Some basic RC airplane aerobatics
Once you've learned to fly your rc airplane confidently, it's time to step it up a notch and learn some basic rc airplane aerobatics!
RC airplane aerobatics are great fun and all part of rc flying, but you need to start off slowly and not try things that are too complicated.
This page will ease you into performing some simple aerobatics with your rc airplane, with the most basic maneuvers:
Important!... When performing rc aerobatics of any kind, you need to fly in a very responsible way especially if you're flying in a public place and there are other people around.
Choose your flying site carefully - aerobatics usually require more airspace than normal flying, so make sure that the area is plenty big enough with no trees, posts or pylons etc.
Altitude is also very important with some maneuvers; always give yourself as much space as possible between your airplane and the ground. This way, if you do encounter difficulties, you stand a much better chance of not joining these guys!
Fly a safe distance away from yourself but not so far away that you can't see what your airplane is doing ie whether it's up the right way or not. Disorientation is one of the biggest killers of rc airplanes!
And one final point, the majority of rc airplane aerobatics are performed into wind ie you fly the airplane directly into the wind when starting the aerobatic maneuver.
Three basic RC airplane aerobatic maneuvers
1. The inside loop:
The inside loop is the easiest of all stunts to pull off, and any rc airplane with elevators is capable of looping.
How to do it: Start by flying straight and level into wind.
Open the throttle to full power and, at point A in the picture above, pull back on the elevator stick to start a climb - not too suddenly, be gentle but definite. Keep the power on. The airplane will go into a vertical climb, let it keep going until it starts to roll over onto its back - point B in the picture. At this point, close the throttle and keep holding the elevator stick back, adjusting it as necessary to maintain a tidy path.
At point C in the picture, level out the airplane by returning elevator to neutral and increase power to exit the loop, flying straight and level again.
Below is the inside loop on video (on the RealFlight G4 rc flight simulator), including close-ups of the tx stick inputs and the airplane's response...
2. The outside loop:
The outside loop is, you probably won't be surprised to learn, an inside loop but with the airplane inverted.
How to do it: Your airplane must be inverted (ie rolled through 180 degrees) at the start of the loop (point 'A' in the picture). The danger here is to remember to use down elevator to get the airplane to climb. Accidentally applying up elevator at this point will send the airplane crashing in to the ground!
Keep holding in down elevator and let the airplane do a full loop. At the top of the outside loop (point 'B'), your airplane will be right side up. Continue the loop back down towards the ground, and at point 'C' roll through 180 degrees to bring the airplane right side up to exit the maneuver.
An outside loop can also be started from the top, by flying straight and level at a good altitude, then applying and holding in down elevator all the way round the loop.
Below is the outside loop on video (on the RealFlight G4 rc flight simulator), including close-ups of the tx stick inputs and the airplane's response...
3. The roll:
The roll requires ailerons, but if your airplane only has rudder then you might be able to pull off a larger, somewhat untidier 'barrel roll'. A roll with ailerons, though, is a very smooth maneuver, and not too difficult.
How to do it: Same start as the loop; fly straight and level on at least half throttle. To begin a roll, apply a very small amount of up elevator and left or right aileron (or rudder) together. No need for full power this time, keep the throttle stick where it is throughout the roll.
As you apply elevator and aileron, the airplane will start to roll over. Keep the aileron stick in the same position, but you will probably have to adjust the elevator to keep the roll tidy. If you can think about it, apply a tiny amount of down elevator when the airplane is inverted, this will prevent any loss of altitude during the roll.
Once the airplane is right-side up again, return the sticks to neutral and resume straight and level flying.
Below is the roll on video (on the RealFlight G4 rc flight simulator), including close-ups of the tx stick inputs and the airplane's response...
4. The stall turn:
The stall turn, also called a 'hammerhead', makes use of the airplane's rudder and is a simple maneuver to perform.
How to do it: As before, begin with a straight and level flight path. At point A in the picture above, increase throttle slightly and apply up elevator, putting the airplane into a vertical climb. Adjust the rudder and elevator as necessary to maintain the vertical climb without going into the beginnings of a loop.
Let it climb for a couple of seconds and then, at point B, reduce throttle, release the elevator stick back to the neutral position and - here's the important part - apply full rudder to the left or right. If the airplane doesn't look like it's going to turn on its tail, give the throttle a small blip.
Once the airplane has spun round on its tail, return the rudder to neutral and let the airplane go naturally into a brief vertical dive for a second or so. Then, at point C, apply both motor power and up elevator to pull out of the dive and resume straight and level flying.
Below is the stall turn on video (on the RealFlight G4 rc flight simulator), including close-ups of the tx stick inputs and the airplane's response...
If you want, you can use the wind direction to help you perform this stunt by flying crosswind. Fly at 90 degrees to the wind and turn the airplane into the wind at the top of the climb. The wind on the fin pushes the model round for the perfect maneuver!
The picture below shows this:
So there you have the most basic rc airplane aerobatics! Take your time and practice them in safety, then move on to the more advanced maneuvers. Remember, the design and type of your plane will also effect how well you can execute any maneuver, so don't get disheartened if your plane isn't suited to every maneuver shown above, just select the ones that you can try!
Related pages
More RC airplane aerobatics - the Immelmann turn, Split-S and spin.
Cuban 8 RC airplane aerobatics - Cuban 8, half Cuban 8 & reverse half Cuban 8.
RC airplane games - some flying field fun.
Ground school - lessons that you should know before you start flying rc airplanes.
Training methods - ways of learning how to fly rc airplanes and helicopters.
RC airplane controls - the primary ones and what they do.
How to fly airplanes - RC flight school for beginners.
RC flying do's and don'ts - some basic safety tips.
RC flight simulators - perfect those rc airplane aerobatics in safety!
