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Probably have seen that thread to many times lol. If been messing around with cars for about 6 years now and finnaly getting into planes. Ive been looking at trainers like the superstar and such which i can get the plane,controller,servos,engine and all the little peices for $330. And says i need some other stuff like special tools fuels and such. So im wondering what else do i realy need? Also i live in Phoenix,AZ and wondering if you could give me a link with a mapof all the local flying field near me. Also i printed out the AMA registration papers but lost the paper and forgot the site so if you could give me a link that would be great. And any other tips would be great. O and yeah me and my dad have been flying the fighterbirds for about 3 weeks now to get a basic flying skills down. I realy dont want anything cause i have to fork out the cash. :(

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special toolS? I suppose that means flight box ect, heres a list of terms ect that you'll need to get goin, im live in england so i'm apporxamatin $10 = £6 roughly

Glow fuel- make your engine go, 1 gallon: approx £10
Glow clip- Heats the spark plug enabling your engine to start up, its removed after aboutn 30 seconds when the engine has had a good warm up: $15 approx

chicken stick- just used to flip the prop over the set the engine goin, you could get an electric starter instead which i prefer but they cost about $30, a chicken stick will be about $8 i think, you could always use a screwdriver with a bit of rubber on the end though.

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The Superstar combo is a good setup. Extra things are what to use to start it up with. Some buy the powerpanel but to me its a waste since i like to go portable. Meaning a glo driver and charger. Also a starter instead of a chicken stick.
*This is a big area here. Chicken stick can leave you trying to start the plane up for an hour and thus you get frustrated. Some of the best engines around are a pain to start up.
Those who use chicken sticks like going nowhere fast.

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So i shouldn't use my finger to start the engine?

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Hello

first off welcome , now if you are looking at the package deal on the plane , tower also sells a starter kit that contains the things needed to get your plane going , as time goes by you will customise your needs ,just like you did with the cars ,

as for clubs , academy of model aeronautics.com should get you there ,

Highlander

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Oh I almost forgot , do not use your finger to start your plane engine , that is bad real bad , if you cant afford the starter right now get a chicken stick they are only a couple of dollars and will most defintely save your fingers ,

Highlander

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and whatever you do dont let yur darn fingers wander into the prop while its goin, cos it hurts! :D

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I meant don't start it with my finger.

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Do i send this in http://www.modelaircraft.org/templat...-files/902.pdf by mail im geussing? And its on the form right? Is this the right form? Im 14 and dumb lol so please help me. Thx.

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bump

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Impulse ,

That looks like the correct form ,If you have access to a credit card you can pay over the net , otherwise you will have to do it by mail ,

Highlander

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Impulse .

After looking again at the form you posted , I noticed that it did not show an address ,

Here it is

Mail to AMA 5161 E. Memorial Dr. Muncie, Indiana 47302-9252

also note that your parent or guardian must sign the form ,

see ya ,

Highlander

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So just send in the $15 (i want the magazine too) and the form and thats all? Its $15 a year right. I would think it would be. And also do i need to jsut send in the application or do i need the rules with it too?

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Impulse ,

Just the form the rules are for you to reference ,but on the form you sign that you have read and agree to follow the safty rules ,

so be sure to sign in two places before you mail it in .

Highlander

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You mean my sig and my parent sig right? Cool when should i receive my card? Is their a link of all the local fields around me. I live in Arizona.

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Impulse

actually you sign twice and your parents once , on the AMA website there is a club finder just go there click on it answer the questions and all the clubs in your area that are AMA chartered will be listed

Highlander

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I can't find the club finder. I also i only see 3 places to sgin. "cardholders number" "sig of applicant" "parent sig". And thats all i see.

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Impulse

your right only two signatures ,yours and your parent ,

just send in the application you will get an email from your district president , the club finder is part of that email , it took about two weeks to get mine back , but I used the net to join so it may take your a little longer ,

Highlander

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Cool. Im getting my card way before i get my plane. So i can go flying right when i get my plane :)

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Hi Impulse,

In my club if a young guy comes with a plane and radio, he is met with open arms and is helped in every way.

There is a sequence that you should follow, it will make the process go a lot better.

It would be best to get your AMA first and then go to the different clubs and check on their attitude a check out the field. Sometimes just because a field is close, it is not right for you.

They very from field to field for some reason.
Talk to them about the rules and the cost, also ask about training. Most times it is free and they are more than happy to help out somebody who is really interested and will be a part of the club for a long while.

