Flying model airplanes
- tips for a successful first flight
Update: this page now only gives a general overview of what you need to know; please use the full rc flight school pages to get flying.
Flying model airplanes is an exhilarating hobby and a great deal of fun, but needs to be taken seriously - at least in your early days of rc flying!
This 'flight school' page will give you some essential advice for flying rc airplanes of the simpler 2 channel electric type. These are very widely available nowadays, and can be flown without prior experience. Obviously though, the basics of getting started as outlined on this page apply to larger airplanes too, but we'll assume a simple model for the purpose of this page.
Your flight school lessons from this page will teach you about:
Weight and balance -- Pre-flight checks -- A test glide -- Take off -- The powered flight -- Trimming -- Landing.
Depending on your budget, and how serious you are about rc flying, you can purchase an rc flight simulator to practice on, but these are not necessary for a simple model airplane. They are, however, a very good idea if you're going to move on to bigger planes.
And if are are serious about the hobby, seeking out your local rc airplane club is a great idea if you do want to learn to fly bigger and faster airplanes, especially gas models. Use the rc airplane club directory in this website to look for clubs in your area, there may be one closer to home than you think!
If the directory doesn't list a local enough club, try these websites - these are the respective country's governing bodies for model flying:
Such organizations will give you all the info you need, including liability insurance requirements which may be mandatory in many places.
It must be said at this stage that this rc flight school page is only to give you a basic insight into flying model airplanes that are electric rc and have just one or two channels, such as the most basic 'Park Flyer' type airplanes. This page is not a proper flying lesson for a multi-channel rc airplane! Flying a model (especially gas) with 3 or more channels requires greater training, so lessons and/or a simulator should seriously be considered. Again, your local rc airplane club will be more than happy to help.
Simple Park Flyers are a great introduction to rc flying and you can fly them straight out the box without too much trouble. But before you do, always read the manufacturer's instruction manual before you do anything!
The information that follows on this page should only be taken as a general rule of thumb - always refer to the proper manual for setting-up and flying tips for your particular airplane, this is very important.
Weight and balance
If you've purchased an RTF airplane and followed the manufacturer's instructions, the weight and balance should be OK but it is imperative that you check the balance before flying any rc airplane, as an incorrect balance can make the plane uncontrollable and likely to crash.
All flying model airplanes, just like real ones, have a Center of Gravity (CG) that effects the plane's balance and thus its flying characteristics. This CG, as a very general rule, is approximately 1/3rd of the wing chord (width) back from the leading edge of the wing. In many cases, this will be the approximate location of the main wing spar, should there be one.
To test your airplane's balance, place the tips of each index finger under each wing, at the exact CG point as indicated by the manufacturer, and a couple of inches away from the fuselage sides. Gently lift the model up so it balances on your fingertips.
If the balance is correct, the model should be either level or with its nose pointing slightly downwards. If the tail is pointing downwards do not fly it yet! The airplane is tail heavy, and this is the worst case of improper balance for a plane.
If your plane is tail heavy, you need to either try and reposition the motor battery pack further forward or add weight to the nose of the model. Modeling clay or fishing shots are ideal, and add only enough to make the plane balance correctly. Moving the battery pack is the better option though, by doing this you're not adding 'dead weight' to your plane.
Getting the balance correct is of paramount importance if you want to keep your airplane in one piece. Read about balancing rc airplanes in more detail.
Pre-flight checks
Pre-flight checks are essential for any flying model airplane. Even obvious things can be missed if you're too eager to get the model in the air, and such mistakes normally result in a crash!
Your model's instruction manual should outline the pre-flight checks needed for that specific airplane, but as a general guideline basic checks include:
- Wing and tail securely fastened
- Control surfaces moving freely and correctly
- Motor operation correct
- Everything inside secure (no loose components)
- Radio control gear batteries OK
- Range check
This last one, the range check is absolutely crucial and mustn't be forgotten! The purpose of the range check is to make sure the radio signal is strong, so that you can fly your plane at a normal distance away from you without it going out of radio range.
