RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

Buy magazines ? not to make you feel funny but , when I joined AMA they sent me monthly magazines with TONS of information in it , and also towerhobbies just for buying a few thngs from them sends me catalogs all the time , and then there is horizon hobby . who I think, shows more interest in RC cars than planes. :)

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

skitchen8, another option is to go ahead and get a decent 4 channel radio, and go electric parkflyer,,if you look in the parkflyer forum, you will see more people start out with a GWS plane, the tigermoth is highly recommended for slow flying, I personally started with a Stick FD,' you can buy a plane for $40-50, and a GWS radio and flight pak (radio,crystal,pico servos,an ESC and battery) for $130..then all you need is a couple more battery paks ($12ea)and a slow charger ($15) and fly in a school yard, no AMA fee, no club fee, lots of folks start this way and then move up to glow planes/club/ama,,look up horizon hobby, you can also buy replacement parts for the planes ,wing ,tail feathers, etc.. just in case you hit the goal posts... and on another note some people take the electric planes and once the motor wears out (and it will) and put in a small glow motor.......Rog

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

So, how are we doing helping you. Lots of different points of view and lots of good info.

I quoted your original post here to remind me of the original questions.

You have glo fuel options, electric options, and I htink I may have even given you some sailplane options. You have RTFs for under $150, electric ARFs for around 200 with radio and an RTF glo package for under $300.

So, what's it gonna be boy? What's it gonna be?
Can you see paradise by the runway lights? (punny huh?)

We can wait for ever, can you?

[&:]

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

So when you coming to fly?

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

Here is another ebay special for you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=2563

This is Hobbico's SuperStar EP RTF(ready to fly).
Same reliability of the Gas powered SuperStar 40s but with Electric power. SuperStar's have always been known as one of the most "modeler-friendly" trainers in the industry.
FEATURES: SuperStar EP uses only high-quality wood components, and comes precovered in a durable plastic film.
A flat-bottom airfoil supplies excellent lift at slow speeds and also helps keep the model level.
Hobbico includes a high-performance Electrifly T-601 electric motor, speed control, and composite propeller, 3-Channel FM FUTABA Radio (3FR), 72 MHz, and on-board gear preinstalled.
INCLUDES: One SuperStar EP RTF Plane With transmitter(Futaba 3FR), 4 channel FUTABA FM receiver, servo's(2), esc(electronic speed control), and T-601 electric motor.
REQUIRES: Batteries, Battery charger.
SPECS:
Wingspan: 48.75" (1240mm)
Wing Area: 402 sq in. (25.9dm2)
Weight: 2.7lb (1.2kg)
Wing Loading: 15.8oz/sq ft (48g/dm)
Prop Size: 9x5.5
This plane has never been flown but had some very minor damage in storage that was repaired and will not affect the performance of the aircraft.
This is a RTF (ready to fly) aircraft and all you need is a charger and batteries(radio batteries and a 8.4 volt hobby nicad).
Shipping will be from 48821 for a 8 pound 9 ounce large package via Priority Mail .


This item will be sold with no reserve.

Current bid $112 wiht 1 day to go on the auction. Says new in the box.

I would guess it will go for about $130. Not sure what the regular new price but I would guess over $200.

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

Well, from what I've read, all thanks to you guys, its going to be an electric, and right now its a tie between the freedom flyer and the aerobird challenger. Then next year after I have saved up I'll buy a glow plane, join the AMA and a local club, and learn how to fly the glow from there. Then after that I'm going to buy a few more planes, and make my own SPAD :D


I must say you guys are very helpful, and I am now deeply in love with this forum, and even plan to have its children after we get married [8D]

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

since I work six days a week , I will have to set a date so I can request off on a monday and then Ill make my way from Jersey out to LI . Im hopping you dont live near Ronkonkama ...Im not sure my car will make that far, :eek: I may even just rent a car for the day.... so I will keep you posted and will even start a forum, so if a few more intrested people want to meet at the same time then we will all be on the same page . Thanks for the invite, Im still debating about joining the Hackensack Flyers, one guy I met is egging me on to join and he is ready to teach my helis but the feild isnt that nice, alot of tall weeds and grass [:@]

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

http://www.rcwebboard.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7102



try the wed sit up there just copy and paste.they have some rtf traner planes for sale but i dont no if there under 250-300

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

Skitch,
Not to throw a wrench in your thought process but.... You should read the first post in this thread.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/The_...1263046/tm.htm

Dennis-

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

I began reading that and almost passed out from amazement until i read Price was under $400.00. . I just can't afford that as of now, but I will definately look into this strongly as a second plane, its a beautiful thing, includes a flight sim, I can't find one flaw about it, and reading the posts in that thread it looks like you truly can teach yourself how to fly very easily.

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

Here are my latest offerings to try and help you get in the air. These are all e-bay listings

Great Planes Spirit Select - RTF 2 Meter Sailplane completely built including servos and radio.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ory=34056&rd=1

Current bid is $51 - Bidding ends 2PM 11/12 EST
Predicted final sale price, approx $80 (I predict the future)

Great Planes Spectra Select - RTF Motor glider completely built including servos and radio
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...gory=2563&rd=1
Current bid $51 - Bidding ends 11/16 about 6 PM EST
Predicted final price approx $110

GWS Dream Starter Set including 4 channel radio, 3 servos, ESC and battery.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...gory=2563&rd=1
Current bid $61 - Bidding ends in 30 minutes.
Predicted final price approx $75

Aerobird Challenger - RTF Electric Parkflyer
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=2563
Buy it now - $109 - That is what it will sell for.


