Radio controlled aircraft modeling is one of the most exciting hobbies available. It involves many interests, disciplines, and skills. Some of these are aerodynamics, electronics, mechanics, drafting & design, composite material construction and woodworking. There are many other fields of interest in the hobby of aircraft modeling; far too many and too varied to try to list. However, with today's ready to fly airplanes and helicopters these skills are not necessary to get started. With the hobby changing as new technology is developed who knows where it will take us.
A new modeler learning to fly may become frustrated at times, during the learning process, but certainly not bored. To reduce the chance of frustration, a new modeler should become involved with other modelers in order to learn the necessary skills. This involves simply visiting a flying site and becoming acquainted with experienced modelers and joining a club. These modelers are a source of knowledge and experience that can be invaluable to the new modeler. An experienced modeler can be an R/C flight instructor and teach a new person the safety precautions and skills required to be successful.
New modelers must realize that a radio controlled model aircraft is not a toy. It is a true aircraft in that it flies and operates by the same principles as a full-scale aircraft with the difference being the size and weight. The average training model will fly in a range of 20 to 60 MPH and weigh 5 1/2 to 6 pounds. The force of the model hitting an object can be devastating especially if it hits a person. Models must be controlled properly both for enjoyment and for safety. The skills required to accomplish this should be learned from an experienced modeler.
Before purchasing any equipment, the beginner should ask himself, "Is this going to be a short term hobby or something I can see myself remaining involved in for years to come?" If the beginner is going to remain in the hobby for years, he might consider buying more advanced equipment such as a ball bearing engine and a six (6) channel radio system. Otherwise, he should try to keep his initial outlay as low as possible. A beginner can limit his spending to as little as $150 by buying good used equipment or a new trainer system can be purchased as a almost ready to fly package for about $300.
A beginner should understand the basic concepts of flight. The theories behind the physics of flight are covered in many volumes of books and the internet. There are different and sometimes conflicting theories and arguments as to how airplanes fly, but one accepted principle is that lift is generated as a result of the air pressure on the bottom of the wing being higher than the air pressure on the top of the wing and the angle of attack results in lift.
There are four (4) primary forces that act on an aircraft in flight; thrust, lift, drag, and weight. Thrust is the force applied by the combination of engine and propeller acting to pull the aircraft forward. Drag is the resistance against the aircraft by the force of the air against the forward facing surfaces. Weight is caused by gravity. In order for a constant speed to be maintained, thrust and drag must be equal. In order for a constant altitude to be maintained, lift and weight must be equal. Lift increases as the velocity of the air passing over the wing increases or as the angle of attack increases as long as the flow of air over the wing remains smooth. Actual flight is attained when the force of the lift equals weight.
An aircraft pivots about three (3) axes; the yaw or vertical axis controlled by the rudder, the pitch or lateral axis controlled by the elevator, and the roll or longitudinal axis controlled by the ailerons. It can pivot about any one of these individually or in combination based on the control surfaces that are moved and the direction of the movement. The rudder is moved to the right; the aircraft will rotate to the right about the yaw axis and vice versa. When the elevator is moved up, the aircraft will pitch the nose upwards. The ailerons move in opposite directions. When the left aileron is moved up and right one down, the aircraft will rotate to the left and vice versa.
Often a person has an interest in model aviation and visits a local flying field just to observe. He sees all types of airplanes from trainers, pattern planes, and scale World War II fighter planes. His interest is increased by all the fabulous looking models and thinks, "I have to have one of those Mustangs." He immediately sets out trying to find one to begin his new hobby. This is a serious mistake as many hours of training and practice are involved before a person has the skill to handle these more advanced models. A person must begin the hobby with an aircraft designed to allow a person to gain the skill and then progress through different levels of models.
