hi,
I am 13 years old and i got interested in building RC airplanes after i bought a kit to make a rubber band powered airplane. I need some help to get started for example like where to start?
should i start with reading a website?
a book?
or what else should i do to go started?
And i have 1 question i hear that there are 2 types of RC airplanes electric and something else. can u please tell me what the other kind is and what the differences are and which is good and which i should start with. And do i need to know about electronics?
And 1 more question, How much would a engine and Radio Controller cost me?
Thank You.

The first thing you should do is see if there is a R/C club where you live. The members can help you with many questions. If there is not, a glow powered trainer plane with a Four channel radio and field equipment will be about $500. Try and get help though, it will make your first experience a pleasant one. You did say something about electric planes OK if your flying space is limited but if your like most you will want a glow plane sooner then you may think.

Mad Man -
I'm 48 now, but started in RC when I was your age. You can do this, and if you do, I PROMISE you it will help you a lot later. The hobby led me to become an electrical engineer, and taught me more than most of the courses I took in college. I agree with the recommendation to find a club - most folks at flying fields will fall all over themselves to help you, once they decide you are serious about it. Also, see if your local hobby store has a guy that will help.
No, you do not have to understand electronics ... yet.
There are many types of RC planes ... electric (big), electric (really small), gasoline powered (really big), alcohol powered ("glow" in the hobby, range in size from 24" to >100" wingspans), sailplanes, float planes, racers, scale models, sport models, acrobatic, really crazy acrobatic ... there is not enough time in your lifespan to experience every facet of the hobby.
There are several magazines that always have beginner articles ... look at RC Modeler, Model Aviation and/or Model Airplane News.
One other thing. You are on a tight budget. You have the luxury, believe it or not, of spare time that most of us in the hobby do not have. You can trade off that spare time for a cheaper alternative - buy someone's used stuff. There are always swap meets, ads on sites like this one and someone locally selling something. The problem is ... it might have problems. That is where the spare time comes in!! If you go this route, be ABSOLUTELY sure you take an experienced person with you so you do not get conned into buying garbage - there is a lot of that out there. Good Luck, and if I can help with info, mail me!!

Check out the Beginner's Guide on my web page. It will help you to understand the different aspects of this hobby. After reading and understanding the content of the guide, you will have enough knowledge to begin to ask intelligent questions that will direct your toward your goal.

Hey madfoot,

I am twelve and also want to get started in this hobby.

I have been doing research on a beginner plane and such.

I think glow planes is where all the fun is. I flew my friends Wingo and thought it pretty ho-hum(3ch controls, 5mph speeds)

If you buy a radio and can afford it, get a 6ch computer radio(around $179.99) it will save u money in da long run... (dont need to buy new radio when you fly a flaps + Retracts plane)

An engine for a glow plane would be about $60-up to 150 new, for a .40 - .46 sized engine.

Try the OS. LA series, they are about $60 -68 on tower hobbies for either a .40 or .46.

Or get an Evolution Engines for $80. it has more power.

ELECTRICS

They are usu. slow(stereotype!), only run for 10 mins at most on a charge, and usu can only do rudder, throttle, and elevator (pretty ho-hum unless fast)

They are a tad cheaper, but not by much.

Yub Yub(David)

If your looking for a good glow trainer get the Hangar 9 Alpha RTF. It has the super easy and reliable Evolution .46 engine and a JR radio, receiver and servos. Completely ready to fly in less than an hour, plus time for receiver and transmitter batteries to charge.(overnight) It was so easy to build. The engine started on the first flip no settings or needle valves to mess with and if you do have to adjust a little both needle valves have stops so beginner cant screw the settings up. At 63 inch wing span its big enough to see at a distance and very stable. Plus when you get bored with it after a while you have a quality engine and radio equipment that can be used on other types of planes, all for $300!

lets say i get started and i buy engine and 4 channel radio do u usually buy new radio and engine for every plane or rip it out of the old plane?
SHould i scratch build or use kit and if i scratch build do i use foam or balsa wood?

Get the avistar rtf, comes with radio and engine. Its already built. Its under 400 bux.

But first you DEFINATLY need to find a club.

Hi im 14 and i now have 3 planes going on to 4 im hoping to buy a World Models Midget Mustang .60 size and man iz it gonna rip it has a OS 91 Surpass 4-stroke with pump but enough of that a good trainer is definitly an arf and you dont need the fastest engien out there if you do it will make it harder and i would sugest buying a 6 channel because you will be able to use it with your whole fleet i learned the hard way i now have to buy a new 6ch radio for my mustang well hope you like the hobby

C ya

If you havent checked out www.towerhobbies.com go there and check out the trainers and compare the prices you will be able to get a complete RTF for under $300.00 (superstar, tower 40 trainer, and avistar come to mind).

After getting an idea for the market prices go to your local hobby store(s) and see if they will price match, most will, or at least come close to tower. I think supporting local hobby stores is generally good, they can be an invaluable resource (now and down the road). But if you dont get good service or they seem to be unreasonable go with where the prices are best, after we are capitalists!

Good luck!

get a free RC flight simulator program off the web and play around with it and see what you think. see: http://www.tmac.asn.au/fms_free_flight_simulator.htm

Oh yeah- Don't forget to have FUN!

All advice above is great stuff- just make sure you have somebody who is an experienced flier help you get started, that way you can make that initial investment last MUCH LONGER!

The buddy box and buddy cord are the greatest inventions in our time (along with Krispee Kreme) so use them!

Let me know if you have any questions as I have crashed a little of everything!

james