Information Articles

Introduction

After learning about the basic aerobatic maneuvers, you are probably looking forward to trying something more advanced. Before we explain these new and exciting maneuvers though you will need an aerobatics capable aircraft.

Most of the aerobatic maneuvers described in the first part of this series are relatively gentle, and almost any 4 channel RC plane is sufficient to perform them. The intermediate aerobatics described in this article need a moderately capable RC model airplane, preferably with a large engine or motor and relatively little dihedral (upward bend) in the wings.

The process of choosing a second RC model airplane is daunting, and beyond the scope of this article, but here are some general points to consider when choosing a second RC model airplane:

Try to choose a model that uses the same radio hardware and engine as your trainer. That way, you can use the radio and engine from your old trainer in your new airplane – instead of buying them new.
Look for a RC model airplane with a mid to low wing. Most trainers have high
wings mounted on top of the fuselage while the more aerobatic aircraft have low wings, mounted at the bottom of the fuselage.
The RC model airplanes advertised as good second models generally are. Consider this when buying.

If you used a nitro fuel powered trainer with a .40 or .46 sized engine, a Sig 4 Star 40 is a great second RC model airplane. It features a low wing design, very forgiving flying characteristics, and will work with almost any .40 sized engine and 4 channel radio system.

Now that you have a suitable RC model airplane, we will show you how to do some very fun and crowd pleasing maneuvers.

Stall Turn / Hammer Head

A Hammer Head, or more accurately, a stall turn, involves stalling the RC model airplane, and then using the rudder to pivot and descend. Begin by turning the RC model airplane so that it faces into the wind. Increase throttle to full and use the elevator to climb in a vertical path. Continue this vertical climb, until the RC model airplane stalls. The instant the stall occurs, apply full right or left rudder. This will cause the RC model airplane to tip over on one wingtip. Allow the RC model airplanes nose to point downwards, and recover from the stall as normal. This sketch shows what a stall turn looks like.

Spin

The spin is an aerobatic maneuver which induces an asymmetric stall. This means that one of the RC model airplanes wings is stalled more than the other. The result is a graceful downwards spiral, rotating either clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the direction of rudder input.

You can perform a spin by entering a stall as normal, and then using full up elevator and left or right rudder. The spin will continue as long as you hold the elevator and rudder in their maximum positions.
Exit the spin by applying full rudder in the opposite direction of the spin, and dropping the nose to exit the stall. Be sure to stop the spin at a safe altitude – high enough that you have room for at least one mistake. Take a look at this sketch showing the different parts of a spin.

Snap Roll

The snap roll is a type of “aerial somersault”: a quick, rapid flip around the horizontal axis. When done correctly, it is a very crisp and accurate maneuver. Get ready by flying straight into the wind, with the wings straight and level. After that, apply the following control inputs simultaneously.

• Full up elevator
• Full left or right aileron
• Full left or right rudder

These control inputs should result in a sudden, and rapid roll and upward “snap”, which ends as soon as you neutralize the controls. Be careful though, because snap rolls can sometimes induce spins.

Outside Loop

The outside loop is exactly like the inside loop, but it is performed “inside out”, with the bottom of the RC model airplanes fuselage facing inwards. Perform an outside loop the same way as you would perform an inside loop, but enter the loop inverted. Because the RC model airplane is inverted, you will have to use down elevator to climb. After you exit the inverted loop, the RC model airplane will still be upside down, so perform a half roll on to the side to right it. This sketch depicts an outside loop.

The next article in this series will cover advanced maneuvers, including Cuban eights, Immelmans, and Avalanches.

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Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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All of the APC RC Airplane Propellers include a set of motor shaft adapter bushings, so that they can be used on a variety of different RC airplane motor shafts. It is important to use the correct adapter bushing so your propeller fits snugly on the motor shaft.

Which Motor Shaft Adapter Bushing Do I Use?

To determine which adapter you should use you have to know the shaft diameter the motor you’re using. For example, if your motor has a shaft diameter of 0.313in (7.95mm) then you need to use the APC adapter bushing with an inside diameter of 0.313in.