To perform a range check, switch on the transmitter, then the receiver, and with the transmitter antenna fully collapsed (ie down), walk backwards away from the model for 30 paces or so. As you walk away from the plane, keep moving the control surface sticks of the tx (not the motor!), and closely watch the respective control surfaces of the airplane.
If you only get a few paces away and the surfaces start 'twitching' or not responding properly to the stick movements, do not fly. Check the batteries of the radio gear, they may need replacing. Low batteries in the rc gear drastically reduce the radio range. Also check for loose connections to the receiver etc.
If the batteries and connections are OK but the control surfaces still don't respond properly, then other people may be flying model airplanes nearby on your frequency. Again, do not fly if this is the case. Interference is a big killer of rc airplanes, and you need to be sure that your frequency is clear before you get airborne.
Whatever the reason, do not fly your plane if you see that control surface response becomes unreliable before you reach 30 paces or so away from the plane! Identify and rectify the problem before flying.
The test glide
While not necessary, you might want to test glide your model before flying it. The purpose of this is to assess its glide characteristics and to give you an idea of what to expect if the motor runs down or stops unexpectedly.
A test glide is best done over long grass if possible - if something is wrong then the model will have a soft landing.
Do the pre-flight checks as per the manual and, when ready, turn on the transmitter first, then the receiver. Extend the transmitter antenna fully.
Make sure that all controls respond correctly and that control surfaces move in the correct sense ie moving the rudder stick left moves the rudder left etc.
Holding the airplane at face-level and facing into the wind (important: flying any rc airplane is best done in a gentle breeze or no wind at all - if it's a windy day, wait for another!), gently launch the model from your hand. Don't throw it like a dart, a smooth but firm push is all that's needed.
Be sure that the airplane is level when you launch it; if it's launched pointing upwards, it can stall and crash.
All being well, your plane should glide gently to the ground after a smooth, even flight (use rudder to control the glide direction).
The take off / hand launch
If your rc airplane has landing gear and you are flying from a smooth flat surface such as tarmac or concrete, you might prefer to take off from the ground rather than hand launch.
With all checks complete and everything ready to go, place the airplane on the ground facing into wind, and stand immediately behind it. Turn the engine on to full power and let the model accelerate along the ground - you may need to use the rudder to keep the plane going in a straight line. Very soon it will take off from the ground and your flight has begun!
If you are flying the airplane in an area of grass, the plane may not be able to get enough speed up for take off so you'll have to hand launch it instead. The principle here is simple - put the motor to full power and launch the plane from about head-height, making sure it's level as it leaves your hand. Give it a firm push but don't throw it like a dart.
You may want to take a couple of steps forward as you launch, it's very important that the plane is launched at flying speed, otherwise it's going to stall and crash.
Above, hand launch at head-height and into wind
The powered flight
Your method of getting airborne, ie a take off or hand launch, will depend on whether your airplane has landing gear and what sort of surface you are flying from. Either method is straightforward, and with all things being well, your plane should climb nicely away from you once airborne.
As soon as it is airborne, you need to watch it all the time and concentrate on what it's doing, and how it's flying. It's tempting to look down at the transmitter, but this won't gain you anything. So long as you are holding both sticks and controlling the plane, that's all that counts! You really don't need to see the transmitter to understand what's going on.
It's important to always hold the transmitter so that the antenna is pointing upwards at least 45 degrees - this maximizes the signal strength and radio range. Get in to the habit of holding the tx in this way, without having to look at it to check!
When flying your model airplane use small, smooth stick movements to start with, this is important. Over compensating is the biggest cause of first flight mishaps.
Depending on the model's channels, you'll either need to use motor power or elevator to control the altitude. You don't want the plane to fly too far away from you because it will get too small to see. Similarly, you don't want it too close to you either! A safe height is around tree-top height, say, 50 feet or so.
Once you've settled at about that height, gently turn the plane and get used to its flight characteristics, remembering not to make sharp turns! Don't move the sticks to their maximum positions - keep the moves soft, smooth and small.
