Getting Started in R/C

 

One of the first things you need to decide is what draws your attention to R/C.

If you are interested in flying planes, pick a club locally and join it. There will be plenty of people ready to help you out. You can start with a trainer either gas or electric powered and learn the basics of flying. Once you have achieved that "Solo" capability, now you can move on to more difficult aircraft. As for the cost, I have seen electric models sold for as little as $149.00 and gas powered trainers at $350.00. Either way, you are not done with just the plane, you also need some of the other accessories to help you fly. That includes things like battery chargers, tools, fuel, spare parts etc. The list goes on and on depending on how much you want to spend.

Lets say that you saw a R/C Helicopter flying and want to learn how to fly those. This will take a bit more research on your part to find a club where some of the flyers are interested in helicopters. Once you find a club like that, the club members will be able to assist you in learning what you need to fly a helicopter. You can get a basic electric powered helicopter for around $250.00 with radio and gas powered will be around $600.00. Then you need the same things as above to help you fly.

I met a man the other day who found out that I was into R/C and he wants to learn how to fly turbine powered jets. My advise to him was to learn how to fly regular gas powered airplanes first and then when he is good at that, find some people that fly jets and move up to those. Flying jets is not at all easy and should not be attempted by someone who has no knowledge flying. The average cost of a turbing powered jet is over $5,000 and that is just starting! That is a lot of money to throw away for not wanting to spend some time learning to fly in the first place.

No matter what you would like to fly, it takes some time to learn how to do it safely and properly. A model airplane can fly into a car and cause thousands of dollars worth of damage in a fraction of a second. That is one of the main reasons I suggest finding a club and there you will find the proper instructions on safe and fun flying.