Inside Diameters of the Motor Shaft Adapter Bushings

* All the APC adapter bushings have the same outside diameter.

Precision Motor Shaft Mounting Procedure

1. Each APC propeller’s hub may be precisely adapted to motor shaft diameters of 0.128in, 0.158in, 0.197in and 0.313in by using bushings 1 through 5.
2. Remove the desired locating ring by twisting.
3. Insert the ring with draft angle as shown.
4. The propeller hubs may be adapted to other shaft diameters by reaming the non-precision 0.250in (1/4in, 6.35mm) hole to the size you need.

Never Drill a Propeller, Use a Reamer Instead

In the instructions that come with each propeller, APC tells customers to “drill to desired diameter”. Never drill a propeller. A drill will make an asymmetrical hole and ruin the propeller’s balance. A reamer will make a perfectly centered hole.

Where to Buy APC Electric RC Airplane Propellers

Draganfly Innovations Inc. has a huge selection of APC Electric RC Airplane Propellers. The three types are Slow Flyer, Wide Electric and Electric and range in size from 6 to 24in.
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Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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After you finish learning the basics of model airplane flight, you will probably want to progress to more advanced flying. Aerobatics are maneuvers which are performed outside the normal performance envelope of an aircraft. This means that the aircraft is subject to stress, speeds, and attitudes not encountered in straight and level flight. There are several relatively easy to perform maneuvers for a beginner to try. This article will show you the basic maneuvers such as loops and rolls, and later articles will detail more advanced maneuvers.

The Stall

Although the stall isn’t exactly an aerobatic maneuver, you will need to know how to avoid and survive them before you try the basic aerobatic maneuvers which can sometimes cause stalls.

In order to produce lift and keep the RC model airplane flying, air must constantly move over the wings. If the angle of attack (how high the nose is pointed) is increased, then the aircraft will climb and slow down. A stall is a condition of flight where little to no lift is produced by the wings, causing the aircraft to free fall. All aircraft wings have a critical angle of attack, beyond which they cannot effectively generate lift. If this limit is exceeded, then the RC model aircraft will enter a stall.

After entering the stall, the RC model airplanes nose will drop. Most beginning pilot’s first instinct is to pull back on the elevator and attempt to slow the descent. This is actually the opposite of what should be done to recover from a stall. Remember, the lift produced by the wings is proportional to the amount of air moving over them. The only way to increase this airflow over the wings and thus end the stall is to increase the RC model airplanes speed through the air. This is accomplished by letting the nose drop, and then gently pulling back after sufficient airspeed has been gained.

You can safely practice stall recovery by letting the RC model airplane climb to a safe altitude, reducing throttle, and pulling back on the elevator. After inducing a stall, just let the nose drop, increase throttle, and then gradually pull back on the elevator. Once you are comfortable with stall recovery, you can start learning about the fun stuff – aerobatics!

The Loop

The loop is one of the easiest (and most fun) aerobatic maneuvers to perform. Begin by flying the RC model airplane to a safe altitude (about 50 feet should be enough) and into the wind. Increase throttle to full, and gently pull back on the elevator to start climbing. Continue to use the elevator, and let the aircraft enter inverted flight. After the RC model aircraft’s nose starts to point downwards, gradually decrease the amount of up elevator until the RC model aircraft is level again. Take a look at this sketch, which shows what a loop looks like.

The loop described here is an inside loop, performed with the RC model airplanes bottom facing outwards. An inside loop is a much more challenging maneuver, and will be discussed in a later part of this article.

The Roll

The roll is another easy to perform maneuver, consisting of rolling the airplane on its side 360 degrees. We recommend having a RC aircraft with ailerons to perform this maneuver, but some three channel aircraft are able to roll without problems. This sketch shows what a roll looks like. We have colored in one wingtip of the aircraft in the picture, so that you can see the

Start the roll with the RC model airplane facing into the wind. Then apply a small amount of up elevator (to compensate for the loss of lift from the wing) and apply full aileron in the direction that you want to roll. Don’t center the ailerons until the RC model airplane is level again.