Trainer The trainer is a specific type of model aircraft that is designed to be more stable in flight. This means that it has an inherent ability to correct itself and overcome some of the rotational forces applied. Most trainers are designed to be easier to control, easier to take off and easier to land than advanced models. This does not mean that a person can fly a trainer without proper flight instruction. This also does not mean that a trainer is not capable of advanced maneuvers. A new pilot should learn to fly a trainer and fly it well before he moves on to an advanced model. Many experienced R/C pilots still enjoy taking a trainer out for a flight.
There are certain criteria that a trainer should have in order to be satisfactory for a beginner:
High Wing A high wing model is inherently more stable than a low wing model due to pendulum effect. Since the weight of the model is below the wing, the fuselage tends to swing downward like a pendulum in order to equalize forces.
Flat Bottom Airfoil The wing cross section should have a virtually flat bottom. This type of cross section has greater lift which allows slower flight prior to a stall.
Dihedral The wing should have some dihedral. This means that the tips of the wings are higher than the center. The effect of the dihedral is to try to equalize forces and keep the wings level or to return the wings to a level orientation.
High Aspect Ratio This refers to the ratio of the wing span(length)to the chord(width). This will reduce the rate at which the model responds to command input allowing more time for a beginner to react. The wing should be a constant cord (same width from the center or root to the tip). This distributes the weight of the airplane evenly over the entire surface of the wing.
Low Wing Loading The weight of the model divided by the area of the wing should be in the rang of 19 oz./sq. ft. This reduces the speed required to maintain an acceptable rate that the model descends when the power is reduced resulting in a lower landing speed.
Moderate Size Most trainers are for engine sizes between .15 and .60. The smaller ones are more susceptible to the effects of wind and normally the wing loading is higher simply because of the weight of the radio equipment is the same. The larger sizes are easier to fly and easier to see but are more difficult to transport and more expensive. The best trainers are in the .40 size. Most model aircraft are sized by the size of engine required to fly them. These trainers have been widely accepted as the optimum size.
Structurally Sound A trainer must be able to take the abuses imposed. This is especially true for hard landings and not so perfect take offs. It also should be able to withstand minor crashes and be relatively easy to repair. Some of the trainers that are advertised as indestructible have a very high wing loading and cannot be repaired. These are often made of plastic and are not advisable as a trainer.
A trainer that meets these guidelines will give the beginner excellent service without the frustration that can occur with an inappropriate model. With proper instruction, the beginner can progress quickly to his solo flight and on to the novice stage and still get years of sport flying from the trainer.
There are several trainers on the market that meet and exceed the above guidelines. These range from the most basic kit to Almost Ready to Fly (ARF) models. There are a lot of considerations when choosing a trainer but the two most basic are time and money. A trainer built from a kit has the advantage of the modeler having the plans and the knowledge of how the plane is constructed. It also gives the builder the pleasure of building his first model and the option of color and trim scheme. The biggest advantage of an ARF is the time saved to construct the model when the beginner would rather be learning to fly. Most ARF models perform as well as any kit built model on the market. It is strongly recommended that a person speak with an experienced R/C modeler that is also a flight instructor before purchasing the airplane and flight equipment.
I have always said that the only bad thing about a trainer is the name. The basic trainer in the hands of an experienced pilot is a very stunning event to watch. No one should think they are too good to fly a trainer.
Radio System There are many modern radio systems from which the beginner can choose. There are several common brands including Futaba, JR, Airtronics and Hitch. Each of these offer a wide range of options from a simple 4-channel to a computer assisted 14-channel system. The buyer is limited only by his budget. A beginner should discuss his choice of systems with his intended instructor. There are several reasons for doing this, the primary reason being that the student's systems must be compatible with the instructor's system if it will be used with the trainer cord system.
