Byrdman is bang-on with his statement, that is what I have done. My 2-year old 4-ch fan-fold-foam Blu Baby is still going strong, and she doesn't owe me anything. Had a couple of bad nose-in "doinks", but nothing a 1/2 hour or so won't fix. You can't do that with a balsa airplane. I had not picked up an Exacto blade in 30+ years and she went together well.

I would consider myself a novice; I can keep it under control, take off and do some simple maneouvers, but still am challenged on landing. Still need to get a lot more stick time to work on downwind leg, approach, power management, flare and touchdown.

My plan is to move on to balsa kits, but realize I still need to get certified in my club (at my pace that may take another year) and get more flying experience. I may also need to get me a foamie ARF to finish-up getting my certification.

The new kits look very nice, with precision laser cutting and interlocking parts. This is a long-way from the kits I used to build in the 70s. I just hope there remains enough of a market for kits.

Lets' see...Your having a great time and having fun with the hobby, spending time with your daughter...I'd say your successful! That's the main thing right? It looks like you're doing well on your builds and it sounds as though the bug has got ya. I say Rock On my friend!

For anybody that may be still subscribed to this thread. I thought you may like to see where this free fall down the rabit hole that we call RC aircraft has taken me.

My fleet.:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1698784

Blue skies!

Originally Posted by cwolfe

For anybody that may be still subscribed to this thread. I thought you may like to see where this free fall down the rabit hole that we call RC aircraft has taken me.

My fleet.:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1698784

Blue skies!

Wow, you have come a long way in a short time! If you are still enjoying building, you should check out my next building clinic.

More info here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1733597

We will be building from plans and it looks like you are already up for a new challenge. Would love to have you join in the fun.

Frank

Thanks Frank,

It's been a fun and busy year. The Yellow J-3 was my last build. I've been working on my flying skills more lately, but am ready to start building again. Pat Trittle has a 44" Tiger Moth short kit that may be my next build.

Happy Flying

CW

Good job cwolfe. Hopefully I'll be where you are in a year

You did it the hard way and succeeded. That has to be respected. Don't make the mistake of comparing yourself to anybody else to determine your success. You are successful when you are having fun with whatever you're doing in the hobby.

Even if you're NOT having fun with something, recognizing that and fixing it means you're a success. Lots of success comes from overcoming short-term failures. Most satisfaction does.

You're doing greater than I am at the moment! Thumbs up to you.

Thank you guys,

I have a ways to go as far as my flyiing and building skills are concerned, but I'm having a blast.

There have been times after a crash has totalled one of my planes that I've said. "That's it! I'm never going to get this right."and have almost walked away. It doesn't take long for that thought to go away though. It's great fun.

I recently joined a club near my house. My flying skills jumped to the next level immediatly. I guess just being around those more experienced pilots helps.

Happy Flying!

Anytime you get fed up and feel you have to walk away, do it. At least for a bit, they always pass at least for me. We build, we fly it's what we do. In some cases failure is just as much a part of it as anything else. We also learn from those failures and get better be it building or flying.

As others have said measure your success from the enjoyment you receive. If that outweighs the upset from failures, I'd say you are successful.

Originally Posted by dedStik

Anytime you get fed up and feel you have to walk away, do it. At least for a bit, they always pass at least for me. We build, we fly it's what we do. In some cases failure is just as much a part of it as anything else. We also learn from those failures and get better be it building or flying.

As others have said measure your success from the enjoyment you receive. If that outweighs the upset from failures, I'd say you are successful.

Thanks. You all are so supportive.

I'm hoping to maiden my Eflite T-34 this weekend. The smaller one in my fleet is a HobbyKing one. The first went down due to signal failure.

Originally Posted by cwolfe

Thank you guys,

I have a ways to go as far as my flyiing and building skills are concerned, but I'm having a blast.

There have been times after a crash has totalled one of my planes that I've said. "That's it! I'm never going to get this right."and have almost walked away. It doesn't take long for that thought to go away though. It's great fun.

I recently joined a club near my house. My flying skills jumped to the next level immediatly. I guess just being around those more experienced pilots helps.

Happy Flying!

I think you just started listening better

Quite a year wouldn't ya say?

Originally Posted by srt8madness

I think you just started listening better

Quite a year wouldn't ya say?

We've come a long way. It's been a great time.

So, last year it was a couple of foamies under the tree. A FMS 800mm T-28 and a SIG JN4 Jenny.

I actually ended up going through two T-28 airframes learning to fly. I still fly the Jenny from time to time.

This year it's a 50" PT-17 Stearman ARF all balsa ply build and all the electronics to go in it.

I've also finally started that 24" Guillows Thomas Morse conversion.

I'm lovin' it!

Merry Christmas all!

Originally Posted by cwolfe

So, last year it was a couple of foamies under the tree. A FMS 800mm T-28 and a SIG JN4 Jenny.

I actually ended up going through two T-28 airframes learning to fly. I still fly the Jenny from time to time.

This year it's a 50" PT-17 Stearman ARF all balsa ply build and all the electronics to go in it.

I've also finally started that 24" Guillows Thomas Morse conversion.

I'm lovin' it!

Merry Christmas all!

Can't wait to see both! I'm lovin' it too! Merry Christmas bro!