What you need to get started once you solo
- RC Trainer Airplane (electric is recommended for getting started, less cost overall)
- Radio (Also known as a transmitter)
- Batteries (will need 3-4 to get started, each battery = 1 flight)
- Charger for batteries
- Lipo safe charging bag
- AMA/ NCRCC Club Membership
Details for each of these items is listed below.
1) RC Trainer Airplane
Option 1: Radio not included, need to buy radio separately but if you plan to buy more planes this is the better option
Apprentice STS 1.5m BNF Basic Smart Trainer with SAFE – $329
Option 2: This is the most inexpensive way to get started, entry Level Radio included but you can only use it to fly with one airplane. When you start buying more planes, you will need one of the radios below so you can connect multiple planes to one radio but this is a good way to get started.
Apprentice STS 1.5m RTF Basic Smart Trainer with SAFE – $369
https://www.towerhobbies.com/product/apprentice-sts-1.5m-rtf-basic-smart-trainer-with-safe/EFL370001.html
2) Radio (Also know as transmitter)
To start out you could by the Apprentice with the radio and that will get you started. The only issue with this option is if you get another plane or someone gives you one(the club members have been generous to newcomers), you will not be able to use the radio that comes with the Apprentice. The radios below allow you to fly up to 250 planes from one radio. Each plane put in the radio has different settings therefore each plane is setup separately in the radio. If you have any other questions about this, feel free to email me.
– Spektrum DX6E – $299 Rechargeable. https://www.amazon.com/Spektrum-6-Channel-Transmitter-Telemetry-SPMR6655/dp/B07VWSZ2VL/
– If you want a step up, the latest series are NX series radios. As of this writing the Nx10 is the most inexpensive of the NX series.
You could also try to get The Dx6e, Dx7 or DX8 on ebay but be sure they are the black colored ones, not the silver colored ones.
3) Batteries
Many of the new RC planes on the market(Including the Apprentice) recommend “Smart” batteries. These batteries require less maintenance but they are almost double the price of non Smart batteries, for this reason, I recommend not using smart batteries. For the Apprentice I recommend the below batteries.
– Zeeee 3300mah 3s with xt60 connector – $45 for two
https://www.amazon.com/Zeee-Connector-Compatible-Quadcopter-Helicopter/dp/B0DGPQM6ML/
3b) Adapter for Ec3 to xt60 connector
The apprentice uses an ec3 connector but many batteries come with an xt60 connector. Get these adapters and you will be all set:
https://www.amazon.com/OliRC-4pcs-No-Wires-Connector/dp/B088B76K7Z/
4) Charger
I recommend a charger that can charger 2 batteries at once. That way when you get ready to charge batteries for flying it takes less time to charge them. Each battery will take 30-40 minutes to charge so doing 2 at once assures you can charge them in time to go flying.
– Imars D300 Daul charger Duo Charger $115
https://www.amazon.com/IMARS-D300-Battery-Charger-Batteries/dp/B0DS21LQYF/
5) LIPO Safe charging bag $9.99
– Lipo batteries can catch fire while charging or discharging, its rare but it can happen. For this reason you MUST always charge batteries in a LIPO safe bag such as this one.
https://www.amazon.com/Fireproof-Explosionproof-Ca pacity-Battery-260X130X180mm/dp/B091L1XCF3/
6) AMA/Club Membership
Just so you know all of the costs involved, these are two more costs to fly RC Planes.
AMA
When you are learning to Fly, you instructor will submit you for the Introductory pilot program. This allows you to fly with an instructor for 90 days and you are covered by the AMA(in case something happens like a plane hitting a person or a car, I haven’t seen this happen but you do need to be covered). After 90 days you will need to join the AMA. These are the costs:
- Age 19-64 – $85
- 65 & over – $75
- Under 19 (as of July 1st) – $15
Here is a link on the Intro Pilot program: https://www.modelaircraft.org/clubs/introductory-pilot-program/introductory-pilot-program
NCRCC Club Membership
You can fly with an instructor 4 or times without being a member of the club but you will eventually need to become a member. The cost is as follows:
| Open Membership – for those 16 or more years of age as of January 1 and are AMA members in good standing. ($85.00/year or $89.00 using PayPal) |
| Junior Membership – for those who are under 16 years of age as of January 1 and are AMA members in good standing. ($12.00/year or $13.00 using PayPal) |
| Social Membership – for those of any age seeking to simply enjoy the camaraderie of belonging to NCRCC but not seeking flying privileges. AMA not required. ($85.00/year or $89.00 using PayPal) |
| Family Membership – for one Open Membership plus up to three people living at the same address as of January 1. AMA membership required for those flying. ($128.00/year or $134.00 using PayPal) |
You can find more info about club membership here: https://ncrcc.org/membership-info/
