Information Articles

In this article, we will look at the different applications of RC aerial photography. It is important to understand what RC aerial photography is used for before learning how to get good pictures, which is the topic of the next article in this series. Here is a list of some of the most common applications of RC aerial photography.

• Amateur RC Aerial Photography - Taking aerial photographs from RC aircraft provides an easy and cheap way for amateur photographers to get aerial pictures. Before RC aircraft were as advanced as they are today, getting aerial photos required hiring or accessing a commercial plane and pilot, then flying all the way to the target location and back again. Using a regular aircraft is expensive, and this expense repeats for each trip you make. Getting a suitable RC aircraft and adding a digital camera only has to be done once, the expense after that is minimal. Amateur aerial videography is also possible, by using a camera which supports taking video as well as still pictures.
• Professional RC Aerial Photography - Many professional aerial photographers use RC aircraft to help them in their work, due to their low cost and versatility. A potential client can ask for an aerial picture of an object, and can have results in less than an hour. After taking the aerial pictures or video, the RC aerial photographer can download them to a laptop, burn them to a CD - ROM, and give them to a customer immediately.
• Getting Pictures Of Hard To Reach Locations - Conventional aircraft cannot fly below 500 ft over the target location. This requires the aerial photographer to zoom in with his / her camera, reducing the final image quality. This is not good, unless high altitude pictures are required. RC aircraft are more versatile, due to their small size.
• Photographing Potentially Dangerous Situations - There are some situations where sending a human photographer or manned aircraft would be too dangerous, like riots, fires, or other disasters. Sending an RC aircraft with a camera attached can be the perfect solution because it gets the pictures you need, without unnecessary risk.
• Usage Where The Expense Of Hiring An Actual Aircraft Is Unjustifiable - As said previously, hiring a conventional aircraft is expensive. Depending on budgets, projects like photographing traffic accidents might not justify this expense.

Part III of this series will explain how to consistently get great results in RC aerial photography, and how to get the proper angle, light, and position will be explained.

——
© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

Aerial photography is the act of taking pictures from the air. Aerial Photography has long been used to take pictures of large structures, help produce maps, and take pictures of property. Usually, taking aerial pictures necessitated hiring an aircraft and a pilot and then flying to the target location, taking the required pictures, and flying back. This process is expensive and inconvenient, due to the large costs involved and the restrictions of flying conventional aircraft.

RC aerial photography is a relatively recent development, brought on by improvements in radio control and camera technology. Many RC enthusiasts attach conventional digital cameras to their aircraft, and use them to obtain pictures of where they fly. RC Aerial photography is a challenging and rewarding hobby, but it is also turned into a thriving and valid business. Aerial photography owes it’s success to the huge demand for aerial pictures and video of different real estate properties. One of the best ways to describe a property to a potential buyer is to show them an aerial picture, which can provide a view of the entire area at a glance. Many real estate companies are interested in low cost aerial pictures, so they are the primary customers of the business.

Full size aircraft must always fly higher than 500 ft above ground level, so this severely limits the types of views which can be obtained when taking pictures. RC aerial photographies main advantage is it’s versatility, you can do RC aerial photography anywhere at almost any time.

Getting Started with RC Aerial Photography

The first thing to do is to get a suitable beginner RC model aircraft and learn how to fly it. You can learn to fly in many different ways, but the most common is to get a trainer aircraft and learn with a more experienced instructor. Once you have mastered your trainer aircraft, you are ready to proceed to more specialized areas of the hobby.

