RE: Joining a club
Update:
I had my first real crash the a couple of days ago. I knew there would be some kind of real damage before I even saw the plane. I called out 'on the field', ran and got my plane, and by the time I got back to the pits there were at least 3 guys with glue, tape, forceps, everything I needed to get my plane fixed and in the air again. I didn't even have to ask. I don't know if it's just my club, but I couldn't find a better group of guys, but judging from most of what I read here, it seems to be the same everywhere (there was a recent thread to send, for free, enough gear to get a guy going who crashed his plane on first flight).
Join a club! [8D]