Why fly RC airplanes
or helicopters?
What's the attraction of the radio control flying hobby? Why indeed fly rc airplanes and helicopters? How come the hobby has become so popular in recent years?
The hobby of radio control, in particular rc flying, has always had a large global following, but the last few years have seen a massive increase in the number of radio control models being mass-produced and sold by all kinds of different shops - not just model shops.
Prices have fallen drastically, because electronic components used in rc products have become so much smaller and cheaper to produce. The components have also become more advanced, enabling much better rc airplanes and helicopters to be produced at less cost.
For example, modern electric rc helicopters have bought thousands of people into the hobby since the late 1990s, as the helicopters have become cheaper to buy and easier to fly than ever before.
Similarly, electric rc airplanes that can be purchased from practically any kind of hobby/toy store and flown with no experience whatsoever, have become high-selling products worldwide.
But what's the attraction of radio control?
Like any hobby or sport, rc has its mockers who laugh at the participants, and rc'ers are often seen as geeks or anoraks by those on the outside!
But those of us on the inside of the hobby know the fun, exhilaration and - let's face it - the addiction of flying an rc airplane or helicopter. Being in control of something and being able to make it do what you like when you like, with no laws to abide by and all that free airspace to play in is just a small part of the attraction.
Or maybe that is the attraction - the thought of limitless fun in the 3rd dimension! The satisfaction of being in control and getting your model to obey your every command! (well, most of the time...).
Learning to fly rc airplanes or helicopters is a big part of the fun too. Crashing is all part of the radio control hobby, and such incidents are almost always laughed and joked about - afterwards!
But products such as rc flight simulators can let you learn to fly rc from the comfort of your own home, in total safety. In fact, a good rc flight simulator can be as addictive as flying your actual model, and lets you practice those more daring maneuvers with complete confidence!
And for many, the actual building of an rc airplane, helicopter or any other type of model is as equally satisfying as flying it. Indeed, many modelers see the building of a model more of an attraction than flying it, and it's very true that there's a huge amount of self-satisfaction in seeing a model develop from a box of bits into a fully flying plane or helicopter, built with your own hands and skill.
All in all, to fly rc airplanes and helicopters is (in my humble opinion) and excellent hobby to enjoy, one that can give you a wide variety of aspects to learn and have fun with.
If you're looking for a new pastime to get into, why not learn to fly rc airplanes and helicopters?!
Do you already fly rc airplanes or helicopters? If so, let us know about them here!
Related pages
Beginner rc airplanes - choices to consider to get you started.
Electric rc airplanes - examples of popular electric planes.
Electric rc helicopters - the fastest growing sector of rc flying.
RC flight training - index page for rc flight training.
Model flying - an overview of the hobby of flying model airplanes.