Equipment You Will Need for Doing RC Aerial Photography

• RC Model Airplane or Helicopter - After you have learned to fly a trainer aircraft, you will need to choose one to use for aerial photography. In most cases any RC aircraft will do, as long as its able to carry the weight of the camera you are using. RC helicopters are best for aerial photography, because of their ability to hover in one place while taking pictures. This can help reduce blur and make taking steady images easier. Some RC airplanes have also been designed for aerial photography, including the Tango Surveillance Aircraft.
• Camera - The most important thing to consider when buying a camera for RC aerial photography is the weight. Make sure that the aircraft can carry the weight of the camera before you attempt a flight. It is best to keep the weight of the camera as small as possible, but any with a weight less than 5 ounces should be within the carrying capacity of most RC models. Check the memory capacity of the camera - will it allow you to take as many pictures as you need? Most digital cameras come with a memory expansion port, but make sure of this before you buy. Find out whether the camera can be remotely triggered or not. Some cameras can be modified to include switches, which will interface to the radio system of an RC plane. This is by far the most common and most reliable method of remotely triggering a camera. RCGroups.com has a thread listing supported cameras, look there for ideas. If you are interested in RC aerial videography (taking aerial video) then there are several pre made solutions available, many of which just need to be strapped to an RC aircraft and turned on. These include the Eyecam, Eyecam Extreme, and the SAVS camera (only available with the SAVS helicopter) .
• Chargers, tools, and batteries / fuel - Depending on the model that you choose, you will need several different accessories. After you learn to fly you will probably have most of these, but you can refer to the field accessories guide if you need a list.

Setting Up Your Model for RC Aerial Photography

There are several prebuilt aircraft available, designed for aerial videography (taking aerial video). You can retrieve still images from them, but they will not be of a comparable quality to still images obtained with a still camera. If you are interested in aerial videography, then you might want to look at the Draganflyer series of RC helicopters, which have been designed for this purpose.

Preparing the Camera for RC Aerial Photography

If you want to take high quality aerial pictures, then you will need to modify a digital camera and install it on your RC model aircraft. The hardest part is getting the camera to trigger remotely, at the flip of a switch on the radio transmitter. In order to do this, you will need a spare channel on your radio system. The simplest way to trigger the camera is to attach a spare servo to the camera, so that when it moves it pushes the trigger on the camera. Some cameras can also be modified and wired directly to your radio system. The latter is the most popular method, and the most reliable. You can find more information on cameras and how to wire them to your receivers. The exact procedure varies between cameras, but the end result is the same.

Mounting The Camera on The RC Aircraft

Your camera will need to be mounted to your aircraft in such a way that it does not interfere with flight, and is able to take pictures without interference with the propeller or other aircraft parts. Mounting the camera can be as simple as attaching it to the fuselage or wing of the aircraft using rubber bands. This is one of the most popular ways to attach the camera, because its cheap and temporary. The camera can also be permanently mounted in the fuselage, or attached using an articulating, adjustable mount. How you mount your camera is up to you, just make sure that whatever you choose doesn’t interfere with the aircrafts flight and provides a clear view. It is important to keep the propeller out of the cameras view, unless you want it in your aerial pictures.

Once you’ve got a camera attached to your RC aircraft, you are ready to begin doing aerial photography. In the second part of this article we will discuss the different applications of RC aerial photography, and then show you some great tips that will let you get great pictures, every time.

——
© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

Electric RC planes are becoming more popular, due to improvements in technology and their clean, quiet, and reliable nature. There are many different kinds of electric RC planes available, and each is designed for a different purpose. This article will show you the different types of electric RC planes available, and explain how they work.

Benefits of Electric RC Planes

Electric RC planes have many benefits over fuel planes. This list shows some of the many reasons that you should choose electric power over fuel:

• Cheaper than fuel RC planes - In many cases, electric power is cheaper than a comparable fuel system.
• Just as powerful as fuel RC planes - Brushless motors are just as powerful as their fuel counterparts.
• Safer than fuel RC planes - Electric RC planes are safer than fuel. A hot nitro or gas engine can do serious damage to anyone who accidentally touches or gets to close to it. Electric RC planes use motors and propellers which do not inflict as much damage in the event of an accident.
• Electric motors are reliable - A good brushless electric motor is far more reliable than any fuel engine. Why waste time adjusting the mixture, idle speeds, and other settings when you can just plug in a electric motor and fly?
• Great way to get into RC - Electric RC planes are a great way for a beginner to learn how to fly because of their low cost and durability. Several beginner electric RC planes are available.
• Practical for 3D / Foam - Electric power is the only form of power that makes sense for 3D and foam electric RC planes. Fuel engines cannot be build small enough to power these models effectively.
• Indoor flight is possible - Many electric RC planes can be flown indoors. This is not possible with any fuel model due to the noise, mess, and danger.