When flying, always use common sense; don't fly close to people or property and keep the model at a sensible height and distance from yourself, but not too far away that you can't see it properly. Although the radio control gear has a range of hundreds of feet, you don't have to fly your airplane far before it gets too small to see what it's doing.
Trimming the airplane
'Trimming' is the term used to describe the action of adjusting the airplane controls while in flight, so that it flies in a straight and level line on its own, with the tx sticks in their neutral positions and 'thumbs off'.
You may find that the model has a tendency to turn one way or another when you aren't steering it (particularly to the left) due to the torque from the motor. Use the small trim tabs on the transmitter to fine-tune the controls, but these may vary from model to model.
After you move a trim tab, let the model fly on its own for a few seconds, then re-adjust accordingly. The aim is to get the model flying straight and level with no input from you on the transmitter.
The landing
What goes up, must come down!
Without doubt the landing is the hardest part of all when you're learning to fly rc. All airplanes should be landed into wind wherever possible, this is very important. A crosswind landing is acceptable and sometimes unavoidable, but never try and land with the wind, it doesn't work too well! Why? Because the following wind reduces the relative airspeed of the airplane, thus reducing lift and increasing the stall speed.
When you're ready to land, fly a downwind leg a safe distance in front of you, either right to left or left to right depending on wind direction. Turn the airplane back towards you when it is safely to your side (not directly in front of you).
Line the model up to where you want to land and reduce power or turn the engine off completely if there is no proportional speed control. Keeping it in a straight line using the rudder, let the model glide down in a smooth approach until it touches the ground.
Use the motor power softly to try and control the rate of descent of the plane - using elevators will obviously have the same effect, but will also effect the speed of the plane ie too much down elevator will increase the approach speed, while too much up elevator can cause a stall close to the ground, if your airspeed is already low.
If at anytime you are unsure about your final approach, turn the engine back on to full power and do another circuit before lining it up for another landing*.
Below is a short video demonstration on the RealFlight G4 rc flight simulator. In this simulation, the wind is blowing from left to right...
Alternatively you can of course go for the 'straight in' approach if you've been flying further out to your side - just bring the airplane in from the side and commence the descent as above.
*There's no shame in missed approaches! It's better to try 5 times and go home with your airplane intact, than to rush a landing and take the plane home in pieces! The landing is the most nerve-racking part of flying when you're new to the hobby, so remember not to panic if you're finding it hard to begin with.
Always try and land well before the motor battery dies or you might be landing somewhere that you didn't want to!
Important tips to remember:
- Choose your flying site well. A large, clear area is essential, and think about other people in the area - believe it or not, not everyone likes rc airplanes!
- Think about weather. Small park flyer type airplanes are light and are adversely affected by wind. Fly on calm days, or in a slight breeze. If nearby trees are bending over, it's probably best not to fly!
- Always make sure that the radio gear batteries are all good before you fly; even just one dead battery will result in a dead model airplane, guaranteed! I know, because I've been there...!
- When the model is coming towards you, the turns will be back to front. This is something that will catch you out in the early days, but you'll quickly get used to this 'reverse control'.
- If you get into trouble and your airplane isn't doing what you want it to do, cut the motor! 9 out of 10 times this will greatly decrease the chances of any serious damage, but of course this depends on the situation.
- And by far the most important point to remember when flying your airplane is this... Have fun!
Remember also that flying model airplanes for the first time is a nerve-racking experience, so don't be too concerned if you find your heart in your mouth and your hands getting shakey! Just keep things smooth, and practice at your own pace (and the model's).
With time you'll gain much confidence and will soon be able to move on to bigger and better rc airplanes, and impressive aerobatic stunts.
Related pages
Balancing RC airplanes - more specific CG info.
Ground school - lessons that you should know before you start flying rc airplanes.
RC flying do's and don'ts - some basic safety tips.
RC flight simulators - perfect those rc airplane aerobatics in safety!
Training methods - ways of learning how to fly rc airplanes and helicopters.
RC airplane controls - the primary ones and what they do.
Park Flyers - an overview of smaller size electric airplanes.
