| If you are a beginner trying to get started in the RC | | | | like a real little miniature airplane since the engine |
| airplane hobby, then this article will help. You will gain | | | | requires fuel, tuning, and other adjustments. These |
| some basic knowledge of RC model airplanes and | | | | types of airplanes cost a little more and take longer to |
| learn how to fly. For thousands of years man has | | | | assemble. Plus, they require much more maintenance |
| dreamed of flight. Nothing has amazed people as | | | | and you have to continue to spend more money since |
| much as flying machines have in the past century and | | | | you need special fuel, oil and some other small |
| there is still more to come. What is even more | | | | accessories. |
| amazing though, is the progress in personal flight toys. | | | | Now that you pretty much know what type of airplane |
| You can fly everything from a miniature helicopter, to a | | | | you want to purchase, let me help you get it running |
| one 20th scale Cessna, which you can build at home | | | | and teach you some tips and tricks that you will find |
| yourself. | | | | handy out on the flying field. |
| The more amazing thing about today’s RC | | | | If you have never flown a model airplane or a real |
| airplanes is the fact that anyone can fly them, and | | | | airplane before, then you might have some trouble |
| some airplanes are very easy to fly. For example, I | | | | taking off, flying and landing. The first thing to |
| bought a $50 Hobby Zone airplane and the controller | | | | remember is that you need a good open field to fly at, |
| had two controls, one that could steer the plane left or | | | | unless of course you have a slow flyer or park flyer, |
| right and then the second was throttle (speed) control. | | | | which can be flown in small areas like indoors or parks. |
| How can you get any simpler then that!As easy as it | | | | A good local flying field can be located online by |
| can be, it still can be difficult for beginners to get | | | | searching through a search engine, like Google, for a |
| started in this hobby. Since I now have the knowledge | | | | local club. Flying fields always have a club, and they |
| that every beginner should know, since I was a | | | | are usually full of friendly people who are willing to help |
| beginner once, I wanted to share it with other people | | | | you learn. |
| so everyone can enjoy the RC airplane hobby. | | | | Most of these clubs have flying instructors that will |
| The first thing a beginner needs to know is their power | | | | either help you for free, or charge you a little money. |
| sources. RC airplanes can be powered either | | | | Either way you will have a guide that can teach you a |
| electrically or by an engine that runs on fuel called nitro | | | | lot. You also can be sure that if something goes wrong |
| methane. This is very important when deciding on | | | | with your airplane, people will be there that have the |
| purchasing your first radio controlled airplane. You need | | | | knowledge to fix it. |
| some knowledge of both power sources, as they both | | | | Another way you can learn to fly is of course |
| have their pros and con’s. First I would like to | | | | teaching yourself, but that can be costly if you crash a |
| state that for all beginners’ I recommend an | | | | lot. If you are going to teach yourself, I suggest you |
| electric RC airplane over a gas RC airplane. Why? | | | | start off with a cheap $50 electric RC airplane that |
| Because an electric airplane is cheaper, like under $100 | | | | has only left and right steering control and throttle |
| cheap, and much easier to operate. In fact, all you | | | | control. These types of airplanes can take off from a |
| have to do is plug in the battery and flick the ON | | | | flat surface or can be easily hand launched into the air |
| switch. They are also much quieter and produce no | | | | by applying full throttle. |
| fumes in the air. Plus not much maintenance is required | | | | After you get started, there will be no stopping you |
| besides keeping it in a cool, dry place. | | | | and the rest will come naturally. There still is some |
| A gas powered RC airplane has its advantages to of | | | | other much needed accessories that I suggest no |
| course. If you are a realist and what an authentic | | | | beginner go with out. Like a good RC airplane book, a |
| looking and sounding remote control airplane, then an | | | | field box, a car charger for an electric plane, and extra |
| airplane with a gas engine is what you want. An RC | | | | batteries for your transmitter. With all these tips in mind, |
| airplane with a gas engine is bigger and bulkier then an | | | | start your flying experience right and keep the wind at |
| electric R/C airplane, so it is more to scale and realistic. | | | | your back. |
| It also sounds like a real airplane does, and is kind of | | | | |