RE: Beginner to Pro overnight?
 

peregrin8r

I applaud your enthusiasm! All of the advice and opinions that have been offered in the previous post are valid but I would like to suggest something a bit different.

In my opinion there are two kind of modelers, one is the builder the other is the flyer. In general, all modelers have skills in each area, but some times you find an excellent builder that has little interest in flying and I know many excellent flyers that that do not enjoy building.

If you want to be a builder, this is an excellent choice for a hobby and I believe that you can hone your skills and pick up a few bucks in the process. Start by going to visit the hobby shops and clubs in your area and get to know the people and learn some of the basics. Invest in a reasonability simple kit and build it to show as an example of your work. Offer the plane for sale and also offer to build/repair models for flyers that do not have the time or skills to do their own work. If you do acceptable work at a reasonable price you will find that people will beat a path to your door. Use the money you earn to buy the tools and shop equipment that you will need in order to make the work easier. Use this experience as an apprenticeship to gain the advanced skills required to build on the professional level.

I am an old retired dude and have been modeling off and on since the middle 60’s. Even though I hate ARFs I will assembly one for $50 and will re-glue every joint that I can reach and beef up the firewall and gear mounting the process. For $100 I will also do the radio installation and test fly it. In general I will charge 3X the price of the kit to build it plus the cost of the covering material. Fiberglass and paint are negotiable. I get as much repair work as I do building and in general I charge $5 hr. plus material.

So if money is an issue you can do some work for others and have a hobby that pays for itself in the bargain.