i have been interested in rc airplanes for about a year now but i just need some help getting started! any information would be greately appreciated!!! thanks!!!!!!!

Well, You've come to the right place! Welcome to RCU

The first thing you need to do is to talk to your local club. A list of clubs in Arizona can be found here:

http://www.modelaircraft.org/clb.asp...614E0&state=az

Contact them, and visit their field.

They will tell you about joining the AMA ($58/year) which supplies you with insurance. You will also have to join the club (Club dues vary)

They will provide you with free instruction, and may even have a club plane that you can learn on

What type of R/C Planes are you interested in learning on? Nitro(Gas) or Electric? Are you interested in trying to build something yourself (kit) or buy something allready built or 90% built(ARF)? What kind of money(budget) do you think you can spare to start out with? Are you in school or out of school? Answering these questions can help us provide you with some good information. For example: If you are underage and still in school there will be people at your local Club that may help offset some of the expense, by giving you a few items to get you started. If you are older with money to burn, these same people may help point you to some good local sources to aquire the items you will need. If building interest you, we can help point out some good beginner kits. If flying only interest you then we can point out some good ARF's or Ready to Fly Aircraft. Welcome to RCU!

Nice info, but don't you think Arizona is going to be a bit of a drive?

This link may show some clubs closer to home: http://www.modelaircraft.org/clb.asp...614E0&state=ar

i live in arkansas!

i'm interested in gas planes! and my budget ould be wharever i want it to be!! be i plan on starting out as cheap as i can!!!

That's what I figured. Seeing Ar and thinking Arizona is a pretty easy thing to do.

OOOOOOPS!

I agree with Mike B, the local club is your best source for information. Find someone who is interested in helping you fly and listen to what they may recommend. Information can be found here, in the magazines and in books. Sometimes the information given here is a lot like trying to drink from a fire hose. It comes too fast and furious!!! I think it is better to talk to a few local people whom others feel are good instructors and go from there. They will be there when you need help and can give it specifically to the problem you are having. Good luck and enjoy this great hobby.

Mark DeSchane

AMA 59157

hi guys, i am thinking of starting off R/C flying as well, now i play around with monster trucks, but i want a plane!!

can i know how long a electric plane will stay up in the air???

I prefer the electric planes' to the Nitro one to get started off, and can you guys give me my best option, i want something, like a fighter plane, and something that can take off and land by it self,

And are there petrol R/C planes as well, something small like thing

That depends completely on how much fuel or what kind of a battery you have. Anything from two minutes to 30 minutes is normal.

You do not want a fighter plane as your first plane, unless you want to be sure you will crash immediately.

A GWS Slow Stick is a popular electric starter plane for those who cannot find any help. Even that should not be attempted before you have studied a lot (like here in the forums) and practiced on a simulator (a commercial one or a free one like FMS).

Football, I assume when you say you're interseted in gas airplanes you mean glow fuel, (gasser & cheap) don't really happen at the same time. You can get a Tower Trainer RTF, & a field box combo, with all the field equip. you'll need to get started with & a gallon of fuel for around $400. There are many other options available, but since I didn't see you mention wanting to build yet & that you wanted to start out as cheaply as you can, this is about the least expensive I know of from the RTF Trainers. If you really wanna save $$$ you don't have to get the field box right away, you get just get a glow ignitor & a chicken stick for hand starting your engine, & some type of fueling system. The field box combos come with power panel, battery, nose-cone starter, fuel pump, glow ignitor, pretty much everything you need to get started for about $119
The Tower Trainer RTF is about $259 (last time I looked) and is a perfectly good Trainer with a ball bearing supported .46 engine on it that delivers more than enough power. Tower usually has some kind of discounts going on that might save you a couple bucks too. Buy the gallon of fuel from your LHS though, shipping regs. on that stuff make it cheaper to buy it local I think.

I would wait to buy anything though until you hook up with your local club & see what they say.
At the very least you'll need to find out what kind of radio your instructor will be using so that you can buy the right buddy cord to go from his radio to yours another $9.99 - $11.99 depending on which one you need. Pay attention to the size & shape of the plug port on the back of his radio. The older radios have a round port & the newer radios have a small square one. Tower has all three cords available. Round to round, square to square, & round to square.
Then again as stated above many clubs have a club Trainer that they will teach you on, & if that's the case they will probably have the buddy cord to go with it. I would suggest showing up with your own fuel to burn, if training on their airplane. A little common curtesy goes a long way in this hobby. You will need to join the AMA as MinnFlyer allready told you.
Good luck in your flying, Welcome to RCU, & I hope some of this info will help you.[sm=sunsmiley.gif]


Mark