RADIO CONTROL MODEL AIRCRAFT
When one sees a model airplane with a real turbojet engine streaking across the sky it takes the mind back to the early days of the hobby. I never was involved in the free flight models that were made of tissue and dope and were launched into the air with settings to make the plane circle or just fly for distance and duration. I think I had some rubber power ones as my first models .
I next entered the control line area, which had plastic bodies, a tiny .049(cubic inch) Cox engine and control lines to guide the aircraft in a circle until the fuel ran out.In passing there also existed diesel engines, running 0n an ether based fuel which ignited on compression the engine having a screw lever at the top to alter the compression. The 2 control lines allowed some basic aerobatics to be performed, like loops, inverted flying, etc. Also like so many kids I built stick together plastic display planes. This would have been the catalyst for many a young lad to proceed further.
After this very brief overview of the history of model aircraft (which passes over the very early pioneers in times long past) we can consider the present day scene. First, a list of the many types of aircraft would be a good start- gliders, turbojet, old timer, scale, stand-off scale, sport,pylon,helicopters, 3-D light framed which can fly in a small area, hang on the prop, etc and ducted fan(not a pure jet engine but rather a 2-stroke engine with an internal fan) etc.
And engines : 2-stroke( these engines can also replace the muffler with a tuned pipe which increases power), 4-stroke, diesel (less common), 2 stroke brush cutter engine (adapted from a brush cutter), turbojet engines, electric engines and other less common types. Yet, notice the new kid on the block.He's been around for a while- electric, but now with the advent of powerful batteries (Lipo) is a force to be reckoned with and will save flying fields with its' quietness factor.
And onto the materials used to construct the models. Firstly the old balsa wood/doped tissue will always be around. Fabric film and dope gave a stronger finish then came along shrinkable plastic, then there were foam wings, tailplanes, cutout with a hot wire and covered in balsa. Of course this is just a summary of some of the materials in an age when there is carbon fibre, fibreglass, kevlar, white and pink foams and foams which have a "memory"and are almost destructable and return to shape.Once again this only touching the surface as one could talk on papier mache, corrugated plastic etc.
Don't like building a plane, only interested in flying?- no problems, for a cheap price you can get an ARTF (almost ready to fly- just needs some minor assembly) or RTF (ready to fly) from your local hobby shop. A lot of these planes are simply fanastic.
Where to fly? Local councils and hobby shops can advise. Beware the liability factor if you fly in a localpark and brain someone. My advice is to join a club and you will get insurance cover, make great friendships, and learn from an instructor. Also you can see what the majority of equipment is being used before you buy.
When I started off people used to say get a 40 engine (0.4 cubic inch) and a 60 inch high wingspan model. Many would still say that but my suggestion would be a powered glider because the landing speed is slow (less stress on the pilot). The other matter is the configuration of the control sticks on the transmitter. Choose what's most popular at the club because it can be hard to get an instructor if you choose a minor control stick configuration. MODE 2 is setup like a real aircraft, whilst Mode1 is slightly different.
One of the great things about the radio control flying hobby is that you can design, build, experiment and fly your aircraft of choice.
Happy and safe flying.
I next entered the control line area, which had plastic bodies, a tiny .049(cubic inch) Cox engine and control lines to guide the aircraft in a circle until the fuel ran out.In passing there also existed diesel engines, running 0n an ether based fuel which ignited on compression the engine having a screw lever at the top to alter the compression. The 2 control lines allowed some basic aerobatics to be performed, like loops, inverted flying, etc. Also like so many kids I built stick together plastic display planes. This would have been the catalyst for many a young lad to proceed further.
After this very brief overview of the history of model aircraft (which passes over the very early pioneers in times long past) we can consider the present day scene. First, a list of the many types of aircraft would be a good start- gliders, turbojet, old timer, scale, stand-off scale, sport,pylon,helicopters, 3-D light framed which can fly in a small area, hang on the prop, etc and ducted fan(not a pure jet engine but rather a 2-stroke engine with an internal fan) etc.
And engines : 2-stroke( these engines can also replace the muffler with a tuned pipe which increases power), 4-stroke, diesel (less common), 2 stroke brush cutter engine (adapted from a brush cutter), turbojet engines, electric engines and other less common types. Yet, notice the new kid on the block.He's been around for a while- electric, but now with the advent of powerful batteries (Lipo) is a force to be reckoned with and will save flying fields with its' quietness factor.
And onto the materials used to construct the models. Firstly the old balsa wood/doped tissue will always be around. Fabric film and dope gave a stronger finish then came along shrinkable plastic, then there were foam wings, tailplanes, cutout with a hot wire and covered in balsa. Of course this is just a summary of some of the materials in an age when there is carbon fibre, fibreglass, kevlar, white and pink foams and foams which have a "memory"and are almost destructable and return to shape.Once again this only touching the surface as one could talk on papier mache, corrugated plastic etc.
Don't like building a plane, only interested in flying?- no problems, for a cheap price you can get an ARTF (almost ready to fly- just needs some minor assembly) or RTF (ready to fly) from your local hobby shop. A lot of these planes are simply fanastic.
Where to fly? Local councils and hobby shops can advise. Beware the liability factor if you fly in a localpark and brain someone. My advice is to join a club and you will get insurance cover, make great friendships, and learn from an instructor. Also you can see what the majority of equipment is being used before you buy.
When I started off people used to say get a 40 engine (0.4 cubic inch) and a 60 inch high wingspan model. Many would still say that but my suggestion would be a powered glider because the landing speed is slow (less stress on the pilot). The other matter is the configuration of the control sticks on the transmitter. Choose what's most popular at the club because it can be hard to get an instructor if you choose a minor control stick configuration. MODE 2 is setup like a real aircraft, whilst Mode1 is slightly different.
One of the great things about the radio control flying hobby is that you can design, build, experiment and fly your aircraft of choice.
Happy and safe flying.
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