Introduction

There was a time flying radio-controlled airplanes required you to be an electronics expert, a model building craftsperson, and a small engine expert. Remote control system often required purchasing electronic components from various sources and then soldering wires together. Even with careful assembly, the reliability was lacking, resulting in crashes and fly-aways.

Because the radio equipment was so heavy, and engines that powered these planes were not as powerful as model engines available now, the planes had to be built as light as possible. Choices for covering and finishing the model were limited. Model engines were not as easy to keep running reliably and always noisy compared to the engines available now.

Radio Control flying in the new millennium is much easier and more economical then years ago. Radio equipment is extremely reliable, light in weight, and it is easy to find systems that only require installation in the airplane. In fact there are airplanes available with the radio and power system already installed. The term “power system” is used as it could be an electric motor instead of a two-cycle engine. Another option is the “four-cycle” model airplane engine that sounds more like a full-size airplane and is usually quieter.

Costs

Not only is equipment better now than it ever was, it has never been more economical to take up radio control flying. Three-function radio control system is now available for well under $100, two-function radio which could be used in a glider or power plane without speed control is around $50. The best system for most people serious about the hobby, would be a four-function radio with rechargeable batteries for under $150, thirty years ago a similar system would have cost twice as much.

Airplanes and model engines have more closely followed the general inflation rate, but are still a good value. In addition, almost completed models that are constructed of balsa wood, the preferred material for many types of models, are available for not much more than kit prices. The workmanship, including covering the model is normally better than what most people can do without several years of model building experience. Model engines now come with mufflers that do a good job quieting the noise.

Learning to Fly

No doubt the biggest fear for anyone new to the hobby, is breaking their new airplane beyond repair. This is where joining a club is so important. Just as you would never climb in a full-size airplane and attempt to fly without an instructor, you need an experienced radio control pilot to keep your plane from crashing until you have the competency to take off and land without assistance. What makes this even easier, is the use of the “buddy box” system, most remote control systems of the four-function type have jacks that allow the transmitter of both system to be connected together by a cable. With this system the instructor can give or take away control of the airplane by flipping a switch.

Bottom Line

For less than $500 a person can enjoy a hobby that can provide a challenge for years to come with a full-function system that has re-useable components.

Learning to Fly Radio Control Airplanes

Bill Kuhl, Winona Aero Modelers - bkuhl@luminet.net

This article maybe reproduced in any form as long as the author is given credit and the article remains un-changed.

After training several people to fly RC airplanes, I realize there is more to the learning process than might first appear. The following is a few of my thoughts on what makes it difficult and how it might be made easier for the beginner.

What Makes it Difficult

Model airplanes can break easily; so after a beginner has spent considerable amount of time and money getting an airplane ready to fly, the thought of wiping it out in seconds leads to the nervous condition. Flying the RC plane is a real-time activity, the plane must be flown until it lands, you can not stop, analyze what is going on, and proceed to fly again. This is why a patient instructor that will not let you get into more trouble than can be recovered from is important.

Too much speed and planes that are marginally stable make it very difficult for the beginner. Many people have flown my slow flight electric unassisted on the first flight. Problem is, slow airplanes require very calm conditions. Still, when selecting a plane, it is best to look for a high wing trainer with adequate wing area, flying in strong wind is tough even with a large glow-powered plane for a beginner.

Additional Challenges for the Beginner

* Obstacles on the field are bad for beginner. My students have mentioned anything additional that they have to worry about, makes flying more difficult. Even other people watching.

* The control reversal problem because of perspective is a big problem. Especially when beginner gets into a panic situation.

* Flying through the sun is a big problem, especially in the evening.

* Flying too far away, it is often difficult to tell which direction the plane is headed, especially in low-light conditions.

* Not understanding the aerodynamics principles of airplane flight, the beginner flies the plane too slow, pulls up too steep, and over-controls.

Overcoming the Challenges

* Keep the beginner above and away from obstacles as much as possible. This is also why it is important that the beginner can turn in either direction, turning left is much easier for many people. The student must be able to fly the plane in a precise path, not just make occasional turns.

* Demonstrate how to block the sun with the transmitter or areas in the sky to fly where the sun would not be a problem.

* Demonstrate the basic aerodynamics of flight; the stall, how the plane behaves in a turn, and how wind affects the flight.

Challenges for the Instructor

One of the biggest challenges for me as an instructor, is to judge when a beginner has reached a competency level. The student appears to be doing just fine flying unassisted, but at a critical time such as landing approach, they become confused, and crash the plane without sufficient altitude for me to recover from. The buddy box system helps, when the plane is low enough, that does not even help. One idea I have is to get the plane in trouble with plenty of altitude, and have the student try to recover.

Keeping Those Glow Engines Running

Bill Kuhl, Winona Aero Modelers uhl@luminet.net

The last few years the majority of my flying has been gliders or electrics, partially because of problems I have had keeping a glow engine running consistently. My problems with glow engines appear to be caused by bad glow plugs and bad fuel. The following is the result of some research in those area.

Glow Plugs

Under normal conditions, one glow plug should last for at least a dozen flights, if not it could be from one of the following reasons:

Overheating - If the glow plug coil becomes too hot it will melt. Take the glow plug heater off before opening the throttle all the way and leaning out the engine.

Vibration - An engine that vibrates excessively can cause element in the glow plug to fatigue and break.

Flooded Engine - Cranking a flooded engine can distort or break the glow plug coil.

Power Panels – using the glow plug outputs from a power panel can be a good way to burn out glow plugs. Even turning the panel knob way down and bringing the voltage up slowly still burned out plugs on a regular basis for me.

It May Still Glow, But ??

Just because the glow plug still glows when a battery is attached, does not always mean the glow plug is good. On occasions engines will quit in the air or will not idle, the plug still glows, but changing to a new plug cures the problem.

Glow Plugs in Cold Weather

The methanol flash point is 43 degrees Fahrenheit, so without a good bright glow plug it can be hard to start a glow engine below this temperature.

Glow Fuel

Bad glow fuel can also be the reason for inconsistent engine runs. Keep the cap on tight and store in a cool dry place out of the sunlight. Otherwise moisture will be drawn into the fuel and the methanol will evaporate. The shelf life of fuel can be as little as 6 to 18 months.