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RC flying FAQ (getting started)

This page contains answers to some common questions that you might be wondering about with regard to getting started in the hobby of rc flying.

If you don't have the time to read the whole page, please use the following links to jump straight to that particular answer:

• Why fly a radio control model airplane?
• Radio control or remote control, what's the difference?
• But it's gonna cost me heaps, right?
• But don't I need to join a club or something?
• Can I fly anywhere, when I feel like it?
• Ok, I want to try it - how do I learn to fly?
• Don't I need some kind of insurance?
• I don't understand all the rc 'channel' talk
• Glider, electric, gas, airplane, helicopter.....how do I choose?
• So what makes a good first model airplane?
• Do I buy a plan, a kit or a Ready To Fly model?

"Why fly a radio control model airplane?"

Having been personally involved in all types of model airplanes through the years, from the simplest elastic band powered balsa kits to multi channel rc, I can recommend the hobby as one of the most rewarding hobbies to have.

Flying an rc model airplane puts you in control (most of the time...!) and can teach you all kinds of interesting stuff; model building techniques, basic airplane design and construction aspects, basic aerodynamics, electronic issues, engine issues....the list goes on and on.

And on top of all that, the hobby will take you from the comfort of your 'hobby room' to the great outdoors, mixing with all kinds of like-minded folks from all age groups and backgrounds.

"Radio control or remote control, what's the difference?"

Basically, 'radio control' is the correct term. However, rc models are often referred to as 'remote control' because the true definition of this term is 'to control something from a remote (separate) location'.

But traditionally, models that are genuinely remote control are joined to the transmitter by a cable, through which the signals pass. True 'radio control' means that the model is controlled by radio waves and hence there are no cables.

More often than not, if you see the term 'remote control airplane' it will be radio controlled with the use of a separate and unattached transmitter.

"But it's gonna cost me heaps, right?"

Yes and no....
These days, a basic electric rc airplane can be bought for under a hundred dollars and this kind of model can be flown in almost any decent sized open space. So you can at least get going in the hobby without having to spend a fortune.

A typical 3 or 4 channel RTF gas trainer (or ARF with the engine and radio gear purchased separately) will cost you a few hundred dollars plus another 100 dollars or so for the essential field equipment items.
On top of that you might have club membership and insurance fees along with fuel expenses and spare parts, glow plugs etc., but all these costs are very low - probably under a couple of hundred dollars spread over the year.

At the top end of the scale, you can spend as much money as you earn - a serious rc airplane, top of the range radio set and all the trimmings can cost thousands, but by the time you're spending this kind of money you're entering the national model airplane championships and such like!

So it can be an expensive hobby if you want it to be, or it can be a very cheap hobby if you want to keep it simple.

The great thing is that these days you can try the hobby for not much money at all, and if you don't like it then you haven't lost much (used rc airplanes sell great on ebay...).
And if you do like it, you can always fly to suit your budget!

"But don't I need to join a club or something?"

Ideally yes, but it's not always necessary.
If you're completely new to the game then getting yourself along to a local club is probably the best thing you can do. Locating one shouldn't be too difficult, just visit the website of your country's rc flying governing body, or use the RC Airplane World club directory to try and locate a model flying club close to your home town.

RC airplane modelers are a very friendly bunch of people and the majority of clubs welcome newcomers, even if it's just to have a look at what's going on.

If you can't find a local club, it's not the end of the world. A simple 2 or 3 channel electric airplane can be flown in a public park or any large open space, so long as it's permitted (see next question)...

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"Can I fly anywhere, when I feel like it?"

This depends on where you live, and again, visiting the web site of your national governing body should tell you where you can or cannot fly in your country.
In the UK for instance, flying in public places is usually prohibited because of local bye-laws, whereas in the USA such local regulations may vary from state to state.

Wherever you live, it is essential that you check beforehand whether flying a radio control model airplane is allowed, or you may end up with a hefty fine!
Furthermore, you need to be very aware of any possible frequency interference that could cause you to lose control of the model, with potentially disastrous consequences if in a public place.

So wherever you think you want to fly, always check first!

"Ok, I want to try it - how do I learn to fly?"

As with everything, it takes time.
How you learn is up to you, but for anything other than a simple 1 or 2 channel electric rc airplane or rc glider, getting an experienced model airplane pilot to teach you is without doubt the best method, which would normally require joining a local model flying club.

Investing in an rc simulator would be a very wise choice as these greatly increase your reaction skills and can greatly decrease the occasions that you pick your model airplane up off the ground in more than the desired one piece.

