Aviation

Building radio controlled (RC) model airplanes is a interesting hobby with many dimensions and directions. Along the way you learn a little about aerodynamics, how to build models, and basic...

Radio controlled cars, boats, helicopters and planes all have one thing in common, commands are sent to the receiver using radio waves. Newer RC systems use a "spread spectrum" for broadcasting...

Almost every aviation enthusiast has entertained the idea of purchasing an airplane, though the high cost of new and even used aircraft make the vehicle prohibitively expensive for many...

When you make your first flight with a new RC airplane chances are you will have to make some small adjustments to the control surfaces to obtain level flight. These adjustments are called...

Radio-controlled model airplanes can be made to carry and release flour bombs, water bombs, parachutes, candy or just about anything else that is small and lightweight. You can also build a bomb...

Understanding aerospace engineering can be quite difficult--it's not for nothing that the expression is "it's not rocket science." If you have tried to understand rocket design, you may have...

RC Micro helicopters fit in the palm of your hand. Micro-copters can be flown indoors in small spaces and provide great fun. You can start with a simple, inexpensive two-channel helicopter with...

Most RC planes can be equipped to drop bombs, parachutes or even candy. You just need an extra channel available on your transmitter and an extra servo mounted on the aircraft for the release...

Doing acrobatics with an RC airplane is fun but requires some specific knowledge and lots of practice. Learning how to use ailerons is one of the first steps in the acrobatics process, as well as...

Children and adults alike enjoy flying radio-controlled model aircraft. However, model planes can pose a threat of injury to operators, spectators or even real aircraft when flown or maintained...

Many children at a young age have nighttime dreams where they can fly. The run, jump, and into the air they go. Many of these children grow up and learn to fly as pilots. To some pilots, flying...

One of the best ways to break in and run RC engines is on a test stand. The stand is designed to hold a running engine securely while being bolted or clamped to a workbench. Test stands need to be...

Building RC model airplanes can be fun and therapeutic. However, cutting every part from plans can be very tedious. A pre-cut kit bridges the gap perfectly here. You get the plans, parts, and...

There are two basic types of RC helicopters, ones with two main rotors that turn counter to each other, which have no tail rotor, and ones that have a single main rotor and a tail rotor. The tail...

With so many hobbies to choose from out there let me introduce you to one of my favorites, flying model airplanes can be exciting and relaxing. This hobby can be a little expensive but there are...

Electric-powered radio-controlled planes and helicopters use an electronic speed control (ESC) as a throttle. The number in the name of the ESC stands for its maximum amperage. The Castle...

Electric motors are more eco-friendly than gas, brushless motors are more reliable than brushed, outrunner is more powerful than inrunner, and 12 stator is more efficient than 9. This will show...

A helicopter, also known as a "rotary aircraft," is an aircraft that can take off and land vertically. Helicopters are able to hover and rotate and can move sideways and backwards in the air. To...

Building a model aircraft is a hobby that's enjoyed by people of all ages. From choosing the model to painting it, the entire building process requires skill and artistry. Building a displayable...

Cox Model engines were manufactured for over 50 years and were in many respects the yardstick against which other remote-control (RC) engines were measured. Leroy Cox created some of the most...

Radio-controlled airplanes with landing gear give the pilot the opportunity to take off from the ground just like a real plane. When a steerable wheel is added, the plane is able to navigate a...

VOR stands for VHF omni-directional range station. Aircraft have receivers on board which detect signals sent by the VOR stations and use this information to determine the direction the plane is...

There are many terms that relate to RC airplanes. Understanding the most common of these will make the hobby more enjoyable.

Remote control airplane building and flying is a fun hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. While it can take years to master the most advanced aircraft performing complex maneuvers, a...

One of the most abused systems on any aircraft is the landing gear. Every time you land your aircraft, tons of pressure is placed on the gear to help the aircraft come to a complete stop on the...

There are several categories of small airplanes primarily used by recreational pilots. Different aviation certifications are needed for the different categories. This article is limited to...

Flying remote controlled, or RC, airplanes has grown from is roots as a kids' hobby. RC enthusiasts have taken this hobby to new heights in terms of vehicle size, required skills and price.

The Bell Helicopter company is one of the most prolific and successful manufacturers of rotary wing aircraft for both military and civilian markets. All of their aircraft are turbo-shaft driven,...

For many, flying an airplane fulfills one of mankind’s archetypal dreams. Here you will find the information you need to help fulfill that dream. The information presented here will help you make...

The advent of cheap, powerful electric motors and lightweight batteries has brought about a new class of radio controlled airplanes called park flyers. These planes are small and agile and require...

Choosing the right flight instructor is one of the first and most important steps to beginning your flight training. Finding a flight instructor who tailors to your unique learning style and...

Most pilots understand that calling air traffic control for taxi instructions is a requirement before moving about an airport movement area. However, many pilots forget that taxiing off a landing...

There are several steps that go into building a remote-controlled airplane. It starts with assembling the plane, includes radio installation and covering, and ends with balancing and flying. If...

People can buy model RC airplanes and, with patience and practice, fly them in their own backyards or nearby parks. Indeed, this popular and accessible hobby has come a long way from the...

Power on stalls are a stall of the wing of the airplane when at takeoff power. It simulates what happens when a airplane climbs too steeply during takeoff and is practiced so the pilot can learn...

Thermal soaring is one of the more advanced techniques in an R/C glider pilot's arsenal. The main challenge lies in the fact that to be successful the pilot must be able to harness forces of...

Different degrees of pitch in a fixed pitch propeller can drastically change the flight characteristics of an aircraft. This changes the flight envelope to the degree that flight planning takes on...

Airships have been flying since the early 20th century. The most famous of the rigid airships were the Zeppelin company's "L-Zed" variants, directly designed, and patented by Count Ferdinand von...

It only takes a score of 70 % to pass the FAA knowledge examination for a private or sport pilot certificate. But, there is certainly some prestige in getting a very high score. Besides, if...

Want to get a pilot's license but don't know where to start? Many of us have the desire to take flight but don't know how or where to get started. The first step for any aspiring pilot is to get...

Of all of the hobby genres, working with aircraft models is one of the most popular. Model kits are usually molded in plastic or wood, but both require a degree of care and patience as the user...

Learning how to fly an airplane requires certain tools that are essential to mastering the task. It's easy to be overwhelmed by the variety of gadgets that are available to the student pilot...

The beginner airplane modeler may be daunted by the challenge of adding exhaust stains, but for those wishing to create a truly authentic-looking model, it is necessary. Adding exhaust stains is...

If you fly radio control airplanes, you are eventually going to have a crash. Fortunately Hobby Zone planes are made of foam and are easily repaired if you know what to do. Make sure you gather...

A hobby is a spare-time recreational activity that helps us get away from the every day life routine. People have hobbies like modeling, collecting, reading and many others. Collecting and...

We all have hobbies and talk about hobbies because they help us stay focused on our favorite things or activities. Whether you like to collect stamps or read books, it is your own way to...

Finding aircraft loans is not as simple as getting car loans. There are a lot fewer sources and they are, probably, not right in your neighborhood. However, a little research will show that there...

In the previous articles (see the Resources section below), we taxied to the runway, took off and leveled off at traffic pattern altitude. Now we have to get this airplane safely back on the...

At the end of my "How to Taxi a Light Airplane" article (the link is in the resource section), I left us at the runway ready to take off. So, let's pick up where we left off and get this...

This article will help you with some tips on how to get started in r/c model airplanes. Its a great hobby but it can be very expensive if you don't know what you are doing.