You’ve decided that you like the idea of flying radio-controlled aircraft. And you are now wondering where to start. How can you find an RC plane that’s right for a beginner? In this article, we will look at what you need to consider when choosing your first airplane.
First of all, what makes a good beginner aircraft? There’s no final correct answer to this question. However, there are some things to consider when choosing an RC plane to learn to fly with.
Factors To Consider
You should choose a plane which is design for stable in the air. It should fly slowly, so it gives you plenty of time to react should anything unexpected happen.
Also, the plane should be easy and straightforward to control. It should be sturdy and durable so that if you do accidentally crash it, it will survive the impact and let you try again.
Almost the first choice you have to make is whether you should start with a build-it-yourself kit plane or a ready-assembled one. Most people who are starting out with RC plane just want to get flying as soon as possible. So, for them, a Ready-To-Fly (RTF) plane is ideal.
These pre-assembled planes give the instant gratification that the beginner craves. They make it easy and convenient to get into the air. And you can even purchase models where you do not have to attach the wings yourself. So you can almost fly them right out of the box!
Choose The Right Design
The next choice to make is the design of the airplane. As we said above, a beginner plane should be stable in the air to make it easy to control. There are two main types of aircraft design that offer this level of stability when flying. The first is a high-wing plane design. This is where the wing is attached to the top of the fuselage. These give much more stability than low-wing aircraft.
The second choice of plane design that you may wish to consider is an electric-powered glider. A glider like this is naturally stable in the air and, because they fly slowly, they give you much more time to think about what you are doing while flying. They are also usually larger than other kinds of RC aircraft. This has the benefit of allowing you to see them more clearly in the far distance. But their size also means that they may not be as convenient as smaller planes for transporting around.
Spare Parts And Channels
As a beginner, it is likely that you are going to damage your plane accidentally as you learn to fly it. That’s okay crashing a plane from time to time is part of learning to fly it well. But you need to consider then whether spare parts are going to be readily available for it. You do not want to be left with an aircraft that you cannot repair.
The final important thing to consider for your trainer plane is the number of channels it has. Channels refer to the number of controllable functions of the plane. When an RC plane has three channels, it means that you can control the power to the motor, the elevator and usually the rudder. Having 4 channels means that you can control the ailerons as well.
Three channels is easier to learn with. But a four channel RC plane can offer more fun and excitement when you get to grips with the basics of powered flight. It is really your choice in the end.
