RC Guide

Find the correct electrical RC Airplanes for Your talent Level and Budget

2013-05-14T16:21:00.000-07:00

Many adults and youngsters love the fun and excitement of flying electrical RC airplanes; but, selecting the model that's right for you'll be able to typically be to a small degree confusing, particularly after you see the massive assortment you've got to decide on from. everybody looks to need the newest and greatest models; those capable of doing spectacular tricks with exactness mobility, however these airplanes square measure sometimes not the simplest planes to place within thehands of a toddler or amateur amateur United Nations agency is simply learning to fly. fortuitously, there square measure lots of alternative choices that don't seem to be solely easier to be told a way to maneuver, however far more cheap also.

Today, you'll be able to like better to style and build your own electrical RC airplanesor you'll be able to decide a kit that has everything you would like already in it. As you become superior at flying, you may doubtless need to affix an area RC flying club. this will be an excellent thanks to meet others United Nations agency additionally get pleasure from your hobby and it's actually a beautiful thanks to gain expertise and learn a lot of concerning RC planes and the way to keep up them. If you fly electrical RC airplanes, the time can return once you can need to form repairs, modifications or just begin building a replacement plane.

If you quit associated watch an RC club on one in every of their flying days, you may quickly see that the immense array of electrical RC airplanes are often impressive. In fact, for the new amateur, it are often terribly overwhelming making an attempt to determine that model or complete is that the best for a beginner. as luck would have it, alternative enthusiasts and even RC hobby retailers will give an excellent deal of data, recommendation and choices to assist you discover the plane that most closely fits your wants.

Caring for and maintaining your electrical RC aeroplane are one thing that you just place lots valuable in. After all, your plane is at the guts of your hobby and guaranteeing that it's in good shape and well-cared for is important to the flying expertise. as luck would have it, you'll be able to walk into associate RC hobby search and notice a huge assortment of components and accessories for your RC aeroplane. the kind of accessories you decide on can rely on your ability level, the kind of plane you fly and your personal budget; but, the fun of flying RC airplanes isn't one thing that needs an excellent deal of cash. Even the with modesty priced planes are often an amazing quantity of fun.

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When you area unit simply learning a way to fly an electrical RC aeroplane, it's vital to appreciate that the chance of experiencing a crash is extremely high. For this reason, it's generally best to begin off with a cheap trainer plane that may simply be repaired, if necessary. A crash are some things that comes with the training curve, however once you've got perfect flying your aeroplane, you may get pleasure from several enjoyable hours out flying a plane that you just will experience in.

Caring for and maintaining your electrical RC aeroplane are one thing that you just place lots valuable in. After all, your plane is at the guts of your hobby and guaranteeing that it's in good shape and well-cared for is important to the flying expertise. as luck would have it, you'll be able to walk into associate RC hobby search and notice a huge assortment of components and accessories for your RC aeroplane. the kind of accessories you decide on can rely on your ability level, the kind of plane you fly and your personal budget; but, the fun of flying RC airplanes isn't one thing that needs an excellent deal of cash. Even the with modesty priced planes are often an amazing quantity of fun.

Building Great Hobby RC Planes

2013-04-23T15:24:00.003-07:00

For children and adults alike, a great pastime is making and flying hobby RC planes. These come in a variety of styles, so the extent of how involved you want to get will dictate what type of plane you wish to get.

The first consideration would be the type of engine you prefer. Gas powered engines are more powerful than battery powered versions. They have better performance, but require more maintenance. If the fuel and oil mix is not right, the engine can be quite temperamental as well. The gas engines can be purchased already assembled or you can get a kit that you have to build the engine.

Battery powered planes are not as powerful, but are far easier to maintain. There is no initial building of these engines. As long as there is a charged battery, they are ready to fly. This type is great for the beginner due to the ease of use.

Time commitment is something to consider. If you want a plane out of the box that is ready to fly, look for something different than if you want to build it from the ground up and take your time shaping the body and building the engine.

For those who are serious about the construction and the entire process, kits are to be avoided. You will want to hand pick the parts you put in the plane and form the wings and body all by hand. This is going to be a more expensive and time consuming method, but it will certainly be something to be proud of the first time you fly your plane.

Kit planes come in a variety of styles and prices. Some kits are considered RTF or ready to fly. All you have to do is put in the radio and paint the body and it's ready. Others require more involvement, but will generally be quite easy to construct. Kits include easy to follow directions to make it a breeze.

The radio control is usually an additional item that is not included with the plane. These are quite varied, so it is up to the individual as to what type of equipment to purchase. It is usually best not to scrimp when it come to the radio. With a lesser model, there will be less control. If you have multiple planes, you need to make sure to get different frequencies. Also, if flying with other planes, make sure your frequency does not interfere with others. This is the easiest way to crash a plane.

Whether it is a kit or a custom plane, building your own hobby RC plane is a great pastime for all.

Are you looking at RC plane kits? For great information and resources on RC jet planes, be sure to visit my site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4552553

Secrets to snap rolls

2013-04-21T05:26:00.002-07:00

Inside and outside snap rolls can add great excitement to your flying while opening up a whole new world of maneuver possibilities. Outside, or “negative,” snap rolls are accomplished by applying full (normal rate) down-elevator while at the same time cross-controlling the rudder and aileron. How does this work? The ailerons produce the same direction of rotation whether the snap is inside or outside; however, during an outside snap, the rudder causes the tail to rotate in the opposite direction in which the rudder is applied. Because of this, the rudder must be input opposite the aileron to achieve the same rotation as the aileron during an outside snap roll.

Here’s an example. During a right out-side snap roll, full-forward elevator is used to cause the wing to exceed the plane’s critical (negative) angle of attack and stall. At the same time, aileron and rudder rotate the airplane clockwise to the right. A close examination will show that left rudder actually moves the tail clockwise during a right outside snap. Just remember to cross-control the aileron and rudder inputs when performing an outside snap roll.

