1) Learn About RC Read about getting started in RC at this site: http://www.rcflightunlimited.com/

2) Learn About Aerodynamics Before you start flying, buy a copy of Stick and Rudder by Wolfgang Langweische.
http://www.tatteredcover.com/NASApp/...sbn=0070362408

This is the best book on PRACTICAL Aerodynamics ever written. It will teach you how and why airplanes do what they do in clear and easy to read language.

3) Build a simple airplane For about 2 bucks you can buy an AMA Cub or "Delta Dart". This amazing little rubber powered airplane can be constructed in about 15 minutes, and teach you some wonderful things about how to construct, trim and fly a model airplane. If you are helping your son or daughter get started in RC, buy him or her a Delta Dart first. If the model does not bring a smile to junior's face, model airplanes are probably not the right hobby.

4) Purchase your equipment You should be able to put together a good economy priced set up for flying gas powered RC for UNDER $350.

a) AIRFRAME There are a number of good airplanes out there, but for an easy building, sturdy, light weight, airplane that will carry you from beginning errors to beginning aerobatics, there is not a better choice than the Sig Kadet LT-25. This model will not only teach you some vital skills needed to repair, maintain, and fly your future models, it is a model that is truly a joy to construct with nearly all of the parts accurately laser cut and ready to install.


b) ENGINE The engines that are generally available in the market, OS, Thunder Tiger, SupreTigre, MDS, Tower, Irvine, etc, are all pretty good. They all have idiosyncracies, but there are not any that are "bad". If you are flying at an altitude higher than 6000 feet, it is a good idea to up your engine size slightly (a 46 instead of a 40, or a 32 instead of a 25), but it is not necessary. Remember that your goal is to learn to fly, and your first engine is going to take a lot of abuse. It may well be unusable after your first plane is worn out, so it is really a waste to buy a top of the line, high performance engine.

c) RADIO I generally recommend a basic four channel radio for beginners. This is the most economical way to go for several important reasons. First, the initial outlay is quite low. Second, most 4 channel rigs come with a seven channel reciever that is identical to the one supplied with the more expensive 6 and eight channel radios. Third whether you buy a four channel radio or a six channel radio, when you are ready to equip a second airplane you will want to buy a second flight pack. The cost of a flight pack is very close to the price of a complete four channel radio, in fact a number of modelers have found it cheaper to purchase a full four channel rig and discard the extra transmitter than to buy a flight pack only.

Whatever you do, do not buy anything less than a 4 channel radio, the two and three channel radios are very limiting. The four channel radios will fly most airplanes that are on the market.

Six channels will not be needed until at least your third model, and many people never use the 5th or 6th channel, but they do give you the ability to add acceesories like bomb drops, cameras, retractable landing gear and flaps to your advanced models.

Of the 4 channel radios, they are all basically the same in terms of price and quality, look to spend about $120-140.

If you are going to get a six, don't mess around with the bottom of the line, get one of the ones with multi model memory, otherwise there is no point in going beyond the basic 4 channel jobbie. Prices have stabilized recently. A good computer 6 from Futaba, JR, Airtronics or Hitec will cost you around $250. When you are ready to equip a second airplane, an additional flight pack compatible with either a four or six channel radio will cost between $120 and $160.

5) Join the AMA The AMA insures you for up to 2.5 million dollars if you kill someone with your airplane. This is important to protect your estate, or your parents if you are sued for wrongful death, but more importantly, it is to make sure that if you kill me with your airplane, my wife will not have to live in a refrigerator box and my kids will still get to go to college.

6) Track down your local club and join If you cant find a local club, call the AMA and find out the name of a local AMA member that will help you. I'm serious about this, DEMAND that the AMA put new flyers in touch with experienced modelers. Once you start getting your AMA magazine, find out who your local VP's or Assistant VP's are (they are listed in the back of the magazine) and call them to find someone in your area to help you, it is worth a long distance call to find a local modeler, and it is worth a two hour drive to have an experienced modeler help you trim out your first airplane.

Good Luck with your RC adventure