When your at the club looking around ask who does the training, most people could do it, but get burned out from time to time and so it changes.

It is important to get the same radio as the ones that you will be flying with, Futaba won't mix with JR, as far as the training cord goes.

Each club will have a favorite trainer plane or two and though most of them in the ARF combo category are about the same. You will be asking them a lot of questions and they will have better answers if your flying a plane they are use to and like.

The differences in motors are great and it will make a difference, so their opinion on that may save you a bunch of trouble.

My point is that planes come and go but the club you get into will make the difference in your modeling experience and starting off on the right foot is very important.

Some times you have to just bite your lip and lessen to the droning of a over helpful guy, but be kind because helping and sharing is what makes this sport really fun.

I have seen people show up with a plane that everyone knows is a dud and a radio that is not compatible with everybody's. Tell everyone they're the greatest flier and crash on the first flight.
You never see them again, and if you do, the feelings are already set in every body's mind.
I know you wouldn't do this but I have seen it done and it is a bummer for everybody concerned.

What I have suggested is the other end of the spectrum from what would be your experience.

It does take a little more time but this is just a hobby and if done right you have a wonderful time, and that is the way it should be.

You have a little time on a firebird, and that is great. It will increase you chances at a bigger faster ship.

Do not try it yourself without a trainer if one is available, it is really a bummer to crash your new plane for no reason. If your good enough to fly it with out a trainer, you will still have the benefit of a safety net for the first few flights. If you really are good, you will proceed to the landing and be soloed right away, but either way crashing on a tight budget is a drag.

When you get to the field and check it out, mention that you are getting the complete package and ask if anyone has a used flight box they will part with cheep. Many people get into and out of this hobby and never crash a flight box, so there are usually many around just collecting dust. People will also let you use there stuff if you buy the fuel, there really is not cost in helping you get your plane up and running.

It's a little windy but please take it to heart, everyone wants to help a new guy with fire and drive, and there are always deals on equipment for people who will be around for the long haul.

MR Flyer57

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Thanks Mr flyer57. I was just wondering does that superstar plane come with a futaba radio? And if it does and you say they dont work with other controllers thats alright. I think my dad might get a plane but not sure. If not i'll just buy an extra controller that will work.

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I might be able to get my plane next week but i wont have my card in time :(

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So it says i need these things http://www.hobbico.com/airplanes/hcaa15-03.html now how much will that be at my local hobby store.

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That stuff cost me about 40-50 at my local hobby store. I believe the fuel was 15, same as the glow starter [rechargable with charger included], 10 for manual fuel pump, and the fuel fittings and tubing were a few dollars.

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So its going to cost me like $400. Wow. Well alrighty thanks.

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Well, if you say you can get the engine, plane, and radio all for $330, yes I'd say so. I spent $150 for plane, $120 for engine, and $200 for a 6-channel computerized radio, so $470, and then the aformentioned accessories. Keep in mind some tools you might need, but not have, I found that my prior knife wasn't that great, and went out to get a X-Acto Knife, also wire cutters, which despite my cable installation days, I didn't have, and one or two drill bits [by the way, do you have a drill?]. So, all in all I got in for more than $500, but I've been having good times building my ARF, as well as some frustrations in mistakes, but I can't wait to fly!

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noooo impulse,,, If you buy the plane, motor and radio combo and show up at the field with fuel and a AMA card, I am willing to bet that you could get most of the field equipment at a fraction of the cost. There are lots of flight boxes out there, and people don't want to throw them away, but would give them or sell them cheep to someone who would really use it.
If you were around here I would give you a used one that I have. I have had and given away three and still have two.
People are upgrading all the time. I started with my stuff in a cardboard box and it worked great. But one day I had to have all the goodies and made a box,,, that was 4 boxes ago and when you get tired of the off the shelf one you will build your own.

Also people will let you fly with their start up stuff. You show up and talk to them when looking over the field and just tell them that you need help getting it started, someone will offer to help and using there stuff to get into the air until you can get your own is never been a problem around here.

Some people feel good when they get to help a new guy,, but only if it really does someone some good. A show of good faith, like getting the plane there with fuel is a sign that your not a leach and will be a asset when you are in the club.

Good luck,
MR Flyer57

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Wow i hope people are realy that helpfull like you telling me Mr.flyer. I was thinking that too. Cant i just have some plain tool box. Do i realy need a fuel pump. Can't i just pour it in with a funnnel. And can't you start the engine with your finger? I dont get all these fancy tools????