Examples of Electric RC Planes

There are many different kinds of electric RC planes, so here is a list summarizing the basic types you will find.

Simple 2 Channel Electric RC Plane

Some electric RC planes use only a two channel radio system. These planes are a great way for kids to learn about RC planes, due to the simple design and low cost. The Vortex is a great example of this type of electric RC airplane. Everything needed to start flying is included in the box, and spare parts are available on our website.

More Advanced 3 Channel Electric RC Plane

More advanced Electric RC planes use a three channel radio, letting the pilot control the altitude, yaw, and pitch of the aircraft. The Vortex Extreme is a good example of this design, with a proportional radio system and a powerful electric motor. We recommend this electric RC plane to anyone interested in learning how to fly. Check out these articles covering everything from the basics of RC flight, to choosing your first electric RC plane.

4 Channel Electric RC Plane

Electric RC planes aren’t just for teaching beginners how to fly, there are many full control models available for serious pilots. These types of electric RC planes use a proportional 4 channel radio system, allowing the pilot to control the bank, pitch, yaw, and throttle. An excellent example of a 4 channel electric RC plane is the Multiplex Minimag. This airplane is perfect for anyone who wants a dependable plane to fly anywhere.

3D Foam Electric RC Plane

One of the most common uses of electric power is in 3D foam electric RC planes. 3D model airplanes are able to hover, due to their large power to weight ratio, and are an excellent choice for indoor and backyard flying. The Southern X-3 is a great example of this type of electric RC airplane, and is maneuverable enough to be flown inside a house! Indestructible takes on a whole new meaning with this airplane, due to it’s flexible foam construction it is able to survive almost any crash without damage.

How Electric RC Planes Work

Electric RC airplanes use several different approaches to radio and motor system design. Here is a list of some of the most basic components that all electric RC planes use:

1. Motor - The motor is one of the most important components of any electric RC plane. It is used to spin the propeller and generate airflow over the wings, which causes lift and allows the airplane to fly.
2. Battery - The Battery is what provides power to the motor and radio system of the electric RC plane. There are two main types of batteries used. The NiMh (nickel metal hydride) batteries are readily available, and are used in several electric RC planes including the Vortex and Vortex Extreme. Lithium polymer batteries use a different chemistry, and provide many times more power than NiMh batteries. Special chargers are required to charge lithium polymer batteries, due to the flammable chemicals that they use. Make sure to supervise these batteries while charging, and get a fire retardant sack to charge them in.
3. Radio System - The Radio system is used to control the electric RC plane. Radio signals are sent from the transmitter to the receiver in the airplane, which tells the control surfaces how to move and the engine how fast to spin.
4. ESC (electric speed controller) - The electric speed controller is used in electric RC Planes to control the speed of the engine. This is similar to the throttle on a fuel airplane, which opens or closes the carburetor air intake to vary the speed at which fuel is burned. The ESC varies the amount of power sent to the motor of the electric RC plane by altering the voltage of the current that passes through it.
5. BEC (battery eliminator circuit) - Some electric RC planes have a battery eliminator circuit. This is a device which powers the radio system of the electric RC plane using current from the main flight battery. Without a BEC, an electric RC plane needs a separate battery to power the radio system.

Electric RC planes can use other components, but these are the most common found in nearly every model.

Why Choose an Electric RC Plane?

You are beginning a great hobby, one which will require patience and dedication to be successful. Electric RC planes are a great way to begin, and experienced pilots will appreciate the fantastic 3D capabilities of electric foam planes. Have fun with your electric RC planes!

——
© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

This article is about model RC airplane crashes, and how to repair the damage caused by them.

Crashing your RC model airplane is normal, and it happens to everyone when learning how to fly. Because of this, the Vortex Extreme RC model airplane has been specifically designed to survive crashes with minimal damage. Follow this procedure to assess the damage caused by the crash, and repair your RC model airplane easily.

