[NSRCA-discussion] Price for a pattern plane...

[Curt Oberg]

When I started flying pattern back in the mid 70's, starting from scratch you could get into pattern flying with a very competitive rig for about $750. One hundred for a plane kit, $100 for a piped .61 Rossi, $400 for a ProLine Competition 6 radio including battery and servos, and about $150 for retracts, wheels, fuel tank, retract servos, finishing materials, etc.  Of course you then had to build the plane first (which is probably becoming a lost art).  Relatively speaking, considering inflation and the differential between salaries then and now, the cost of a present day, ARF pattern plane, set up ready to fly is probably very close in a percentage of your disposable income.  It helps immensely when you have a wife like mine who encourages me buy the best equipment out there for my planes.  Every time I hesitate to spend money on the hobby, she always tells me that if I don't spend the money, my son will when I'm gone.  My cost for enjoying pattern flying would go down somewhat if I would quit landing in the top of the trees.

Curt Oberg

-----Original Message-----
From: NSRCA-discussion [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Jas S via NSRCA-discussion
Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2018 7:15 PM
To: nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Price for a pattern plane...

There’s always been talk about how expensive pattern is. All disciplines and hobbies are expensive, it’s just a choice one makes as to how much they want to spend. I’ve not had a ‘top of the line $$$$’ model since I was a teen when I wasn’t paying for my planes. Back then I was lucky enough to get the best planes on the market. Ten Plus planes back then were as good as the Yang/Oxai planes of today, and relative cost was about the same. Since being on my own, I’ve had more average planes, price point at least. Sponsorship allows me to outfit my planes with what I consider some of the best equipment, but even then I don’t bling out my planes at every turn.

Example, Acuity set-up from the 2017 Nats in Blytheville, AR:
Plane: AJ Acuity $949
Motor: AJ 5230-20P $260
OS/Futaba ESC: $300 I think
Battery: ThunderPower 6000’s $220
Servos: Futaba SBUS, 173’s, 171’s & 175 $950 now 🤭
Receiver: Futaba 7006 $100 now
Falcon Spinner and Prop: $160 
Total works out to about: $2939

Most hardware is stock from the kit. Linkages, tail wheel assembly, sticky velcro hook side, axles, wheels. I changed the cowl screws, motor mounting screws (shorter) and velcro strap for the battery.

I could have used, and not hurt my performance any, this equipment:
Futaba 9650’s, 9151’s & 9155 ($430) and saved -$520
Futaba 617 receiver ($94) and saved -$6
Castle 80a ESC ($145) and saved -$155
Gator spinner ($18) and saved -$42
APC prop ($44) and saved -$56
Power Unlimited 5800’s ($186) and saved $34
Shulman Aviation 6v regulator ($20) +$20
Total saved: $658

So my Acuity set-up could be done for just about $2144. This is assuming you have NONE of the stuff to put in a 2m sized plane.

Now my Epic set-up from the 2018 Muncie, IN Nats is a different price point:
CA Model Epic $2780 (Evo price, I think Epic + was less)
Brenner Contra: $1000 last year
Kontronic Motor: $500
Add $100 for a 2nd Falcon prop
Subtract $60 for the Falcon spinner
Futaba servos/receiver, ThunderPower batteries and OS/Futaba ESC are the same prices as Acuity. 

I usually use 2mm carbon rod for pushrods, Du-Bro/Central Hobbies/F3AU links, MPI 2.25 wheels.

Total around $6000

Again, using equipment that’s not ‘top of the line’, I can save about $2400. Most of the difference from the Acuity savings is swapping the contra for a Himax set-up.

And the Yang/Oxai you can add another $~2500 to the total for a top-shelf set-up.

All this being said, the BEST deals for a newbie to pattern are:
Any sport/pattern capable plane they are comfortable flying.
Any second hand pattern plane they can afford.
A good friend with a spare plane they will loan you 😁

Have a safe Happy New Year to everyone and always land wheels down 😉

Jason
Jas iP
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