Today, long after my model flying plane was delivered to me, I was able to fly it for the first time. I had my NCST mate Rajesh (<div class="ljuser">rajeshagroya1</div>) with me as I made my first attempt to be a pilot. The weather was indifferent, with continous drizzling, but just when I was about to give up for the day, the weather seemed to clear up, as if by magic. We took the plane to a ground near my office and waited for the wind. The wind was very feeble and was just not constant. It kept changing direction, making it difficult to plan the take-off path. After sometime, I just made up my mind and launched it into the wind, but the launch was not proper and it prompty went nose-first to the ground where the ample grass safed it from terminal damage! One more unsuccessful launch later, I aimed it into the wind and let her go. She seemed to go almost down to the ground and I just kept praying and it happened: She took off and began to soar up, but before it managed to do so, it had traveled quite a distance at almost ground height and this meant that I had run out of space. It was dangerously close to the trees that were bordering the park and I did my best to change the course, but it could not gain height or change direction fast enough, so it went and struck tree. Forturately for me and my plane, the point of impact was pretty high, meaning that it essentially went into a really leafy part of the tree, not sustaining much damage. A few enthusiastic people who had gathered around to watch helped me bring it back down. Upon inspection, it seemed to be ok, sustaining just a couple of scratches! Not bad, huh? I now know what kind of wind conditions are required to guarantee a safe flight and I also know the distance required for a safe take-off. These are things that will no doubt hold me in good stead in my future adventures. I guess the next flight will either be tomorrow or on Monday, with my colleagues around. More details later!