Right after the RC model airplane crash:

1. Do a search - Get all of the parts from your RC model airplane, including all broken pieces of foam and plastic. Most of the time, the broken RC model airplane parts can be repaired by re assembling these fragments.
2. Find all the parts - Do a thorough search of the crash site to make sure that you find all of the parts.
3. Take them home - Put the RC model airplane parts in a box or other container, and take them home. Don’t attempt to repair the RC model airplane at the flying field.

Assess the damage to your RC model airplane and make repairs:

1. Find a place to work - Now that you have all of the parts from your RC model airplane, go and find a place to work on repairs. You will want a large flat table, so that you can lay out all of the parts.
2. Check the wing and tail - Look at the wing and tail sections of the RC model airplane, are they damaged? Small chips and cracks can usually be repaired with epoxy and packing tape. If you find a chip, place the missing part back into the wing or tail, and lay a strip of packing tape over the top and bottom. Larger cracks and bends generally require the replacement of the wing. A rudder cracked at the root can be repaired using epoxy and packing tape.
3. Check the control surfaces - Are the rudder and elevator control surfaces still attached to the tail of the RC model airplane? If they have been knocked loose, just use some packing tape to re attach them. Bends in the pushrods can be corrected using a pair of pliers.
4. Check the tail boom - Is the tail boom of the RC model airplane broken? If it is, you will need to replace it. Get a replacement tail boom, and remove the old one from the airplane. Put the pushrods from the old tail boom into the new one, making sure that they are straight. Bends in the pushrods can be corrected using a pair of pliers. Hot glue the new tail boom into the fuselage, and screw it in place.
5. Check the RC model airplane landing gear - Bent landing gear can be repaired by bending it back into shape with your hands.
6. Check the RC model airplane propeller - If it is broken, replace it using the spare that came with your airplane. More spare propellers can be ordered through our website.
7. Test the RC model airplane radio - Do the throttle, rudder, and elevator respond to the transmitter? Check to make sure that they move in the right direction. If the radio does not respond, it has probably been damaged on impact. A replacement fuselage is available which includes a new radio system. Get this and install the non broken components of the airplane.
8. Perform a pre flight check to make sure that everything works correctly. Refer to Part III of this article for the procedure.

You have now completely repaired your RC model airplane, so that it is ready to fly again. If you want, you can print off this article, and keep it as a reference to use when repairing RC model airplanes in the future.

——
© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

RC Model Airplane Flight - What You Need To Know:

By this time, you are probably excited to go out and fly your new RC model airplane. Before you read further, please make sure that you understand the information presented in part I and part II of this article. It is important to understand the basics of RC model airplane flight before going any further.

This article will show you what you can expect when you first fly your model, and will provide some checklists you can use to ensure that your RC model airplane is ready to fly. From now on, it is assumed that you have chosen Vortex Extreme as your first RC model airplane, but this information should still be useful when using other similar RC model airplanes. A good example would be the Multiplex Easystar RC model airplane.

Pre Flight Check List for Your RC Model Airplane:

After you assemble your RC aircraft using the included instructions, follow this checklist carefully. It will make any problems with the RC aircraft apparent before you fly.

Perform A Visual Inspection of your RC model airplane:

1. Inspect the airplane for any signs of damage. Check the RC model airplane’s wing and all foam parts for cracks, and make sure that the fuselage and tail boom are attached securely. Make sure that the wing and tail section are straight relative to the fuselage.
2. Check the rudder and elevator. Are they attached to their respective pushrods (the silver wires coming from the rear end of the tail boom)? Do they move freely?
3. Center the trim tabs on the transmitter (highlighted in blue), and push the elevator (vertical) trim tab several clicks down.
4. Make sure that the RC model airplane’s main landing gear (wheels) and tail wheel (the smaller wheel on the back) are attached securely. Does the airplane sit flat on the ground? If it doesn’t, bend the main wheels gently to correct this.

Test The Radio of Your RC model airplane:

1. Place a fully charged flight battery in the RC model airplane.
2. Place eight new AA batteries or 8 fully charged NiCd Batteries in the transmitter
3. Turn on the transmitter by moving the switch to the right. The two LEDs on the transmitter should light up. If they don’t, replace the batteries in the transmitter.
4. Move the stick on the transmitter in several full circles. Do the rudder and elevator move in the right direction? Test this by moving the stick to the upper right. The elevator should move down and the rudder should move to the right (when viewed from behind). If they don’t move in the right direction, use the reverse switches found near the bottom centre of your transmitter.
5. Collapse the antenna, and walk away from the aircraft while moving the control surfaces. If you can still control the elevator and rudder effectively at a distance of about 30 ft with the antenna collapsed, the radio is functioning correctly.

