Guys,

When do you know when this hobby is becoming an addiction. Yes, I love this hobby alot with a lot of $$$ invested...but there are those who get too involved...they must try to control others? Only think about flying? Forget Family duties? (I must admit, I think I am like this as well sometimes)..

We must remember this is a HOBBY not CRACK! The whole purpose is to have fun and share with others and enjoy their company. Knowledge transfer is key!!!! No one is superior!


Your thoughts

I'm probably in just as deep as others, and I have no intention of giving it up. I recently did an inventory of my hobby equipment/materials/planes/radios/tools in order to update my home owners insurance policy. I won't give the exact dollar figure, but let's just say that it's well over 20K.

I did learn one very important lesson though, never ever neglect the family, or put your hobby first. If you do that I can assure that you are going to have problems. I really like and enjoy my planes, but they aren't near as fun to sleep with as my wife is. Keep your priorities straight!!

As for controlling others?? heck no. I've got enough to worry about in my life without worrying about somebody else's life. IMHO those that try to control others have some serious problems that they need to address.

Just my 2¢ worth.

Ken

It's an addiction when you ask, "When do you know this hobby is becoming an addiction"!

Thanks RC Ken,

Thanks for your insight. I agree Family comes first...I started this thread to give an opportunity for rc lovers to have a voice.

Regrding other...there are those who think they know everything......give me a break....you just gained the knowledge before I read chapter 2. I agree...I also have too many other things to worry about!

Thanks,
Bdrew

I dont think im addicted...I'm obsessed. I hate dumping money into it...but at the same time i love to do it because it is so addicting and fun. I think of it this way...its better to spend money on this, than it is on crack LOL. thas my philoshophy.

It is just a hobby...but a very good one at that

You are very intuitive Mr. John....do you conduct RC therapy?

I don't even want to know how much I've spent on this hobby. I've been in it for just under two years. I have 2 built planes, have a TF kit under construction, another TF kit, then 5 Royal kits, and a 1/5 scale SBD-5 all waiting for me to finish converting my garage into an air conditioned workshop. I've collected a fair amount of tools, from hand tools to a mini table saw, HPLV gun, compressor, scroll saw, on and on. Still need a band saw, and if I can find the money, a lathe too. If I win the lotto, I'll go on to get a laser cutter, CNC mill, and who knows what all else.
Not to long ago, a friend of mine commented on the cost. My wife said, 'Well, I don't have to worry about one of his planes comming home pregnant'. It was meant mostly as a joke...
Now if I could only get my boss to realize that my planes should take priority over work

Scott

SATIO 100 $279.99, Saito 82 $254.99, BDDREW combat corsair $350.00, NJairstrike combat mustang $350, Aerofly professional $200.00, Sig kadet LT 40 $ 300.00, OS PLUG number 8 $5.00, Nitro Fuel 15% $15.00, panasonic batteries $3.00, lipo Batteries $80.00, Nicd Batteries $30.00, NIMH batteries $35.00, 9cap Radio $350.00, Hangar 9 mustang $250.00, Hangar 9 Corsair $270.00, ultra stick with sait 72 $344.00, twist with saito 82a $350.00, mustang miss american with satio 100 $540.00, HANGING OUT WITH THE GUYS AT THE FIELD ON A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND AND HAVING LUNCH $PRICELESS!

When I started with the hobby, I was expending too much time and money. After two years, I have learned to put family duties first and not to let my planes and hobby take to much time from me. I used to go to the field every day, rush from work to the field to try to fly, and I think I was like that because I wasn't a great flier. Now I go to the field and stay good 4 hours or have three flights, enjoy my self, and learn on my own from my own mistakes...not because some hot shoot arrogant looser was trying to teach something “what he was doing is showing off”. (And trust me in the field I belong, there's a lot of them).
I have learned to mind my own business, Buy the plane I want with the servos and engine I want, not because someone told that their **** is the best. Some guys at the field could call them selves your friends, but are they truly your friend? or are they just hanging out with you because you have a nice plane that they wishing they had and would like to fly it and when something happens and you crash , are they going to be there with you? don't know...
Since three months ago I been flying when I want to, with the plane of my choice, and not expending too much time at the field but the little time I fly, and get to be with my real friends, I end up appreciating it more than ever which I think it makes me a good friend and a great flier. BTW I’m not saying that I’m great, I let other people judge my flying skills but all I know is that I feel great and I live home very happy with a great feeling inside ready to get and give some quality time to my family.

Im pretty new at this thing and im hooked. I know that im hooked when i go online on rcuniverse.com when i come back form school, before i got to school, and during school. Once it affects my grades, it has to back off. Im scared of that, but so far, so good. I always do my works first, chores. THen if i have time, i do the fun stuff. I recentyl received Tucson Aerobatic Shootout. You have no idea how much i want to see it, but i wont be able to till next weekend. Im learning to control myself, without a DVD player.

Also the way i keep it off is by having to buy EVERTYHING myself. I dont have much money, im only 16. IF i had a job, a wife, and children, and a steady income, i would be buying the planes of the shelves, but with only a hundred dollars saved fomr three months of hard work, it takes time for a new plane. Only christ=mas is good for me becuase thats when i can ask my parentsto get me something, (PLEEAEASSE, a new radio)

Psst..............hey you....................over here! Anyone know where I can score a bag of Balsa Dust?

