As far back as I can remember I've always loved aircraft. Thinking back it probably comes from my grandfather. He flew all his life and had numerous stories of adventures and misadventures in various planes he owned. This included no less than three crash landings, apparently the gas guage was faulty in one such plane, and a few "divergences" from the flight plan the FAA didn't know about.
Although I never did follow in his footsteps and get my pilots license I did end up taking up flying of some sort.
About 7 or 8 years ago I walked into the new hobby shop that set up in my town on a whim. I really wasn't thinking of buying anything, I just had some time to kill. Well after seeing all the shiny planes and listening to the salesmen's pitch I walked out with a brand new plane!
It was a park zone cub. The sales guy had told me that everything was included (except skill) and I just needed to charge it and go flying. He promised that it was the perfect trainer and would give me hours of flying enjoyment for only $129.99! In hindsight I should have wondered why he had such a large supply of spare parts.
It seemed like an eternity before that first battery was charged. I had put the rest of the plane together in 15 mins and then had to endure the torture of watching that blinking lamp on the charger for what felt like hours until it finally stopped.
If you are reading this you've probably have had your first flight. If it was anything like mine it was NOT hours of enjoyment. After throwing the little cub in the air I almost made a full circle before it plowed into the snow. I was heartbroken to see that I had pretty much destroyed the cub on my first flight and thrown away $130.
I took the wreckage back to the hobby shop and piled it on the counter. They helped me repair my plane and replace parts that were too broken to be repaired. The grand total was $20.00 in foam pieces, not quiteHe also gave me some helpful advice about flying and sent me on my way.
Over the coming weeks and months the scenario played out the same way. I'd fly, crash, repair, and repeat. The hobby shop knew me by my first name. I probably could have bought a 50cc gasser with the money I spent. I was keeping horizon in business by myself.
Eventually over time I did start to learn how to keep this thing in the air. I bought more batteries and flew more and more. I moved forward and bought bigger and more capable planes. I learned new moves and got to know the hobby better.
I still have my cub though. It followed me the whole way through
Log In to reply
Log In to reply
Log In to reply