Posts Tagged ‘Airplanes’
Flying RC Airplanes
Posted by matt in area51 motors on August 23rd, 2010
Another day of flying my Great Planes PT-40 ARF (Almost ready to fly) RC airplane out at the Flying Seminole Airport in Oviedo, FL. Today we have our nephew Kyle with us.
3 Tips on Choosing Remote Control Boats, Airplanes, Cars and Trucks
Posted by matt in RC AirPlaines on January 5th, 2010
Remote control boats, airplanes, cars and trucks are some of the most popular items of interest for hobbyists. In this day and age, RC vehicles are more than just toys. They are actually collectible items and serious enthusiasts spend a significant amount of money buying and accessorizing such playthings. Over the years, hobby shops from all over the world have experienced a tremendous increase in sales as a result of the growing popularity of RC vehicles. If you are planning to join other hobbyists in this fun and exciting form of recreation, you first need to learn how to choose the right remote controlled vehicle for you. Here are some important tips.
First off, you need to know the size or scale of the remote control boats, airplanes, cars and trucks that you want to focus on. The scale actually represents the size or proportion of the RC vehicle in relation to real life boat, airplanes, cars, or trucks. For instance a 1:24 scale model of an RC fighter plane would mean that it is 24 times smaller than the actual plane that it represents. The size or scale of your RC vehicle is important because it can affect fuel consumption or battery life. The bigger scale models would naturally consume more fuel or have a shorter battery life than smaller ones.
Next, you need to determine the type of fuel or power source for your remote control boats, airplanes, cars and trucks. Many RC vehicles use ordinary AA batteries, but these models are usually the ones that are given to kids as toys. Meanwhile, enthusiasts or hobbyists typically go for models that run on rechargeable Ni-Cad batteries. This type of batteries can supply anywhere from 4. 8 to 9. 6 volts of electrical power. Still, there are RC vehicles that use petrol much like their real life counterparts. Make sure to check out the box or label to see what type of power source is needed for your RC vehicle.
Finally, remote control boats, airplanes, cars and trucks run on different types of engines. Much like the variable types of fuel or power source, there are also different types of propulsion for each RC model. There are RC vehicles that are powered by electrical engines, while there are those that use motors that consume petroleum-based fuel. But more and more hobbyists now choose remote control models that are powered by nitro engines. The type of engine that your RC model uses can directly affect its speed and overall power. For more details, visit www. rcToysandCars. com.
Radio Controlled Airplanes – Giving You Tips To Choose The Best…
Posted by matt in RC AirPlaines on January 4th, 2010
While you purchase a radio controlled airplane first, you might have some trouble choosing the airplane that will bring you in to the remote controlled hobbies. You'll need something which will be reasonably cheap to buy, and will grant you an opportunity to find out how to aviate remote controlled airplanes before you proceed onto more sophisticated airplanes. If you purchase the first airplane that you come across, you may end up bearing a really bad experience as your beginning time, and be entirely turned down from this hobby. This makes it why it's really important to learn the many different features that you can seek. In this article I'll check over most of it. Therefore read upon to discover about what you require to search for to get the best ever experience possible while you aviate a radio controlled airplane.
First of all you require evaluating your own constructing skills. You will be able to purchase airplane packages that allow you to construct the whole thing from bits of wood, or even you will be able to buy packages that merely asks you to put together a couple of components together. If you would like to make a big, lengthy project of your guided plane, then you could purchase one that needs full assembly. Still, you ought to be certain that your constructing skills are prepared to build it. If you do not prefer to spend your time needed to execute this or if you do not possess the art to construct it, then you could purchase a plane that doesn't require any construction at all. You merely draw it from the package, and youâ??re prepared to go piloting for the noon.
Side by side you would like to search something that has constancy for people who are piloting the first time. It might not look like it, but to pilot a radio controlled airplane you require the minimal skill. But, whenever you seek for the good item you will be able to get something that's more in gear towards beginners. Small aviating speed is always a do good, just as motoring slow is a beneficial way to pick up how to drive a car at the beginning times. You'll need a light plane having bigger wings that will catch the wind finer. This will make up start easier. You'll also like to seek airplanes that have straight undersides, and wings mounted up high with the trunk. If you fetch a plane that possesses all of these characteristics, your inaugural flying will be as fluent as conceivable.
After this you have to think about the airplane model you are about to buy. The replicas of almost all types of planes are available, from the Wright Brotherâ??s airplane to todayâ??s army jets. If buying airplanes has come to your mind, this just shows you are beginning to become interested in planes. Have a look at a plane book or two and see which model interests you the most, and then search and see if there is a kit of that type of airplane you saw in the book. This idea helps you in getting interest in the model you are purchasing. When having its first flight, you would feel like being in the cockpit a real plane.
The main issues are over with this, the remaining choosing goes by your personal preference. If enough attention is given while choosing your plane, remote controlled planes will turn out to be one of your favorite hobbies. This hobby is quite rewarding, it will come with you throughout your lifetime if you choose the plane according to your skill. No one would want to crash their plane on a tree or the ground on their very first flight. So to avoid getting frustrated in future, choose your plane carefully.
