20 Checks Before Flying Radio Controlled Aeroplanes

Flying radio controlled aeroplanes is a great buzz but get it wrong and you could be put off for life.

Before the ?do?s? here are the ?don?ts?. Don?t go charging off to the local field having skimmed the manual that came with your newly arrived model plane, put it together quickly, switch on the RC gear and launch. Next ? crunch, as your model slams into the nearest tree. Here?s what to do.

Don?t skim the manual read it properly - all of it.

Best not to fly alone, especially for the first few times, take someone along to help.

You may have bought a RTF (ready to fly) model or have made an aeroplane from plans. Whichever way you have gotten to the flying stage you should take note of these tips.

Place each index finger under the wingtips about 1/3rd back from the leading (front) edge of the wing. This is where the CG (centre of gravity) usually is and your plane should balance there. If all is well then your plane should be level or with the nose pointing slightly downwards. If it's pointing tail down - don't fly it yet ! Add weight to the nose, modelling clay is good, until the plane balances correctly.

Wings , undercarriage and anything else you need to attach must be secure.

Make sure that the rudder, ailerons and flaps are all moving freely

Is the motor working from idling to full revs ?

Always switch on the transmitter first , then the receiver and have the antenna fully collapsed. At the same time that you walk backwards from your plane, about 30 feet, waggle the rudder stick around and check that the rudder on your plane is responding. If it isn?t working properly you need to sort it out before flying. This could be one or all of your batteries are weak or you are suffering from interference from other flyers operating on the same frequency.

Gently hand launch your plane into the breeze (windy ? try another day) keeping it level, do not turn on the motor, this is a glide into long grass. Use your transmitter with the antenna extended to keep it flying straight. You are looking for a level, graceful flight.

Time to turn on the motor. After the usual checks, launch as before but with the motor on full power. With both hands on the transmitter use gentle stick movements only and make this maiden flight a short one.

In all the excitement make sure that you and your plane are well away from all solid objects, fences, telegraph poles, people, animals, buildings and any overhead wiring. Make sure that you are not a target but it?s important to fly close enough so that you can see clearly what?s going on.

The antenna on the transmitter should always be at about 45% for the best performance.

You need to get to a point where your plane can fly straight and level without any help from you. This is achieved by ?trimming? it when it is an flight using the ?trim? tabs that you should find on most transmitters.

Take-offs from the ground should only be attempted from a very smooth surface like tarmac, grass is rarely a good idea, most models just don?t have enough power. As usual it takes off into the wind on full power with you standing behind it, keeping it straight by adjusting the rudder.

What goes up ? your plane must land into the wind. Don?t leave it until the last minute, make sure you have lots of juice left in the batteries just in case you need to have a number of attempts at the landing. Keep it straight on the approach and throttle back the engine or turn it off altogether for a smooth touch down.

When your plane is coming towards you the controls will be kinda back-to-front but you will get used to it.

If ever you are flying and everything seems to be getting out of control just stop the motor. A plane in good flying trim will glide home.

If asked what was the number one cause for technical problems and out of control flying I would say ?batteries?. You can?t check them often enough.

You have under your control a little beast that can dawdle along at a few miles an hour or zoom past at 90 mph, has a fast moving propeller and can dive vertically. You must think of others, their property and pets, as well as your own safety.

Article by: RoberOak | Total views: 109 | Word Count: 741

About the Author

Author: Robert Oak is a radio controlled aeroplanes fanatic. He recommends that you see the exciting videos of beginners planes, WW2 scale models and even 90 mph ducted fan jet powered radio controlled airplanes