| Is your youngster all excited in anticipation of flying that | | | | beginning pilot because the plane doesn't turn in the |
| first remote control airplane? Are you apprehensive at | | | | direction you expect. Practicing on a flight simulator |
| the thought of that disappointed look on his face after | | | | helps familiarize you for this and gives you great |
| that plane crashes to the ground? Or are you | | | | training for other flight maneuvers. |
| committed to helping him become an experienced and | | | | Don't fly too low. If you don't fly your aircraft higher |
| skilled RC pilot? | | | | than 50-feet a sudden down draft will put you into the |
| Before you buy that aircraft take a look at the | | | | ground too fast for reaction time to recover control. |
| different model choices you have, and be sure that | | | | 100-feet and higher gives you plenty of room for |
| first purchase is designed for training, durability, and | | | | clearing trees and other obstacles, and bringing the |
| easy flying. You'll give a happier flying experience if the | | | | plane back under transmitter control if it suddenly |
| plane doesn't suffer too much damage in a crash, and | | | | veers off course. |
| the little one can put it back into the air in a short time. | | | | Once you're in the air back the speed off to a level |
| Once you settle on the best model for those beginning | | | | that allows the RC to maintain altitude and fly |
| flights you'll have a learning curve experience for | | | | smoothly. This lowers your risk of a crash because |
| successful flying operation. Here are a few | | | | the speed is too fast to give you enough reaction time. |
| considerations for preparing for, and focusing on, | | | | Know the ideal environmental conditions for flying. |
| controlling your radio control in flight. You might find | | | | Some models fly well in five or six mile-an-hour winds, |
| some of this knowledge handy in choosing the right | | | | you can't control others in breezes of more than three |
| model for you or your child also. | | | | mile-an-hour. Still other remote control aircraft won't |
| Before every flight, professional pilots go through a | | | | function in even the slightest movement of air on the |
| pre-flight checklist. I'm sure you understand that action | | | | outside because they're designed for indoor flying |
| is to make sure the plane is ready for flight, and | | | | I know this should go without saying, but make sure |
| prepare for the conditions they'll encounter on the | | | | your landing strip is clear of obstacles and people |
| scheduled flight plan. | | | | before you take off or make a landing approach. |
| Use the operator's manual for your chosen model to | | | | As a beginning pilot you'll likely make a few crash |
| create your own checklist. Also, some manufacturers | | | | landings. Even long time aviators do from time-to-time. |
| provide flight-training manuals for beginners. Check their | | | | Choose a remote control airplane designed for training |
| website for a downloadable issue. Join a local radio | | | | first-time flyers, and withstanding those inevitable |
| control flight club, their members offer plentiful advise | | | | crashes, and take part in some pilot training before you |
| for enjoying the RC flying hobby. | | | | take to the air. You'll find less disappointment on your |
| Steering control for RC aircraft often confuses the | | | | flying outings. |