Getting Started in RC Airplanes and Helicopters
Building and flying RC airplanes, helicopters and model aircraft in general has become a very popular hobby in recent years, and more and more people are discovering the fun of radio control flying, all over the world.
'RC' stands for radio control, and refers to any toy or model that is controlled by radio signals sent out from a hand-held transmitter to a receiver, which is located inside the model.
You'll often see RC airplanes and helicopters referred to as 'remote control' but this is technically incorrect. Radio control is the correct term.
In past years, RC aircraft, particularly helicopters, have been relatively expensive, and you had to have a good knowledge of model building techniques to know how to assemble a kit from plans, and how to install and set up the radio control gear and motor.
But since the mid 1990s, that has changed and many RC airplanes and helicopters can now be bought as RTF models, which stands for Ready To Fly.
RTF means what it says; the model is pre-assembled by the manufacturer, the radio control gear and motor have been installed and set up and there is not much for you, the consumer, to do apart from put the RC gear batteries into the transmitter, possibly do some very basic final assembly work (like fixing the wing to the fuselage, for example), and taking to the skies!
RTF airplanes and helicopters can be either electric powered or gas powered. In the RC world, the name 'gas' is a generalization, but more often than not the model will have a glow plug engine, running on a special fuel that contains nitro-methane. Hence, you'll often see the models referred to as 'nitro' powered as well. Gasoline and diesel engines are other options. Collectively, all these engines come under the 'IC' label - Internal Combustion.
Gas, or IC, models need a lot more accessories than electric models, simply because of the motor. Also, gas powered models are generally bigger and faster than electric, and have a steeper learning curve.
Electric RC airplanes and helicopters are far easier and cheaper for newcomers to the hobby, because they are clean, quiet and relatively uncomplicated.
The very popular 'Park Flyer' or 'Slow Flyer' style electric planes are introducing many new RC pilots to the hobby because of these reasons.
Because they are clean, quiet and small, they can be flown in any good-size open area, hence the name Park Flyer. Public parks, sports fields or empty parking lots/school yards become useable airspace, so long as flying an RC model is allowed there in the first place. This is actually an important thing to find out before you fly your model, or you may get into trouble with the local authorities!
The best design airplane to get if you have no flying experience is a high wing trainer. Airplanes with the wing on top of the fuselage have a lot more flight stability than planes with the wing below the fuselage. Another important point is the amount of dihedral that the plane has. Dihedral is the upward angle of the wings when viewing the model from the front, and the more dihedral there is, the more stable and forgiving the plane will be in the air.
Many electric RTF RC airplanes are high wing, and are designed for beginners with no model flying experience.
The same rule applies to gas airplanes. High wing models with good dihedral always make the best beginner planes, or trainers.
A major difference between gas and electric airplanes is where you can fly them. As previously mentioned, electric ones can usually be flown in public places, but gas airplanes should only be flown at a model flying club field, or on private land with the owner's permission.
This is simply because they are bigger, noisier and faster than their electric cousins. In short, they are more dangerous and have a much higher 'nuisance factor' to anyone who is about trying to enjoy the peaceful outdoors!
But if you do want to get into the hobby of RC flying by jumping in at the deep end with a gas model, finding your local model flying club is the best thing that you can do as a first step.
Of course, the above information goes for RC helicopters too.
In fact, electric RC helicopters have really changed the face of the hobby in recent years. They are so much more affordable to buy than ever, and many modern RTF helicopters are designed for the complete beginner.
So even if you've never held an RC helicopter before, you can soon be piloting an electric model helicopter without too much trouble, although this obviously depends on the model in question.
Many RTF helicopters even come with their own flight simulation software - just load it onto your home computer and practice in complete safety first, without running the risk of crashing.
And on that note, RC flight simulators are an excellent training aid. There are several top quality simulators out there, and if you want to take the hobby a bit more seriously, investing in one is a great idea. The software is extremely realistic, giving you the opportunity to practice flying an RC airplane or helicopter in complete safety, from home.
These days, there are hundreds of model airplanes and helicopters to choose from, but always be sure of what you're buying first. Check out reviews if you can, there are plenty online, and be confident that the model is suitable for a beginner.
If there is an RC flying club nearby, go along to the field one weekend and chat to fellow modelers. Any advice that you can pick up from a club will be invaluable in your early days of starting out in the hobby.
The good thing is that with the models now available, getting into the hobby of radio control flying has never been easier or more affordable!
If you'd like to read about many different aspects of this addictive pastime, RC Airplane World is a comprehensive 'Getting Started' Guide to radio control flying, with information such as how to choose a suitable model, how to have a successful first flight and how radio control systems work.
The site also includes a large radio control club directory, so you may be able to find a club close to home.
Pete Carpenter.
Author/owner of RC Airplane World, and a general 'RC head'!
