I was @ the IMAC competition a few months ago in Livermore, Ca. All but one contestant were flying 28%ers or better, all glow. That one guy was flying I'd guess to be about a .60 size plane with a brushless set-up. $600 of lipos in the plane, with $600 more on the charger. Too rich for my blood! I know because I played 30 questions with him. He told me he ran two $300 lipos at a time. I don't remember what he told me the motor & esc cost but they were up there too! I think he'd have to burn thru alot of gallons of fuel before that set-up payed for itself. Don't get me wrong I think we can enjoy both, & I have some of both. However the initial cost of a good brushless set-up is pretty expensive. About $150 for the power set-up with lipo for the Mini Edge 540. So I agree that it's not too bad for the little stuff, but way too expensive for anything of size.

By the way, @ the IMACs, in the Basics division a kid that just turned 15 and had been flying for 9 mos. now, smoked em! Winning 5 out of his last 6 competitions. Told me " yea I really sucked a couple weeks ago, I choked really bad, I only took second place". lol
and I'm still struggling with my Trainer!

Mark