All basic radio systems consist of four (4) basic components. Transmitter The unit which takes the input from the user encodes it, and sends it to the receiver. Receiver the unit that receives the signal, decodes it, and routes it to the appropriate servos. Servos The device that converts the decoded signal to mechanical force to operate a control surface. Batteries The device that provides power for the devices to operate. There are specific frequencies assigned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for use with airborne R/C models. A beginner must ensure that the system that he chooses is tuned to one of these frequencies. Most radio system manufacturers place a sticker on the outside of the carton that says, "For airborne use only." There are reference frequency charts available that lists the purposes of all of the frequencies that are assigned for R/C use. The radio that is chosen must meet the 1991 specifications for narrow band receivers. The radio system may transmit and receive on either an AM, FM or spread spectrum (2.4 GHz) frequency. The 2.4 and FM frequencies are less prone to interference than the AM. AM systems are seldom manufactured anymore. Regardless of the brand of system, the number of channels, or the price, all transmitters have the same basic components. Transmitters may have additional switches, slides, and displays depending on the functions they perform but the basic components remain the same. Clubs maintain a list of frequencies that are used at the flying field by each modeler. Unless it is a 2.4 GHz it is best to choose a frequency that is not in use at the field that you will be flying. These things should be discussed with the intended instructor before a purchase is made.
Engine The primary engine type used by modelers today is a single cylinder, two (2) cycle, air cooled reciprocating glow engine. A glow engine uses a glow plug and a special fuel mixture of methanol, nitro methane and oil for ignition. A typical inexpensive .40 size engine can produce 1.1 horsepower at 11,500 RPM. The same size racing engine can produce 2.4 horsepower at 20,000 RPM. All of these engines are the same in their basic components. The design of the engine affects its power output, reliability, and longevity. The prop shaft is supported by bushings or bearings. Wear takes place between the piston and cylinder wall and the prop shaft and bushings or bearings. Most engines on the market today are classified as ABC meaning they have an aluminum piston and chrome plated bronze cylinder sleeve. This combination normally produces an engine that yields many hours of trouble free operation if properly maintained. Those engines that have ball bearings for supporting the prop shaft normally produce about 25% more power and last much longer. New .40 to .46 size engines will range from $50 to $150. There are several that are accepted due to price, reliability, easy starting, and longevity. An engine should be matched to the airplane it will power. It is recommended for the beginner to talk to an experienced modeler before the purchase.
Field Equipment is required to get any airplane off the ground. There are a few basic items that will suffice to get a beginner into the air and learning to fly but there are other items that can be added to make the job a lot easier. A Glow Plug Driver for providing power to glow plug. An electric starter is useful to start the engine although they can be started with a device called a chicken stick to flip the prop. Fuel that is recommended by the engine manufacturer. A fuel pump to transfer fuel to the airplane's fuel tank which can be a manual hand crank or electric. A glow plug wrench is needed for removal of the glow plug. A field box suitable for carrying the equipment. These items should cost about $100. This can vary depending on the brand of the items and the place from which the items are purchased. An assortment of screwdrivers, pliers, and allen wrenches may also be needed to perform field maintenance.
An instructor does not have to be certified to any particular standard but must be a competent experienced R/C pilot who is capable of giving instructions with patience. Many people think that flying R/C models is easy and although it can be learned without an instructor, at great expense, you will have much greater success with proper instruction. This point cannot be stressed enough that R/C flying is much more difficult that it might seem and without an instructor it will take you longer and cost you more money to be successful. An R/C flight instructor should connect two transmitters together called the buddy box system so the instructor can take control of the model any time he feels the student is in trouble. This is the reason the student should match his radio system to that of the instructor. Older radios may not have this feature and the instructor and trainee must pass the radio back and forth. This is not an accepted practice for learning to fly R/C. A student can purchase his own buddy box but most clubs have instructors and buddy box gear.
The last thing that is required of a beginner before he sets out to conquer the world of flight is to join the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). This organization provides insurance to cover the cost of a catastrophic incident resulting from a model airplane accident. Very few clubs will allow a beginner to fly at their field unless this type of insurance covers him/her. Insurance should not be looked at as an option but as a necessity. There are many other benefits offered by the organization. These benefits are covered by the organization. The easiest way to find a local club is to ask the owner of a local hobby shop for information. If there is not a hobby shop in the area, AMA has information about clubs and their location.
