Went back out to the airfield today (pics). It was raining off and on, so I only got three flights in, which brings my total up to five. I landed once today, and while it wasn't pretty, I did manage to get the heli down in one piece. The simulator is definitely helping.

From what I had read online, usually the first few flights are done with the instructor controlling the throttle, collective (angle of the main rotor blades), and tail rotor, and letting the student concentrate on the cyclic (tilts the helicopter left/right, front/back), to learn how to keep it hovering in one spot. But in my case, from the beginning I've had total control of the helicopter, and he is merely available to take over with his transmitter (attached to mine via the trainer cord) should the need arise. From time to time I let the helicopter drift far enough away that he has to bring it back in, but for the most part I've been flying it myself, which is pretty cool. But also really hard :)

Once again, I have no pictures of my own helicopter in flight, because my hands are usually busy at the time. Maybe next time I'll have him do some 3D (stunt) flying so I can take pics.

There's a "fun fly" tomorrow in Sabana Seca, where model aviation enthusiasts from various clubs get together to check out each other's models and go flying. Supposedly there will be three turbine-powered model helicopters there, which should be cool to see. I'm not sure yet if I'm going, but I imagine I probably will. Since I won't be doing any flying if I do go, I'm sure I'll have more pictures from that one.