If you think an RC airplane is the best thing since sliced bread, then youâll love flying oneđ.
Like any other hobby you pick up, flying an RC airplane requires practice and patience. But in the end, nothing beats the satisfaction of mastering controls and performing stunts with it.
So, where can you learn these cool flying tips and tricks? Well, here, in this article!
Are you thinking of buying your first RC plane? Here is the list with 25 the best RC airplanes available on the market right now.
Youâll find everything you need on how to fly an RC airplane and performing aerobatics with it. So, when youâre done reading, you can take your aircraft out and show-off all the new things youâve learned.
Letâs get right into it!
Learning the controls of an RC plane
We know you canât wait to start flying your RC plane. But you wonât be able to take-off, let alone stay in the air if you donât know the controls.
Most RC planes have either three or four channels, and this determines the controls youâll find in it. If you have a 4-channel plane, then youâll find the following:
- Throttle
- Elevator
- Aileron
- Rudder
For a 3-channel plane, youâll get either aileron or rudder controls.
- Throttle: Your RCsâ throttle controls the speed of its propellers. In some RC airplanes, the motor power (as it is referred to in electric planes) is also used to control the rate of descent or climb.
- Elevators: There are two elevators hinged at either side of your RC planeâs tail. They control the altitude. So, if you want to move the planeâs nose up to the sunđ, then all you have to do is deflect the elevators upward.
- Ailerons: The ailerons are attached to the wings of an RC plane. They control the roll (bend to the left or right) of the plane. These controls come in handy when you want to perform stunts. So, tough luck if your 3-channel plane has a rudder insteadđ.
- Rudder: The rudder is on the fin of your plane. It is a vertical stabilizer that controls the direction of the plane without bending it. Donât muddle it up with ailerons.
The elevator and aileron controls are on the right stick of your transmitter, while the rudder and throttle are on the left stick.
The step-by-step process of flying an RC plane
Itâs time for the fun part đ! But first, make sure you check the controls weâve listed above. You wonât want to be scrambling to master them while in the air.
By the way, here you can find the definitive guide about RC planes for beginners.
Another thing to note is the orientation of the plane. When your RC is heading towards you, left controls makes it go to the right and vice versa.
How to take off
Getting your RC plane into the air is pretty easy, and you only need two controls: the throttle and elevator.
First, advance the throttle for a while by moving the left stick up. Let the plane pick up some speed on the ground. Then after a few seconds, use the elevator to get the plane up. Release the elevator once it gets into the air, and thatâs it! Isnât that like ABC?
Practice taking off a couple of times, and youâll see how fun it is. However, we must warn you not to use too much of the elevator at once. Your RC plane will crash.
How to make turns and fly on a level plane in the air
So, you just got your plane in the air, and you love every bit of it. But donât get carried away just yet.
For this step, youâll only need to use the right stick (elevator and aileron controls) on your 4-channel RC plane. Make a left turn by moving the right stick to the left. This makes the left aileron go up, while the right one stays down.
Then, return the right stick before completing the circle to stabilize your aircraft. Finally, apply just a little of the elevator to make the nose of your RC plane stay up.
If your RC doesnât have aileron controls, then youâll have to make do with the rudder to turn. Apply a little of the left rudder control to make the plane tilt along the vertical axis. Then, stabilize the plane by applying the elevator from the right stick.
How to make figure 8 and 9
The next bit is just as easy as every other thing weâve talked about. However, if youâve not mastered the previous steps, then you wonât be able to make figures in the air.
If youâve noticed, the steps weâve talked about are supposed to be done on the horizontal plane. So, the figures youâll be tracing out at this stage will follow suit. We think itâs best you stick to this plane as a beginner if you donât want your RC plane to nose-dive like a paper kiteđ .
Hereâs how to make figure 8s:
- Make a left turn: Do this with your ailerons and elevator. Thatâs pretty easy now, right?
- Move along the diagonals: Again, youâll need your right stick to get this done. Return the control stick when the plane is at 45 degrees from the turning point.
- Make a right turn: Youâll need the same controls to get this done. However, this time, apply the right aileron by moving the right stick to the right and then stabilize your aircraft with a little elevator.
- Move along the diagonal: Round it off, by moving along the diagonal to your starting point.
For figure 9, first, move in a straight line along the horizontal plane. Then turn with your right stick to the left. Donât return the stick until youâve made a complete circle.
How to land your RC plane
Unless you want to keep your RC in the air until it drops like a meteoriteđ„ (we are sure you donât want that), you have to master the proper way to land.