The direction in which you apply aileron determines whether it is a left or right snap. During initial training when you’re remembering the stick positions for each, it helps to think of a left outside snap as a “meter snap,” with both sticks applied toward the traditional top center location of the transmitter’s battery meter. A right outside snap is an “outside corners” snap. Note that if your model is greatly overpowered, you may want to snap at a lower throttle setting, especially when the airplane is descending.

Most airplanes outside snap-roll better to the right (with left rudder and help from the propeller slipstream). Many people also find that right snaps are more comfortable because their fingers don’t have to stretch as far. Stopping a snap is accomplished by simply neutralizing the controls. Keep in mind that the snap will continue a bit farther in the split second that it takes you to neutralize the controls and for the airflow to reattach to the wing. Therefore, you’ll need to start neutralizing the controls a split second before you actually want the snap to stop.

FLYING AN OUTSIDE AVALANCHE

Whereas the typical stunt pilot often seeks stimulus through taking risks and buying new equipment, the proficient aerobatic pilot energizes his flying by introducing variations and rearranging maneuver components to come up with new maneuvers. One example is adding an outside snap roll to the top of an outside loop to perform an outside avalanche.

After establishing a parallel line with the wings perfectly level, an outside avalanche is performed by pushing into an outside loop and then inputting an outside snap roll at the top of the loop. The snap is stopped with the wings perfectly level (upright), and then the plane is pushed through to complete the outside loop. At this point, students of precision aerobatics should emphasize their use of left rudder during the first half of the loop to correct any negative P-factor and prevent sideways drift prior to the snap. Keep in mind that most of the problems people experience with this maneuver are due to performing a poor loop because the pilot is thinking ahead about the snap. Consequently, the snap usually ends up magniflying the deviations that originated during the loop. On the other hand, a pilot can get away with a less than stellar snap when the loop that led up to snap was tracking truly vertical.

Snapping to an “Attitude”Correctly stopping whole-number snap rolls (1 or 2) is obvious, however, stopping fractional snap rolls such as 1/4 requires an awareness of which attitude the plane needs to be in when the snaps are completed.

In other words, since there is little time to count fractions of snaps, you instead snap the airplane to a predetermined attitude. For example: when a 1/2 outside snap rolls are performed from an upright attitude on top of an outside loop, you must stop the snaps with the airplane inverted (setting the stage for a pull into the back side of the loop).

Another option is to perform the first half of the loop inside (pulling), execute 1/2 snaps, and push into the back side of the loop. In this version, the airplane would approach the top of the loop inverted, and the pilot would snap the airplane to the upright attitude prior to pushing to complete the loop.

Because the airplane travels some distance throughout the snap, it’s important to initiate the snap a little before the top of the loop to center the snap overall across the top of the loop, i.e., 1:00.

A double outside snap at the top of a loop is another variant of the avalanche. Because the double snap offers more time to anticipate when to neutralize the con- trols with the wings level, most pilots find that the double snap avalanche is easier than a single. Keep in mind that the double snap will take longer to complete and must therefore be initiated a little earlier than where you start a single snap to keep the snaps centered over the top of the loop, e.g., 1:30.

Initiate an outside loop with the wings level. As the airspeed decreases, add left rudder to correct for negative P-factor and maintain a precise vertical track during the first half of the loop.

Another awesome avalanche variant is accomplished by performing a half snap rolls at the top of a loop and, to the awe of those who are able to discern what happened, completing the loop with the airplane in a reverse attitude to what it was at the start. Note that the 1/2 snap avalanche is easier when the first half of the loop is performed to the “outside” if things get a little out of line, the corrections will be easier to make during the conventional pull-out loop finish. This maneuver is called an “outside-inside avalanche,” referring to the first and second 1/2 loops.

Many of the challenges that advancing aerobatic pilots experience are not due to their ability to master the finer points of the maneuvers, but are the result of focusing so much on the advanced components that they neglect the fundamentals. How comfortable you are inputting the snaps on top of loops will reflect how well you flew the first part of the loop, and whether the wings are level when entering the back side of the loop after the snaps. During your initial training, I recommend that you briefly pause at neutral after the snap to reduce the tendency to botch the snap as a result of rushing to enter the back side of the loop. No doubt, these maneuvers present some great flying challenges, but the rewards of learning them are some of the greatest that can be had in the sport. Happy flying!

Take off with a Snap

2013-04-19T04:25:00.001-07:00

If you are aspiring to become a better aerobatic pilot, no doubt you’re constantly searching to add excitement and variety to your flying. After all, the best aerobatic pilots are skilled when it comes to combining certain elements from one maneuver with elements from another. This month, I would like to combine the snap roll with a takeoff, so you can get attention on your flight right from the start! Before we get into a deep discussion about this eye-catching aerobatic move, we will begin by taking a look at your aircraft and how it is set up with respect to dual rates and exponential settings. Now, let’s get down to business!

FIRST THINGS FIRSTMany aerobatic airplanes today are advertised as being “3D-capable,” and they have very large control surfaces so that they can perform maneuvers while in a stalled condition. However, having large control surfaces and a lot of control surface deflection is not needed for any maneuver that isn’t considered “3D” and, with respect to this month’s move, a lot of control deflection is not needed. The goal is to perform a precise 1½ positive snap on takeoff’nice, crisp and clean!

If you usually read my columns, you are aware of the fact that I prefer to use flight modes, with my dual and/or triple rates on one switch. This means that my aileron, elevator and rudder rates are on one switch. To perform the combo maneuver of the month, I prefer to use two flight modes. On my lowest rate, I have about 15 degrees of aileron, 12 degrees of elevator and 35 degrees of rudder deflection with 20-, 25- and 50-percent exponential, respectively. On my second rate, I have about 30 degrees of aileron, 25 degrees of elevator and 32 degrees of rudder deflection and 45-percent exponential on all of these surfaces. Keep in mind that values differ from airplane to airplane.

When I perform any takeoff and landing, I am always on my low rate settings. Where I perform a stunt like a snap roll only feet from the ground, I switch to my mid rate settings right before the snap roll and switch back to my low rate setting when the snap roll is completed. While everyone has different personal preferences, this is the setup that has worked best for me as I do not want my aircraft to be sensitive while flying on low rates.