When the beginner has acquired his equipment, insurance, instructor and he understands the basics of flight and the use of the controls, he is then ready to start the steps toward becoming a qualified R/C pilot. There are a few things that a student pilot should keep in mind when preparing for each flight. These will help in getting the feel for the model in flight. Be very gentle with the controls. It takes very little movement to get the model to execute a maneuver. Remember the farther the stick is moved, the more the control surface moves and the more the model will respond. As long as the stick is held in a control position, the maneuver will continue. This is most important when using the ailerons. When the stick is moved to roll the model, it will continue to roll as long as the stick is held in that position. When a maneuver is executed, it takes equal and opposite controls to overcome it and return to normal flight. A turn requires the movement of the ailerons in the desired direction of the turn. To recover from the turn, opposite aileron input is required. Keep the model high.
A flight instructor once said, "The two most useless things to a pilot are air above you and runway behind you." By this he meant that if a pilot gets into trouble, he must have plenty of air below him to recover. When landing and taking off, the runway that is behind the airplane is wasted. Keep the model in sight. Do not fly too high or too far away. Although the airplane may seem fairly large, it is easy to get it far enough away so that it is difficult to see its orientation. Do not fly into the sun. A moment of blindness caused by the sun can be long enough to lose a model. Do not become discouraged as there will be times when nothing seems to go right. Everyone who flies R/C models has been through this in learning to fly. Do not give up as the next session will be better. DO NOT PANIC when a maneuver goes wrong; take all the time necessary to recover from the mistake. Panic will cause a student to over-control in an attempt to recover and cause the condition to worsen. Although the instructor may seem to be a casual observer standing at the side of the student, he will be watching in case the student gets his model in a dangerous situation. The first few flights will begin with the instructor doing the take-off and checking out the model. The student should watch the airplane as the instructor explains each control movement as it occurs. This will give insight into what is required to execute a take-off. The same will be true for the landing.
Learning to properly land a model is by far the most difficult part of learning to fly. The model is most vulnerable when on the approach to landing because of the close proximity to the ground, its slow airspeed, the reduced responsiveness of control input, and the disorientation due to reversed control. When the instructor has flown the airplane to sufficient altitude, usually 150 to 200 feet, he will ask the student if he is ready to take control. It is normal to be nervous at this point. Assuming that the student is using a buddy box, the instructor will give control to the student by pressing and holding the trainer switch. He will tell the student the maneuvers that he wants him to perform and how each one is to be done. He will give him instructions as to how to improve each maneuver as it is being done. He will have him perform gentle turns left and right, flying ovals around the field, flying rectangles and figure eights. Each maneuver serves a purpose in building the skill of the student pilot. The student will progress to steeper turns, slow flight and stall recovery, each in itself a maneuver required to learn to land. If at any time, the student should get into trouble, the instructor can take control of the model simply by releasing the training switch. He can avoid a mishap and take the trainer back to a safe altitude. The instructor should not let a situation build to a point that is beyond his ability to recover yet he should allow the student time to attempt the recovery on his own. If the student has the time to devote to flying often, he can progress quickly.
The day will come when the instructor will allow the student to attempt his first landing. This is a critical time for the instructor since he must react quickly if the student makes a mistake. It may take several attempts before the student actually sets the model down on the runway and the student must continue to control the model all the way to the point that it stops rolling. After what seems like an eternity to the student, the day comes when the instructor is satisfied that the student is proficient enough in his flying skills to fly solo. This can be an exhilarating experience for the student. He feels that he has finally reached his goal but this is only the beginning. At this point, the fun really starts. The student can now spend hour after hour practicing and developing his skills.
A Flight Simulator cannot teach a beginner to fly. A simulator is exactly what the name implies, a program that simulates the actions of an airplane. It is an easy and convenient way to practice the simplest turns to the most complex maneuvers. A simulator can benefit a beginner greatly if used properly. When it comes to helicopters a flight simulator is a necessity for learning to fly.
When a person makes the decision to get involved in R/C aircraft, he must be willing to devote his time and money to the hobby. He must be willing to tolerate disappointment and frustration to achieve the thrill and rewarding experience of R/C aviation.
