Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Understand how a remote control plane works. The plane is controlled by the radio signals operating on a frequency that passes straight through the air from the transmitter (in your hands) to the receiver (in the plane).
Learn about how the control surface moves the plane. The elemental control surfaces are rudders, elevators and ailerons. The rudder makes the plane move right or left. The elevator controls where the nose of the plane is pointing. When pressed up, the plane climbs up. When pressed down, the nose dives. When left level, the plane flies level. Ailerons are found on the edge of each wing tip. They help in the right and left directional turns.
Decide how many channels you would like your plane to have. The more channels on a plane, the more complex it is to fly. For example, a one-channel plane will let you control only the rudder, and a four-channel plane lets you control the motor, elevator, ailerons and rudder.
Decide which motor you would like to try. There are electrical and glow plug motors. Electrical motors use only a battery pack and are cleaner and quieter than glow plug motors. Many beginner radio control, or R/C, pilots choose this motor. The glow plug motors are larger and quicker, but will need some extra work to get them running.
Learn to fly using a trainer radio controlled plane, or purchase flight simulator software. The trainer R/C plane is very stable in the air due to a high wing structure. They also have the tendency to level out on their own. The virtual software uses a model radio transmitter that plugs right into your computer and allows you to practice flying in very realistic conditions.
Get involved with an R/C club and learn from a flight teacher. Go to the R/C Airplane World website and click on their R/C airplane club directory.
Purchase an R/C airplane using the knowledge you now have. You can find them in hobby shops and online at: Red Rocket Hobbies, or R/C discounts.
Practice as much as you can on your own R/C plane using what you've learned from instructors and flight simulators. Don't be discouraged by a crash. It is highly likely it will happen. Just keep trying!