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