No matter what size aircraft you are flying, whether it is a small park flyer or giant-scale, always take advantage of flight modes and adjust each rate as needed to cater to your liking. For example, once flying, if you move the aileron stick to its maximum and the roll rate of the aircraft is slow, increase the dual rate for that given rate. Similarly, if you feel that the airplane is too quick to respond around neutral but the endpoint value is great (the dual rate value), increase the amount of exponential you are using. Do this test on all control surfaces.

OVERVIEW OF A 1 ½ POSITIVE SNAP ON TAKEOFFBefore attempting the 1½ positive snap

on takeoff, you should be proficient with performing positive snap rolls in general. When you execute this move, you must be in complete control and exit the maneuver at a safe altitude. Do not drop altitude throughout the snap roll as this can be fatal when you’re only feet from the ground!

Depending on the power to weight ratio of your aircraft, your throttle percentage may differ slightly. On most of my models, I prefer to apply almost maximum power throughout the takeoff roll and then decrease power slightly once the airplane breaks ground. Then I pitch the airplane up slightly by pulling back on the elevator control stick and apply the same direction rudder and aileron. I’ll release elevator to unload the airplane and ensure that it does not drop any altitude through the rotation. Then, once inverted and after 1 ½ snaps have been performed, I’ll release aileron and rudder input and apply a touch of down-elevator to sustain level inverted flight. While this may sound simple, there are a lot of different elements that need to be perfected.

FOUR STEPS TO SUCCESSLet’s divide this stunt into four steps. In this example, we will take off from left to right. Always take off into the wind. If a strong crosswind exists, take off in a direction that is favorable.

Step 1. While on low rates, add about 80-percent throttle and apply rudder input as needed to keep the airplane travelling straight down the runway. With tail-drag-gers, you’ll need to hold some up-elevator and slowly release elevator input as the airplane is nearing the liftoff speed. Then, pull back ever so slightly on the elevator control stick until the airplane is in the air.

Step 2. Once you are about 15 feet in altitude, flip to your mid rate and come back slightly on power if the airplane’s speed is too fast. Pull back slightly on elevator input and apply the same direction aileron and rudder to initiate the snap roll. In this case, we will perform the snap roll to the left, so we will need left aileron and left rudder. Sometimes, people are confused by the control inputs needed in performing snap rolls. When performing a positive snap roll, up-elevator is needed along with the same direction of aileron and rudder input. When performing a negative snap roll, down-elevator is needed in addition to opposite direction rudder and aileron. It is critical to time this portion of the maneuver so that the airplane will precisely execute 1½ rotations and exit inverted.

Step 3. Throughout the 1½ rotation, apply throttle (if needed) to keep the airspeed up. Once the airplane nears the 1½ rotation point, you’ll need to neutralize aileron and rudder so that the airplane stops the rotation precisely where desired. This step may take some time to perfect, so altitude and familiarity is key. After all, this maneuver should only be done on takeoff if you are confident in your ability to execute snap rolls on demand in a precise fashion.

Step 4. Since 1½ positive snap rolls have just been performed, you will now only have to apply down-elevator, as needed, to sustain your altitude. Once you are familiar with how to perform this maneuver, you can pull the throttle back to drop airspeed slightly and descend in altitude so that you are just inches off the ground while inverted!

I have just described the perfect scenario where little to no wind is present. If a severe crosswind exists, I recommend that you perform the snap roll into the wind. For example, if we are taking off from left to right and there is a strong wind blowing in, I would snap to the left so that the airplane snaps away from you. Heavy winds may cause the airplane to drift throughout stalled maneuvers like the snap.

Now you have the keys to fly the 1½ positive snap on takeoff with utmost pizzazz. I must admit, this maneuver is very exciting to both watch and perform, but it is demanding on your flight skills. Do not attempt this maneuver until you are fully capable of precisely executing snap rolls without any loss in altitude. Until next time, safe flying and always remember to have fun!

BY JOHN GLEZELLIS; ILLUSTRATION BY FX MODELS

Favorite Hobbies - Model Airplanes

2013-04-07T18:13:00.004-07:00

Building model airplanes or flying radio control airplanes is a popular hobby. It is something educational, and can give you a feeling of intelligence and accomplishment. There are also people who are just avid airplane fans and like to collect handcrafted mahogany airplanes, which are a little more expensive, but worth it to those are really interested in Model Airplanes. Mahogany is a fine type of wood that the planes are designed from. Many types of nice furniture are designed from mahogany. According to Webster's Dictionary, Mahogany is wood "of any of various chiefly tropical trees (family Meliaceae, the mahogany family). When people are discussing mahogany crafts, they are most likely discussing Webster's second definition "the durable yellowish brown to reddish brown usually moderately hard and heavy wood of a West Indian tree (Swietenia mahagoni) that is widely used for cabinetwork and fine finish work." At any rate, mahogany is a nice type of wood to build furniture or model airplanes.

Mahogany model airplanes are hand crafted. Each plane is carved individually from mahogany wood. An is nice models for display. You can keep them on your desk in your office, your bedroom, or in the living room of your home. They are excellent for decoration. Anyone who loves airplanes or model airplanes will love mahogany model airplanes. Mahogany airplanes can be used for toys for kids, as well, albeit expensive toys. They could be a nice decoration to your child's room or dresser though, if they love model airplanes. Mahogany model airplanes are a luxury brand of model airplane designs.

Mahogany airplanes can come in many sizes. I have seen many people with a miniature on their desks in their offices. A miniature mahogany model airplane can add to the personality of one's office. It can add a sense of excitement to the office or work space, rather than just surrounding yourself with work related material. You can have that little plane sitting there, reminding you of better things. It can keep up your moral, and get you excited.

