Mark's RC Flying Tips

I didn't grow up with RC cars or computer games. So it has always been confusing for me to navigate an RC vehicle towards myself. With a bit of concentration I could manage but if things got exciting (which often happens when flying) it was easy to get confused. If not for computer simulators I think I would still be in that boat. The following picture is of a USB controller I found online for under $20. It comes with some OK software but for a little more much better software can be found. I like ClearView which cost about $40.

Link to a cheap trainer

There are two basic types of RC planes: three and four channel. Three channel planes use channel one for the rudder, channel two for the elevator and channel three for the speed-controller. Four channel planes move channel one to the ailerons and use channel four for the rudder. That this means for the pilot is with both three and four channel planes the throttle is controlled with the left stick while turns and pitch control is handled with the right stick. The difference is with four channel planes turns are made with ailerons while with three channel planes it is made with the rudder.

The advantage of making turns with the rudder is when the pilot gets confused and turns in the wrong direction, the plane is most likely not going to roll over. It will just turn sharply in the wrong direction. When flying a plane with ailerons it is quite easy to roll the plane over by simply holding the stick to one side. Although this is great if the pilot is trying to roll the plane, this can be a disaster if he is confused while coming in for a landing or flying low. For this reason, it is recommended that first time pilots fly three channel planes.

The next logical question is why purchase a six channel radio - which is the most common. A six channel radio will allow ailerons to be run from channels one and six which will allow them to work as flaperons. Flaperson work like flaps, allowing the plane to fly slower and descend at a steeper angel. The additional channels can also be used for bomb drops, retractable landing gear, flaps or whatever else someone can think of.

I don't recommend purchasing a nice six channel radio to start out no matter how sure you are that you will be sticking with the hobby. First, unless you have been around RC for years you probably don't really know what you want in a radio. For example, I had no idea how important having a programmable radio was until I had been flying for a while. It would be a shame to purchase a $300 radio only to discover it only has one flap setting and you want two. Second, the more you like RC the more you will want to share it with others. It is nice to have an old plane and cheap radio to let friends use.

With all that in mind, I recommend someone interested in RC start with a basic trainer that includes a cheap radio. A pretty nice ready to fly three channel trainer can be purchased with a radio for around $80. I don't recommend purchasing your favorite WWII fighter as your first trainer will be crashed over and over so look for something that will be easy to fix or fine replacement parts for. I also highly recommend searching RC forums to see that others are recommending.

Click here for great starter planes

Practical Example:

My first balsa plane was a Telemaster kit I purchased for around $30. I also purchased the recommended power pack that included a brushless motor, prop and ESC for $36. Both great deals. I then had to purchase several types of glue which cost around $25. I also needed covering and an iron to install it for another $30. Of course I needed servos for another $20, wheels for $7 and miscellaneous hardware for another $15. Everything together comes to just over $160. Of course the leftover glue and covering can be used on my next project. I had already spent twice what a basic trainer and radio would cost as a kit. That before purchasing a battery, receiver and transmitter!

Don't let the above example discourage you. Although I probably had $300 into my first $30 balsa plane (including my radio), everything can be reused with the exception of the balsa and covering. I used the original plans to help design a second wing and have pulled the servos, radio and motor and placed them in other planes. I have also pulled parts off my original cheap trainer so even that can be recycled - one more reason to start cheap.


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