What do I think about what? I crunch numbers for a living and try not to take it home with me. If you are trying to statistically prove this is a wise hobby . . . forget it. It's as dumb and senseless as most others and a lot better than many. But so what? It's fun. We do this to relax. (I know lots of guys who spend hundreds of hours building many, many beautiful models and seldom fly them. They enjoy the building aspect.

Charlie P

I agree with you and stevenmax50, but here's an interesting comparison just amoung a couple of my own other hobbies, which have dwindled a little since I started flying RC. Of course, after start up, the dollar per hour figure drops a little each year you stay in a hobby(a big drop for the ski boat after the first year) assuming you don't buy all new equipment every year. But still an interesting comparison for myself.

Deer hunting:

Bow $350+-
Arrows and tips per season $100
targets $150
arrows fired including sight in and practice - 150+-
time spent sighting in and practicing 35min/20 shots X 8-10 sessions = 3hrs+-
time spent actually hunting 5 to 6 times @ 3hrs each = 18-20hrs

Dollars per hour spent practicing and hunting = $26/hr

Rifle and scope - $600+
Amunition per season - $100+
Rounds fired including sight in and practice 100+
time spent practicing and sighting in 5-6 sessions/20rounds/ x60min per session= 5-6hrs
time spent actually hunting 6 to 8 times @3hrs each =20 to 24hrs

Dollars per hour spent practicing and hunting $29/hr

This doesn't even include the cost of hunting clothes, ATV, truck and fuel,and other accessories, or the time spent traveling!

Water skiing/swimming/etc.

Ski boat $35000
skis,tubes,wakeboard, life jackets,etc- $1000+
fuel per season 40gallon tank x 1/2tank+ per trip X 8 trips = 4+ tanks per season= $500
time spent actually on the water(not including travel or maintenance to equipment) 8 trips @ 6hrs each on average= 48hrs
dollar per hour = $760/hr


RC flying

Electric trainer plane and accessories $300+-
Nitro trainer plane and all needed accsessories $500+-
Second nitro plane (low wing sport) $400+-
Ama and club fees $140
fuel per year - avg two 12oz tanks per session =20oz per session
X avg one session per week all year= 52 sessions = 8gallons = $160
misc parts, pieces and repairs, $200+-
time spent actually at flying field avg 3hrs per session = 104hrs

dollars per hour flying RC planes = $16/hr