I can appreciate wanting to save some money, but I have to agree with the pro-starter bunch. You have a lot to learn without having to learn the skills required to start your engine with a stick, and it can be very frustrating to sit there and flip flip flip. After I was in the hobby a couple of years, I decided to learn the chicken stick routine, and it always impresses the guys when you start the engine with just a flip or two. It's not that difficult (most of the "skill" is learning to prime the engine right), but I find that even though I'm really good at it, every once in a while I'll be at the field and it seems no matter how many flips, the dang thing won't catch. That's a good time to bring out the old electric starter and just spin that thing until it fires.