Inverted Flight

Flying the RC model aircraft inverted is a fun and impressive aerobatic maneuver. You already have some experience with inverted flight after performing loops and rolls, the two major ways to enter inverted flight.

The loop is the simplest way to enter inverted flight. Enter the loop like before, but at the top, don’t use up elevator. Instead apply a slight amount of down elevator. Because the RC model airplane is inverted, every control input will be opposite to what it is when the plane is flying normally. For example: when flying inverted, use left aileron to turn right, and right aileron to turn left. Likewise: use up elevator to fly downwards, and down elevator to fly upwards. You can exit inverted flight by completing the loop, using up elevator, or rolling 180 degrees. This sketch illustrates the two main ways to enter inverted flight.

Part II of this article will discuss more advanced aerobatics, including snap rolls, stall turns, and
hammerheads.

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Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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A group of RC car enthusiasts are developing a new kind of RC car, which they hope will break the world RC car speed record. The X3 electric RC car uses a 29.6 volt brushless motor with a pair of Thunder Power RC 4 cell 3300mAh LiPoly batteries to achieve speeds faster than many full scale cars are capable of.

The current world speed record for an RC car is 134.4 miles per hour (216.3 kilometers per hour). A test run of the X3 has been clocked at a speed of 83 miles per hour, but design changes are underway to improve upon this. The motor has a theoretical maximum speed of 274 miles per hour, but friction limits the actual speed that the RC car can achieve. An aerodynamic body is designed to minimize air friction and increase the speed of the RC car to its design goal of 200 miles per hour.

At such incredible speeds, a human driver cannot possibly control the RC car sufficiently. This is why a pair of aerodynamic fins and a gyroscope have been added to the RC car’s body. Without control input, the RC car can speed down a large length of pavement in a perfectly straight line.

The designers also replaced the rubber tires usually used by RC cars with lightweight foam. Unlike the rubber wheels which generate large amounts of heat, the foam wheels can be used at high speeds without danger of disintegrating.

You can read more about the X3 electric RC car at its creators blog.

Learn more about Thunder Power RC by visiting the Thunder Power RC Web site.

RCToys.com is the best place to buy Thunder Power RC Lithium Polymer batteries, chargers and accessories, Eagle Tree E-Loggers & accessories and Castle Creations ESC Speed Controls.

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© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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The 12 inch DF-1245CR, 10 inch DF-1045CR, and 8 inch DF-8045 CR are pairs of counter rotating propellers. Counter rotating propellers are useful for experimental and twin engine aircraft, because they cancel out torque and p factor.

When an aircraft’s propeller or rotor spins, it generates torque. Torque can be described as the tendency for the aircraft to move its nose in one direction, due to the motion of the propeller.

Torque can be eliminated by using a pair of propellers, each spinning in opposite directions. Each propeller is curved in opposite directions, so that they both provide forward thrust while spinning in opposite directions.

The Lockheed P-38 lightning is one of the most famous applications of the counter rotating technology. During world war II, engineers needed a way to ensure that their fighters remained on target while using their weapons. They eventually settled on the counter rotating design, because the torque caused by each engine spinning in the same direction made it difficult for the plane to remain on target.

Because they eliminate torque, counter rotating propellers are an ideal choice for quad rotor and twin engine RC aircraft. A great example is the Draganflyer RC helicopters, which use the counter rotating design to prevent torque. Counter rotating propellers are difficult to find, so get some for your RC aircraft today.

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© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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Use this handy reference to locate replacement parts for your Bladerunner RC helicopter. Please note that the Firefly and Micro Mosquito main rotor blades are the same, except for the color. Also, all of the rotors that we sell (with the exception of the Firefly) are solid black. If you are unsure which rotor blades to use, please call us at: 1-800-979-9794 and we will be happy to assist you.

