Monday, May 31, 2021

RC Helicopters vs. RC Airplanes

 

Flying RC Helicopters and RC Airplanes can be a fun and rewarding experience! This is a technical hobby and incurs some cost, the initial purchase typically being the big cost. Many people enjoy racing RC cars or dabble in boats, or planes and helis.

Two common questions arise with regard to RC Helicopters vs RC Airplanes. Most want to know which is harder to fly, and which one is a better investment. Price-wise, it depends a lot on the model and size you decide to purchase. It is my opinion that it is much harder flying an RC Helicopter compared to flying an RC Plane. However, I also think that flying RC Copters is much more fun and exciting.

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Radio-controlled helicopters do not require largely paved or mowed runways like radio controlled airplanes. As long as you have a fairly open flat area, you can lift off and land your heli in this area. Radio-controlled airplanes will maintain a constant elevation after a certain height is reached until the throttle is lowered.

This is not the case with helicopters.

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Where Should You Buy Your First Radio Controlled Plane?

Buying options for your first radio controlled plane are rather simple, as in general, you have two options: Offline and Online.

Offline, the best option is your local RC hobby store, specialized in what you’re looking for. You might find these planes from the “toy-stores” too, but those are not the places for a true RC hobbyists, are they?

Online, you should look to make your purchase at

  • the websites of the RC plane manufacturers
    • can cost you a bit more, but you get
    • direct contact and support from the people who designed and built the plane
  • other trusted sellers
    • Amazon, which many manufacturers use as a “web-store” and
    • Well-ranked eBay sellers, who often sell the new planes with the most competitive prices

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Buying Used or New Radio Controlled Plane (as Your First Aeroplane)?

As a beginner, do not buy an used RC plane. An used radio controlled plane might be perfectly fine, but to ensure you an enjoyable experience with your first radio controlled plane, we recommend that you look for a new model as your first radio controlled plane.

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

How To Build An RC Model Plane

Flying an RC model plane is an excellent way to enjoy the weekend with family and friends. These planes are made to simulate real-life flight, which makes controlling them very enjoyable. Building RC plane kits can be just as fun as flying it, since it is a step-by-step process that requires patience and perseverance. Although some crafts make take a long time to build, the end result is very rewarding.

Building a RC plane is an excellent way to get the whole family together. Constructing these planes is a big project, so there will be a job for everyone. Even younger children will enjoy simple tasks like applying the decal stickers and gluing items together. More complicated tasks like the electric work and engine assembly should only be done by individuals with qualified experience.

Start by choosing the type of plane you want to create. There are all different kinds of RC model aircraft available, so you should be able to find something that suits your taste. From camouflaged designs to futuristic models, there is a style for everyone.

Monday, November 2, 2020

RC Model Plane Flying Safety Tips

Radio controlled model airplanes provide a taste of flying that you will cherish forever. But to keep it fun, it's worthwhile to keep a few safety tips in mind.

First - always make sure *before* you turn on your radio that no one else is using your frequency, on the ground or otherwise. If you power up your radio and it is on the same channel as another RC flyer, you're likely to knock their plane out of the sky - destroying the airplane, and putting people and property in harm's way.

Second - make sure you're properly fueled up. If you're gas, make sure the tank is full. If you're electric, make sure the batteries are charged. If your plane falls out of the sky for lack of fuel, it can become a dangerous air to ground missile.

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Third - Preflight your airplane. Check control surfaces and internal mechanics. I've made this mistake before, after a particularly rough landing, one of my rods shook loose, rendering my right aileron inoperable. I had no problem getting airborne, but getting that airplane back on the ground was an exercise I never want to experience again.

And the fourth tip for RC plane safety - If you're at a club field, read the posted rules. Know the rules, especially around emergency procedures. If you're not at a club field, make sure it's legal to fly, and that you have plenty of room.

Finally, if you're brand new to the sport of RC flying, I highly recommend practicing with one of the many available computer simulators. You'll crash and burn your virtual aircraft with no harm to person or property.


Monday, February 10, 2020

Get Into Airplane Modeling

As someone interested in Ultralight Aviation I have always been amazed to learn how many different kinds of aircraft people's imagination can create. While the real airplanes and even the ultralights are quite expensive or require years of human work if you want to create one yourself, this is not the case with the airplane modeling.

by Josh Monza

If you want to experience, own or construct many kinds of aircraft, modeling is exactly for you. There are different ways to get involved into this exciting hobby. Consider some of these ideas:

Buying Model Airplane

The easiest way to jump into any hobby is first to buy a few of the ready airplanes and see how you enjoy them. There are thousands of stores online and offline where you can find an endless variety. The most reliable place is probably Amazon.

Buying airplane models is not expensive - typically the basic RC models start from $10 or $30 and simple free flight airplanes are much cheaper - $1 - $2. If you check at your local stores you can find even cheaper ones.



If it's so simple, then why going further? What about the argument that doing things on your own is more fun?

Building Model Aircraft From Kits

Do you know what is the most popular way of buying ultralight and light sport aircraft? No, ultralight pilots don't buy so many airplanes neither build them from scratch. Most aviation enthusiasts buy airplane kits and build their airplanes themselves.

This is very valid for the model airplane hobbyists as well.

The kits or ARF (almost ready to fly) packs are cool for many reasons, especially if you are just starting and have tried only completed models so far:

There are thousands of models available
It's relatively easy to build from kit
It's still an exciting challenge
It's a great learning experience
If you are keen on building model airplanes, it's most recommended to start with a kit or ARF.

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Creating Model Aircrafts From Scratch

Friday, December 21, 2018

Beginner's Guide to Remote Control Airplanes Flight

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 and design, composite material construction, and woodworking, and these are in the airplane alone. There are many other fields of interest in the hobby of aircraft modeling; far too many and too varied to try to list. Many people find that many new skills must be learned before they are ready to begin to learn to fly. The hobby is constantly changing as new technology is developed. A new modeler may become frustrated at times 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 may involve simply visiting a flying site and becoming acquainted with experienced modelers or joining a club. These modelers are a source of knowledge and experience that can be invaluable to the new modeler when he begins to build his first aircraft and when he begins to learn to fly. An experienced modeler can act as an R/C flight instructor to teach a new person the skills required to fly the aircraft properly and to avoid the inevitable crash.
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 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 must be learned from an experienced modeler.