Want to become a member and other advice, please

[kevin6666]

Hello all;
I am looking to become a member of LISF and would like to know how join before the next meeting in June, 15. I used to fly R/C gliders back in the early 80's, but didnt get far at all. I flew a Gentle Lady that a friend had built and sold to me. Unfortunately I didn't get the instruction and help I needed to really "get off the ground", sorry about the pun. Two or three flights and then, crash, no real skill to rebuild so I slowly lost interest. This time around I am going to avoid that I hope. I am looking at planes and radios now and will make the purchase ASAP. I read the section of the site about first planes and there are none that are still in existence that are ARF. My work schedule doesn't allow much time for building so ARF is key to getting me started. For a radio, I think the new Spektrum 6 ch transmitter is what I'm set on. It's a lot of radio to start, but I want a radio that I can grow with for a little while. The plane I'm thinking of is the Bird of Time ARF. I'd love some opinions on these two in reference to how well suited they are for a new pilot. The other issue for me is that I could really use someone to walk me through the final assembly and set up of the plane and radio and of course, basic instruction on flying.  I'm not an engineer, but I do understand all of the principles of flight, thermals and slope lift, and model set up. CG, ballast, airfoils etc, I also have a firm grasp on. I just need a mentor to turn principle into reality.
So, to wrap this up;
1 Membership?
2 Plane and radio advice?
3 Set up?
4 Flying instruction?
Thank you very much for reading this and I hope to hear from you and see you all soon!
Kevin Cowatch, Smithtown NY
[e-mail]

[kevin6666]

delete

[Ed Anderson]

Kevin6666,

Welcome to the LISF message board. And hopefully we will soon welcome you to the club as well.

First of all, the plane we recommend as a first glider for new pilots is the Radian RTF. It comes with everything you need to fly. Many of the experienced pilots in the club, including myself, have Radians because they fly so well. Noting to build, just buy it and fly it.
www.horizonhobby.com/radian-rtf-pkz4700

This is the glider I use to train new pilots and I sometimes fly it in contests. You will love it.

As for joining the club. The information is here but it seems you have read it already. That is good.
www.lisf.org/home/how_to_join/how_to_join.html

While we prefer you sign up at a club meeting so you can be sure to meet the officers and many of the members, you can still come down to meet the members at the field and see what we fly and how we conduct the field. We are a pretty friendly bunch. Normally I am there one day each weekend but I could not make it this weekend.

You can contact me directly at aeajr at optonline dot net. I can put you on my weekly newsletter mailing list and we can start to chat.

I look forward to flying with you.

Ed Anderson
LISF

[kevin6666]

Thanks for the info Ed, appreciate it a lot!! I will check out the Radian. Ive seen it plenty of times during my research phase and if that is the plane to begin with, so be it. I will drop you a note at your email and we can go from there. I will probably drop by the field from time to time to see if anyone is flying and introduce myself then. I will let you know as soon as I get the Radian and I'm all set and ready to go. Thanks again, see you soon.
K