Reading this thread echoes many conversations I have when new perspective pilots show up at the field. The topic of “how much” is a double edged sword, but played properly is a win-win. The proliferation of cheap electrics allows many to get their feet wet inexpensively. We should embrace these pilots, but show them the “other side” of the hobby. Our club makes an effort with the help of the LHSs to get the pilots that purchased the small inexpensive electrics out to our field. They arrive, generally on a designated evening (Tuesdays for us) and we help them as best we can with setup, tips, etc. We explain that they are welcome to join and fly their plane with proper AMA, club membership, etc. Now here is the twist… we make sure there are turbines or some other “crowd impressive” planes sitting around upon which a few demo flights are flown so the new pilots can see that class of plane fly. We then offer them a buddy box flight on the clubs 40 sized glow trainer so they can experience first hand flying a larger more powerful model. The question always comes up, “how much”, and we make no bones about it, a new 40 sided trainer with a proper and safe ground support gear setup, including AMA and our club membership will run about $500, but we don’t push the issue. Some leave and never come back, but many stick around and join the club. Those that stick around are welcome to learn on their small electric plane, but because of the exposure we provided to the larger and better performing planes, they almost always move quickly toward what most of us would consider a “first” trainer, i.e. a 40 sized electric or glow powered trainer of some sort. We have added many new pilots that way, including what I would call the “regulars” that fly all the time.