Tell me about the hobby...
A great hobby for:
-Meeting others of similar interests.
-Learning hand-eye coordination.
-Developing building skills with ALL materials.
With the excellent "Almost ready to fly" models,
building skill is optional.
-Developing new, marketable ideas.
-Competition of all sorts.
-Learning organizational management.
-Team work.
-A great feeling of accomplishment and FUN !
-Bonding with your daughter or son.
-Spending money before you waste it on bills.
The pitfalls:
-Building your first plane without help.
-Taking off, without mastering "landing" first.
-The liability of flying without insurance.
-Becoming so addicted that you fly in the winter.
What should a beginner do?
-Join the AMA, you get:
$2,500,000 Comprehensive General Liability Protection.
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A fine monthly magazine. Click here to see it
-Register with the FAA, because:
It is only $5 for three years.
There will be HUGE fines if you are caught.
It is simple to comply with the FAA rules:
1. Don't fly over people or private property.
2. Put your assigned FAA number in your plane.
3. Don't fly above 400 feet
(Unless flying under AMA rules, at a sanctioned field).
4. Don't fly within 5 miles of an airport.
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Click here to do it
-Join a club, reasons:
You will get help from experienced modellers.
You will learn safe practices.
You will learn tips and shortcuts to flying success.
Your plane will get a proper "preflight" inspection.
You may get a bargain on a "pre-owned" trainer plane.
An Instructor will keep you from crashing.
An AMA sanctioned club field has many advantages:
Clubs fields are spaced to minimize radio interference.
Facilities must meet AMA safety designs.
Members will follow AMA safety practices.
-Get electronics & building materials:
$220 for a 6 channel computer radio, servos, batteries.
(you will be glad you got this better radio)
$ 9 for epoxy.
$ 7 for "CA" glue.
$ 5 for "CA" "kicker" (Don't breathe this).
$ 20 for a tool box or flight box. (Steal your wife's tools...)
-Decide on your plane:
"Nitro" plane, see below, "Foamie", below that:
(No, don't get a P51 Mustang...)
$150 for a 60-size trainer plane.
Bigger planes are easier to fly.
$ 85 for a GOOD "60" engine.
(You need reliable performance)
$ 28 for an electric starter. (Your fingers will thank you...)
$ 35 for a starter battery pack & charger
$ 12 for a gallon of fuel. (Get good stuff, avoid problems)
$ 6 for two glow plugs. (Don't be moochin' at the field)
$ 6 for two props, make sure they are "shallow" pitch.
$ 30 for a pump, tubing, and tank for the plane.
$ 10 for a glow plug driver.
$ 5 for a spinner.
-Build an electric "foamie":
$ 10 for a couple sheets of foam
$ 15 for a motor
$ 15 for an Electronic Speed Control ("ESC")
$ 18 for a LiPo battery
$ 4 for a couple of "E-props"
-Go to a hobby shop, they will be helpful, they fly too!
Prop Shop, Warren
Joe's Hobby Shop, Farmington
Larrys Performance R C, Sterling Hts
P & D Hobby Shop, Fraser
(I will expand this list, just email me.)