A new modeler learning to fly may become frustrated at times, during the learning process, but certainly not bored. To reduce the chance of frustration, a new modeler should become involved with other modelers in order to learn the necessary skills. This involves simply visiting a flying site and becoming acquainted with experienced modelers and joining a club. These modelers are a source of knowledge and experience that can be invaluable to the new modeler. An experienced modeler can be an R/C flight instructor and teach a new person the safety precautions and skills required to be successful.
New modelers must realize that a radio controlled model aircraft is not a toy. It is a true aircraft in that it flies and operates by the same principles as a full-scale aircraft with the difference being the size and weight. The average training model will fly in a range of 20 to 60 MPH and weigh 5 1/2 to 6 pounds. The force of the model hitting an object can be devastating especially if it hits a person. Models must be controlled properly both for enjoyment and for safety. The skills required to accomplish this should be learned from an experienced modeler.
Before purchasing any equipment, the beginner should ask himself, "Is this going to be a short term hobby or something I can see myself remaining involved in for years to come?" If the beginner is going to remain in the hobby for years, he might consider buying more advanced equipment such as a ball bearing engine and a six (6) channel radio system. Otherwise, he should try to keep his initial outlay as low as possible. A beginner can limit his spending to as little as $150 by buying good used equipment or a new trainer system can be purchased as a almost ready to fly package for about $300.
A beginner should understand the basic concepts of flight. The theories behind the physics of flight are covered in many volumes of books and the internet. There are different and sometimes conflicting theories and arguments as to how airplanes fly, but one accepted principle is that lift is generated as a result of the air pressure on the bottom of the wing being higher than the air pressure on the top of the wing and the angle of attack results in lift.
There are four (4) primary forces that act on an aircraft in flight; thrust, lift, drag, and weight. Thrust is the force applied by the combination of engine and propeller acting to pull the aircraft forward. Drag is the resistance against the aircraft by the force of the air against the forward facing surfaces. Weight is caused by gravity. In order for a constant speed to be maintained, thrust and drag must be equal. In order for a constant altitude to be maintained, lift and weight must be equal. Lift increases as the velocity of the air passing over the wing increases or as the angle of attack increases as long as the flow of air over the wing remains smooth. Actual flight is attained when the force of the lift equals weight.
An aircraft pivots about three (3) axes; the yaw or vertical axis controlled by the rudder, the pitch or lateral axis controlled by the elevator, and the roll or longitudinal axis controlled by the ailerons. It can pivot about any one of these individually or in combination based on the control surfaces that are moved and the direction of the movement. The rudder is moved to the right; the aircraft will rotate to the right about the yaw axis and vice versa. When the elevator is moved up, the aircraft will pitch the nose upwards. The ailerons move in opposite directions. When the left aileron is moved up and right one down, the aircraft will rotate to the left and vice versa.
Often a person has an interest in model aviation and visits a local flying field just to observe. He sees all types of airplanes from trainers, pattern planes, and scale World War II fighter planes. His interest is increased by all the fabulous looking models and thinks, "I have to have one of those Mustangs." He immediately sets out trying to find one to begin his new hobby. This is a serious mistake as many hours of training and practice are involved before a person has the skill to handle these more advanced models. A person must begin the hobby with an aircraft designed to allow a person to gain the skill and then progress through different levels of models.
Trainer The trainer is a specific type of model aircraft that is designed to be more stable in flight. This means that it has an inherent ability to correct itself and overcome some of the rotational forces applied. Most trainers are designed to be easier to control, easier to take off and easier to land than advanced models. This does not mean that a person can fly a trainer without proper flight instruction. This also does not mean that a trainer is not capable of advanced maneuvers. A new pilot should learn to fly a trainer and fly it well before he moves on to an advanced model. Many experienced R/C pilots still enjoy taking a trainer out for a flight.