Helicopter Name	Main Rotor Diameter	Replacement Main Rotor	Replacement Tail Rotor	Replacement Parts Kit	Repair kit item #
Micro Mosquito	6.25 inches	BR-MM-ROTORSET and BR-FF-ROTORSET	BR-MM-TRP-UPG and BR-MM-TRP	BR-MM-REPKIT	45003
Micro Mosquito V5	6.25 inches	BR-MM-ROTORSET and BR-FF-ROTORSET	BR-MM-TRP-UPG	BR-MM-REPKIT	45003
Firefly	6.25 inches	BR-FF-ROTORSET and BR-MM-ROTORSET	Not available	BR-FF-REPKIT	45004
Black Ghost	5.5 inches	BR-BG-REPKIT	BR-BG-TRP	BR-BG-REPKIT	45007
The Incredible Hulk	5.5 inches	Sold with replacement parts kit	BR-BG-TRP	BR-BG-REPKIT (includes main rotors)	45007
Iron Man	5.5 inches	Sold with replacement parts kit	BR-BG-TRP	BR-BG-REPKIT (includes main rotors)	45007
Bladerunner Search and Rescue	9.5 inches	BR-SR-ROTORSET	Not available	BR-SR-REPKIT	61218
Bladerunnner 2	11.5 inches	BR-ROTORSET	BR-TRP	BR-REPKIT	40326
Bladerunner 2 channel	11.5 inches	BR-ROTORSET	Not available	BR-REPKIT	40326
Bladerunner	11.5 inches	BR-ROTORSET	BR-TRP	BR-REPKIT	40326
Bladerunner Spiderman	11.5 inches	BR-ROTORSET	Not available	Not available	Not available
Micro Nano	5.5 inches	BR-BG-REPKIT	BR-BG-TRP	BR-BG-REPKIT	45007
Bladerunner 3	9.5 inches	BR-SR-ROTORSET	Not available	BR-SR-REPKIT	61218

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Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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The lighter you make your foam RC model airplane, the better it will fly. This article will show you how to trim weight and increase the flight performance of your RC model airplane.

Use the right glue – Using the right glue is of critical importance during the construction of your foam RC model airplane. Use foam safe CA glue, and apply it very sparingly. It only takes a tiny drop to attach two parts properly. By using the right glue in the right amounts, you can reduce the overall weight of the RC model airplanes fuselage.

Make the radio system lighter – Choose a radio system with the lightest components possible. Find lightweight servos with weights between 4.7 and 7.8 grams, such as our Hitec or Draganfly brand micro servos. Try to get the lightest servos possible. You can reduce the weight of your radio system by removing the bottom portion of the servo case. In most cases, this can simply be unscrewed. The plastic receiver case can also be removed quite easily. As a last resort, you can attempt to directly solder the servo wires to the receiver. This will save the weight of the connectors, but only attempt this if you are very comfortable soldering.

Choose the right lipo battery – The battery is one of the heaviest components of any foam RC model airplane. Look at the different sizes of battery available, and compare brands to find the lightest. Choose a battery based on the physical limitations of the model and the flight time that you want. In most cases, a 350 Mah battery is sufficient.

Modify the landing gear – Most foam RC model airplanes come with plastic wheels. If you will only be flying your foam model indoors off of a smooth floor then you can remove them. There are several lighter landing gear systems you can use, but we recommend using a skid made out of piano wire or a spare push rod. This procedure shows you how to make one:

1. Cut the wire to the length that you want. You can save even more weight by making the wire as short as possible.
2. Using a pair of needle nose pliers, bend the end of the wire into a U shape.
3. Use CA glue to attach the wire to your models landing strut (usually made of carbon rod.)
4. Wrap the entire joint with Kevlar thread. Do not use too much, or it will offset the weight loss gained from removing the wheels.
5. Cover the area with a small amount of CA glue.

You can also add small foam wheel pants as decorations – the weight gain from this is minimal.
Follow these tips to reduce the weight of your foam RC model airplanes.

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© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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