I agree. I often get the impression here in the jets forum that somehow the amount of money you spend equals what level you stand at in the hypothetical ranking.

When someone is starting off into turbine jets, why not encourage the route to spend as LITTLE money as you can and still get a safe, reliable, modern engine and kit? Rather than that make a list of >$10,000 US with a top end composite kit, high power/price turbine, etc. When I started into large scale gas planes, I went from a 1/4 scale to a 30%, to a 33% etc. Not to the biggest and best in one shot. Same thing applied to me when I wanted to try jets. I bought a Wren 54, and a Super Reaper. Put EVERYTHING (with trim wheels, brakes) together (including a 5 pound co2 ext) for about $3500 US and I flew it all last summer on my 6 channel airtronics infinity radio without any problems. I would say I had a lot of fun, SAFE fun and I am looking forward to flying that plane again this summer while I am building my Ziroli Panther for my KJ66 engine.

I would think that with the planes now like the Facet, AV8R and others (as well as the smaller scale jets like those JHH has to offer) and with engines like the MW54/44, simjet, PSTJ600, etc that more guys will indeed get into turbines, and have some cool turbine fun without spending more than it costs to get a decent large scale gasser built and ready to fly.

Andrew Coholic