Getting The Gear
The Way Forward
Getting The Gear The Aircraft The Engine The Radio Starting Gear The Cost True Story
Almost Ready To Fly (A.R.T.F.) kits are really the norm these days and there are now many offers of "bundles" of model, radio and engine for around the £200 mark.
These "bundles" make aeromodelling accessible, pricewise, for most people but is this the way for you to go? You're going to have to spend some serious money to get involved in aeromodelling.
Almost certainly you are going to overspend what you plan to - we've been budget-bustin' for donkey's years now and if you're like us, a limit is only there to be broken. At the end of the day, you'll get what you pay for.
The most important thing for you to do is to go round to your local flying club before you part with any cash and talk to the guys around there.
The people you want to speak to are those who are willing to train you so their opinions on radio, engines and models are pretty valuable.
Another group of people you should try to talk to are those who are currently learning to fly. It may sound strange to take advice from a beginner but they will be able to tell you the advice they had been given (and whether it was any good!), any mistakes they may have made and so on.
Each club and it's members will have different experiences of any individual product and so it is important that you contact the guys you want to help you. Their opinions are the most important for the simple reason that they are going to be the people that you are asking or ar going to ask to teach you to fly.
Since the vast majority of clubs offer free flying training - and we are unaware of any that don't - follow their advice exactly.
Perhaps the most important lesson you can learn is that you are the customer and someone is trying to sell you something.
You want them to sell you what you want, not what they want to sell you.
Obviously, you have to know what you want! Remember that shopping on the internet or by mail order may be cheaper but is basically a "goods only" facility whereas buying from a local shop, though (usually more expensive) can also include "after sales services".
In a good club, fellow members can probably offer those "services".
As the customer, you can walk out the shop, hang up the 'phone, click exit.... whatever.
If a supplier cannot offer exactly what you want - and presumably you have taken the advice of the aeromodellers at your local field - find out what alternatives the supplier is offering and go back to the club or 'phone/e-mail one of your contacts and ask for their opinions on the alternatives.
If they OK the alternatives, you have the basis of a deal.