There are certain criteria that a trainer should have in order to be satisfactory for a beginner:
High Wing A high wing model is inherently more stable than a low wing model due to pendulum effect. Since the weight of the model is below the wing, the fuselage tends to swing downward like a pendulum in order to equalize forces.
Flat Bottom Airfoil The wing cross section should have a virtually flat bottom. This type of cross section has greater lift which allows slower flight prior to a stall.
Dihedral The wing should have some dihedral. This means that the tips of the wings are higher than the center. The effect of the dihedral is to try to equalize forces and keep the wings level or to return the wings to a level orientation.
High Aspect Ratio This refers to the ratio of the wing span(length)to the chord(width). This will reduce the rate at which the model responds to command input allowing more time for a beginner to react. The wing should be a constant cord (same width from the center or root to the tip). This distributes the weight of the airplane evenly over the entire surface of the wing.
Low Wing Loading The weight of the model divided by the area of the wing should be in the rang of 19 oz./sq. ft. This reduces the speed required to maintain an acceptable rate that the model descends when the power is reduced resulting in a lower landing speed.
Moderate Size Most trainers are for engine sizes between .15 and .60. The smaller ones are more susceptible to the effects of wind and normally the wing loading is higher simply because of the weight of the radio equipment is the same. The larger sizes are easier to fly and easier to see but are more difficult to transport and more expensive. The best trainers are in the .40 size. Most model aircraft are sized by the size of engine required to fly them. These trainers have been widely accepted as the optimum size.
Structurally Sound A trainer must be able to take the abuses imposed. This is especially true for hard landings and not so perfect take offs. It also should be able to withstand minor crashes and be relatively easy to repair. Some of the trainers that are advertised as indestructible have a very high wing loading and cannot be repaired. These are often made of plastic and are not advisable as a trainer.
A trainer that meets these guidelines will give the beginner excellent service without the frustration that can occur with an inappropriate model. With proper instruction, the beginner can progress quickly to his solo flight and on to the novice stage and still get years of sport flying from the trainer.
There are several trainers on the market that meet and exceed the above guidelines. These range from the most basic kit to Almost Ready to Fly (ARF) models. There are a lot of considerations when choosing a trainer but the two most basic are time and money. A trainer built from a kit has the advantage of the modeler having the plans and the knowledge of how the plane is constructed. It also gives the builder the pleasure of building his first model and the option of color and trim scheme. The biggest advantage of an ARF is the time saved to construct the model when the beginner would rather be learning to fly. Most ARF models perform as well as any kit built model on the market. It is strongly recommended that a person speak with an experienced R/C modeler that is also a flight instructor before purchasing the airplane and flight equipment.
I have always said that the only bad thing about a trainer is the name. The basic trainer in the hands of an experienced pilot is a very stunning event to watch. No one should think they are too good to fly a trainer.
Radio System There are many modern radio systems from which the beginner can choose. There are several common brands including Futaba, JR, Airtronics and Hitch. Each of these offer a wide range of options from a simple 4-channel to a computer assisted 14-channel system. The buyer is limited only by his budget. A beginner should discuss his choice of systems with his intended instructor. There are several reasons for doing this, the primary reason being that the student's systems must be compatible with the instructor's system if it will be used with the trainer cord system.
All basic radio systems consist of four (4) basic components. Transmitter The unit which takes the input from the user encodes it, and sends it to the receiver. Receiver the unit that receives the signal, decodes it, and routes it to the appropriate servos. Servos The device that converts the decoded signal to mechanical force to operate a control surface. Batteries The device that provides power for the devices to operate. There are specific frequencies assigned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for use with airborne R/C models. A beginner must ensure that the system that he chooses is tuned to one of these frequencies. Most radio system manufacturers place a sticker on the outside of the carton that says, "For airborne use only." There are reference frequency charts available that lists the purposes of all of the frequencies that are assigned for R/C use. The radio that is chosen must meet the 1991 specifications for narrow band receivers. The radio system may transmit and receive on either an AM, FM or spread spectrum (2.4 GHz) frequency. The 2.4 and FM frequencies are less prone to interference than the AM. AM systems are seldom manufactured anymore. Regardless of the brand of system, the number of channels, or the price, all transmitters have the same basic components. Transmitters may have additional switches, slides, and displays depending on the functions they perform but the basic components remain the same. Clubs maintain a list of frequencies that are used at the flying field by each modeler. Unless it is a 2.4 GHz it is best to choose a frequency that is not in use at the field that you will be flying. These things should be discussed with the intended instructor before a purchase is made.
