Don't really know what to tell ya if your just planning on dabbling with the planes, this isn't one of those hobbies, RC cars is one of those hobbies.

But if you do get serious then put your zip code in here [link=http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx]ama search[/link]

CAll or e-mail one of those people and head out to their field, they'll be able to show you what the hobbies is all about. Most bigger clubs have club trainers for you to play with for a couple sessions, attached to a trainer cord of course, and you'll still be expected to get your own gear soon, but you'll be able to see if this is something you really wanna do and will give you a very good idea what you'll need. More and more clubs are even providing electric trainers since electric are gaining in popularity but most club will just have glow powered trainers.

Just about all clubs will have a 50-150 dollar fee, maintaining land isn't cheap, and AMA membership for the insurance 75 bucks. If these fees scare you, this isn't a hobby you should mess with, and weather you wanna see the benefit or not, getting real instruction to learn how to fly from one of these clubs will save you hundreds of dollars in planes, hardware and stuff you'll only have to buy once because you bought the right stuff the first time. It's getting better but batteries not included is a huge understatement with airplanes.

[link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCXF4**&P=0]tower trainer[/link] best bang for the buck

[link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEXK2**&P=0]nexstar[/link] the best damn trainer


Now if your really not serious about the hobby get a couple of these [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HBZ3600]aerobirds[/link] and have some fun and throw them away