If your thinking about getting into this hobby, I thing I'll let you know what your in for by describing what I've been dealing with. I've been spending every last dollar for a the last couple months getting everything I need to fly:

new superstar trainer (120)
OS 46ax (100)
jr6102 tx (240)
accumulator (35)
fuel (20)
real flight simulator (200)
cheapo starter (30)
4 -props (10)
glues (25)
rubber bands (5)
fuel pump (15)
other misc parts (50)
ama membership (58)
field membership (30)
= 938$ And I'm likely forgetting something.
This hobby spirals out of control before you know it, if you think you can get in it for the price of an ebay kit (250) good luck! I know I have some optional items but still... Who wants to spent money on a cheapo parts when a much better part is just a little more (famous last words)
So I've been practicing on real flight for some time now, I can fly all the planes and helis fairly well and I'm just going crazy wanting to try out the plane for real. Placed my order for ama membership a couple weeks ago and have been desperately waiting ever since. I've hooked up with a couple guys willing to instruct me when it comes. Well today I got the mail, and there it was, a letter from the ama. I excitedly tore it open and found out that my credit card was rejected because of an account # error. They (ama) wrote my card number on the letter and a copy of my application was enclosed, but there is no problem with the number or the expiration date. UUUUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
So I called the ama and told them I saw no problems and read the number to customer service lady right off my card, she said "ok we'll put it through again", and I asked "how will I know if it works will you call me?" But she had already hung up on me...mother *%$#@*
So who knows if I'll ever fly this thing? For all you beginners I sure hope you have an easier time than me, but expect some s*&t !! I wish I would have known what I was in for.

not to put you down, but you have spent at least $300 more than what was really necessary. You didn't need the Sim - although it helps - and you could have went with a less expensive TX package. I suppose you could have bought an ATF kit and saved a few more bucks. I guess what I am saying is you don't have to expect to spend $1000 to get into this hobby.

Just to give you an example. I decided to go with a SPAD instead to save a few bucks. I got a hand me down engine that was bought used for $40. I bought a used radio for $60. My plane cost $45 (high estimate). I still need landing gear ($15) and some misc flight pieces probably $30. I get to use my Father in laws flight box with equip, but he has about $75 worth of equip, some used, some new. So adding that up I am at less than $300 for everything to get up in the air.

So anyway, my point is that you have spent more than what you could have, if you have the money great, but for me I am a Youth Pastor and I am not wading in money yet.

Since when are any hobbies cheap

Funny story you complain about the cost of things however you also state that given the choice of a lesser product you opt for the more expensive Product

RTF Trainer 299.00 or less includes radio & engine

150.00 for Field equipment (thats about 100.00 more then absolutly neccessary
58.00 for AMA
30.00 For Club Dues


Grand total 537.00

Savings 401.00 dollars


Your post is EXACTLY the reason why most members here recommend finding a club before spending any money

But don't worry after your first flight it will all seem worth it

The AMA used to let you fly if you paid with a credit card after the payment cleared they have/had a spot on there web site to check your membership status that you could print out as proof of insurance give them another call and ask about it

What's an "accumulator"? I've been flying for years without one (I think).

And here's some more real numbers...

Superstar trainer (100)
OS 46la (55)
Tower 4ch radio (85)
fuel (15)
4 -props (10)
glues (10)
rubber bands (5)
Chicken stick (5)
Soda & Sandwich for lunch (5)

Total $290

Just 1 or 2 spare props...

Avoid the LA... but there are other engines close to the same price that are better.

skip the chicken stick... the instuctor will have an electric starter. And if you really want a chicken stick... get an old piece of 3/8 dowel and slide some car radiator hose on it. (cost = 0)

Go to the office supply store for the rubber bands... $2.50 for a bag that will supply the whole club for 6 months to a year.

(price just dropped another $10 to $15...)

If the club is an AMA "Intro Pilot Program" participant... then you don't have to have AMA or club membership for up to 30 days of training.

I do recommend the AMA... and I recommend joining a club... so that $100 of the cost could return to the equation...

If you can get help outside of a club and have an appropriate site.... then you CAN be flying cor under $350 including the ESSENTIAL field support equip.

Don't skip getting help... it will cost you more than the club membership and AMA dues.

I know it could have been done somewhat cheaper, but the main reason for the tx is that I really want to get into helis (its actually the heli version 6102). It's just when I know what I want thats what I get( maby the youth paster could give me a sermon on denying myself) just kidding. Also I'm sorry for being so negative I was just so mad about not having my ama card yet (and now another 2week setback), I got off the phone with the ama 5 min before I wrote the initial post. I guess I was venting a little. So I supose I should say some nice things to offset my rant. I decided to go out to the field after I wrote the initial post and I just got back, I've been out there a few times now and everytime I go out there I think to myself that I just cant believe how nice everyone is. It seems evertime I leave the field I have a new buddy, this alone is one of the best unexpected things I've learned so far. I also want to second what others have said about joining a club before you whip out the pocket book, it would have helped me some. Thanks everyone for the all the advice and I'll keep my rants concentrated to the dog from now on.

