The last three years I've been coming back into the hobby and was quite surprised at the price of radios and arfs. Now it's even better. I can walk into the local hobby shop and pickup up a Alpha 40 RTF for about $250.00. I saved my paper route money when I was a kid to purchase an world engines expert 4 channel, a midwest sweet stick and a enya 35. The radio was just around $170 US, the kit $40 and the engine $40.00. My memory isn't good so it probably was more. I built and finished the plane over the winter .... only to find out I built a warp in the wing and it barrel rolled on take off. I rebuilt it, than installed the equipment in a "new" Falcon 56 MarkII. Christmas gift from dad and mom.
This hobby is as expensive to start as you want it to be. But with some of the RTF's out there, you're spending the same money now as 30 years ago. Only with a better chance of success.
My 1.89 cents CAD.
Jim
ORIGINAL: Adui
You know; you people of the "This is an expensive hobby" crowd chase more potential fliers away with that hype.
FACT: You can get into this hobby flight ready for as little as $350
FACT: with patience, common sense and a little luck to go with preparedness you can STAY in this hobby for little more than the cost of fuel. Yes there will be the occasional minor bruise, but it doesnt have to mean a lot of money spent! I crashed my Arrow being stupid (Not solo'ed and tried to fly) I fixed it for about $10 in supplies and a bruised ego because I had to admit to my then instructor what Id done..