ive recently come to the conclusion that i want to get into rc planes. im already into rc cars. first off, do i need to belong to an airclub? there isnt any around here but there a lot of open fields. do i need like a permit or anything? and then lasty, the plane. i want a nitro rtf. what would you suggest as a learner plane. thanks for your help!

Take a look at these:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXEXK2**&P=ML
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXMU53**&P=7
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXEKF3**&P=7
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXCXF4**&P=7

A club is highly recomended as well as AMA membership w/insurence against property damge. Get a good Simulator like Great planes Real Flight G2 or G3. It will help you with the basics but it will not teach you everything. If your experience with cars is NITRO cars then you will find the airplane engines a little easier to tune.

First of all, welcome to RCU. Don't be afraid to ask any questions, that's what we're here for.

A good place to start is to look over the list I compiled on airplanes that are available. You can find that list here: [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm]Looking for a trainer, what's available. (Updated 8-14-06)[/link]

As for where to start. Joining a club and finding an instructor is probably the best first step that you can make. Since you didn't list where you live in your profile I couldn't tell you of any clubs in your area. That doesn't mean they don't exist. In fact, most people who say there aren't any clubs are usually surprised to find that there are clubs in the area. Let us know where you live and we'll see if we can't find a club for you to hook up with.

Hope this helps

Ken

If you're in the US, type your zip code and a reasonable number of miles (I usually start with 25) in the spaces on this link and click "Submit Query"
http://www.ama-dist-8.org/Clubs/Locator.php

Your experience with RC cars will greatly speed up your learning curve, at least you are accustomed to controling something that is coming toward you. Still, airplanes do not turn like cars and you should get some help.