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Impulse

I repeat DO NOT ATTEMPT TO START GLOW ENGINES WITH YOUR FINGER,

It is very dangerous , they generate enough power to cut your finger off ,

as for fueling , these tanks are fueled thru a tube , and caanot be poured , you can however use a squeeze bottle if that is all you have ,

as has been suggested , get what you can show up at the field anything you dont have someone else will , and most will be more than glad to lend and help you get started ,

Highlander

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Thats what i meant those little squeeze bottle. *note to self* dont start engine with finger.

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hey impulse this stuff is good advice listen to them......i'm 13 so one year yonger than you and i've been flying for 2 years it's alot of fun but make sure you suck up all the info you can cuz it helps with the $$ a sim like g2 also help.

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?? doesn't make since but alright??

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Hi again impulse,

Please don't use your finger to start the engine. Most of the time it won't start anyway.
It cost nothing for someone to let you use a starter.

You can rig up a big squirt bottle for almost nothing and a glow starter is not too expensive.
Getting a battery is something that you can find around also. Most people use a motorcycle or lawn tractor battery.

For the whole package to get flying it will cost about 40 bucks, and that is with fuel. Get a cardboard box or design your own fight box.
The best way to make this happen is just to ask if anyone has one for sale cheap. There are lots of them around.

The way it works is someone at the club knows someone who has a bunch of stuff and wants to sell it. He buys it and has stuff he wants and stuff that he doesn't need.

The stuff is too good to throw away but not good enough to use (he has a great box already). So what is the answer?

It is not worth much to people who already have the stuff and how many power panels and starters, and fuel pumps can you use. Lots of stuff is of lower class and after a few years you will change out to better and much more expensive stuff, and getting rid if stuff that is taking up space in your airplane room is hard to do. Airplane guys are pack rats by nature.

We had a guy show up at our field with the plane combo that you are talking about, and after making contacts has made deals that I can not believe. They won't sell me the stuff because I would just be collecting it and not using it.

The last thing to keep in mind is that as popular as the sport is, there are not that many of us around. When you actually begin to fly you will be talking about it and people will be talking about you.

Deals from people who bought a bunch of stuff and then crashed right away because they wanted to do it alone or never got it built are everywhere, and those people will seek you out with some fantastic deals. The world is full of half finished planes with all kinds of equipment.
If you have the cash then get what you want, but on a shoestring you will want to keep your eyes and ears open.

Lots of broken dreams out there. That is why I am trying to show you a way to get into this sport without getting your dreams crushed.

From as long as I can remember I have loved the thought of flight and I always wanted my toys to really work. There are lots of interests that this hobby lets you expand on, but the fact is that some of us would do this even if we had to do it alone.
For those guys to see another of our kind is rare and if you are one, they will know and will help you along.

MR Flyer57

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Ok. How much are those little starting dealys. Look like their about $30 or so. But i think im going to my local fields this weekend and just look around. But thanks for everything Mr.Flyer you have been a great helper. Thankyou.

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So can i connect the starter thing to my flight box if i get one or do i need a 12v battery?

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Just my two cents,

Get a hot shot,, just a D battery with a end on it, it comes with a charger. That should be the biggest expense at first.

I'm not counting fuel. If you have a way to start your plane, at least you can test the engine and run it up at home if you want to.
A starter is expensive and I would wait to get one until you go to the field a few times, get a hardwood dowel and make a "chicken stuck" just put some tape on one end so you don't damage the prop. If you have a good motor you might be able to start it with a chicken stick. Some of the motors will start right up and some won't.
you can buy a squeeze bottle cheap or make one and use it to fuel your plane, they are a big hassle and anyone who has one will most likely give it to you.
I had a hand pump but wanted a electric one, it took me over 3 years to give it away... to someone who needed it.

Keep in mind that the most helpful are not always the most knowledgeable, so keep you eyes open.

In an earlier post I was exploring the question: who would be best to help, even though you will have to seek out his time and he might not be the first to rush in to help.

I think your yardstick should be landings... It has been my experience that the guys who do the best landings are the ones who really know there stuff.
I don't have any thing but my own experience to call upon, but as I look back, it has been the ones that everybody stops just for a second to watch land that have been the shining stars.

Good luck Impulse,
MR Flyer57

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Hmm....? Alright. I'll just ask the people at the hobby store and just look around. Thanks everyone!!