First things I'd ask are; how old are you and what are you willing to spend to get started? Are you a "joiner", do you like hanging out with people who have the same interests?

To get a "typical" start with NEW stuff, standard .40 size glow powered trainer, radio equipment, engine, tools and glues, plus the associated field accessories for starting the engine, AND club and AMA memberships, will run you about $450 to $500. And that won't buy you any extra gadgets.

I don't want to scare you off, but don't want you to be blind sided by the "true" cost of start-up either.

You could likely get started with the same as above but in good USED condition, for closer to $300 - $350.

The above option should include joining the AMA (which provides liability insurance mainly) and a local club. The club will provide you with an instructor who will teach you to fly at no cost.

Some clubs have trainers and will take you up and let you see what it's all about before you buy anything. Some will also teach you to fly on their trainer so you never have to buy one.

The AMA's website has a "club locater" page. You plug in your Zip Code and will get a list of clubs in your area. (I'm guessing there are a lot of them within 50 miles of you). Here's a link:

http://www.modelaircraft.org/templat...677786D06500E8

Now, if you don't have that kind of money, many people try to teach themselves to fly with less expensive equipment. You can buy a "ready to fly" RC plane for as little as $50 to $60, but it will only have two channels of control, and performance will be quite poor. (You're taking a chance because many of them won't fly, period.)

In the $125 to $150 range are planes like the Aerobird Challenger and Sky Scooter, which have 3 channels controls. You get the plane, radio, motor, battery packs and charger for that money. These are fairly small electrics that can be flown in an area about the size of a couple soccer fields. BUT! Don't fly them where there are people, houses, cars, kids, dogs or small fuzzy animals. Any of these things can hurt people or cause damage. (Glow powered stuff killed two people this past year.) And you can't fly them in more than a gentle breeze, at least starting out.

The problem with this category of planes is that NONE of the equipment can be re-used in another plane. If you crash too badly, you throw it all out and buy another.

Well, I'm going to stop here because you're not likely to read more than this anyway.

RC is a great hobby! So good luck, have fun and welcome to RCU!
Dennis-

(edited for minor changes)