Myth 3: Racing is expensive

Actually, this is not a myth; racing is expensive. So is every other organized RC activity, from International Miniature Aerobatic club (IMAC) aerobatics to jet rallies to the annual club fun-fly.

But in terms of total cost, racing is closer to the annual club fun-fly than almost anything else you will see covered regularly in Model Aviation magazine.

Top-end racing .40s go for $250-$350 each, and they will generally survive all but the worst straight-in crash. Compare this to the average four-stroker on any sport airplane at the fun-fly, and you come out even.

Ditto for the airplanes. A top-end, ready-to-fly composite Q-500 or Q-40 airframe will set you back $300-$500, or approximately 1/10 the cost of a Giant Scale or turbine model-and you don't have to assemble it.

If you're willing to spend a few evenings gluing Part A to Part B, you can be ready to go for less than $100.