A recent great invention is the buddy box system. This requires 2 compatible transmitters that are connected via a cable, one transmitter being the master and the other the slave.
Complete control can be handed from the master to the slave at the flick of a switch, enabling the student pilot to have full control of the airplane, but allowing the instructor to regain immediate control in times of difficulty. Again, benefiting from this kind of training would usually mean having to join a club.

"Don't I need some kind of insurance?"

Usually yes, but it's not always mandatory.
Many model airplane clubs require that you carry a good third-party liability policy, and this kind of insurance nearly always comes with membership of national rc flying governing bodies, another club requirement in most cases.

An rc model airplane - particularly gas powered - can cause a lot of damage to people and property, even death, (but fortunately that's very rare ) so again check the local flying requirements before you fly.

"I don't understand all the rc channel talk"

Rather than answering this directly, have a look at the radio control frequencies page.

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"Glider, electric, gas, airplane, helicopter.....how do I choose?"

This really comes down to personal preferences.
Most people know whether they want to fly a conventional airplane or a helicopter, it's usually a question of whether to start with a glider, electric or gas powered. Obviously gliding helicopters are few and far between, so let's just talk about planes for the minute.

An rc glider is a good model to learn on but limits you to where you can fly; either you need access to a steep slope or cliff, or you need to find an area big enough to make a bungee launch, or join a club. Powered gliders, however, are a better option and give you the best of both worlds.
Note though, that many rc airplane clubs don't accept gliders due to their limited ability of sudden collision avoidance maneuvers.
If you do want to fly an rc glider, it's better to join a club specific to gliding and slope soaring.

Flying a rc glider is pretty easy and can be self taught if the glider is a basic high wing 2 channel type, so therefore is a good introduction to rc flying. Of course, you may just want to fly something non-powered.

Radio control gas powered airplanes are usually what people head for and account for the largest sector of the hobby.
Bear in mind the amount of field equipment you will need; fuel, fuel pump, tool set, starter battery, glow plug battery, spare glow plugs etc. etc., although in your early days any fellow flyer will be able to help you out if flying at a club.

It probably sounds worse than it is, a single field box will happily hold all you need, including the radio control transmitter.

Electric rc airplanes have surged in popularity recently and have introduced thousands of people to the hobby. They eliminate the need to carry lots of accessories and because of their quietness and slower flying speeds, they can be flown in public places such as school yards and parks - providing that flying an rc model airplane is permitted in the first place, of course.
Electric rc airplanes make the best introduction to powered radio control flight.

Electric rc helicopters aren't as easy to fly as a plane, but are more rewarding and have the added advantage of being able to be flown indoors.

Many of today's electric helicopters are very stable and a lot more straightforward than their larger gas powered cousins; indeed, the majority of RTF electric helicopters have been designed with the complete newcomer in mind, and improved flight stability has been high on the manufacturer's list of design features.

Gas rc helicopters are a step or two up from electric helis and require a completely different budget. Self-teaching isn't really recommended although there are training aids such as 'hover rings' that facilitate the process of learning to fly yourself, and indeed I do know more than one person who has successfully taught themselves to fly a gas rc helicopter to a high standard.

However, a local instructor and the investment of an rc simulator would both be invaluable training aids for anyone looking to fly model helis.

"So what makes a good first model airplane?"

For your first model, don't rush out and buy a scale model Fokker Triplane - save that for your more experienced days later on.
The classic 'trainer' design that you should buy will have high wing, flat or semi-symmetrical wing section and noticeable dihedral, all adding up to good stability in the air.

To see some good trainer examples, take a look at the Megatech Freedom Flyer for a semi-scale model or the Piper Cub for a scale model. You'll see that both are a simple high wing design, with dihedral. That's exactly what you need to learn to fly on, and as you become more experienced you can move on to more advanced models.

"Do I buy a plan, a kit or a Ready To Fly model?"

This is really down to personal preference and how eager you are to get flying.
Many people see the building of a model airplane as the major attraction and it certainly gives you a lot of self satisfaction. Or you may not be bothered about the building aspect but just want to fly.

For a beginner, buying an RTF (Ready To Fly) or ARF (Almost Ready To Fly) airplane is the best option, as they will enable you to be flying in the quickest possible time and they don't require much model building knowledge.

Building a model airplane from scratch using balsa wood and working from plans is a time consuming process and needs a medium to high standard of model building skills and knowledge, although ultimately very rewarding.

Something else to bear in mind is the 'repairability' of the model; damage usually occurs to a model airplane at some time or another and the easier the original construction was, the easier it is to repair.
Fortunately most of the RTF and ARF models such as the Megatech range have a very good range of spare parts available such as wings, tailplanes, props etc. so if something horrible goes wrong at the flying field then at least you know that you can replace the part properly and have your model back to flying status in a short time.

 

Related pages & resources

Why fly RC airplanes? - reasons to get into radio control flying!