Test the Motor of Your RC Model Airplane:

1. If the propeller is installed on the RC model airplane, remove it.
2. Press the red arming switch on the side of the fuselage.
3. Increase the speed of the motor using the throttle control.
4. As long as the motor shaft spins relatively fast, you have a properly working motor.

Understanding Your RC Model Airplane Radio:

In order to fly your RC model airplane, you will need to be familiar with the different controls and features of your radio system. This color coded diagram shows all the different control functions, and where they are located on the transmitter.

• Red - Elevator and rudder control. Left and right motion controls the rudder, while up and down motion controls the elevator
• Green - Power switch. Moving the power switch to the right turns the transmitter on.
• Blue - Trim tabs. Move these to the centre before your first flight. They are used to make small adjustments to the elevator and rudder, so that the RC model airplane flies straight and level without additional control inputs.
• Yellow - Antenna. Make sure that it is fully extended before flying your RC model airplane, and collapse it for storage. You can do this by grasping the top part, and pushing or pulling it from the transmitter case.
• Pink - Servo Reversing switches. These will reverse the motion of the aircrafts control surfaces. They can be moved either up or down. Use these only if the default motion of the control surfaces on your RC Model Airplane is incorrect (I.E the elevator moves up when the stick is moved up.)
• White - Indicator lights. The red light is the power indicator, and turns on whenever the power switch is on. The green one is the battery indicator. It remains on as long as the batteries are full. As soon as it turns off the batteries will need to be replaced. Check that both are lit before flying your RC model airplane.
• The throttle is a small lever found on the back of the transmitter, on the opposite side of the main control stick.

Before you fly your RC Model Airplane

The RC model airplane flight battery will need to be properly cycled before flying. All of the NiMh batteries that we sell are new, so they will need to be “broken in” before they can be used to their full capacity. This can be accomplished via this procedure:

1. Charge the NiMh battery fully.
2. Plug the NiMh battery into your aircraft, and turn on the aircraft and the transmitter.
3. Remove the propeller, if it is already attached to the motor shaft.
4. Apply full throttle, until the aircraft runs out of power.
5. Repeat this procedure until the motor runs continuously 8 to 15 minutes.

This procedure will normally need to be repeated 3 to 5 times, and will need to be done once for each new battery that you use.

Your First RC Model Airplane Flight - How to Make It A Success

The first step to flying is to choose a suitable flying field. Football and soccer fields are ideal, especially ones with few surrounding trees. The Vortex Extreme RC model airplane is quiet enough to be flown inside cities, so you can find a park near you and go fly there. Get all of the batteries, spare parts and repair materials you will need, and go to the centre of the field. This will make it easier to keep the airplane away from trees and other obstacles. Follow this procedure to make your first flight a success.

1. Takeoff - This is actually the easiest part of flying RC model airplanes. Turn on the aircraft and transmitter, and then press the red arming switch on the side of the fuselage. Increase the throttle to full and throw the RC model airplane into the wind. It should fly itself upwards, and in a relatively straight direction. Correct any small deviations in the flight path of the RC model airplane using the elevator and rudder, but leave the throttle at full for now.
2. Straight and Level Flight - Level off from your ascent by very slightly pushing the control stick upwards. Keep the wings level using the rudder, and decrease the throttle to about 75%. Decreasing the throttle will slow the airplane and make it easier to control.
3. Turning Back - Turn the aircraft around by very slightly pushing the control stick to one side. If the aircraft is flying away from you, it will turn in the same direction as the control stick is moved. If it is coming towards you, then you will need to move the stick in the opposite direction of the desired turn. Don’t think to hard about this while flying, just move the stick and turn the airplane.
4. Flying - Try experimenting with some more turns, and use the elevator to climb and descend as needed.
5. Landing - This is the most difficult part. Line the aircraft up with the field and reduce the throttle to idle. Use the elevator to slow your descent, and correct any side to side movements caused by the wind with the rudder. As you approach the ground, slow the descent even more, and then gradually let the plane land. Any large control movements at this point are likely to cause a crash, so be careful not to issue commands too abruptly.

