Beginner RC Guide!!

Welcome to RC flying, it is a thrilling high tech sport that is really "taking off"(excuse the pun). For both men and women of all ages and a great way of experiencing the challenge of flight - safely! It is also a great way of making and enjoying new friends and activities from all over the world.

You find yourself on this page because you or someone you know has decided to get into rc flying! Maybe you've seen some ads with fantastic looking rc airplanes or rc helicopters. And now you would love to learn to fly them also, how hard could it be?

Now you've decided - you're ready to take the next big step, choosing and purchasing an rc airplane or rc helicopter.

Well, I know this will be hard, so if you have not already purchased an airplane or helicopter.

Wait ! ! !

Keep the money in your pocket for now. Become better informed. Read the rest of this guide, do research and talk to other rc flyers locally before buying your first RC model airplane or helicopter.

You'll be better informed, save time and money and you'll not only learn how to fly, but how to be an accomplished rc flyer with a great deal less aggravation and frustration to deal with. 

Your Complete Guide To Getting Into The Air ! ! !
Click below to get started

Part 1 - Getting Started - Ground School!
Part 2 - A Beginner RC Airplane! Gas or Electric? ARF or RTF?
Part 3 - Putting It All Together
Part 4 - Pre-Flight and First Flying Instruction's
Part 5 - Finally, Your First Flight

Common Questions!

Start up cost's for a beginner rc?
Truly the range is staggering; you can start for as little as $70 and up. It depends on commitment and your budget. Normally a range from a little under $100 to $350 is typical to get started with a complete beginner RC airplane or helicopter setup, not the remote controlled toys found at large box stores.

How far away can they fly?

Today's radio systems can easily have a range of about a mile. But remember, to remain in control, your model needs to be close enough for you to able to see what it's doing. A plane with a 40 inch wingspan can become very difficult to follow a hundred feet away.

How fast can they fly?
Depending on the type of airplane or helicopter - Beginner RC airplane, park flyers and backyard flyers can average from 15 to 35 mph and can land at much lower speeds of around 10 - 15mph.

There are also models that can reach speeds well over 150 mph. These have no place at a park and should be flown only at a designated flying field.

OK, so maybe not quite this fast!

What happens when the battery runs out of charge?
If flying an electric airplane or helicopter the electronics of a properly setup RC model should never allow the batteries to run completely out of charge. Discharging batteries below recommended levels will damage them. Usually your model will go to a lower power setting or to idle while still supplying power to the receiver and servos so you remain in control, best to go ahead and land, taking a short walk to retrieve your plane and saving the batteries is well worth it.

What kind of radio and what's a channel?  More on radio systems
Today's modern radio system can make flying easier for beginners and expert alike. We'll cover frequencies in the above link. Whenever you're considering a system you'll see a number of channels; 2 channel, 3 channels Etc . . . .

A single channel controls one function of flight on your plane.
A very simple 2 channels will control throttle and rudder.
3 channels controls throttle, rudder and elevator.
4 channels is considered a full system with the addition of ailerons.
Both 2 channels and 3 channels are used when first learning to fly.
Starting with a 3 channel which can make your transition to full control easier. Often your receiver system can be moved from one plane to the next as you progress and you may have several receivers working with the same transmitter.

If you are committed to flying RC you may consider starting with a 4 channel radio system but begin by installing it in a 2 or 3 channel beginner RC airplane. You'll just have to add an additional servo when you're ready to move up to all 4 channels, instead of purchasing a new radio.

There are so many different beginner RC airplane ad's that all say they are trainers, how can I tell what's best for me?
RC model airplane ads can and often do extol the ruggedness and ease of flight of their models. Here are just a few guidelines to look out for.

If the ad says "Crash-Proof". Believe me "There is no such thing as a crash proof airplane."
There are planes made from materials that can withstand a great deal of abuse and still be flyable after repairs, but they can still suffer serious damage.

If the ad says "Easy to Fly" or "Great for beginners" . . . well maybe. We'll cover the best design types for a beginner  in the next section.

Ultimately how well it flies will be up to you. If you've built straight and within the weight outlined, the controls connected properly and the CG or Center of Gravity located where it should be - will be a much better flier, regardless of whether you’re a novice or an expert.

Beginner RC trainers don't look as nice as I would like my first to look like. Is it that much harder to learn to fly a sport or scale RC model?
If you have your eye on a very sleek slightly more expensive model that you just have to have, and you want to start off with that beauty. Sorry to say, it will probably not be a beauty for very long.

I'm not sure who is responsible, the "Universe", "Karma", "Gaia" or maybe "Mother Nature" but it seems that someone pre-ordains that almost every beginner rc vehicle must be sacrificed by repeated impacts into various solid objects, the ground, trees, buildings etc...
Just letting you know it can happen, so be prepared. It's best to learn to fly with a trainer, you will learn easier and enjoy it much more. Then you can get that beauty that will last for years

Take a look at some beginner RC airplanes

Now I've got some Questions for You!
Where are you going to fly?
How big of an area compared to a baseball diamond?
Is it grass or solid?
Do you have permission to fly there?If you plan to fly at a park, a small backyard or indoors, you'll need to consider an RC plane best suited to fly in those space's.

There are many different designs available;
An obvious example of the wrong choice would be a parkjet if you are planning on flying in a small backyard. Parkjets can fly very fast and will have a short and certainly exciting end in a small area or backyard.
The next section of the guide will show you what to look for and how to spot a stable forgiving airplane design that you'll have fun learning to fly.

Ready? Part 1 - Getting Started - Ground School!  How to spot your ideal first beginner RC air plane.

Just a Reminder: Beginner RC airplanes are not toys; they are real flying vehicles that do not play well with other objects like the ground, people, cars, trees and buildings. They may be small, but they can certainly cause damage.

 "Electric or Nitro"- Electric or Nitro, what's right for you?
 "Why Electric"-  Why Electric RC Airplanes are becoming so popular!
 "Beginner Airplanes"- RC Airplanes for the Novice!
 More "Beginner Airplanes"- RC Airplanes for the Novice!

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