Thanks guys for your input.

Basically I had a couple of lessons at Tingalpa at the start of this year. I've been working pretty hard at uni (hence limited budget) since then so I sorta postponed any further expenditure until summer break came round. Basically I said to myself if I'm still as interested now as I was then I'd get into it.

The lessons I had were on a .40 glow trainer and that's probably the sort of thing I'd like to start with. As far as the airframe goes I'm not too interested in looks, just something that again is good value (~AU$140) and has pretty relaxed flight characteristics. As for the glow engine, whatever is appropriate for the plane, reliable and good value (~AU$140).

I was also wondering what else there is to think about:

Club membership
BW testing the tx
fuel pump
motory thing to start engine
etc

any advice on this stuff?

while I'm at it I may as well ask some more nigglers:

is the propeller part of the ARF kit or do you buy it seperately?
is the most popular transmitter mode in Australia mode 1?
say I become a proficient flyer, how would I find out it there are any rules to stop me flying in my local park?

cheers
dy