| Radio-controlled aircraft (also called | | | | powered. |
| RC aircraft) are small model aircraft | | | | Scale and sport planes |
| that can be controlled remotely. They | | | | These are larger aircraft, like scale |
| use radio control with a hand-held | | | | and sport planes. They are usually more |
| transmitter and a receiver within the | | | | expensive. |
| craft. The receiver controls the | | | | There are many different types of sport |
| corresponding servomechanisms that move | | | | aircraft. They range from simple |
| the control surfaces based on the | | | | "fun-fly" glow engine planes with |
| position of joysticks on the | | | | wingspans of under 40 inches, to |
| transmitter, which in turn maneuvers the | | | | colossal aircraft that range from 25 to |
| plane. | | | | 50 percent of the full scale size, with |
| RC planes as a hobby has been | | | | engines with hundreds of |
| internationally growing due to the | | | | cubic-centimeters (cc's) under the |
| availability of smaller, relatively | | | | cowling. |
| inexpensive parts and advancing | | | | Most sport aircraft are capable to some |
| technologies. A variety of models and | | | | degree of performing aerobatics. Many |
| styles are available to suit any | | | | "giant-scale" aircraft are capable of |
| preference or budget. Due to the | | | | performing complex aerobatics, ranging |
| availability and advances in high | | | | from loops and rolls to multiple snap |
| performance electric batteries and | | | | rolls and tailslides. Giant Scale |
| motors, a growing number of hobbyists | | | | aircraft are flown in world-class |
| are flying electric powered craft | | | | competition. Most world-class |
| instead of fuel (most often methanol or | | | | competitors' aircraft have wingspans |
| gasoline based) powered craft, because | | | | between 2 meters and 3.5 meters, with 2 |
| of their ease of construction and the | | | | cycle gas engines of 50 to 250 cc's. |
| absence of fuel mess and fuss. | | | | Other sport aircraft are designated for |
| Scientific, government and military | | | | scale-like flying refered to as "Scale." |
| organizations are also utilizing RC | | | | Scale is a very demanding but very |
| aircraft for experiments, gathering | | | | rewarding aspect of the hobby. (More to |
| weather readings, aerodynamic modeling | | | | come later) |
| and testing, and even use them as drones | | | | Sailplanes and gliders |
| or spy planes. | | | | Gliders are planes that do not usually |
| Types | | | | have any form of propulsion. As most |
| There are many types of radio-controlled | | | | gliders are unpowered, flight must be |
| aircraft. For beginning hobbyists, there | | | | sustained through exploitation of the |
| are park flyers, and trainers. For more | | | | natural lift produced from thermals and |
| advanced pilots there are glow plug | | | | wind hitting a slope. Dynamic soaring is |
| engine, electric powered and sailplane | | | | another popular way of providing |
| aircraft. For expert flyers, jets, pylon | | | | propulsion to gliders. |
| racers, helicopters, 3D aircraft, and | | | | Jets |
| other high end competition aircraft | | | | Jets tend to be very expensive and |
| provide adequate challenge. | | | | commonly use a turbine or ducted fan to |
| A distinction is typically made between | | | | power them. These aircraft can often |
| hobby grade and toy grade model | | | | reach speeds in excess of 200 mph. They |
| aircraft. Toy aircraft are exclusively | | | | require incredibly quick reflexes and |
| electric, have less power, and require | | | | very expensive equipment, so are usually |
| little skill to fly. As a result, they | | | | reserved for the expert. |
| are much cheaper (less than $75 or so). | | | | Pylon racers |
| Hobby grade aircraft come in all | | | | Racers are small propeller aircraft that |
| varieties, from small electrics, to | | | | race around a 2, 3, or 4 pylon track. |
| multi-thousand dollar craft with | | | | They tend to be hard to see and can |
| hundreds of cubic centimeters "under the | | | | often go over 150 MPH, though some |
| hood". | | | | people do pylon races with much slower |
| Park flyers and trainers | | | | aircraft. |
| Park flyers, as the name implies, are | | | | Helicopters |
| small, easy to fly electric aircraft. | | | | Radio-controlled helicopters, although |
| They are designed with the average flyer | | | | often grouped with RC aircraft, are in a |
| in mind, requiring an area no bigger | | | | class of their own because of the vast |
| than a park to fly. They are low budget | | | | differences in construction, |
| and easy to fly. Trainers are similar to | | | | aerodynamics and flight training. |
| park flyers in that they are on the | | | | Hobbyists will often venture from |
| docile side and are comparatively | | | | planes, to jets and to helicopters as |
| inexpensive, however, they are bigger | | | | they enjoy the challenges, excitement |
| and are usually glow (gasoline) engine | | | | and satisfaction of flying. |