WELCOME
The White Hills Committee and club members welcome anyone with an interest in model aeroplanes to join the club and take up this wonderful hobby, but first, let's share with you a few hints and guidelines to streamline the process.

VISIT THE CLUB FIRST
Beginners to the hobby, i.e. those with little or no experience of building and flying radio controlled models are strongly advised to visit a club first, before buying any equipment. When visiting your local flying club, look at what they do there and see what type of models they fly. Make a point to speak to some of the guys who fly there and be open-minded about what they suggest you start to fly with. The model you have in mind as your first model is rarely the best choice. It's better to start with a docile and forgiving trainer-type model than that fast, expensive and flashy model that you've daydreamed about.

BUYING EQUIPMENT
Once you've decided on a model, look around for the best prices and keep in mind that the guys at the club can refer you to the best suppliers, because they have been buying modeling items for years. Before buying a radio set, please select an open frequency on the 'Frequencies' page of this website, since you will not be allowed to join the club on a frequency that is already in use.

Also be aware that you'll have to decide which radio 'mode' (or control stick layout) you are going to choose, for once you've started learning to fly a certain mode, it's difficult to change to another mode. The two modes that are available at the hobby shops are:

• Mode1 - Rudder and Elevator on the left stick, Aileron and Throttle on the right stick.
• Mode2 - Rudder and Throttle on the left stick, Aileron and Elevator on the right stick.

As for acquiring a first model, the best choice will be the one that suits your budget and building skills. The usual choices are:

• Buying a kit and building it - maybe the most rewarding way for many, but some building skill is required.
• ARF's (Almost Ready To Fly) models are available from hobby shops and are, as the name suggests, already built. It's probably the fastest way to get in the air, but also the most expensive way. Normally very little (if any) building has to be done. Usually it only requires the installation of the radio gear and the engine/electric motor.
• 2nd Hand or 'previously owned' models - available from club members, friends or through the classifieds section of the local newspapers, i.e. Junk Mail, etc. Make sure that what you buy is in good condition, unless you're prepared to fix it. If you're also buying 2nd hand radio equipment, pay special attention to the frequency. The 60 MHz band will become obsolete for modeling use after October 2005 and it will be illegal to use it after that date. Also don't be tempted to buy (or import) illegal frequencies, i.e. 40 MHz, 72 MHz, etc. One exception is 36MHz, which can easily be changed to 35 MHz by just buying new crystals.
• Building from a plan - usually the cheapest way, but some degree of model building skill is required. If you're a beginner, rather leave this until you've gained some experience.

Membership Application Form
While visiting the club, ask a committee member for a copy of the Membership Application Form. The joining process is formalized by handing the completed form, together with proof of payment of your club fees to a committee member. Please pay directly into the club's bank account, either via Internet transfer or direct bank deposit. Committee members are not be able to receive any cash or cheques.  

Membership card
When you join the club, a club membership card will be ordered for you, but please allow a few weeks for your card to arrive. In the mean time, a committee member will give you a temporary membership card which you can use as a frequency peg. Please note that company ID cards, clothes pegs, etc. are not acceptable as a frequency pegs.

SAMAA
The club is formally affiliated with SAMAA and requires that all new members joining, must be members of SAMAA, the South African governing body for aeromodeling.

TRAINING
Once you've bought/built your plane and acquired all the necessary equipment, you are ready to start learning to fly. You'll need the assistance of a club instructor for that. Instruction is normally free of charge, but in certain  cases, the instructor may charge for his time, i.e. for Helicopter setup, tuition on weekdays, etc.

Ask an instructor who flies the same mode radio as yourself (some fly both modes) if he will train you and make an appointment with him. If you just arrive at the club one morning with your new model, chances are that all the club instructors may be booked for the whole day and you might not get a chance to fly at all.

CLUB RULES
The club rules are posted on the back of the frequency board and/or on the notice board at the field, so read it and familiarize yourself with it before flying at the club for the first time. It is also a good idea to get a copy of the Club Constitution which will give you a better understanding of the way things work at the club.

VISITORS
Non-proficient (not solo) visitors are also welcome to visit the club and they may ask any White Hills member (with solo rating) to test-fly their model and to explain the finer points of aeromodeling.