RC airplane training methods
There are several effective rc airplane training methods when it comes to learning to fly radio control, and this page will give you a brief insight into each one. The methods given here also apply to rc helicopters of course, but for the main part we'll stick with airplanes.
The important thing to remember when learning to fly rc is that it will take you some time to gain confidence and better your flying skills. As with everything in life, anyone who wants to learn something new has to start on the very bottom rung of the ladder! RC airplane training is no different, and you need to learn to walk before you can run, as they say.
The beauty is that these days many rc airplanes and helicopters are very user-friendly, and there is a huge choice of RTF (Ready To Fly) trainers available as entry-level models. So, the chances are that whichever rc airplane training method you decide to go with, your life has already been made easier by the 'flyer-friendliness' of your plane.
The 3 main rc airplane training methods described on this page are:
RC flight simulators
An ever-increasing method of rc airplane training is to use an rc flight simulator such as the excellent RealFlight simulators
.
The simulator is very realistic and powerful software that runs on your home computer, and replicates flying model aircraft down to the finest detail. The G4.5 includes a realistic multi-channel transmitter interface that connects to your computer via a USB port, but many rc flight sims don't include such an interface but instead rely on your own transmitter to control the aircraft.
Top of the range simulators are outstandingly realistic and let you practice your radio control flying in perfect safety, without the worry of wrecking your beloved model!
RC flight simulators are an excellent training aid if your budget will stretch to one, and should be seriously considered if you're even just half-serious about rc flying. Read more about rc flight simulators.
Club instruction
Without doubt this is the best method of rc airplane and (especially) helicopter flight training, and is the option you should choose if you want to jump in at the deep end with a gas model rather than electric.
Getting yourself along to a local rc flying club is a great idea if you want to take the hobby seriously. Use our club directory to see if there's one close to where you live. Most clubs have certified instructors, or at least experienced rc pilots who are willing to teach, and many clubs even have a club trainer airplane reserved for use by new members, so you can 'fly before you buy!'
If learning to fly rc at a club, there are a few methods that you'll probably encounter...
The first one is the traditional method of side-by-side instruction, either by sharing a single transmitter or using a Buddy Box system.
For single tx, or 'pass-the-box', instruction your instructor will show and tell you what to do, and if you get into difficulty he will take the transmitter from you and regain control of the airplane. When your heart has stopped racing and your hands have stopped shaking, he'll hand back the transmitter and you can have another go.
The Buddy Box system is a better way of learning, and you and your instructor each hold a separate transmitter.
In conventional BB systems the transmitters are joined together by cable; the instructor holds the master transmitter while you, the student, hold the slave. With the flick of a switch, the instructor can hand over or take away complete control from you, without having to take the transmitter from your hands.
The buddy box system shown right is a true system whereby the slave tx can only ever be used with the master tx, but the majority of modern radio systems have a BB training capability where real transmitters can be connected to one another.
An alternative to the cabled system is the Wireless Buddy Box: Second In Command (www.2icrc.com) can be used for both novice and advanced training for any RC vehicle.
The short description is that it's a replacement for the conventional Buddy Box system of linking two transmitters, with the difference that it does it in the plane. The advantages may not seem immediately obvious, but what this allows is for two completely disparate Tx/Rx systems to be used to control the plane. For example, the instructor can be on 2.4Ghz Futaba, and the student on a Spektrum system.
Second In Command manages all this by allowing two receivers to plug into the box pictured above. Therefore, the aircraft now carries two receivers (one for the instructor and the other for the trainee) and the Wireless Buddy Box. The in-flight buddy box is connected to both receivers, the servos being toggled between the two pilots and a battery.
Any switch/toggle or dial on the instructor's tx can be set to operate the unit to allow switching between the receivers; in contrast, the cable buddy box uses fixed toggles/slider/button, depending on brand, that cannot be reassigned and has to be pressed at all times to give control to the trainee - this can be very wearing on the finger!
Scratch the surface a little bit and other interesting uses become possible as you can, for instance, switch just one or two channels over to the trainee. So you could allow someone to learn how to hover and torque roll one channel at a time, as some flight simulators allow. Similarly, you can learn how to fly a helicopter one channel at a time (just like real pilots in flight school) while the instructor manages the rest of the controls for you. And if you're flying a high priced model, you could use it as insurance against link issues if you're using different channels/systems.
With the Second In Command wireless Buddy Box system, the pilots are also naturally not bound by the cable. Many clubs also have public access days where you can have the general public get on a buddy box and have a go. With this you could buddy box the student system and rotate the students on two Tx's and leave the instructor alone with his system.
Buddy Box systems aside, one other method of rc flight training you might see at a club is the Ragland Technique, developed by New York based rc flight instructor Clarence Ragland.
Clarence has been instructing rc for over 30 years and his method involves side-by-side instruction, but without using a Buddy Box or 'pass-the-box' system. For the Ragland Technique, the instructor holds and controls the tx sticks with thumb and forefinger, while the student places his/her thumbs on to the instructor's. As the sticks are moved by the instructor, so the student can feel the amount of movement being made and see the response by the aircraft.
More detailed information on Clarence's technique can be read at www.raglandtechnique.com.
Self-teach
You could be forgiven for thinking that teaching yourself to fly rc airplanes and helicopters is not a very realistic training method. But the fact is that many RTF airplanes these days have been designed with the complete newcomer in mind, and are very simple to fly.
Airplanes such as the electric 1 or 2 channel Park Flyers can be flown pretty much out of the box, and they make an excellent introduction to the hobby. They can be flown without experience, but following the manufacturer's instructions is of paramount importance when you start out.
Similarly, many electric rc helicopters are aimed at the beginner. The coaxial rc helicopters such as the Blade CX2, shown below, are particularly stable and can be mastered very quickly. Many such electric helicopters, including the CX2, come with their own flight simulation software which is a great idea and incentive to purchase such a model.
Above left, many Park Flyers and, right, coaxial helicopters
are suitable for self-teaching rc flying
With gas rc airplanes however, it's a different story. Gas planes are bigger and faster, and so self teaching isn't really recommended although it is quite possible.
If something goes wrong with a gas airplane in the air, the results can be quite nasty. For this reason, learning to fly a gas rc airplane and particularly a gas helicopter is best done under club instruction.
However you choose to undertake your rc airplane training is dependant on the opportunities available to you. The kind of aircraft that you want to fly also makes a big difference ie whether you're happy to start with a 1 or 2 channel electric Park Flyer, or whether you're keen to skip that level and start with something more serious.
Of course, you can combine any or all of the rc airplane training methods talked about above and really accelerate your flying training!
The bottom line is that there are no hard and fast rules, but the thing to remember is to be responsible, but have fun while learning your new hobby!
Related pages
Learning to fly rc airplanes - a few 'Ground School' lessons to get under your belt.
How to fly airplanes - RC flight school for beginners.
RC flight simulators - the safest way of learning.
RealFlight G4 sim - a closer look at a modern rc flight simulator
RC airplane controls - the primary ones and what they do.
RC flying do's and don'ts - some basic safety tips.
RC flying FAQ - some common questions about getting in to rc flying.
RC flying glossary - meaning to common flying phrases and words.