At Variety Access, an online hobby store, you can find a variety of mahogany model airplanes. Variety Access sells airplanes manufactured by Aircraft Models Corp. Aircraft Models Corp. does all of the hand craft designs and paint for all of its planes. At Variety Access, you can find hundreds of selections of model aircraft in categories including World War I era planes, World War II model airplanes, civilian aircraft throughout the twentieth century and current civilian aircraft, commercial aircraft, and world record aircraft. They also have miniature mahogany aircraft that accentuate a home or office. You could even hang them in your car if you like. There are aircraft models and sizes to satisfy any interest or personality.

Collecting model aircraft, especially high quality, hand crafted mahogany model airplanes, can be a fun, interesting and constructive hobby that anyone can enjoy. Whether you are interested in just hand craft wood objects, airplanes in general, or history, model airplanes may be the hobby for you. Model airplanes can show the history of our world with planes from every era of the twentieth century; planes that fought in every war; planes that someone you know fly in or have flown in. I personally like the big civilian aircraft the most; the large commercial Boeing model airplanes. I would also be interested in collecting world record aircraft models, from the first flight, to the first flight across the Atlantic, to the fastest flight and finally, the space shuttle flights into space.

Peter Jay is the Owner/President and CEO of Variety Access Your online hobby store and more. For more information about hobbies, hobby products, or Variety Access, go to VarietyAccess.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/84177

Flying Electric RC Airplane - Basics of Aerodynamics

2013-04-07T17:46:00.000-07:00

This topic explains you the basics of aerodynamics and airplane parts. A lot more goes on behind the scenes when you fly your RC Airplane. Understanding the basics of aerodynamics and airplane parts can really help you gain the mastery in flying your Electric RC Airplane.

Why do you need to learn Basics of Aerodynamics to fly your RC Airplane?

The key difference between the experts and amateurs is that the experts understand their material from "inside-out".

If you enjoy flying your RC Airplane, you need to master these material to become an expert at flying it. Not understanding this material would make the art of flying as something very complex and difficult. Not understanding this material would make you feel like an outsider, merely using your RC Airplane as a toy. If you want to get good at flying it, you need to consider this as an art, not a hobby.

You don't need to be a science geek to understand it - it is presented in a fairly simple language and if you are attentive, you will really enjoy reading this material.

Here we go...Enjoy!

Parts of Airplane

Airplane can be divided into five main parts: Fuselage, Wing, Empennage, Powerplant, and Landing Gear. Each of these five parts have their own functions.

Fuselage is the central component of airplane - the other parts are usually attached the fuselage.

Wings make the aircraft fly - they generate essential force called "lift" that makes the airplane fly. Airplanes with single set of wings are known as monoplanes, whereas the ones with two sets are called biplanes. Wings contain two other parts of airplane known as aileron and flaps. Ailerons move in opposite direction and cause the airplane to roll. Flaps, when moved downwards, extend the lifting force during take-offs and landings.

The Empennage includes vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer. Rudder is attached to the end of vertical stabilizer, whereas elevator is attached to the end of horizontal stabilizer. Rudder helps to move the plane left or right, whereas elevator is used to move the airplane up or down.

Landing Gear supports the airplane and absorbs the loads during landing. Landing gear mainly consists of three wheels, two main wheels located on the either side of the fuselage and a third wheel located either at the front or the back of the Airplane.

Powerplant includes engine and propeller. The main job of engine is to provide the power to turn the propeller which in turn translates the rotating force of engine into the forward-acting force known as thrust to help move the airplane forward in the air.

Forces Acting on Airplane

The four forces acting on airplane at any given time are Lift, Weight, Drag, and Thrust. In straight and level un-accelerated flight, lift equals weight and thrust equals drag.

What makes Airplane Fly?

In order to understand what makes airplane fly, we need to understand a simple scientific principle. Don't be too intimidated, this principle is fairly simple.

Bernoulli's principle states that "as the velocity of fluid increases, its internal pressure decreases." Surface of wing when interacts with the airstream, it generates lift.

The air moves a lot faster from the upper surface of the airfoil, which causes lower air pressure on top, whereas, low-velocity air flow through the bottom of the airfoil causes high pressure at the bottom of the airfoil. This difference in pressure is what causes the force of lift - that's how airplanes fly.

Aircraft Axes of Flight

There are three axes of flight: Longitudinal, lateral, and vertical axes. These three axes have a common reference point known as the center of gravity.

When the aileron's move, they cause rolling movement along the longitudinal axis of airplane. When the elevator's move, they cause pitch up or pitch down movement along the lateral axis of airplane.

When the Rudder moves, it causes rotational movements along the vertical axis of airplane.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1547464

When It Comes To RC Airplanes You Can Choose From Ready to Fly, Almost Ready to Fly or Scratch Built

2013-03-29T19:37:00.001-07:00

Soaring through the air, watching the clouds and the birds fly by. No, you are not flying your own private plane, but you are doing the next best thing. You are flying an RC airplane through the sky. With a little practice, you can even have your airplane doing acrobatics, and you thought you would never be a pilot!

Flying RC or radio controlled airplanes is an excellent hobby, and it can be a lot of fun. RC airplanes are perfect as a father and son activity. Bring the family together with some airtime and share the joy of flight. If you want to get started in the RC airplane hobby, you do not need to be intimidated, with recent advancements in electronics; getting started in RC airplanes is easier than ever before.

What types of RC airplanes are there?

There is so much more than just airplanes in the RC aircraft world. No matter what type of aircraft interests you, there is something available for you. Some of the most common types of kits and models that you can purchase are:

1) Airplanes

2) Jets

3) Gliders

4) Helicopters

5) Blimps

6) UFO's

In addition, of course, within all of these categories, there are a number of different styles. You can get simulations of most real airplanes and jets in the world. Whether you want to fly and old-fashioned bi-level plane or a modern jet. You will be able to find a ready to run kit or model kit that is perfect for you!

Can anyone Fly RC Airplanes?

RC airplanes are easy to operate and with a little practice, anyone can soon be an expert. You can choose from electric airplanes or gas powered. Typically, electric airplanes are the easier models to fly. With the advances in electronics over the last few years, the receivers in the planes are getting smaller and smaller, and lighter and lighter. This means that the airplanes are easier to manage, especially for new pilots.

