Some Advice/Mentoring an 18yo HS Senior

[Jerry Budd]

Hi all,

I need a bit of advice.

A few days ago I was asked to mentor an 18 yr old high school senior 
who wants to build and fly an R/C airplane for her senior project. 
Yes, HER senior project.  She's a 4.6 (on a 4.0 scale) advanced 
placement, honors student (1380 on her SAT) who is waiting to hear 
back on her appointment to the USAF Academy.  She worked last summer 
for 10 weeks an a high school apprentice at NASA Dryden in the 
Research Propulsion Directorate.  She is also active in tennis, 
swimming, choir, mock trial, Academic Decathalon, Mathleets, and her 
church (which is how she was refered to me).  Her first mentor quit 
on her about two weeks ago, and left her hanging with no plan and 
only 10 weeks or so to get this accomplished.  I asked and she said 
that her preference is to build an airplane from a kit, instead of 
quickly assembling an ARF.  Her father also has a complete 
woodworking shop that she can use, including tools.  She is clearly 
an overachiever and she has a great attitude.  I really think this is 
going to be a lot of fun.

So what's the problem?  Well, I've been away from trainers and flight 
instruction for long enough that I don't exactly know what to 
recommend for an airplane.  I'm thinking 40 sized rather than 60 
sized to help keep the costs down, although $$$ isn't much of a 
problem since she said she'll be spending her own $$$, not her 
parents $$$.  She said that she budgeted around $400.

The following airplane was recommended to me due to the laser cut 
parts that fit extremely well, and also because of the very easy to 
follow, photo illustrated manual:

http://www.checkerboardair.com/cbweb1004.htm

I'm leaving early Friday morning for a contest in Phoenix, AZ but I 
would appreciate any and all suggesctions be eMailed back to me and 
I'll look them over when I return Sunday night.  A recommendation on 
a motor and a radio would also be appreciated!

Thx, Jerry

-- 
___________
Jerry Budd
mailto:jbudd at qnet.com
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