Engine The primary engine type used by modelers today is a single cylinder, two (2) cycle, air cooled reciprocating glow engine. A glow engine uses a glow plug and a special fuel mixture of methanol, nitro methane and oil for ignition. A typical inexpensive .40 size engine can produce 1.1 horsepower at 11,500 RPM. The same size racing engine can produce 2.4 horsepower at 20,000 RPM. All of these engines are the same in their basic components. The design of the engine affects its power output, reliability, and longevity. The prop shaft is supported by bushings or bearings. Wear takes place between the piston and cylinder wall and the prop shaft and bushings or bearings. Most engines on the market today are classified as ABC meaning they have an aluminum piston and chrome plated bronze cylinder sleeve. This combination normally produces an engine that yields many hours of trouble free operation if properly maintained. Those engines that have ball bearings for supporting the prop shaft normally produce about 25% more power and last much longer. New .40 to .46 size engines will range from $50 to $150. There are several that are accepted due to price, reliability, easy starting, and longevity. An engine should be matched to the airplane it will power. It is recommended for the beginner to talk to an experienced modeler before the purchase.
Field Equipment is required to get any airplane off the ground. There are a few basic items that will suffice to get a beginner into the air and learning to fly but there are other items that can be added to make the job a lot easier. A Glow Plug Driver for providing power to glow plug. An electric starter is useful to start the engine although they can be started with a device called a chicken stick to flip the prop. Fuel that is recommended by the engine manufacturer. A fuel pump to transfer fuel to the airplane's fuel tank which can be a manual hand crank or electric. A glow plug wrench is needed for removal of the glow plug. A field box suitable for carrying the equipment. These items should cost about $100. This can vary depending on the brand of the items and the place from which the items are purchased. An assortment of screwdrivers, pliers, and allen wrenches may also be needed to perform field maintenance.
An instructor does not have to be certified to any particular standard but must be a competent experienced R/C pilot who is capable of giving instructions with patience. Many people think that flying R/C models is easy and although it can be learned without an instructor, at great expense, you will have much greater success with proper instruction. This point cannot be stressed enough that R/C flying is much more difficult that it might seem and without an instructor it will take you longer and cost you more money to be successful. An R/C flight instructor should connect two transmitters together called the buddy box system so the instructor can take control of the model any time he feels the student is in trouble. This is the reason the student should match his radio system to that of the instructor. Older radios may not have this feature and the instructor and trainee must pass the radio back and forth. This is not an accepted practice for learning to fly R/C. A student can purchase his own buddy box but most clubs have instructors and buddy box gear.
The last thing that is required of a beginner before he sets out to conquer the world of flight is to join the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). This organization provides insurance to cover the cost of a catastrophic incident resulting from a model airplane accident. Very few clubs will allow a beginner to fly at their field unless this type of insurance covers him/her. Insurance should not be looked at as an option but as a necessity. There are many other benefits offered by the organization. These benefits are covered by the organization. The easiest way to find a local club is to ask the owner of a local hobby shop for information. If there is not a hobby shop in the area, AMA has information about clubs and their location.
When the beginner has acquired his equipment, insurance, instructor and he understands the basics of flight and the use of the controls, he is then ready to start the steps toward becoming a qualified R/C pilot. There are a few things that a student pilot should keep in mind when preparing for each flight. These will help in getting the feel for the model in flight. Be very gentle with the controls. It takes very little movement to get the model to execute a maneuver. Remember the farther the stick is moved, the more the control surface moves and the more the model will respond. As long as the stick is held in a control position, the maneuver will continue. This is most important when using the ailerons. When the stick is moved to roll the model, it will continue to roll as long as the stick is held in that position. When a maneuver is executed, it takes equal and opposite controls to overcome it and return to normal flight. A turn requires the movement of the ailerons in the desired direction of the turn. To recover from the turn, opposite aileron input is required. Keep the model high.
