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.
      Click here to see more
    A fine monthly magazine. Click here to see 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 about $630 for:
    $220 for a 6 channel computer radio, servos, batteries.
        (you will be glad you got this better radio)
    $150 for a 60-size trainer plane. (No, don't get a P51 Mustang...)
        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.
    $ 20 for a tool box or flight box. (Steal your wife's tools...)
    $   5 for a spinner.
    $   9 for epoxy.
    $   7 for "CA" glue.
    $   5 for "CA" "kicker" (Don't breathe this).

-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.)