Hand launch or slope glider - 36" wing span with two servos
Add a radio and receiver
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=2563

Current bid $11 Bidding ends in 3 days
Predicted final - under $40

60" foam glider - hand launch, slope and perhaps hi-start
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=2563
Current bid $24 Bidding ends 11/12 approx 9PM EST
Predicted Final, Under $40
(combine with the GWS radio system above and you are all set)

There are packages out there that can get you in the air for under $200 if you know where to look.

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

Get a pay raise or pick up a part time job.....or save up because no matter how you slice it....this is a very expensive hobby

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

Fuel trainer packages on e-bay

RTF .40 Trainer includes Futaba radio
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=19164
Current bid $150 5 days to go. He says he has 3 New in the Box

TOWER TRAINER 40 ARF ULTIMATE COMBO
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=1189
Included are: . Motor OS Max . Radio Control Tower Hobbies System 3000 Digital Proportional 4FM 4-Channel . 4 TS-53 Standard Servos . Hand-Crank Fuel Pump . Long Glo-Starter . DeLuxe 12 charger . 12 Volt Charger . Torquemaster Battery
Current bid is $100 - 2 1/2 days to go.

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

Now looking purely toward glo: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/Few_...1272385/tm.htm


thanks for the posts though, I might look at some of those e-bay auctions for the glo planes

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

They looked like they fit your preferences and your budget.

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

Yeah, I recently changed my budget to buying things in the future because I don't want to get into this hobby crash a bunch of electrics and decide its not worth my money to try it, so I'm gunna join a club and get involved in the hobby. Once again, thank you for the posts though, and that tower trainer looks nice, i'm considering e-mailing the guy and asking him about it.

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

I think you are taking a good path. Just let us know how we can help.

[8D]

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

LOL you think joining a club is cheap ? Yeasterday I talked to a guy about joining a club and he said it was $125.00 every mounth for a year , then after that $50............hmmmmm do the math thats alot of electrics and time to try to learn how to fly plus if you wreck an OS plane its more expensive ,,, the main reason I didnt join a club in the begginning was because of the rules I would have had to follow, with electrics I make my own rules ....... with money mentioned above , you are only paying for the feild maintenance , if I were you I would save this money and by an electric and go to a park and practice until you get better and learn how before spending all of that money hoping you will actually learn how to fly . Just somthing to think about , remember NOT A SOLE TAUGHT ME HOW TO FLY. although i have bought many planes that I failed to learn to fly I didnt come close to spending what I would have spent if I joined a club for three years. So actually I saved money :D

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

$125 per month is pretty high.

Our dues is $35 per year plus $25 initation.

Now, in order to join our club you must:

Join AMA - $58

Get a county flying permit $20

However that still only adds up to $128 first year and $103 each year after that, assuming no increases. Well worth it to me.

Other clubs my be higher, but $125 per month is a big number!

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

Aeajr I thought so too ....I just figured someone needed a new plane , and was going to use me to get it [sm=stupid.gif]

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

The club I want to join is $50 per year, and since I'm still gunna be under 19 for a few years I pay only $15 for AMA membership (and that includes the magazine, its $14 cheaper with no mag). Not aware of any need for a flying permit, but if that need arises its still only $85 per year, a little more than half what car insurance would cost for me per month. For the first year it will cost me $485 about to join a club (estimating a plane at $400) and every year after that only $85 till I turn 19 (I'll be 17 June 22nd next year

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

not bad sketch but one thing ....at fifty dollars a year I hope get a chance to fly your plane .........

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

The way I see it is the flight lessons alone are worth $50, access to the field after I am able to solo is worth just as much, so I'd say im saving money :)

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

Skitchen

Another way to reduce your cost is to get a .25 sized trainer three that come to mind are
1 Eaglet 50
2 Freedom 20
Both by carl Goldberg

3 Sig Lt-25
By Sig Mfgr

The kits are less expensive the engines are cheaper and because the plane is smaller it requires less covering material.
I personally learned on the Eaglet 50. Some people think they are on the small side to learn on but I think you would not have any problems with any of the ones mentioned.

RE: Complete Beginner Under Tight Budget, please help
 

Hey Crashem,

I have to take exception to that recommendation. Are you recommending a 25 size trainer with the tacit assumption there's a hard surface runway involved? I wouldn't suggest a 25 size trainer, or a comparably priced electric trainer, unless there's a hard surface runway available.

Grass fields are usually not very good for taking off anything smaller than a 40 size trainer. Sometimes you need to mow before you can get a 40 size off the ground! And I wouldn't recommend handlaunching for a student.

Maybe I missed something here, but I'm sticking to the larger recommendation. We could quibble about prices, too, there are some mighty inexpensive 40's out there. Same for trainers.

Anyway, good luck!
Dave Olson