I've never had a RC anything before. Just for grins, I bought a cheap heli off of ebay and am afraid it HOOKED me. I spent 5 days researching for a better one and yesterday, went to a nearby hobby shop and came home with an e-flite blade MCX with an extra battery.
I practiced in the garage all afternoon and got pretty cocky right out of the gate. My wife came home from work and I HAD to show off for her. It was a completely calm evening and I took it out on the patio for a maiden outdoor voyage. After about 10 seconds, in order to avoid a power line, I flew too high and it took off completely out of control! It went up over my neighbors mature maple tree and flew out of sight. Fortunately, I saw it drop to earth on the other side of my neighbors house. It had no apparent damage and I was TOTALLY impressed.
With my tail between my legs, and my wife laughing her ASS off, I retreated back to the house. Her car was in the garage so I moved to the family room full of potential crash sites. I tried to avoid a chair and blew it up too high into the ceiling causing my "first" crash incident. The plastic clip on the battery broke off. I guess my next investment is going to be a repair kit!
Anyway, greetings to you all, I'm sure there are plenty of more hours of practice in my future. Baby steps...

Mike in Papillion Nebraska</p>

Welcome to the awesome hobby of rc heli's. Virgin no more!!

As you get better, you will be better able to manage your panic situations.

i have a very good friend who lives in North Platte and contributes within these forums (Flyachopper), so you could, maybe, get together with him at some time!? (i'm not completely familiar with the geography of the small towns within the US but i know he's in Nebraska!)

you're welcome to come and join us on 'Heli Stuff and Fellowship' thread!!

Matty )<+}}}]@>