Some more RC airplane aerobatics
Here are some more rc airplane aerobatics that you might like to try, if you've had success with the loop, roll and stall turn shown here.
The three aerobatic maneuvers shown on this page are the Immelmann Turn, Split-S and spin. Out of the three, the spin is the most risky because it requires the most altitude to recover from; the Immelmann turn and Split-S are fairly basic maneuvers that don't require much airspace. These 3 rc airplane aerobatics are best performed with planes with aileron control, unfortunately rudder alone won't do the job.
The Immelmann Turn:
Named after the German WWI fighter ace Max Immelmann, this aerobatic maneuver is a modified and simplified version of his attack maneuver that he used during dogfights.
How to do it: Commence the maneuver as if performing a standard inside loop i.e. enter the maneuver from straight and level flight at point A in the picture above, with full power. Let the airplane complete its vertical climb and roll over onto its back, then at point C use aileron to roll through 180 degrees.
Level the airplane out once it has rolled over, and exit the maneuver on a straight and level course, higher than and in the opposite direction to your initial entry course.
Below is the Immelmann Turn on video (on the RealFlight G4 rc flight simulator), including close-ups of the Tx stick inputs and the airplane's response...
The Split-S:
The Split-S is essentially an inverted Immelmann turn, if you like.
How to do it: Starting with straight and level flight at a higher altitude, the airplane is rolled through 180 degrees at the start of the maneuver. Up elevator is applied as soon as the airplane is inverted, and the throttle reduced. The airplane then enters an 'inverted' dive and is flown towards the ground.
Keeping up elevator applied, the airplane is pulled out of the dive and returned to straight and level flight to exit the Split-S maneuver. No rolling out is necessary, as the airplane will already be the correct way up.
Below is the Split-S on video (on the RealFlight G4 rc flight simulator), including close-ups of the Tx stick inputs and the airplane's response...
The Spin:
The spin is a favourite rc airplane aerobatic maneuver and spins can go very well or disastrously wrong, depending on how much altitude you leave yourself to recover! During a spin, the airplane flies vertically downwards while rotating about it's longitudinal axis (ie about its fuselage). Ailerons are needed for a smooth spin, trying to spin your airplane with rudder only will more than likely result in nothing more than a wishy-washy 'spiral dive'.
How to do it: Enter the maneuver into wind, flying straight and level but at a slow speed and with plenty of altitude (point 'A' in the picture above). Slow your airplane further by reducing throttle completely and applying up elevator - not too much, but just enough to initiate a full stall. The timing here is quite critical, you need to apply full rudder and full aileron (both in the same direction) just as the airplane stalls, point 'B' in the picture.
If you've got it right, the airplane will continue its stall while entering a spin. Keep both rudder and aileron fully deflected for as long as you want to hold the spin. Recovery is simply a case of returning rudder and aileron to neutral while applying up elevator and throttle to pull the airplane out of the dive (point 'C').
Below is the spin on video (on the RealFlight G4 rc flight simulator), including close-ups of the Tx stick inputs and the airplane's response...
Related pages
Basic RC airplane aerobatics - the loop, outside loop and stall turn.
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!
ParkZone Extra 300 - very nice foam scale aerobatic example.