A flight instructor once said, "The two most useless things to a pilot are air above you and runway behind you." By this he meant that if a pilot gets into trouble, he must have plenty of air below him to recover. When landing and taking off, the runway that is behind the airplane is wasted. Keep the model in sight. Do not fly too high or too far away. Although the airplane may seem fairly large, it is easy to get it far enough away so that it is difficult to see its orientation. Do not fly into the sun. A moment of blindness caused by the sun can be long enough to lose a model. Do not become discouraged as there will be times when nothing seems to go right. Everyone who flies R/C models has been through this in learning to fly. Do not give up as the next session will be better. DO NOT PANIC when a maneuver goes wrong; take all the time necessary to recover from the mistake. Panic will cause a student to over-control in an attempt to recover and cause the condition to worsen. Although the instructor may seem to be a casual observer standing at the side of the student, he will be watching in case the student gets his model in a dangerous situation. The first few flights will begin with the instructor doing the take-off and checking out the model. The student should watch the airplane as the instructor explains each control movement as it occurs. This will give insight into what is required to execute a take-off. The same will be true for the landing.
Learning to properly land a model is by far the most difficult part of learning to fly. The model is most vulnerable when on the approach to landing because of the close proximity to the ground, its slow airspeed, the reduced responsiveness of control input, and the disorientation due to reversed control. When the instructor has flown the airplane to sufficient altitude, usually 150 to 200 feet, he will ask the student if he is ready to take control. It is normal to be nervous at this point. Assuming that the student is using a buddy box, the instructor will give control to the student by pressing and holding the trainer switch. He will tell the student the maneuvers that he wants him to perform and how each one is to be done. He will give him instructions as to how to improve each maneuver as it is being done. He will have him perform gentle turns left and right, flying ovals around the field, flying rectangles and figure eights. Each maneuver serves a purpose in building the skill of the student pilot. The student will progress to steeper turns, slow flight and stall recovery, each in itself a maneuver required to learn to land. If at any time, the student should get into trouble, the instructor can take control of the model simply by releasing the training switch. He can avoid a mishap and take the trainer back to a safe altitude. The instructor should not let a situation build to a point that is beyond his ability to recover yet he should allow the student time to attempt the recovery on his own. If the student has the time to devote to flying often, he can progress quickly.
The day will come when the instructor will allow the student to attempt his first landing. This is a critical time for the instructor since he must react quickly if the student makes a mistake. It may take several attempts before the student actually sets the model down on the runway and the student must continue to control the model all the way to the point that it stops rolling. After what seems like an eternity to the student, the day comes when the instructor is satisfied that the student is proficient enough in his flying skills to fly solo. This can be an exhilarating experience for the student. He feels that he has finally reached his goal but this is only the beginning. At this point, the fun really starts. The student can now spend hour after hour practicing and developing his skills.
A Flight Simulator cannot teach a beginner to fly. A simulator is exactly what the name implies, a program that simulates the actions of an airplane. It is an easy and convenient way to practice the simplest turns to the most complex maneuvers. A simulator can benefit a beginner greatly if used properly. When it comes to helicopters a flight simulator is a necessity for learning to fly.
When a person makes the decision to get involved in R/C aircraft, he must be willing to devote his time and money to the hobby. He must be willing to tolerate disappointment and frustration to achieve the thrill and rewarding experience of R/C aviation.
About R/C Airplanes
Home
Our Flying Site
Links
About R/C
Airplanes
Airplanes
Members
Gallery
Library
Fun Stuff
For Sale
Members Area
About R/C
Helicopters
Helicopters
About Our Club