Model Airplanes from Builder’s Cast-Offs!
Posted by matt in RC AirPlaines on January 3rd, 2010
Strange to say but once you have mastered the basics of building a model airplane and have a few spare bits lying around your workshop or garage it becomes very easy to produce your very own design of RC model airplane. Simple Plastic Airplane Design (SPAD) is really cheap and fun alternative to constructing expensive remote controlled model airplanes kits.
The concept of SPAD started in the late 90's and has evolved into a highly detailed and solid method for building RC model airplanes. While using traditional building materials and techniques can take weeks or months to put an airplane together, applying the SPAD concept can reduce the build time down to days, or even hours.
SPAD materials are widely available and are less expensive than those used in standard balsa model airplane kits. Plans and help for building a SPAD can be found online and are completely free. The best part about flying a SPAD is its survivability when it comes to the inevitable crashes as your enthusiasm gets away from you!
The basic RC model airplane SPAD concept revolves around using inexpensive building materials that can be found at local hardware stores and sign shops - or even picked up for nothing from builders cast-offs. While the materials required for constructing a SPAD vary from one design to another, the basic materials used include; PCV downspout pipe for the fuselage, CoroPlast(corrugated platic) sign material for the wings and controls surfaces, HDPE cutting boards for firewalls and landing gear blocks, and CA (superglue) to hold everything together.
Because of the simplicity involved in putting a SPAD RC model airplane together, even an inexperienced modeler can complete the job in a single weekend. A basic fuselage made from PVC downspout can be made in a matter of minutes, CoroPlast wings and control surfaces in just a few hours, and all the miscellaneous parts to complete the project in just a few hours more. Acquiring the materials needed for a RC model airplane SPAD project may require no more than a trip to the local hardware store and a few phone calls to local sign shops.
Aside from these readily available materials, there are a few other items that you will need; self tapping sheet metal screws, zip ties, a utility knife and a few wood sticks(4mmx27mmx1m Pine lathing/lattice). Other items needed to complete your RC model airplane, such as wheels, landing gear and control arms, will need to be fabricated or purchased from your favorite hobby store.
Plans for building a SPAD RC model airplane are available online, free of charge, from many different sources. SpadToTheBone. com, the original home for the RC model airplane SPAD concept, has plans to suit just about anyone. From the ever popular trainer called the Debonair, to the more sophisticated Coro Edge 540 sport/funfly model. A community has been built around the RC model airplane SPAD concept at SpadWorld. net where model builders from all over the globe help each other learn better and more exciting ways to make SPADs.
One of the greatest benefits to building with the RC model airplane SPAD materials is just how tough they are. Whether you're trying a new aerobatic maneuver and just can't seem to pull out of it, or just learning to take off for the first time and cartwheel your airplane down the runway, the chances that your plane will survive are very good. Compared to easily breakable balsa, plastic is a very forgiving material that can survive higher impact speeds without damage - and is easily fixed when broken.
Ease of construction, low cost and survivability all add up to a package that encourages modellers to experiment with design concepts and methods that extend the envelope of their experience and knowledge. Why not give it a go yourself?
Radio Controlled Airplanes
Posted by matt in RC AirPlaines on January 2nd, 2010
One of the most exciting hobbies that is inexpensive and very exciting is radio controlled airplanes. The interest and feelings involved of becoming proficient at controlling your own airplane exceeds most pilot's expectations. Many enthusiasts become dedicated to enhancing their skills and are more than willing to help novice fliers get started on their own. Radio controlled airplanes are helping people get outside, meet new people and giving them an avenue to pursue self-awareness. Talk to any radio controlled airplane club member and you will soon discover the passion that they have for this hobby.
The best way to get started is to get a trainer airplane. The ultimate way to start is to get the radio controlled airplane along with a simulator program for your computer. By using the controller (the box with “sticks” that manipulate all of the functions of the airplane via radio signal) in conjunction with your computer, you can “fly” your aircraft without the fear of crashing it several times before you master the skills necessary for proficient flight. This will save you a lot of money on your first purchase.
The next thing you need to decide is with which type of radio controlled airplane you want to start off. The best option is the brushless trainer aircraft. These are well constructed and have the advantage of minimum set-up but provide considerable power with use of the NiCD battery. This is a new age battery that delivers a lot of power that does not diminish as it discharges. Along with the plastic and foam construction, they give the added benefit of being more forgiving when coming abruptly to a stop on the ground.
Next you need to decide the type of aircraft; high wing or high lift. Both of these are suitable to the novice pilot. The high wing configuration of a radio controlled airplane is considered the standard for beginners. With the wings on the top of the fuselage (the larges contributor to weight) causes this weight to hang under the wing. This maintains stability throughout flight as it is centered and balanced on the underside of the wing.
The high lift wing is also an excellent choice for novice pilots. The high lift wing is designed for maximum lift which results in extended glide time and slower possible speeds. On a flat-bottomed wing (high lift), the air going over the wing must travel farther than the air going under the wing. This produces much more lift than a proportioned (symmetrical) wing. More lift allows the airplane to fly much more slowly giving the beginner more time to make adjustments.