This step is often the most ignored when learning how to fly an RC airplane. However, if you donât get it right, youâll have to buy a new one from all the crash landing youâd have done to your old one. So, hereâs the proper way to get it done:
- Reduce your altitude: No airplane moves from a high altitude straight to the ground, unless theyâre crash-landing. So, start by moving the right stick downwards to reduce the elevator gradually.
Youâll want to approach the runway at an angle of about 10 to 20 degrees. But if you think youâre going uncontrollably, then stay in the air and start from the top.
- Reduce the throttle: Next, start reducing the throttle once youâre getting close to the ground by moving your left stick downwards.
- Make the touchdown: Your RC plane should still be moving even when itâs on the ground. Thatâll make it easy to steer it back to you.
Whew! Wasnât that funđ?
Aerobatics: Fun stunts to try out
If youâre feeling like a pro and you want to try out some skills, then we have a little something for you. Here are some stunts and their controls that you can try once youâve mastered the basics.
The Roll
Picture how you roll from side to side on your bed after a long dayđ. Thatâs pretty much the first stunt we have for you, except youâll do the roll in the air with your RC plane.
To get this maneuver, first move on a straight line. Then use the right stick to apply the right or left aileron. Finally, release the stick and apply the elevator to get your RC plane stable again.
Snap Roll
This maneuver is pretty much like the first. However, this time, you need to stall the wing before doing the roll. So, how do you stall a wingđ€? Well, use the rudder! It also works to flip it over quickly.
Apply the rudder using the left stick until you see one of the wings in front of the other. Then, use your right stick to apply the aileron in the same direction. Itâs that simple.
Tail slide
The next cool stunt to try is the tailslide. It involves flying your airplane in the vertical plane. So, you can tell that this is a pro flyer move.
To nail the tail slide, first, pull your plane to a straight vertical position using your throttle and elevator. Then, increase the elevator until the plane tips backward a bit. Next, apply and release the down-elevator to make it flip over the vertical axis.
3D flight
We know what youâre thinking. Arenât we doing everything in 3Dđ? Well, yep. But this maneuver is just a name for one of the most extreme stunts you can try with your RC plane. One of its popular skills is hovering. For this, you have to put your aircraft in the vertical plane and suspend it in the air.
Flying the N
Another unique move you can try when flying is to trace out the N. You have to move the plane horizontally. Then, apply the elevator and throttle to take it up. Next, reduce the elevator when flying at about 45 degrees and then take it up to vertically again. Trust us, youâll feel good if you can nail this move.
Tips and Tricks for flying RC planes
- If you donât understand your RCâs orientation, then hereâs a tip for you. Turn your body to its direction when it passes you.
For example, if your RC zoomed past and you canât determine the direction it should go to make the spin, then tilt your body frame towards the direction it passed. Itâll become much easier that way.
- Use small controls. Donât fiddle with the joystick.
- Try stunts when youâre sure you can take off, stay in the air and land.
- Donât try any skill, if you sense it wonât end well. Thereâs no shame in getting things wrong at the start. In fact, youâll likely crash your plane more times than you expect. But always try to prevent it by not doing too much at the start.
- Make sure your aircraft is in good condition. Not checking all the parts of your RC is a recipe for disasterđ«.
- When flying in strong winds, make sure you take off as quickly as possible. Also, donât apply the elevator control too much or try stunts.
- Another tip for flying in the wind is to always keep your hands on the sticks. The wind can take your aircraft with it, so you have to be prepared to save the day.
- Make sure you analyze your flying skills to identify the areas youâve figured out and those you need to work on.
FAQs
Where can you fly RC planes?
You can fly your RC plane in almost every public place like parks and open fields. But busy areas, private properties, and government buildings are off-limit.
What type of RC plane should you use for my first flight?
We know weâve talked a great deal about stunts and maneuvers. So, you might be thinking of getting an aerobatic plane. However, trainers are the perfect fit for first-timers.
How much wind is too much for RC flights?
Thereâs no stone-written rule to when you can fly your RC plane. However, we think flying when the wind is moving at 10mph or more is a bad idea.
Can you get into a competition with other people?
Sure! There are many competitions and clubs for RC enthusiasts. You just have to find one thatâs in your area.
In conclusion
Flying an RC plane is a cool hobby to pick up. So, weâre sure you canât wait to start practicing the skills weâve highlighted in this article. Before you rush out with your RC plane, make sure itâs in perfect condition.
Donât kick yourself if you arenât getting some skills. Instead, keep on practicing.
Break a leg đ€!
Leave a Comment