| You wander, intentionally or by chance, into a hobby | | | | surfboards or skateboards; fine adjustments in balance |
| shop or, better yet, a website that sells radio controlled | | | | result in dramatic changes in direction. These RC |
| airplanes. A sleek delta-winged model captures your | | | | planes, with their weight distributed above the wings, |
| attention. You imagine it slicing through the air at nearly | | | | like military fighter aircraft, usually have more powerful |
| 100 mph, your fingers guiding its every move, and you | | | | motors or ducted fan units, fly faster and require |
| wonder if you can handle it without ending up with a | | | | quicker, more delicate reactions to control. A skilled pilot |
| pile of wreckage at the end of your adventure? Your | | | | can perform amazing aerobatic maneuvers with such |
| previous rc airplane flying experience and the location | | | | planes. |
| of the wings are two key factors in answering that | | | | A wide range of possibilities for stability and |
| question. | | | | maneuverability, speed and control, safety and fun falls |
| RC airplanes with their wings mounted above the | | | | between those two extremes in wing placement. A |
| vertical center-of-gravity, above the fuselage, react like | | | | beginner might find it difficult to manage such radio |
| kites or parachutes. Heavy military transport planes | | | | controlled airplanes, but they can do exciting stunts and |
| often use this wing configuration, as do flight training | | | | tricks in the hands of a pilot with a little more |
| aircraft as well. They generally fly slower, require less | | | | experience. |
| power, and always return to a level attitude, as most | | | | Though you still might really want that "cool" |
| of their weight hangs below the wings. They are, | | | | sky-screamer, consider your skill as a pilot and the |
| therefore, more stable and easier to fly. These planes | | | | location of the wings first-as an indicator of how |
| are great for beginners, especially those with a low | | | | satisfied you will be with your purchase of an RC |
| wing-load rating that allows the plane to glide. | | | | airplane. Then, pick the model that fits your ability, take |
| RC airplanes with their wings mounted below the | | | | off into the blue with your new radio controlled airplane, |
| vertical center-of-gravity, below the fuselage, act like | | | | and have fun. |