crash. NOT because they are exerts. :)

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

You are no longer a beginner when people ask you for help, then u are a novice. You are no longer a novice when people stop flying to watch you, then you are a expert. You dont qualify as an expert when people stop flying and watch you from the safety of their car, then you are a threat to humanity.

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

good replies

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hYNO...eature=related

Spectators may not have the presence of mind to sense RC planes to be dangerous,
but the pilot better learn fast you don't take off or land near people like this.

No divider between the "runway" and this scattered crowd is just insane.
It goes without saying, he's worse than a beginner.

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

this is a good point, I think that it doesn't matter if you are a beginner or an expert, you always must keep this hobby safe!

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

I think it's best to remain humble, those that get a big head and try to advance too quickly to impress others, most likely will get reminded of that! When we quit learning the fun is over.

bhady

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

laughing so hard im choking

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

I dont think I try to advance to quickly. I just try to push myself just outside of my comfort zone. I'll fly 2 ft off the deck ( at a very low speed:eek:) with a 3d/combat foamie, when the vets wont even try that. I have paid the price a few times. The rudder has been glued back on a few times:). I still count myself as a beginner even though I can hover a foamie, and can make my landing look scale ( most of the time). I really think its not the flying skill that makes you a beginner, novice or expert. Its the Experence and Knowledge, knowing what to do in a sticky situation, etc. If you can fly a plane in a knife edge with a wing missing and land,[8D] then I believe you are not a beginner anymore:D ( at least in my opinion )

RE: When should I consider myself not a beginner?
 

your not a beginner when
people will fly their planes at the same time as you
you can fly/takeoff/land and not think about it

your not a intermediate pilot when
you can fly fifty hours+ and not crash a plane (not including prop or landing gear related problems)
you can train another pilot
people ask you for advice/help and trust what you say.
you know what your talking about and can do it, not just talk about it
your plane can be in any position and you not feel uncomfortable (hovering/inverted/ect)
you dont crash planes due to setup failures (not counting faulty equiptment)
you can fly no matter what the wind is (not counting hurricanes :D)
you maiden your own $1000+ planes