| Flying rc airplanes and helicopters has become a | | | | of the wings when looking at the model from the |
| hugely popular pastime in recent years, and more and | | | | front. |
| more people are discovering the hobby all around the | | | | The more dihedral an airplane has, the more stable it |
| world. | | | | will be in the air, and hence easier to fly. |
| The letters RC stand for radio control, and refer to | | | | The majority of electric RTF rc airplanes are high |
| anything that is controlled by radio signals that are | | | | wing, and are designed for beginners into the hobby. |
| sent out from a transmitter to a receiver located | | | | The same rule applies to nitro airplanes. High wing |
| inside the model. | | | | trainers with plenty of dihedral always make good |
| You'll often see rc referred to as 'remote control' but | | | | beginner planes. |
| this is technically incorrect. Radio control is the correct | | | | The big difference between nitro and electric |
| term. | | | | airplanes is where you can fly them. Electric ones can |
| In past years, RC airplanes and helicopters have been | | | | be flown in public places, but nitro planes can really |
| relatively expensive to buy, and you had to have a | | | | only be flown at a model flying club, or on private |
| fair amount of model building knowledge to know | | | | land with the owner's permission. |
| how to assemble a kit from plans, not to mention | | | | This is simply because they are bigger, noisier and |
| knowing how to install and set up the radio control | | | | faster than their electric cousins. These factors are |
| gear and motor properly. | | | | what makes nitro airplanes harder to learn to fly, |
| But all that has changed and, while kits are still | | | | although ultimately more rewarding. |
| available of course, many airplanes and helicopters | | | | So if you want to get into the hobby of radio control |
| now can be bought as RTF models, which stands for | | | | flying and jump straight in at the deep end with a |
| Ready To Fly. | | | | nitro model, seeking out your local model flying club is |
| This basically means what it says; the model is | | | | the best thing that you can do as a first step toward |
| assembled at the factory, the rc gear and motor | | | | your new pastime. |
| have been installed and set up and there is nothing | | | | The above information goes for rc helicopters too. |
| for you, the consumer, to do other than install the | | | | In fact, electric rc helicopters have really changed the |
| radio control gear batteries, do some very basic final | | | | hobby, because they have become so much cheaper |
| assembly work such as attaching the wing to the | | | | to buy than they ever have been, and many |
| fuselage, and taking to the skies! | | | | nowadays are designed for the complete beginner, |
| RTF airplanes and helicopters can be powered by | | | | which just a few years ago was an unthinkable idea! |
| either electric or glow plug motors. | | | | So even if you've never held a rc helicopter before, |
| The latter is often referred to as 'nitro' or 'gas' | | | | you can very quickly be mastering the controls of an |
| because the fuel that a glow plug motor runs on | | | | electric model heli without too much trouble. |
| contains nitro methane. | | | | Many even come with their own flight simulation |
| Nitro planes need extra accessories than electric ones | | | | software - just load it onto your home computer and |
| do, simply because of the motor. Also, nitro planes | | | | practice first, without running the risk of crashing |
| are generally bigger and have a steeper learning | | | | your model! |
| curve. | | | | There are literally hundreds of models to choose |
| Electric rc airplanes are far more common for people | | | | from these days (airplanes and helicopters), but |
| entering the hobby, simply because they are clean, | | | | always be sure of what you're buying first. |
| quiet and simple. | | | | Check out reviews if you can find some, and be |
| The very popular 'Park Flyer' style electric planes are | | | | happy that the model is suitable for a beginner. |
| bringing thousands of new rc pilots into the hobby | | | | If you have a flying club nearby, get yourself along |
| because of these reasons. Also, they are cheap to | | | | to that and chat to fellow modelers. Any advice that |
| buy; a simple 1 or 2 channel RTF model can be | | | | you can pick up from a club will prove to be |
| bought for well under $100! | | | | invaluable in your early flying days. |
| Because they are quiet and small, they can be flown | | | | The good thing is that with the models that are on |
| in any good-size open area, hence the name Park | | | | offer now, getting into the hobby of radio control |
| Flyer. Public parks, sports fields or empty parking lots | | | | flying has never been easier or cheaper! |
| can all be used as flying space, provided that flying rc | | | | If you'd like to read a lot more about many aspects |
| airplanes there is allowed in the first place, which is an | | | | of this addictive pastime, is a comprehensive 'Getting |
| important thing to find out before you fly your | | | | Started' Guide to the hobby, with information such as |
| model! | | | | how to choose a suitable model, how to have a |
| The best type of airplane to buy if you're first | | | | successful first flight and how radio control systems |
| starting out is a high wing trainer type. Airplanes with | | | | work. |
| the wing on top of the fuselage are much more | | | | The site also includes a large radio control club |
| stable than ones with the wing underneath. | | | | directory, so you may be able to find a club close to |
| Another important point to look for is the amount of | | | | home. |
| dihedral the model has. Dihedral is the upward angle | | | | |