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