[K-Plane]

I returned to the hobby after 30 plus years as a teenager at the beginning of September. Two weeks later I got my wings. It was intimidating flying unassisted the first few times but now I'm having a blast. My electric plane is great but I know I want to have a glow engine plane again also. I should come back to it sooner!

[Dennis Pedersen]

Congratulations and glad you are enjoying the hobby again.

[scaleguy]

Congrats on a very triumphant return to the hobby.

[Sparrow]

Hello Kevin,

Congratulations and welcome back, it’s nice to know there are more of us around!! I returned back to the hobby after about twenty five years and I must say that there is nothing to compare with the excitement and the joy you get when you master the control of your model airplane with confidence. This hobby really has it all! Who would ever think that you would be so nervous during your first flight and then have such strong feelings of excitement and elation when you land your plane! For me it’s the most exhilarating experience!

I have been also flying electrics but like you I would like to go to bigger airplanes and I’m thinking towards gas as nitro is too cost prohibitive. When I fly I usually stay for the whole morning and into the afternoon and I have been flying with 3 Lipo’s charged at home then using my car battery. I have charged the batteries up to ten times at the field so this is why I’m leaning towards gas. All the best!

[JayRec]

congratulations on getting your wings. I fly electric as well as 2 and 4 stroke glow and mkst recently started flying gas. All have their pros and cons. I am really enjoying flying my 33cc 9foot winged trainer. As they say bigger does fly better. It can be intimidating at first however once you fly it a couple times its no different then say a Kadet Senior. If you get the chance I would suggest gas.

[K-Plane]

Next year I'll try to pick up an already built nitro trainer(ish) plane to practice with. They show up from time to time. I have a nice Saito FA82B sitting on my bench. Hopefully in a couple of years it will find an Astro Hog or something to power. I'm finding most of the popular nitro kits and planes I remember are discontinued. In the meantime I'm trying my hand at building a foamboard Piper Cherokee. It'll be a good way to practice low wing flying for cheap. Like I said...having fun.

[Cougar429]

Congrats and welcome back. This hobby can be a lifelong passion, (I should know!) so can give you years more fun.

Don't push yourself and progress at your own pace.

[OLD PRAIRIE RED NECK]

Small to medium sized 4 strokes are pretty easy on fuel. My old OS .26 would fly for 45 minutes on a 6 OZ tank at part throttle cruise.

Yes kits are becoming scarce but I totally enjoy scratch building from plans! We have long cold winters that need filling with hobby related activities and building is a great way to do that.

[K-Plane]

I've picked up a Hobbico Hobbistar 60 that I'm going to put a Saito FA-82 in to practice nitro/balsa flying. I also purchased a Goldberg Tiger 2 with an OS 40 FSR in it. I've rebuilt both engines. I also scratch built a 1/2A bi-plane this autumn with a COX .049 Golden Bee I was given so I'm getting my feet wet again in the nitro but won't fly anything until spring (if the club can open by then).

I don't think the Saito will be too hard on fuel and from what I've read the FSR will run well on 5% nitro which isn't too expensive compared to the higher percentages.

I'm looking forward to it. I bench ran the Saito...I've missed that sound and smell!

[Propworn]

That Hobbistar is the perfect plane to turn into a tail dragger then outfit it with floats and skis. The FA-82 will have plenty of power for floats and skis. Now you can fly off any surface and all year round if you like. I have several planes set up like that and flying off snow and water is a blast.

Dennis