RC Airplanes for Beginners
RC Airplanes for Beginners
Remote control airplanes or also known as RC airplanes can be enjoyed by almost anyone with any degree of experience. With the ever increasing availability of electric RC airplanes, there’s never been a better time to try your luck at this hobby.
Some may think that this hobby is expensive and just too time consuming, but because of the wide range and variety of RC airplanes now available even a beginner with a low budget may enjoy the fun . Electric RC planes, which are much easier to make and are less expensive than the traditional gas or nitro RC planes would be the best path to follow when starting out as a beginner. Many Electric RC plane models start at less than $100, but they’re also much easier to start out with and maintain.
Ready-to-fly or RTF planes are a great place to start for beginners. Charge and fly, then let the fun begin. Some of the more popular RTF models include the very popular Super Cub LP and its smaller cousin the Champ HBZ4900, both from HobbyZone. The Firebird Commander 2 HBZ2600 is also popular, all of which let new fliers jump right in to the world of RC airplanes.
Electric RC planes require much less maintenance besides the low cost than gas RC airplanes, and are easier to get started on. A big difference between the two types of RC planes is the noise produced by the gas RC airplanes. Some of the gas RC planes are banned from many public areas because of the noise. To some the noise created adds to the authenticity for the flying experience, and for the others it may be considered a nuisance.
Gas RC plane models tend to operate more like an actual plane than the electric ones, but many electric RC airplane models now give gas ones a run for their money. Flying for longer periods of time is one of the advantages of the gas powered RC plane, but the disadvantage to this is the money it costs for fuel. RC gas planes tend to have a higher initial cost and must be maintenance. There are however still affordable gas models that beginners can find like the Sky Raider Mach I.
Selecting your first RC airplane can be a challenge. People can get excited and be tempting to go straight for a more expensive models. Higher cost planes often feature more channels that control more aspects of your plane’s flight. Beginner models usually feature two channels There are models with several more channels, the 3-channel receive controls the altitude, yawl, and pitch, while a 4-channel receiver controls the bank, pitch, yawl, and throttle. When starting out it may beifit you to buy a simpler model that will be easier to use.
Finding a good place to fly your RC plane is important. Beginners should choose large open outdoor areas free of buildings, power lines, and pedestrian traffic. The next step would be to perform a proper pre-flight check in order to avoid a damage. Your plane’s balance is a pre-flight must and you should take the time to balance your plane properly before you fly it. Another check that is important is to make sure the battery pack is installed securely and is charged.
Joining a local RC club or getting an instructor will help you learn about how to safely operate your plane, and RC plane clubs usually have designated places to fly. So go out and enjoy the fun once you have found the right RC plane for you.