When you are looking for airplanes that will be easy to manage, you should look for a model with a high wing. Airplanes with a high wing design provide much more stability. You may want to start out with an electric RC airplane and progress to a gas powered model, as the gas models are typically harder to handle and require quite a bit more experience.

Do I have to Build my Own RC Plane?

You have a few choices when you are starting out in the RC airplane hobby. You do not have to build your own plane; you have the option of purchasing a ready to fly or rtf kit. This is probably the easiest choice because everything you need will come ready in the box. All you need to do is do the final assembly and you are ready to be airborne.

You can also choose a kit that is almost ready to fly or arf. These kits typically only require minimal assembly. Often with this type of kit, you may need only to add the final paint job and the decals to be ready to go. You can buy almost ready to fly kits in a variety of finishing stages.

You always have the option of course to build your own RC airplane from scratch of course. There are endless kit options available if you are interested in this type of undertaking. The typical make it from scratch kit is made from balsa wood. You can use easy to follow instructions that will take you systematically through the entire process. This is obviously much harder and requires quite a bit more work, however for the experienced hobbyist, the rewards and self-satisfaction from creating your own model airplane can be extremely rewarding.

When you build your own RC airplane, you will definitely have a lot more work ahead of you. And these planes can be more difficult to fly. Often times they are touchier to steer and move and they require a lot more finesse. If you have a crash with your built from scratch RC plane, you will have to rebuild the part by hand. If you have an rtf or an arf RC airplane than you can simply purchase the replacement parts and have a quality part, instead of an inadequate repair job.

Your Final Choice

No matter what your final decision is regarding the type of RC airplane you decide to buy, you will be able to have hours of enjoyment learning to fly your aircraft. There are RC airplane clubs all over the country, and many of these clubs have their own airstrips. Whether you chose to be part of the larger RC airplane community, or enjoy your hobby alone or with a friend, RC aircraft flying can be extremely satisfying.

© 2005 [http://www.rc-cars-now.com]

Kevin Brown is successful author and publisher of many informative websites including [http://www.rc-cars-now.com] . His websites offer tips and advice on a wide array of topics including RC cars, RC airplanes [http://www.rc-cars-now.com/rc-airplanes.html], boats and more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/30645

10 Hot Fun Fly Ideas

2013-03-27T15:14:00.001-07:00

If you don’t know what a ”FUN FLY” event is, then you are missing out on some real excitement! Fun flys are exciting, fun and help improve you piloting skills! What do you need, to join in? Well, the definition of a Fun Fly plane is typically any plane that has improved flight performance to execute specific aerobatic tasks in a timed event. But you don’t really need a high-performance plane to do fun fly tasks. The scope of events and maneuvers is very broad and you can even use your old beat up trainer. Adding a stop watch makes it competitive.

For the more dedicated, you can increase the airplanes power, and increase its control surfaces to make it more responsive and faster.

So here are some events and descriptions of popular tasks you can use to add fun to your flying.

Timed flight. Without outside help or a timer on the radio, take off and fly around. After a give period of time (1 minute or 2) come in to land. The closest time to wheels touchdown (without going over) is the winner. Propeller must still be spinning after the landing to count.
Timed loops. This is great for beginners as it is started and finished in flight so no rushing to takeoff. Fly straight and level and then when the stop watch is started, do as many loops as you can in one minute. The most loops win.

Dice Takeoff & Loops. Roll the dice, takeoff and do that number of loops and land. The shortest time wins. This a great chance equalizer, a novice can throw a low number and an experienced flyer can throw a high number, so the novice can easily win. A special version allows anyone to participate is for new student pilots (or family members,) an instructor takes off and lands, and the student does a single loop.
Triple Loops & Rolls. Takeoff do 3 rolls and 3 loops then land. Best time wins. Loops and rolls can be in any order.
Timed Dead-stick Spot Landing
Pilot has set time for engine run, (30 seconds, 45 seconds, 1 minute, etc.,) then the engine is shut down and the pilot tries to stay up as long as possible and then do a spot landing. The engine must be shutdown with throttle stick and trim. A single club trainer that everyone flies is the best situation but it is pilot choice. Longest flight wins and spot landings (closest to a target) is used for tie breakers.
Timed Glide. Similar to the above event, with the exception that the engine is set to idle after a certain amount of time and then it is glided for as long as possible until the throttle is applied again which stops the timer.

Timed Inverted Flight is another easy one to try. After the wheels leave the ground, the pilot starts the clock by flipping the model upside down and he flies for a given amount of time. 1 minute or 2, 3 what ever is appropriate for the pilots. If he reaches the cut off time, he is awarded maximum points. Less time give less points. Spot landings are used as tie breakers.

Spot Landing. Paint a line across the centerline of the runway and then paint two more parallel lines, (one on either side of the target line,) about 10 or 15 feet apart. Each pilot gets three attempts to land (touchdown,) as close to the middle line as possible. After the three tries, and the plane stops (with propeller spinning), the score is counted. Touching on the middle line is worth 50 points, touching down with on the two outer lines is worth 25 points and just touching down outside of the target lines is worth 5 points. Highest score wins. (Ties are broken by shortest time.)

Golf Ball Bomb Drop. This is borrowed from the gang of the Kingston RC Modelers Club in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Take off and make a bomb run over a 50 foot diameter circle target divided into three bull’s eye circular rings. The smallest (10 feet diameter) is 50 points, the middle circle (30 foot diameter) is 25 points and the outer ring is 10 points. Just hitting the flying field with the ball is a successful attempt and earns 5 points. A spot landing ending within the target (with the prop still spinning) doubles the bomb drop score. The club supplies the balls and dowel holding fixture that is attached to the airplane with rubberbands. Simply blipping some down elevator throws the ball off the dowel. Or, the plane can do a roll to inverted to release the ball.

