Im 15 and I love airplanes and have flown electric planes for years and really would like to go to gas. My dad has flown gas before when he was young. I was wondering what I should look for. Is it easy to build? What do I need to know?

I'm a newb myself, but I will offer my thoughts on the subject. Personally, I chose to go with an RTF plane for my first. I plan to build in the future, but I didn't want to invest the time and energy to do a build for a plane that will most likely incur some damage while I'm learning. Since you have flight experience already, you might feel differently.

Just my $0.02. Good luck! [8D]

If you want RTF, or ARF go to Towerhobbies.com or Hobbyzone, or any of the many good hobby stores online or locally, get a Hangar 9 Arrow, or Alpha. (Actually RCken has a good list of trainers and second planes in another thread)

If you want to build on a budget, and get a decent plane go here: [link=http://www.spadtothebone.com/freeplans.htm]http://www.spadtothebone.com/freeplans.htm[/link]

mouse over the "trainers" button middle of the main link bar, and look at the "Debonair". All the reviews Ive read, and vid clips Ive seen say its a good one, Im building it too!

I dont really want to build just yet. Ill check those out. thanks

Welcome to RCU!

Check out Ken's thread here at the top of the beginner's forum. It's got lots of great info on first-time and intermediate planes.

Here's a link to it:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm

Thank Minn! I wasn't sure where that was whilst i was posting, but knew he needed it.

Tanks guys. Around how much do you think it would cost to get a gas plane up and running?

I have the Alpha 40 RTF. I was able to get everything I needed to fly for under $400. I later went back and got a battery & electric starter, but those are optional.

Kow. Thats what I was thinking of getting. How do you like it? Pics? Easy to fly?

I haven't had a chance to fly it yet, but it seems to be constructed well. Also, I've heard nothing but good reviews from other pilots. When I was researching it, some suggested going up to the Alpha 60 because the larger size makes it easier to see. However, everyone appears to be sold out of them at the moment.

I'm hoping to get it in the air sometime this week. I'll let you know if I do.

Thanks. Thats exactly what Im scared of looseing it in your vision, not knowing which way your turning. The RC planes I flew only go like 15 and like 50 ft in the air.

Here are a few quick pics:

Awsome! All you need to do is buy it? Nothing else? Can it land on grass?

It will land on grass.

There is some minor wing and landing gear assembly you have to do, but that's it. Takes less than an hour. Anything else you need depends on where you plan to fly. Most fields and/or clubs require you to be a member of the AMA for insurance purposes. If you are flying on private land, you could get around that, but it's probably a good idea to have anyway.

Alright. How do you figure out if any clubs are around?

Well this :[link=http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx]AMA club search[/link]

Will help you find AMA chartered clubs, local hobby stores might be a good place to ask as well.

Looks like there are a bunch in your area:

[link=http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx]Link[/link]


EDIT: Beat me to it!

Jeez! Yall are nice and quick here. Thanks to both of you. I found some cobb county one thats 7 miles away. I also found another trainer for like 150 ill try to find the link.

Sweet. [8D]

As has been recommended to me by pretty much everyone I've asked, you should get a qualified instructor involved. The clubs should have them available. Aside from learning to fly, you'll need help tuning the engine and whatnot. Not something you probably want to try on your own for safety reasons.

I will look into that. The clubs are expensive($200 + parking and other fees), could I just get an AMA membership?
Also, what do you need to ge the smoke to form out of the plane. I know in real planes its machine oil but how does it work on these?

Not sure about the smoke. I haven't gotten that far yet.

AMA membership is completely independent of the clubs. You can join the AMA without being a member of a club if you want to. $200 does sound expensive. The club I'm looking at joining is $36 a year with a $20 initiation fee for new members. I'd keep looking and try to find a cheaper one.

Smoke? Check out this awesome "how-to" article by MinnFlyer [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=455]Got Smoke?[/link]

Welcome to RCU T'bird.

Hey, I am new too, although, I already have all the stuff I need, so I just need to get my radio fixed and a instuctor. btw I am 14.

smoke on a trainer will be dead weight. you wont see any smoke really and will cost you about $100 to buy a pump and an extra tank. Not including smoke oil. but its pointless and wont work on a 46 glow engine. but on a my DA 100 it smokes AWESOME!.......im 14 too.