Choosing Your First RC Model Airplane Part I

RC Model Airplanes: Where to Begin?

Like any other hobby or sport, getting into RC model airplanes can be a daunting task. There are many ways that you can learn to fly. Endless different types of model planes are available. This can make learning to fly confusing for a beginner, due to the sheer amount of information available about RC model airplanes. This article will provide the reader with a basic understanding of the hobby, and a direction to follow when first learning how to fly RC model airplanes.

How an RC Model Airplane Works

Before you learn how to fly an RC model plane, it is useful to understand how they work. This will make it easier to repair and fly your RC model airplane. Every RC model airplane is subject to four basic forces, which control its flight:

1. Lift – This is the upward force that causes the airplane to fly. Lift is created by the aerofoil, a special shape built into the wing. The aerofoil will create a difference in pressure between the top and bottom surfaces of the wing, which will result in lift.
2. Thrust – This is the force that causes the RC model airplane to move forward. The propeller on the front of the plane spins, and causes air to move over the wings. Thrust is changed by increasing or decreasing the speed of the engine. The throttle is the control function used to accomplish this.
3. Drag – This force is the opposite of thrust, caused by friction between the RC model airplane and the air it is moving through. Drag is the force responsible for slowing the airplane down in flight.
4. Weight – This is the force of gravity, which is constantly pulling the airplane towards the Earth. This force does not change, except for when the airplane burns fuel.

The four forces of flight (lift, thrust, drag, and weight) need to be balanced in order for the airplane to fly. All of these forces (except for weight) can be changed through the controls found on the RC model plane. Learn more about aircraft theory and control.

RC Model Airplane Control Surfaces

The direction of the plane is controlled by using control surfaces. Control surfaces are sections of the wing and tail that move, resulting in a change in airflow. Every control surface operates on the same principle – for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Because of this if the airflow from any part of the airplane is tilted downwards, the resulting opposite force will push that part upwards. By adjusting the amount of each force the RC model airplane is subjected to, flight can be controlled. A typical RC model plane has all of the following control surfaces:

• Ailerons – These two control surfaces are movable sections of the wing. By moving one of them upwards and the other one downwards, the amount of lift produced by each side of the wing can be changed. Applying aileron will result in roll, which is a spin around the horizontal axis of the plane.

• Elevator – The elevator is a movable section of the horizontal stabilizer (the horizontal part of the tail). When the elevator is moved upwards, the airflow from the tail pushes the tail down, and the nose up. The opposite happens when the elevator is moved down. By using the elevator, the pitch of the airplane can be controlled.

• Rudder – The rudder is a movable section of the vertical stabilizer (the vertical part of the tail). By moving the rudder left or right, the horizontal direction of the nose can be changed. Think of the rudder like a vertical elevator. It works in exactly the same way, but is mounted at 90 degrees to the horizontal plane of the aircraft.
• Throttle – The throttle controls the speed of the engine. In a fuel powered aircraft, the carburetor is opened so that more fuel is burned. An electric aircraft will increase the electric power sent to the motor. When the engine runs faster, the propeller will spin faster, and will move more air over the wings.

Conclusion

If you understand the four forces of flight (lift, drag, thrust, and weight) and how they are controlled, you are ready to pick out your first RC model airplane. Part II of this article will discuss how to choose a good first model.

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