Can Can. Tie an empty soda can (or two!) to a 50 foot length of fishing string and tie the string to the tailwheel of the airplane. Fly the airplane in such a way as to touch the can down onto a 50 foot circle target. Hint: fly past the target and then do a quick 180 degree turn. As the plane reverses direction, the can falls from the air. Three tries are allowed. Highest score wins and lowest time is used for tie breakers.
Kingston Roops. This is another timed event originating at the Kingston Father’s Day Fun Fly. Time starts at liftoff then the pilot does a sequence of a loop and then a roll. He does this three times and then comes in for a landing to stop the clock. Lowest time wins and a spot landing (with prop still spinning,) on a target can be worth bonus points.

So there are many, many other fun fly event ideas that clubs have come up with but these are some of the more popular. Give them a try and if you ask why? …The answer is twofold. First, competition helps improve a pilots flying skills and two, getting friends and club members together at the flying field is always good fun! Bringing a tent and a BBQ are always optional. All that’s really required is some spray paint (or powdered chalk,) a few stop watches and some club members to act as line judges and timers. Give it a try! You will have fun!!!

Photos by Ken Park — Words by Gerry Yarrish

The First Time Airplane Buyer

2013-03-25T17:11:00.001-07:00

For most people buying their first airplane can be ranked in conjunction with buying your dream home, getting married or name any other significant event in your life. Buying your first airplane means the completion of a dream. One of the greatest highlights of my career is seeing a first time buyer act like a 6 year old on Christmas morning when I hand him or her keys to their new airplane.

The thought of purchasing an airplane can seem daunting. After all, only 1 in 100 people in the U.S. have a pilots license, much less own an airplane. For those looking for an adventure to a far off land, a 100 dollar hamburger or a business tool to be more productive, rest assured that purchasing an airplane isn't rocket science, it's "plane science" which is a whole lot easier so lets begin.

This article will present a step by step process to make your dream come true. Step number 1; make sure your spouse or significant other is on board. I firmly believe that this is the biggest dream killer. If you pass step one (lucky you), then step two is to take inventory of what you are looking to accomplish. What is your mission? Is it to take your wife and kids on a 100 mile trip to the coast on a sunny day or do you often find yourself needing to be in a business meeting three states away and the weather is usually marginal? Here is the key, purchase the airplane that meets your mission at least 80% of the time. Don't by a six place airplane if 90% of the time it is just you and your wife flying. The extra gas, aircraft cost, insurance, and maintenance of purchasing the extra seats you won't be using will more than pay for the rentals of the times when you do need the extra seat. The same can be said for buying an airplane to fly you from New York to Florida twice a year. If you are a low time or student pilot, call an aircraft insurance agent to help determine what airplanes you can safely fly. If you are just learning to fly, don't expect to be flying a King Air any time soon.

Along with determining your mission, determine how much a year you are willing to set aside for an airplane. The purchase price is just one piece of the pie. You will have to do research and find out how much a hangar or tie-down costs at your local airport as well as fuel and shop rates for oil changes and annuals. If you plan on buying a used airplane, set aside money for unscheduled repair bills, and a pre-buy inspection. A good rule of thumb that I have heard from mechanics is budget the price of the annual to cover the unscheduled repair bills. Also, the monthly cost to keep all available subscriptions on a glass cockpit is often overlooked and can run over 100 dollars month. Don't forget that if you keep your airplane for a long time, you will have to eventually pay for an engine overhaul.

Now that you have determined your mission and know how many premium Starbucks coffees you must forgo to afford your next love (I mean airplane), it is time to begin the search process. A great place to gather information is by attending large aircraft expos such as Oshkosh or Sun N Fun. It never hurts to ask around the local FBO or spend some quality time on the internet searching airplanes. Asking an aircraft broker or sales representative would result in several airplanes to meet your mission and price.

With several different airplanes in mind, the next step is to determine the most important features you want in an airplane? The honest truth is that there is no ideal airplane for everyone that has everything. Each airplane has its strengths and weakness. I recommend rank ordering what strengths you think your ideal airplane should have. A few ideas include: safety record, speed, avionics, payload, cabin comfort, visibility, range, efficiency, cost of maintenance, etc. I would like to expound on these a bit. First, safety record. Airplanes are safe, just some have a better safety record than others. The best way to research a specific airplane is to visit the NTSB website at http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp and do a search on the airplanes you are interested in. Comparing the avionics panel is like comparing a house with a pool to a house without one, it makes a big difference. Airplanes with glass panels are in demand and offer a higher resale value than non-glass equipped airplanes; they also command a higher price. Airplanes with a Garmin 430 or 530 GPS are more desirable than Loran equipped airplanes or no GPS at all. I hate to admit this but it is true, almost any GPS other than a 430 or 530 is almost undesirable in today's market. If you are a recreational flyer going to the beach, a Garmin G1000 might be overkill, whereas flying with a Garmin G1000 cross county on an IFR plan might be quite useful. The cost of maintenance could be found by contacting a sales representative or asking another owner of the airplane that interests you. Speed, payload and range can be found on the manufacturers' website or a write up in an aviation magazine. For cabin comfort and visibility, you will most likely have to wait until the demo flight.

By now, you should be down to just two or three models that fit your mission, piloting skill level, price, and features. Before you start dialing for demo flights, you may want to make sure your bank is OK with you buying an airplane. Companies such as Dorr Aviation, Airfleet Capital or AOPA can help you secure financing. Even during this economic downturn, there is plenty of money that banks are willing to lend to someone who qualifies. Plan on putting 15-20% down. Banks are usually willing to lend upwards of 20 years and aircraft financing rates are very favorable at the time of this writing. Once you are preapproved, you won't have any more doubt and you will be in a much stronger position to make an offer on your next airplane. On a side note, if you don't qualify for the airplane you are considering, getting into a partnership may be an alternative; (however, I will save partnerships for another topic on another day.)

One additional question that I often hear is should I buy new or pre-owned? Books can be written about new verses used so for the purpose of this article and as a general rule of thumb, if you can go new as a first time buyer, then do it. It will save you headaches when it comes to repairs and having an airplane warranty is nice to have. Buying new can also help with your taxes. The downside of buying new is being prepared to take a depreciation hit when it comes time to sell or trade in.

