5 Beginner Tips for RC Flying (Video)



RC Airplanes 101



If you’re a first-time buyer or are looking to gift an RC airplane to a first-time user, then you need all the help you can get. The first RC airplane you get will determine just how thoroughly one enjoys using it. Even though we’d all like a Ferrari, if you can’t drive, it’ll just collect dust in your garage. The aim of this guide is to equip our lovely readers with all the knowledge they need to purchase their very own RC airplane.



4 Popular Types of RC Planes

RC airplanes can be distinguished by many different factors, but they’re generally split into four groups: trainers, sports, aerobatics, and floatplanes.



Trainer Airplanes



As the name implies, trainer airplanes are the perfect gift for an aspiring pilot. A full-fledged flyer would probably be bored out of his or her mind flying a basic RC aircraft due to its easy control and durability. Spare parts are also readily available in the event of crashes.



Sport Airplanes



Sport airplanes are similar to trainers in terms of build and durability, but their controls are a lot more flexible. Those with low- or mid-wings are better for performance purposes, whereas high-wing models are speedier and travel farther.



Aerobatic Airplanes



If your RC airplane flying game is on point, then an aerobatic airplane might be for you. These planes typically have mid-wings and over-sized motors for speedier and fancier movement. However, crashing one of these bad boys is heartbreaking, and spare parts may be difficult to find.



Floatplanes



These RC robots are the type that can land on water. They’re quite popular among RC airplane communities, but also pretty difficult to find. This is an excellent choice if you have a body of water close to home. Just make sure you know how to land an RC plane first before getting one of these.



RC Airplane Motor Types

Now let’s talk motors. Like many RC models, airplanes can draw power from either a combustion engine or an electric battery pack. Let’s go over the ups and downs of each type.



Internal Combustion (IC)



An internal combustion engine runs on gasoline. This is the more popular variety among RC aficionados due to their longer flight times and improved maneuverability over battery-powered models.



PROS

+ Farther travel range (depending on the size of the gas tank)

+ More powerful with better thrust

+ The more popular choice among pro flyers



CONS

- More expensive, investment cost may not be worth it for first-time flyers

- Most certainly requires club membership to own and operate- Higher maintenance costs- Steep learning curve

- Not the environmentally friendly option



Electric Power (EP)



Electric powered airplanes use a lithium polymer battery and, usually, brushless motors. These motors dissipate heat much more quickly than combustion engines, allowing users to fly their babies for long periods of time.



PROS

+ More readily available than gas models

+ Increase flight time by purchasing additional batteries

+ Low-maintenance

+ Better option for first-time flyers

+ Does not destroy the environment with toxic fumes



CONS

- Additional battery packs can be costly

- Flight times not as long as gas-powered models



IC vs. EP Rules of Thumb



In general, deciding on whether to purchase an electric or gas-powered model depends on how you answer the following questions:



1. Do you have a healthy budget? If so, then get a gas model.



2. Do you plan on flying in public spaces? If so, then get an electric model.



3. Are you learning how to fly on your own? If so, get an electric model.



4. Do you know how to fix and tweak combustion engines? Then get a gas model.



How Complete is Your RC Plane?



RC airplanes are sold in various levels of “completeness.” Choosing an airplane based on its completeness is a matter of personal preference as well as how honed your model-building skills are.



Kit



A boxed kit comes with all of the pieces needed to put the airplane together. It’s extremely satisfying to build a model, but it’s also time-consuming. Crashing a plane you raised as a baby really can be devastating. For kits, you’ll need to buy the motor, electronic speed controller (ESC), and transmitter separately. You’ll also need to know where and how to install the motor and transmitter.



ARF



ARF (almost ready to fly) RC airplanes are those that are roughly 90% complete straight out of the box. You still need to purchase a motor, ESC, and transmitter, as well as install the components to get the model to fly. These are for the not-so-skilled at building models – e.g. beginners or lazy folks – that just want to get their plane airborne with a few quick tweaks.



RTF



An RTF (ready to fly) RC airplane is one that comes fully finished with all of the electronic components hardwired and ready to roll. At the very most, all customers need to do is attach their wings, charge the battery, put batteries inside of the transmitter, and prepare for the plane’s maiden flight. Also, don’t crash the plane, please.



Design Configuration



One of the more important considerations when shopping for an RC airplane is how the wings are designed. You have two options: high wing and dihedral wings, both with their own set of advantages.



High Wing



As the name suggests, a high wing airplane is one with its wings placed directly on top of the fuselage. From wingtip to wingtip, it’s a straight horizontal path without any curves or obstructions. This type of wing design is the better option for first-time flyers since the weight of the fuselage is located below the wings and help in keeping the airplane’s body level and stable during flight. Performing stunt maneuvers are also a bit harder to do due to weight distribution, but as a beginner, aerobatic control should be the least of your worries.



Dihedral Design



Dihedral refers to the angle of the wins jutting out from the fuselage. When viewed from the front, a dihedral setup will have wings that create a very wide V shape. The more dihedral the wings are, the more stable it will be in flight (up to a certain point). The pendulum effect when banking the plane left and right can sometimes cause a loss of control, but with enough practice, you should be able to level her after flashy stunts.



Controllable Functions



Finally, you have to determine how many channels can control the airplane. In general, a higher channel count gives users more control over their RC aircraft.



Single and Double Channel



Single- and double-channel RC airplanes are considered “toys” in the RC flight world. Each channel controls the motor and elevation – nothing more. They’re great for beginners, but even first-time flyers who are serious about the hobby may be uninterested in flying these models. They’re extremely easy to use, but their movement patterns are extremely limited.



3-Channel



To truly enjoy flying an RC airplane, a 3-channel model is the option for you. 3-channel airplanes give you control over the motor, the plane’s elevation, and the rudder. They tend to be a lot faster than their single- and double-channel counterparts as well.



4-Channel



But there’s nothing stopping you from going up and beyond. A 4-channel model offers a lot more controllability, but the learning curve is pretty steep. The extra channel gives control over the ailerons which can be used to perform fancy maneuvers in the air. If you’re thinking of hiring a professional trainer, then you can have the most fun with a 4-channel airplane.