Congratulations, you have just succeeded in flying your first RC model airplane! Go recharge the batteries, and fly some more. Part IV of this article will cover crashes, and how to repair damage from them.

——
Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

RC Model Airplanes - Learning How to Fly

Now that you have a basic understanding of how RC model airplanes work (discussed in part I of this article), you are ready to choose your first model and begin learning how to fly it. Before you make your decision, you should consider these two different methods of learning how to fly.

1. Learn to fly a Model Airplane with an Instructor

   One of the oldest and most popular methods is learning with an instructor.
   This usually involves using a large fuel or electric trainer, and two radio transmitters linked together via a training cable. The training cable lets the student control the airplane, while the instructor holds down a switch on his / her transmitter. If the airplane is in danger of crashing, the instructor lets go of the switch and takes control of the aircraft. Most radio systems used on four channel trainers have this feature included, but make sure before you buy.

2. Learn to fly a RC Model Airplane by Yourself

   Learning to fly your RC model airplane without the help of an instructor is also possible. If you choose to learn to fly solo, we recommend that you don’t use a typical four channel trainer. It is almost certain that you will crash at least once while learning how to fly. You will need to get an RC model airplane that can be easily repaired and has replacement parts available. Instead of a balsa and covering model, find a RC model airplane constructed out of one piece foam and plastic parts. Balsa shatters on impact, while foam breaks evenly into two pieces.

Choosing your first RC Model Airplane

Most beginners don’t have a huge budget to spend on their new hobby. If you plan on getting a four channel RC model airplane, and learning with an instructor you can expect to spend at least $400 on the airplane itself, and another $100 - $200 on additional tools and equipment. Fortunately, you can learn to fly model RC airplanes for less than half this amount!

Instead of getting a large and complicated four channel RC model airplane, why not start with a simple one and go from there? Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a four channel model, and an instructor willing to teach them, so we have designed an ideal first model for beginners to learn how to fly.

Introducing the Vortex Extreme RC Model Airplane

The Vortex Extreme is an ideal first RC model airplane, for several reasons:

• Easy to fly - The Vortex Extreme is designed to be a stable and reliable RC model plane
• Repairable - Since the Vortex Extreme is constructed out of foam and plastic parts, repairs are easy. In the event of a serious crash, replacement parts are available.
• Small enough to fly anywhere - Why drive out of town to fly your RC model airplane? The Vortex Extreme is small enough to be flown in soccer fields and parks.
• Electric power - A clean, quiet and powerful electric motor provides the reliability and ruggedness needed in a trainer aircraft, at a fraction of the cost of a comparable fuel engine.
• Fly solo - Because the wing of the airplane provides stability, first flights can be done without the help of a more experienced pilot. As long as you keep the wings level, the plane will fly in a straight line. An included DVD will tell you everything you need to know for your first flight.
• Stress free flying - Why worry about crashing an expensive airplane on your first flight? Crashing is normal, and it happens to everyone while learning how to fly. You can replace every part the aircraft is made of, due to it’s modular design. Even after a major crash, you can make repairs and be flying again in a couple of days!
• Low cost - As previously mentioned, a first RC airplane should be cheap and durable. There is no need to use a fancy radio system, and built up fuselage when you will likely crash anyway. The Vortex Extreme will teach you how to fly, where you go from there is up to you.

If you choose the Vortex Extreme RC model airplane, be sure to get some of the replacement parts you will eventually need. We sell all of the most frequently broken parts in an accessory kit, available on our website. This kit includes all the foam parts, a spare battery, and a plastic tail boom. It has all the parts required to repair damage from even the most severe crash.

We hope that you choose a Vortex Extreme, because we believe it is the perfect beginner RC model airplane. In part III of this article, we will cover your first flight, and the initial preparations necessary to make it a success.

——
© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

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.

——
© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed