IMHO, if a person is making decisions based on price of things he's never going to really enjoy this hobby. Every one of us can afford anything; it's just a matter of how long it will take. I budget $100 a month for RC flying. That includes my AMA and club dues. So I can outfit one new glow plane a year plus pay for fuel and incidentals, maybe buy 2 or 3 used ones, or hold off for a couple of years and get a 50cc gasser. Yes, electric costs more initially but if that's the route a guy wants to go there's nothing to stop him from doing so.