A propos of another thread.... it tickles me when somebody come on this board to ask on how to start and leaves promptly with the impression that you need lots of green to start in the hobby. Specially younger gents with smaller wallets... I think we don't (or shouldn't) start with a full box of goodies IF the club and instructor lend a helping hand.. for example this is a list with today's prices (I am not endorsing any of this manufacturers or equipment).

AMA $1.00 special price for under 16 y.o.)

RADIO 4 Channel $89.00
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXCUM2**&P=0
This radio can fly the trainer and probably 2nd and 3rd plane... heck I have people in the club that fly large planes with them

Engine OS 40 LA $51.99
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXBY18&P=0
Please don't bash this engine I have two [&:] and like them they are godd for BEGINNERS..

PLANE World Models Sky Raider I $71.90
www.Quantummodels.com
World models are good ARF's
Shipping and Handling $ 30.00

TOTAL SO FAR...... US$ 243.89

Miscelaneous... $ 50.00 (plugs, ca, epoxy, etc)

And all is brand NEW!!!!

With that and some help from the club/instructor our friend could be flying for less than $300.00
Why should a newbie has to have a full assortment of tools plus starter, glow igniter, recycler, battrry checker, tachometer... why why why??? If the beginner decides to stay in these items can be purchsed as he/she progresses in the hoby

Now once the bug catches on..... BEWARE because like the rest of us he/she wil be sinking serious money in this "hobby"

Psst.....no servos.....so add $75 (plus or minus)

but great stuff!



actually a bit less... didn't realize that standard servos are only $12~

Cheers

OOOPS....[:'(]
Forgot to look closely....
RADio 4 Ch WITH Servos 129.24

That hikes the price a liitle TOTAl $ 254.13

Still all is brand NEW and under $300 !!!!

Fuel????

One comment on the AMA cost. I believe that the $1.00 fee is for youths under 19 and not 16, and that is w/o the magazine. A great value for sure.

I've looked over the AMA website and couldn't find a $1 membership. But they do have an introductory membership that is $19.95.

[link]http://www.modelaircraft.org/trialmemberapp.aspx[/link]

The Hobbico Superstar 40 RTF is $280 at Tower, but there is a $50 rebate. Add a Hobbico Field Pack with all the basics for $49, some fuel and couple of extra props and you're ready to go.

The $1 membership at AMA is for Juniors. So you have to add AMA and Club membership. I usually tell people that show up at our field to expect it to cost $500 to learn to fly.

Carl

Is the $50 rebate right? I found a $10 rebate for the Superstar, $25 for the Avistar and $50 for the Nexstar.

Another formula for under $300:
Tower trainer $70
Engine $80 (OS, Thunder Tiger, Magnum, GMS, Tower, SuperTigre take your pick)
Futaba 4YF $130
Misc stuff $50 (spare props, glow plug, battery, glue, etc)
Total is $330. Now start working the discounts. First time order can get $20 off a $50 order. Use this for the engine, plane, or the stuff. Next order gets the $25 off anything over $175, which still keeps it in the $300 range. If the timing's right, additional discounts are often available. The bottom line is that with careful shopping, and avoiding the things that are nice to have, but not absolutely required, it's easy to stay in the $300 range. However adding in some of the nice to have things (and expensive club initiation fees and dues) can quickly push the total to the $400-500 range.

Ooops Didn't read the fine print[sm=confused.gif].

Still, I agree about $300 for hardware, $150 to $200 for Club and AMA fees.

A simulator is realy a good idea also. I got a free on from the internet and bought the appropriate adaptor cable.

Carl

you can start for under 300. but the ugly truth is, once you get hooked its all over except for more spending. hehe

I've been instructing for about 6 years now, and teaching anywhere from 1-7 students each year. I've noticed that you could "barely" get started for $300. When people show up at our field and starting asking questions I always tell them that it's gonna take $300-$500 to get started. I try to be completely honest with people so that come into the hobby with a realistic idea of what's gonna cost. $300 is just about rock bottom to get started. Yes, if you scratch and hunt specials you can get a plane/radio/motor for less than that. But be honest, it's usually the "old guys" like us that know about these specials. How many times do you see somebody show up at the field with a plane already purchased? More often than not. Most of the time they show up with a Hobbico RTF, a Nexstar, or one of the other RTF combos out there. They will buy the plane before they talk to an instructor. Yes, I know there are those of you out there that researched everything before you bought your first plane, but let me tell you that you are the exception to the rule.

That's just the way I see it.

Actually, I see a lot of people that do reasonable research and decide on the ARF or RTF combos anyway. People usually want to learn how to fly right away. Even guys that have CL experience seem to buy a complete package for their trainer. I think the Hobbico RTF and ARFs are good quality at a reasonable price and don't hesitate to recommend them.

I just started in RC two years ago and did the same thing. Of course, I got the trainer for my birthday in May and by September had my first kit built. By February, I had biplane built from plans that I was showing off at the Club meeting. My goal was to keep it under $1000 the first year, I didn't. It only went down hill from there .

Carl

It does get out of control quickly doesn't it? I was talking in another forum about logging everything I have for the hobby so I could adjust my home owners insurance to cover it. close to 9 years in the hobby and I come in just a hair under $20,000.

Yeah, and you don't have a jet either, do you?

Nope. No jets. Just lots and lots of stuff. Actually, it doesn't take as much as you might think. A couple of 120 size motors and you're over $1000 right there

I'm holding at .61's and below still but will eventually grow. Anticipate gasser someday. Still having plenty of fun with the little ones and easier to transport.

I held at .25 and below for quite a while. Then it was .45 and below. Then it was .61 and below. My new Tower .75 should arrive on Monday. However, I still get the most fun out of the .15 and .25 planes, especially the .25s with .32 engines.

I bought a plane before i even knew of any clubs in my area, should i not have done this? Maybe you are asking why didnt you not talk to any body?! Thats because i had been wanting to get into the hobby since i was 15. i spoke to the guy at my LHs and took his advice.

I hope it was GOOD advise! What did he recommend?

Jerry

He recomebed a Kyosho Calmato, Futaba Skysport 4 channel TX and OS 46 LA. I havnt herd anything bad apart from the 46 LA and that they are under powered. But for a trainer i think learning on a engine with lower power will be better.

Phil.

I bought my first plane from the LHS, way before the web was even an idea. It worked well for me.

I think MOST, but not all, of the people at a LHS have a sincere desire to do the right thing for a beginner. The smart ones also realize that a happy and sucessful beginner represents a huge potential for repeat business. An unhappy and failed beginner represents an initial sale, and potential sales of some repair parts, but not a long term customer. If your LHS has been there for a while and has a good focus on R/C flying, you're probably in good hands.

Piper,
That is what i thought he seemed genuine, asked me questions on what i was interested in doing, he showed me a few options and didnt try to sell em the most expensive bit of equpiment every time. So i am pretty confident i did alright, i am less confident in my putting together of the plane tho i can be a pretty big [&:] at times

Cheers Phil.

See if you can find that club or at least a fellow modeler NOW. They can offer any advise you may need on assembly and flying.

The LHS should be able to steer you toward one or the other.

Phil, from the list you provided, you've got good basic equipment with which to learn. Now, as Bruce said, find an instructor, or occasionally take your stuff to the hobby shop for help. Someone with experience can show you some useful things that will make your plane fly better, and help minimize crashes due to faulty installation.

Phil- Questions not asked = help not gotten. We're here anytime you need us (almost).