Accumulator=glowplug starter

15%Fuel = $13.99
10%fuel = $12.99
It's ok to rant every once in awhile,but why didn't you just tell us how you really felt ?.

Just to let others know.......When you plan to get into heli's you will end up spending more........anyway you will spend lots later because no one can stop the tiny little parasite called the R/C bug.

I really don't want to know how much i have spent just to get into this hobby but i have all the receits for almost every penny spent,except gas to get to and from the flying field or just checking different places,like the day i went to malakov ?,just to watch a fly-in, anyway,it's way down there or the different hobby shops just to look in for something i "might need later" or that size of fuel line or ect ect.It's not a cheap hobby for sure but what the hell,you cant take it with you.
Now i'm thinking i might need a new plane later when i learn to fly,hmm,i wonder how much that will cost.

I have an LT-40 kit I put together w/ OS 46LA, futaba 4YF tx and flight pack, starter and glow starter, fuel, and an AMA membership all under $500
I still havent even left the ground yet and I thionk its worth it. Im still looking for a club.

chris

I can feel your pain at having to wait, but lets not scare away the newcomers
It may have cost you $1000 to get the plane on the ground ready for take off but thats it, after that 1st flight u just got fuel etc, if you look after your new kit it will last you years, so yea the initial outlay can seem large but you only got to buy the big stuff once .
lets look at other hobbies, My mate is into the mountain bike thing, he blew £1000 (UK) on a new bike, just the bike, now think how much RC kit he woulda got for that!! woot, ok golf hmmm could blow $1000 on 2 irons easy .
Need i go on!!!!..
Good luck with the AMA thingy hope your in the air soon


Jim.

I was just about to say the same thing! planes are CHEAP compared to a heli. planes you rekit, and yes, you can rekit a heli also but they tend to bleed you more often for somewhat smaller parts. only problem is what SHOULD be a cheap part becomes this nice new shiny anodized swash, and now you are dropping $100 JUST for the new piece! (yes, the same price as your entire superstar!)

helis are not that bad if you get help from someone that knows whats going on. Sure, a little more, but you can do them economical too.

Then the bug bites and WHOA, you start the spending spree!!! Fun hobby though. Beats the heck out of sitting in the bar. I stopped for a beer after work last week for the first time in a long time and blew $50 before I walked out. Next time I am stopping by the hobby shop instead!!!

Starter battery.

John

Suzuki quad $2000
Trailer $1500
Motor Home $60,000
Gas for a weekend at the Dunes
$400

R/C is CHEEP!!!

I look at it this way[:-] I you dont spend it your wife will [X(][X(][:'(]

What about when you hit the Hobby shop to buy just one item say fuel. Then you walk out with a whole bag of stuff and done spent an arm and a leg on these little $1.50 $5.00 $10.00 parts here and there and it all adds up to $50-$100. And all you wanted, or told wife was that you just needed fuel for $13.00

I don't know how it happens but it does! It is like wives going shoe shopping. They just cant have one pair.

Sometimes it is false economy to go for a cheaper setup. I've only been flying for about a month and I'm already wishing I had gone for different equipment:
- a 6 channel tx instead of the 4.
- a programmable ESC instead of the one with the set cutoff point.
- 1050 mah batteries instead of 650 mah.

If you know you're going to be in the hobby for a while, get the best you can afford.

and $50 for servos...

i used to be into classic motorcycles before i got into flying r.c.,and you think r.c. aircraft can be expensive!!!

Any of you into gas powered 1/10 scale cars? Try that ... fuel is 25% nitro only. Foam tires run out in about 8-10 tanks. Engines lasts only for 9 months before it gets under powered. You need a starter box for sure, no chicken stick. Engines comes without pipes, pipes are not cheap. Try GP cars and you will see how expensive RC can get.

My TV has a remote control. I have to change the AAA batteries every year.

Beat that for RC!!haha

If you get over the "hump" it's money well spent. I quit keeping up with how much I spend, cause it's well worth it. Compared to a lot of pursuits, rc planes are NOT expensive. You will get more thrill per dollar invested trust me. And then there are the unexpected benefits that come. Like the "friends" you will make.

ARF's are the worst. The last one I did, well, here's breakdown:

Seagull Spacewalker: $119 - said on box came with extensive hardware, spinner, etc etc. So of course:
Replacement H/W: $12.00
OK 46AX: $109 - because of course I'm not going to fly this heavy of an airplane with an LA 40.....
Fuel tank: $3.50 - It came with one but I didn't like it.
Piece of Hardwood to make pushrod mounts/cowl mounts/battery mount: $.89
Other misc. stuff I didn't like and needed to replace: $36.00
Voltwatch: $16.00
12" prop for AX: $3.50
Roll of monokote to seal between stabs and cover hole in fuse needed to install battery: $12.50
And it's not done yet, because as soon as I fly it I'm going to start thinking it needs a 4 stroke, so....
Saito FA56: $189

Than I've got an AX 46 sitting around with no airplane for it.... can't have that!

Andy