Just 1 or 2 spare props...

Avoid the LA... but there are other engines close to the same price that are better.

skip the chicken stick... the instuctor will have an electric starter. And if you really want a chicken stick... get an old piece of 3/8 dowel and slide some car radiator hose on it. (cost = 0)

Go to the office supply store for the rubber bands... $2.50 for a bag that will supply the whole club for 6 months to a year.

(price just dropped another $10 to $15...)

If the club is an AMA "Intro Pilot Program" participant... then you don't have to have AMA or club membership for up to 30 days of training.

I do recommend the AMA... and I recommend joining a club... so that $100 of the cost could return to the equation...

If you can get help outside of a club and have an appropriate site.... then you CAN be flying cor under $350 including the ESSENTIAL field support equip.

Don't skip getting help... it will cost you more than the club membership and AMA dues.