It's possible I'm wrong, but I think you guys all fell in a big way for a very obvious troll. Is this a good first kit, he asks, and he shows you a biplane? After you respond, he "relents", and comes back with similarly difficult to build and fly planes. Then he gives the obvious troll, "But I can fly it on the simulator." Come-on!

Yah we know but it gives us all a chance to sound like experts. Everyone likes to talk about their interests and sound as if they are somewhat expert. It usually feels very good to do so and why some people entertain the idea of becoming teachers. This thread stopped being about MUDSURFER along time ago and we all know it!!!!!

As for the guy with the Funtana - if he's one of those that will not listen to reason stand back or hide behind something , relax , and watch a good crash. It's no skin off your nose and it could be very entertaining - just read the thread on "what do you say after a crash". There's some pretty funny stuff there. Read up, memorize some responses and you'll have all the guys cracking up. It's not like you would have to make the Funtana guy feel any better.

Great response! That's actually the sense I got reading the thread. Sort of like, we don't think this guy is serious, but there's probably others out there contemplating getting in over their heads who could use our wisdom.

There should be a way to place a post like this one as a sticky somewhere. Get all the *gurus* to vote/create a list of the 10 best trainers, 10-15 best second planes. top 5 best "First Kits" etc and post it up at the top of the KIT and Beginner sections. I could have used some info like that (or this post) myself. Then to someone like MUD just point to that post...

Perhaps MUD will tell someone about the post he started so at least they can learn something if he won't lol. Even if he doesn't, like I said in an eariler post I got some good advice out it...

Scince, you have flown over a Real Flight G 2 and am sure flown the PT 40 over it. I would suggest you go for the Great Planes PT 40 kit. It's a great Trainer and first time builders kit with lot of strength and stability to learn on.

Dear Scott,
I say go for it. Have fun, learn. We all crash model planes from time to time, that is the nature of our great hobby.
I crashed no less than 9 airplanes between 1966 and 1972 before someone took me under their wing and put an all foam J-3 cub .20 size into my hands and taught me how to turn bank turn. In those days there weren't no computer sims, there weren't any radios for a young kid on a 5 dollar a week allowance that were trainer functionable. Go get that extra. A real nice one that I enjoyed and built right out of MAN free plans was the R. Urivitch designed Extra 3.25 with a OS wankel. Awesome. Now available from L#nier
Good luck

After reading this thread and all the "expert" comments and "humor", I think all of you who posted on this thread need to check out Mudsurfer1234's gallery. Then you might see some real humor and a budding expert. A lot of good advice is given for the average newbie, but not everyone is average.
My guess is in the 2 1/2 years that have passed since he posted last, that he's already miles ahead of many of you.

Hello, I am mudsurfer's mom and I have been reading some of my son's earliest posts from when he first got interested in this hobby. Since he hasn't posted in this thread lately and Devo has, I thought I would catch you up on his progress. Now, remember I am his mom and I don't know most of the names or terminology, but here goes anyway.

His dad built an extra 300 kit, his first build. My son bought a trainer from his uncle, my brother, who has been in the hobby for about 20 years, who inspired my son in this hobby. My son practiced for hours on end on one of a couple of simulators he has. He found an instructor at the local club to teach him on the buddybox. After only 6 sessions on the buddybox, he soloed at the age of 13. Soon after his instructor asked my son to help him learn 3-D manuevers that he learned on his own. He got a profile 3-D plane called an extreme 330, cause the extra wasn't aerobatic enough for him. He also got a funair, and a katana profile, and an edge 540 profile. Then he got on the waiting list for an Extreme Flight 87" yak. He used it to compete in IMAC contests. But, he wanted a bigger, heavier, and more stable plane, so this year for Christmas he got a 3W yak, 120" wingspan, with a DA 150. He just maidened it last weekend.

He is also the member of an R/C airshow team called the Alpha Squadron, who put on demos at funflies and full scale airshows. His specialty is low 3D, down on the deck manuevers. He belongs to three r/c clubs. He did crash the trainer, and some of the other small planes, but doing what he likes, low to the ground. He has won two IMAC contests, one in basic, although he was the only one in his class that weekend, and one in sportmen class, where he was one of 7 entrants. He used a 1/3 size plane that belonged to his friend for that contest. I figure if his friend trusted him with a plane of that size, mudsurfer must be doing something right.

Tomorrow, we are off to a charity funfly for the Make a Wish foundation near Wilkes Barre, PA. My son is now 16, and he is learning to drive a car, now that's scarey. He does very well and should have no trouble passing his road test in 6 months. That's enough for now.

Mudsurfer's Mom

Wow- With his progress rates, he'll be winning the Indy 500 by the time he's 18

guess not many kids get to have their mom embarass them on RCU.

That really does suck lol. Could be worse if one of your bros got your account and posted your coming out announcement and listed the guys you thought were hot...









Nah, your mom bustin you is worse[8D]

think of it this way .


i think its better to fly alot of knockarround airplanes when your learning , not areobats or
warbirds. trainers are the first step , no question. its a fairly cheep crash.
when they go in.

Scott's been flying this 87" Yak for three years now. Awesome airplane and an awesome kid!

Has he learned to build yet then?