How to Start Flying RC Planes: 5 Step Tutorial

So you’re interested in the RC plane and wanna fly the aircraft by yourself? You’d like to operate the RC airplane like a real pilot? In reality, the first thing for a lot of RC plane hobbyists to do is to pick out and purchase a great RC plane. But actually, it’s not suitable to buy a plane immediately since you’re not familiar with the RC plane and the relevant knowledge. Therefore, no matter how easily operated the RC hobby shopper tells you their radio control airplanes are and no matter how much you want to fly the plane, it’s necessary to resist the temptation before you have a deeper understanding of the radio control plane and safety. So how to start flying RC planes favorably? What should we learn before fly by ourselves?

Table of Contents

Step 1. Getting familiar with aerodynamics and flight basics

To begin with, you’re supposed to learn what support your plane to fly into the sky. It would be better to have a thorough understanding of Bernoulli’s principle that is significant to assist you in learning the RC plane. The aerodynamics and flight basics can not only help you fly the plane favorably but be beneficial to build the radio controlled aircraft by yourselves if you’re interested in.

Step 2. Participating in the AMA clubs

The paramount significance for newcomers is to participate AMA( refers to the Academy of Model Aeronautics) in that you can gain the Model Aviation magazine monthly if you become AMA member. The abundant technical information and the knowledge of model aviation includes in the magazine. Besides, you’ll get $2 million liability insurance coverage from AMA and every pilot needs this to decrease the damage when the airplane crashes down. Perhaps some guys are unfamiliar with AMA, here share some information below from the official website of AMA.

World’s largest model aviation association, representing a membership of more than 195,000 from every walk of life, income level and age group.”

Self-supporting, non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote the development of model aviation as a recognized sport and worthwhile recreation activity.”

The official national body for model aviation in the United States. AMA sanctions more than 2,000 model competitions throughout the country each year and certifies official model flying records on a national and international level.”

Step 3. Learning the control of the RC plane

Understanding the controls of the radio controlled plane is essential before flying and so just be acquainted with the controls of the transmitter. The RC plane transmitters consist of a power button, throttle control, rudder control, power indicator, antenna, elevator dual rate control, mode button, LCD screen, and handle, etc. Among them, the throttle is the accelerator for RC aircraft and determines the speed of the plane. Besides, the rudder allows the plane to move forward or backward and the elevator determines its rotation.

Step 4. Selecting the appropriate power for your plane

As is well-known, there are two main types of radio control models. One is electric-powered and the other is gas-powered. The electric is more suitable for the medium and small radio-controlled airplane. It’s not as noisy and dirty as the gas-powered airplane. The weight of the battery is crucial for the RC plane since it has a great influence on the speed of the plane. Therefore, you need to take the weight into consideration when choosing the battery. Compared with Ni-cad and NiMH batteries, Lipo battery is more efficient and powerful without the memory effect, but more expensive than the Ni-cad and NiMH because of its advanced raw materials. But currently, there are some affordable and high-quality RC Airplane Lipo Batteries such as the Ovonic lipo battery. If you want to learn more RC plane batteries, please check here: https://blog.ampow.com/rc-airplane-battery-quality/

In addition, the gas powered is suited to the large-scale RC plane. With long flight times, high speed and cool style, the gas-powered can let you feel that you’re the real plane pilot and the king of the sky. But this is not fit for the novices because the gas powered RC plane is not easy to control.

Step 5. Practicing the RC flight simulators

Last but not least, when you have done the things I have mentioned above, it’s still not the proper time for you to fly the plane immediately. It would be better to prepare an RC flight simulator and then practice for many times. Only when you train again and again, can you form muscle memory and operate well.

In short, don’t begin your first personal flight immediately. Just learn more basic knowledge and information about the RC plane. As long as you have a great understanding of the relevant stuff and how to start flying RC planes you’ll fly the plane successfully. Otherwise, the RC plane would be easily crashing and you’ll be frustrated. Hope this article can give you help and you’ll have a happy flight with your RC aircraft.