Memphis Prop Busters

First of all, I would like to welcome you to the webpage of the Memphis Prop Busters! Hopefully the fact that you're reading this means that you're starting to get bitten by the RC bug. I was absolutely mesmerized the first time I saw an RC airplane fly. My Grandfather took me to a fly-in at Propbusters when I was ten, and I was immediately hooked. It was there that I met a man named Charlie Dance who sold us (my Grandfather) my first airplane. It was a .25 sized Right Flyer made by Global. I still have that airplane too, but I digress. It seemed like a daunting task to learn everything there was to know, especially for a ten year old, but I'm thankful that he and the rest of the Propbusters membership gave me all the good advice I needed to get started. Without it I would have been lost. Fast forward 14 years and now I'm an instructor. As another Propbuster named Roger Armstrong once said, "The people who helped you didn't charge you a thing, so you gotta make sure you do the same thing and help pass it on". So, here I am. If I haven't rambled too much, I hope you'll find this guide informative and that it would help you join the club and learn how to fly without overwhelming you with information and choices that amount to six of one, and a half dozen of the other. In breaking from the above novel, I'll keep the below guide as brief as possible.

1. You will need a .40 sized glow powered trainer or equivalent. Either Mid-South Hobbies (901-682-9402) or Hobby Town USA (901-213-2682) will have one for sale. Prices range from $279-$400 or so for a RTF trainer/radio/engine combo. Used airplanes can be had for roughly $200. Email the Webmaster to find a used one. Somebody usually has one or can find one for sale. If you buy used, make sure it's a trainer and from a reputable source. Coming out to the flying field can be another good place to find an airplane.

2. You will need the support equipment to fuel and start the airplane. The bare essentials would be a chicken stick, battery powered glow driver/charger combo, hand crank fuel pump, and a gallon of fuel. A rough total price would be $60 new. There are other items you will need later, but you and your instructor can discuss these. In a pinch, most instructors will gladly let you use their support gear for a little while so long as you bring your own fuel. Once again, the local hobby shops know what you'll need.

3. You will need to join the AMA, or Academy of Model Aeronautics. Click the picture to your left to visit the AMA's website. The AMA does many things including, but not limited to, a good monthly magazine, $2.5 million dollars worth of liability insurance for you, and provide the Propbusters with insurance. It costs $58 a year. Almost every club out there requires it as it is the clubs' only means of insurance.

4. Next you'll need to join the Propbusters by visiting This Page and following the instructions there. Afterwards, email one of the club Instructors and you're set! We don't charge our new members for instruction either. Instructors volunteer their time to help newcomers get into the hobby.

Thats it! Starting to fly RC in 4 easy steps! You can literally do all of these things on a Friday, and be flying Saturday.

See you at the field!

Jack