RC powered gliders
For a gentle introduction to radio control flying, rc powered gliders are an ideal answer; their stable and forgiving flight characteristics give beginners lots of time to react!
But what is a powered glider? Essentially, it's a standard design glider with a motor added. The motor powers a folding propeller, and this is key to reducing drag when the power is switched off.
A very nice example of an electric RTF (Ready To Fly) rc powered glider is the ParkZone Radian, shown below...
The Radian has a two meter wingspan, making it a good size powered glider capable of riding the thermals on a warm day. An rc powered glider like this will reward you with very long flight times, with careful use of the power and good soaring skills!
Folding propeller
RC powered gliders are equipped with a folding propeller to reduce drag when the motor is not in use.
The blades of the prop are hinged at the root, and when the motor is running the blades are in their normal forward position, thus pulling the glider through the air. But when the motor is shut off, the wind over the blades pushes them back so that they lie flat against the side of the nose of the glider, drastically reducing any unwanted drag while the glider is gliding.
Turn the power on again, and the blades flick out to generate thrust once more.
Above: the folding propeller blades of an rc powered glider at work: left, the blades in their normal positions when the motor is on, powering the glider through the air. Right, with the motor off the forward motion of the glider through the air pushes the blades back to lie flat against the nose, thus reducing drag.
Flying an RC powered glider
RC powered gliders are, more often than not, very gentle birds. They have stable and forgiving flight characteristics, giving you plenty of time to react.
But the thing that makes them so attractive is the length of flight times possible; on a good day, flights of an hour might not be uncommon. You hand launch the glider with full power, and use the motor to climb to a good altitude. Once reached, turn the motor off and let the soaring capabilities take over!
With a nice steady breeze and good thermals, the glider will stay aloft for as long as your soaring skills allow. If it does start to lose altitude, simply turn the motor back on and commence another climb! Repeating this process means that the motor battery pack won't be drained quickly, and your flight will last and last.
RC powered gliders are, in my opinion, one of the best introductions to powered rc flight available. And they give you the best of both worlds; power when you need it, a glider when you don't!
If you're looking for some relaxing and easy radio control flying, a powered glider is without doubt the answer.
See the Radian rc powered glider in more detail.
Related pages
RC gliders - the non-powered variety.
ParkZone Radian - overview of this powered glider.
Thermal soaring - how to use thermals effectively.
Electric rc airplanes - read about other types of electric planes.