Finally, if you are looking for a new airplane, give your local sales representative a call and schedule a demo flight. If you go used, you may have to do some dialing and schedule several different visits to find your next Christmas present.

Beginning To Fly RC Planes

2013-03-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

Remote control flying can be great fun for the entire family, who can spend an afternoon in the park watching your plane take off and land, while you control it from the ground. There is plenty of option available in the market, if you are planning to buy your own RC plane. You need to study a little about remote control flying, before you decide to choose a plane. Depending on whether you want to build your model plane from scratch or if you want to buy a ready to fly kit, you need to go through the guidelines and choose one that would meet your requirements. Learning to fly a RC plane needs a lot of practice and perseverance and it is best to choose a model that is easy to fly and has the stability for a smooth flight. The nitro model super trainer, which is made of balsa wood, gives a wider wingspan. Its flight characteristics make it easier to fly and controls are easy to handle.

As a beginner, you need to first paint your model with a bright color to keep track of it in the sky. There are plenty of models available, which are inexpensive and give you the same excitement as other more complicated models. The ready to fly model kits can be easy to assemble for someone who has little time on hand. You would also need a radio control and servos to control your plane, when flying. You need to get familiar with the basics of flight controls. Initially, you need to learn how an airplane flies.

The wings of the plane play an important part in its flight. It helps it to take off and maneuver, when in the air. So, the position of the wings is important for flying your airplane. Depending on the direction, you tilt the wings of the airplane, which will turn in the same direction, while you hold the control stick in the neutral position. Low wing aerobatic planes are for the more experienced fliers, as it needs proper control and handling. Park gliders and slow fliers with electric motors are easier for a beginner.

You need to ensure your preflight check is in order, before you take off. The balance of the plane must be taken care of and use required weights, if needed. Make sure that the wing is not warped to ensure a steady flight, but an intended warp near the tips of each wing is necessary to make the plane stall straight without tilting. When flying for the first time, it is better to have a lot of open space and make sure you take off and land with the help of the wind. Try maneuvering only, when the plane has gained considerable height. Turning when the plane is low is to be avoided. Just let the plane glide to a halt.

You can begin to soar high with your RC plane once you have mastered the technique with the first flight. It will also be your first step to greater and faster flying experiences.

Checkpoints Before Each RC Plane Flying Experience

2013-03-24T14:01:00.003-07:00

As much as we'd all like to fly our model RC planes wherever and whenever we like, in practice, and for a number of reasons, it's not a good idea. The main reason is, of course, for the safety of people and animals in the area, but we also need to be watchful for ourselves and the aiRCraft, so be aware of roads and overhead cables, especially power ones.

Pre-flight Checks

Prior to the actual takeoff, it's wise to double check the plane itself, starting by making sure there are no lose parts - you certainly don't want things to fall off.

If the plane has any visible screws, ensure these are tightened;
if the body is a snap together, make sure its fully clicked into place;
if the motor has a propeller, be sure it's correctly attached and not broken.
And the most obvious step, make sure your RC plane is fueled up.

For nitro planes this means filling up with gas, while for electric it's simply a matter of being sure you have fully charged batteries.

Finally, check the balance point of the model is where it's supposed to be, as indicated on the instructions.

Initial Preparation

Having selected the area, perhaps a field or park, that you want to fly your RC plane from, you then need to ensure the take off is done safely and correctly. For starters, the ideal is face the plane into a head wind, rather than taking off with the wind. Flying directly into an oncoming wind increases the wind pressure around the wings, resulting in increased uplift, making it easier to get the plane up to a good height. Taking off with the wind has the opposite effect, making it harder to climb, while taking off across the wind makes the aiRCraft hard to control as the gusts push it in directions other than your intention.

The RC Plane Take Off

Having cleared the prior checks, you are now ready for flight. It's wise to turn your transmitter on before you power up the plane or start its engine. Done the other way, there's a risk that little twitches in the transmitter when you turn it on will cause movement in the plane. If your plane starts on the ground, it's time to push the throttle and get it moving. For air starting craft, hold the plane at shoulder level in one hand just behind the landing gear and the transmitter in your other hand. Push the throttle, then propel your model RC plane directly into the wind.

When You're Done - The Landing

Hopefully, whether it lasts 2 minutes or 20 minutes, your plane's flight runs smoothly and ends with a great approach followed by a smooth landing at the same place it took off from. The landing process lends itself to a separate article, but in essence your task is to guide the plane back towards its starting point and to lower it to no more than 200 feet. At this point you should be left with a straight path to the landing point and, as with take off, you should aim to land into the wind. If you have good control of your RC plane, you just need to reduce the speed using the throttle to bring it into a nice controlled landing, cutting the throttle to zero to bring it to its final halt.

Beginner RC Planes - How Many Channels Do I Need?

2013-03-24T13:52:00.000-07:00

When starting in the world of rc planes the first thing you need to do is purchase a plane. Choosing the right plane can be a difficult task. There are many features that a beginner rc plane should have. One of the things you are going to need to consider is how many channels you need.

Channels are what control the planes movement and speed. The channels are controlled by the transmitter. 2 channels are necessary for all planes in order to fly. Most all beginner rc planes use either 2 or 3 channels. Let's look at what the channels do.

In a 2 channel plane one channel is used to control the elevator while the other channel is used to control the rudder. The elevator is used to control the up and down movement of the plane. The rudder is used to control the side to side movement which makes the plane turn.

A 3 channel plane uses the 2 channels as mentioned above, but adds a 3rd channel. This third channel is used to control the pitch of the plane. This is done by controlling the speed of the motor. This can be very useful in helping control the descent of the plane without having to actually move the plane. This will help you have more controlled landings.

Once you are more experienced you can move on to a plane that has 4 channels. This fourth channel is used to control the ailerons. The ailerons make the plane roll and are used in more advanced flying.

For a beginner pilot I recommend a 3 channel plane. All more advanced planes use 4 channels so knowing how to fly with 3 channels is a must if you want to keep moving on. Starting out using a 3 channel plane will help make the adjustment to a 4 channel plane much easier. You will also have more control over the plane which is always a good thing.

