You can expect that it will cost you about $500 to get started with a decent little setup. You might be able to get away for a little cheaper if you can get some used things through your local club members. Most of us have so much junk that we give an item here and there to help out the new guys.


Bare minimums

Airplane of your choice of ARF, RTF or kit and whatever it takes to finish it.
Engine (.46AX is an AWESOME engine.
4 Channel Transmitter minimum (most come with 4 servos, transmitter, tx batteries and receiver batteries and a receiver included)
Servos (4)
4 channel Receiver
1 gallon of Fuel 10% or 15%
fuel tubing
some sort of glow plug wrench
couple of glow plugs
glow lighter (heater, whatever)
chicken stick
something to carry your stuff in
AMA membership ( highly recommended)
Instructor (free at your local club and also highly recommended)