You might want to spend a bit less time reading and a bit more time doing. Otherwise your real hobby is online bulletin boards, not R/C

My dad is a flier (84 now and still flies evey day) so I grew up with the hobby.

So to me, it's not so much an "addiction" as it is a "way of life"

WOW...this thread is getting a lot of feed back. This is what I was hoping. Yeah...the best part of this hobby is to spend time with real friends and it is not a contest of who has the best or "I have to now buy a better plane than you" you know out of all of my planes...I enjoy flying the cheaper ones...LESS pressure, in case they become DOA (Dead on Arrival home).

But guys, there are those who think they can .......let me tell you how to take off, how to land....turn the glow driver and even what to SAY!

The whole point is that we become better pilots as we learn on our own....

ONE CAN LISTEN TO INSTRUCTION...BUT IT TAKES PRACTICE TO OBTAIN THE SKILL.

(This is the quote of the day.....I have others.....for free.....ESPECIALLY IF ONE P.... ME OFF

[sm=lol.gif]
Now that I have all of the above .... after paying for all their needs, you probably have a larger hobby budget than I do. Luckily I had the foresight to stockpile before the kids came.[8D]

Back on subject.

My Dad and my Uncle got me addicted. Some of my earliest memories include gazing in wonder at the collection of aircraft my Uncle kept in his basement. The highlights include the occasions he would bring a new model out after a long winter and I would watchi in wonder as he prepped it to fly ... and it did ... every time (unlike my first attempts). By the time I was 10, I was teaching some of my friends parents how to apply dope & tissue. My Dad supported my interest and bought me many rubber powered and later line control aircraft. He arranged for me to work for him (he had his own business) to earn my first RC system. No toy trucks or hotwheels in my stocking at Christmas. Hockey? Pshaw ... Airshows! If it didn't have wings I'd figure out how to attach some. I was addicted from the word go.[8D]

i could never go into my local model shop without spending at least ÂŁ100!that was week in and week out for about 2 years.i now manage it and it's got worse!,when the sales reps come in they head straight for me and show me a new 'must have' and guess what?yep,i go home with one!aviation has always been a part of my life,my dad was in the royal air force and i spent my childhood at air shows and museums,it is nearly an obsession but more likely such an intrinsic part of my life that i cannot and will not stop.

you know your addicted when your lawn mower is a skycutter..............

NEVER AGAIN!

The last time I got a bag, it was cut with Douglas Fir!!![:'(]



Scott

It's crack!

Subject RE: Do you know when this hobby becomes an addiction?

When you should be in bed, but instead reading posts like these.

A few question though;

How much is crack?, and how long does it last?

Does it wake you up in the middle of the night thinking, or dreaming of crack?

How big is your crack room, or crack house?

You know you are addictive when you:

take pictures of your airplanes and manage a digital photo album as if you just had a baby.
Buy expensive video editing software just so you can make your own DVDs....................

I might be a little addictive......................................... ......just like......................baby....I am a little pregnant

Your addicted when you spend a lot of time here and not being satisfied with just being a member, nnnnooooooooooo you have to be the boss of all the moderators![X(] Now let's see here! when one has more kits then years left in his body, 5 waiting to be finished and thinking about starting that F-15 Eagle and then the Phantom. when you shop for a house and at the top of list you have need workshop, wife's idea actually gotta love the women! You have a airplane crossing sign on the shop door, airplane weather vane on the roof compliments of your Sister-in-Law, real kewl lady there! Nope not in the least addicted!!!!!!

I think I can say I am addicted. I have been flying for just over a year and this is what I have done.

Bought a NexStar and started training late June - soloed first week in August.
After soloing - bought 4 sheets (4' x 8') of coroplast, 8 yard sticks, 2 sections of gutter pipe, and two sections of aluminum, rail, and 2 flight packs (Spad's here I come).
Mid August built a Spad3D and flew it the rest of the season.
Late August built a flat bat combat plane but did not fly well. Junked it.
January - bought a Slow Poke sport 40 kit, engine, flight pack, and all of the basic building and covering tools.
March - Decided I could not build the kit in time so I bought a Twist 40 ARF
April - Bought an Optic 6
May - Crashed and Scrapped my Spad3D
June - Built a DPS (Das Plas Stik) and finally put together my Twist (with an Evolution 61.)
July - Started to build another Combat plane.
August - Flew combat (club) with my DPS and broke the engine mount and landing gear, Changed Twist motor to Evolution 46.
September - Finally finished my combat plane
October - Started to Build my Slow Poke (See thread in this forum)
Next - Looking at building a Super Chipmunk after Slow Poke is complete.

I love hanging out at the field flying and talking with the other members. No egos at our club, everyone is helpful and friendly. They even help search the corn and bean fields for a downed plane even if the pilot put it there while doing something stupid.

What do you guys think? Addicted?

But my family and kids always come first.

Rob

Forgot one othe item:
July - built a dedicated airplane workshop in my basement.

Your wife knew you were addicted when she noticed airplane number three was getting in her way. Actually she didn’t notice the other five you built because they were similar to the first two.

Bill