Flying RC Helicopter & Planes ''Tips"

2013-03-24T13:48:00.003-07:00

As compared to flying planes, helicopters require a higher skill level. So, it is better to learn to fly RC planes first, so that you at least get an idea, of how to handle it in the air. If you are a fresher, then join a good flying club or get an experienced model plane 'pilot' to help you out. Once you have mastered the basics of flying planes, then you can try some stunts, such as inverted flying, rolls or loops. Your first plane should ideally be a 'trainer'. These are planes with big fuselage and wide wings. These planes are slower, steadier and therefore more suited for learners.

Once you have gained complete control over your Remote Control and your plane, then you can think about moving on to faster planes, such as fighter or jet planes. These planes are extremely fast and require very fast reflexes, to keep them in control. Do not forget to take out insurance on any model plane or helicopter you fly, or be ready to be sued, in case of any accident, where there is damage to someone's 'limb' or 'property'. An electric motor or a gasoline engine can be used, to power your model airplane or helicopter. Use electric power, if you are a fresher. It's clean, efficient and easy to maintain. However, keep extra battery packs ready, because you will need them, while flying.

Since the dynamics of a model helicopter are totally different than that of a plane, get expert help, before trying to fly them. You can also practice on a simulator, before attempting an actual flight. Helicopters can take off from a small pad, but model planes require a longer area, to take off and touch down. The chances of a helicopter suffering more damage than a plane, in case of a crash are more, since the blades of the helicopter are quite large.

The stunts, which can be performed by your helicopter, are also different as compared to your plane. One thing your helicopter can do is to 'hover' over the ground and that is what your plane cannot do. You can buy your plane or helicopter from various hobby shops or over the Internet as a RTF kit, i.e. a Ready to Fly Kit, which means that it is fully assembled, or you could buy it in ARF form, i.e. Almost Ready To Fly kit. This kit just has to be assembled and then it is ready to fly. You can think about making your own plane or helicopter from scratch, once you have some experience under your belt. Your models can be made of wood or plastic and you can hand paint them, once you have made them.

These above tips can be helpful, if you are just starting off in the flying arena. Use them to make your flying 'career' safer and easier.

Tips For Choosing A Beginner RC Plane

2013-03-24T08:36:00.000-07:00

You've decided to get into the world of rc planes, but now you're stuck with the hardest decision to make. What kind of plane do I buy? Here are a few tips someone should follow and look for when buying a beginner rc plane.

1. Go cheap! You are most likely going to crash you very first plane. The cheaper the plane is the less bad you'll fell if you need to buy a new one or spare parts to replace it.

2. Look for a plane that says Slowflyer of Parkflyer. They are called this for a reason. They fly slow so they won't be too fast for you to handle and will give you more time to react if you need it. These planes can also be flown almost anywhere.

3. Look for a plane with a Top Wing design. This means that the wing is on top of the plane. This type of design gives the plane more lift and will help keep it floating if you run into trouble giving you more time to react. A plane with a large wingspan will also help produce lift. So, in summary, look for a plane with a large wing on top.

4. Go with a 2-channel or a 3-channel plane. A 2-channel plane allows you to control the up/down and side to side movement (turning). This is done with the elevator and rudder. A 3-channel plane will allow you to do the same, but also allows you to control the planes speed. Stay away from 4-channel planes for now. This 4th channel is used to control the ailerons and is used in more advanced flying that you won't be ready for just quite yet. A 3-channel will help prepare you for moving on to a 4th channel.

5. Some beginner planes even come with what is called Anti Crash Technology (ACT for short). The plane uses sensors to detect the planes orientation. If they sense that the plane is going into a dive, they will automatically correct the position of the plane giving you more time to react and avoid a crash.

Flying rc planes is a fun hobby, and with several types of planes geared especially towards beginners anyone can learn to fly. Good luck and happy flying.

What About RC Airplanes For The Hobbyist ?!

2013-03-23T18:00:00.001-07:00

So what if you could not become a fighter pilot. You can still fly a model fighter plane and do all the exciting crazy stunts that fighter pilots get to do even as your feet stay firmly on the ground. Remote Control planes or RC planes enable your mind to literally be in the pilot's seat and enable you to have the same adrenaline rush that they experience during a flight.

If you are a novice flyer, then a battery-powered plane is simpler, easier and cleaner to operate. You could start by buying an ARF or an Almost Ready to Fly kit, which would be an almost fully assembled plane. That could save you precious time and money. Try to buy a slower plane with a simple remote control, which could teach you about flying without too many crashes. A cheaper plane would also enable you to afford a replacement in case of a major goof up. Your plane should be constructed of hardened foam and should have plastic on the underbody to prevent damage during crashes. If possible, join up with an experienced model 'frequent flyer' that can offer you tips and teach you how to fly your plane.

You can take your assembled plane to an open field of grass so that your plane is not damaged in case of a crash. The thrill of your first flight will be one that you will cherish for years to come. Alternatively, you could join a model airplane club and they would have trainers that could teach you the basics of flying. Once you have learnt the basics of flying, then you can become a bit adventurous and try some stunts like Rolls, Loops and Inverted flights. These stunts give one the feeling of literally being in the 'hot' seat and this could thrust your interest in this exciting hobby even further. There is no danger in flying model planes, but proper care should be taken so that your plane does not crash into any body.

Your remote control [RC] transmitter will be equipped with different knobs and levers, which are to be used to control your plane's various functions like the speed, rudder, flaps, etc and higher end transmitters also have adjustable frequency and additional software to match the transmitter to your plane. It is not difficult to master and once you get the hang of it, you can make your plane perform all types of difficult maneuvers. Both electric and gasoline powered planes can be controlled by remote control and once you are comfortable with electric planes, you can try out a 2-stroke or 4-stroke gasoline engine for your plane. 2-strokes are cheap but noisy as compared to 4-stroke engines, but many people prefer 2-stroke because the sound reminds them of getting a feeling of actually flying a plane.