Well, not entirely true, I've been flying 3 channel electric gliders for awhile. But, this was my first nitro plane, a .60 Alpha Trainer. I've had the plane for two months polishing, admiring, and "breaking in" the Evolution .61 engine. Since our rc airport is closed because of the snow and mud, I went out to the high desert that has a smooth blacktop road running straight across it. I loaded two planes in the truck and headed out. I first flew my Terry trying to loosen up. Then I fired up the big Evolution, did a range check and then taxied around. Very manuverable. When I ran out of excuses I lined up and gave it the gas. As expected it started drifting left but I got off the ground before there was a problem
The first thing that occured to me is "this thing is BIG" Throaty growl and the sound of air rushing over the flying surfaces was very noticable. I trimmed it out and flew. Now this is flying! After wimpy speed 400 and 600 I had a handful of muscle. Half throttle was plenty and full throttle had it climbing for the clouds. I did plenty of slow fly bys down the "runway" to see how slowly I could fly. It was beautiful, gleaming red in the sun, engine running perfect at one third throttle and leaving a trail of smoke (new to me) but I was alarmed at what seemed a fairly good clip would stall the aircraft. I guess eight pounds is eight pounds regardless of the trainer design. Glad I found this out, I would have crashed on landing for sure. After a full twenty minutes it was time. I still came in a bit slow and stalled the plane two or three feet high, landing on the nose wheel with a thud, the plane did one hop and landed on its feet. Not a scratch. Fewwww, I was soaked in sweat and my mouth was very dry. That was just about as good as life gets. I had the same indescribable feeling I did two years ago when I learned to fly (self taught all the way) a foam piper cub for the first time, and when I learned to slope a sailplane with no instructions except the seagulls. Pure exhilleration and the good feeling of pulling it off against the odds. I am sooo hooked. Dan Cutter