Hi everyone!

I've been interested in RC planes for a long time now, and I would like to purchase a plane. I am in the Mobile area, and would like to know the best way to get started in the hobby. Eventually I would love to join your club - but I have no experience. Any information is appreciated.

Chaz

Hi Chaz,
Welcome. :)

Read these topics for some local RC information.

Drop by ACMA's Irvington Field any Sat. or Sun. afternoon for more help information.

Also local hobby shop is Hobbytown USA on Shillenger Road just North of Airport Blvd.
Ask for Rob, Justin, Seth, or Jamal for information if one of them is on duty.

I wrote this in another thread...it may help some. Jon


Hi,
First you need to find your local club and get together with the club trainer or a person that can train you. This will save you tons of money and lots of trouble trying to figure out things like engine/servo/CG settings etc. Equipment wise I recommend the Hobbico Avistar.
You can get the trainer, radio and engine from www.towerhobbies.com for $270. That includes a futaba radio and an OS 40 engine. Here's the link for it.. Avistar I believe that Hobbytown USA offers this or an equivalent setup for around the same money. After this you'll need fuel,glow plug battery for the glow plug and a fuel pump When you get with the club you'll need to join and get whatever insurance they require which will probably be ama

Hope this helps. Jon

Hi Chazon

I'm Andy Anderson the club prez at ACMA..... To fly at this club you will need AMA insurance or you can not fly with us for it is a AMA sanction club.
We have a club instructor (Frits Jetten) that will be more than happy to help you learn to fly. As a new comer I give them about 90 days (thats 12 weekends) to learn and then I will ask them to join the club.
So come out and have fun with us!!!! :dance: :dance: :dance:

Thanks for the information!

Ok first, I guess I need to shop for a beginners plane and then get an AMA membership.

What are the hours that you guys are at the strip on Saturdays and Sundays?

I'll try and come out one weekend and observe is that is ok?

Thanks Again!

Charles

Yes Charles, you can come out and watch all the flying/crashing. :o

Because of our field layout, pilots face East, few people fly before noon.

Unless the weather is really bad, someone should be at field and have gate open by 1:00 PM on weekends.
Sunday is usually the most active day.

Yep...First order of business would be getting the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics - national organization our club is chartered with) membership if you are commited to starting the hobby and plan to fly with any of the local clubs.
That is number one requirement mostly for your/our liability insurance coverage.

When you get out to field, should be several beginner type planes flying and you can get first hand information from students and instructor.

Thanks Alvin - I noticed on your calendar that there is a fly-in on Sunday, August 1st. I'm planning to come out and say hi!

Charles

I was "window shopping" the other day at Hobbytown, and I think I have settled on getting the Hobbico NexSTAR 46 package, since it has the training software, the auto flight stabilization, and is a larger overall plane. It's expensive, but I think it will serve me better with the additions. After seeing the other post about trainers, I went looking for the Avistar. Would this be the best route to go, or should I go with the Avistar?

They also gave me the club info and AMA application which is going into the mail on Monday!

Thanks again!

Charles

Also, I read on Hobbico's website, that as long as I train at an AMA-chartered club, if I crash it before learning to fly, they'll repair or replace it free. Not a bad option to have?