RC airplane frequencies
[This page refers to FM rc airplane frequencies for the USA & Canada;
see the links on the right to check frequencies in other countries.]
A certain number of radio frequencies have been designated by law for use with rc airplanes and aircraft being controlled with an FM rc system (ie not 2.4GHz). They fall into the 72MHz band and each separate frequency has been given a unique channel number.
This channel number, though, has nothing to do with the number of channels that an rc airplane has, it's just the same word with a different meaning. Saying that an rc airplane is 4 channel means that it has 4 controllable functions (eg throttle, elevator, rudder and ailerons), not that it is being flown on channel number 4!
RC models operating close to one another cannot do so on the same frequency because the radio waves being sent out from one transmitter will interfere with the radio waves being sent out by the other transmitter. If this happens, the receiver in the model won't know which signals to respond to.
This almost always results in the model going out of control, and the inevitable crash soon follows!
For this reason, it's very important that you check to see whether anyone else is flying an rc airplane nearby before you switch on your transmitter, and if so, which frequency they are using. A frequency checker is an excellent investment, especially if you intend flying your aircraft in public places.
If you join a club there will be a frequency control system in operation. The normal method is to use a peg board, whereby each member flying their airplane inserts a peg into the hole of the corresponding channel, thus letting other pilots know that that particular channel is occupied.
A typical rc flying club peg board will look something like this (with a bit of imagination)...
Above, an rc flying club peg board. This example shows that channels 12, 16, 33, 45, and 58 are in use. These channels are not available until the pilot finishes flying and turns off his/her rc system, thus freeing up that channel.
Designated frequencies in the 72MHz band
It's worth noting that rc cars and boats use frequencies in the 27 and 75MHz bands, and unfortunately some RTF planes do use 27MHz. So if someone is running an rc car or boat nearby it's a very good idea to ask them which frequency they are using, just in case.
The rc airplane frequencies and associated channel numbers in the 72MHz band are given in the following table:
| Ch.# / Frequency (MHz) | Ch.# / Frequency (MHz) | Ch.# / Frequency (MHz) |
| 11 / 72.010 | 28 / 72.350 | 45 / 72.690 |
| 12 / 72.030 | 29 / 72.370 | 46 / 72.710 |
| 13 / 72.050 | 30 / 72.390 | 47 / 72.730 |
| 14 / 72.070 | 31 / 72.410 | 48 / 72.750 |
| 15 / 72.090 | 32 / 72.430 | 49 / 72.770 |
| 16 / 72.110 | 33 / 72.450 | 50 / 72.790 |
| 17 / 72.130 | 34 / 72.470 | 51 / 72.810 |
| 18 / 72.150 | 35 / 72.490 | 52 / 72.830 |
| 19 / 72.170 | 36 / 72.510 | 53 / 72.850 |
| 20 / 72.190 | 37 / 72.530 | 54 / 72.870 |
| 21 / 72.210 | 38 / 72.550 | 55 / 72.890 |
| 22 / 72.230 | 39 / 72.570 | 56 / 72.910 |
| 23 / 72.250 | 40 / 72.590 | 57 / 72.930 |
| 24 / 72.270 | 41 / 72.610 | 58 / 72.950 |
| 25 / 72.290 | 42 / 72.630 | 59 / 72.970 |
| 26 / 72.310 | 43 / 72.650 | 60 / 72.990 |
| 27 / 72.330 | 44 / 72.670 |
It's so important not to ignore rc airplane frequencies, especially if you're flying in a public park. Always take a few minutes, before switching on your rc set, to check for other rc users in the area!
See a frequency checker for 72MHz rc airplane frequencies.
Related pages & resources
Designated frequencies for the UK.
Designated frequencies for Australia.
Designated frequencies for New Zealand.
Radio control gear - what it is and how it works.
The FAI list of international frequency designation (external link).
