- Model aircraft are a direct reflection of their larger counterparts. The model aircraft share the same principals of aeronautics. The construction of model aircraft is similar if not exactly the same as far as design is concerned. The most commonly used material in the construction of models is balsa wood for light weight and ease to shape. In most cases the aircraft fuselage is made of the balsa wood and the outer skin of the fuselage and wings are covered with silk and shrunken and stiffened by the application of aircraft Dope.
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There are many different power plants available from the old style 2-cycle nitromethane engines to the newer 4-stroke engines. In contrast the 2-cycle engine produces very high rpm for high-speed applications. The down side to these older design engines is that they have a lot higher fuel consumption, are extremely noisy and have limited throttle control. The 4-stroke engines have a little less power and a lot more moving parts. They are also much more expensive, however on the plus side, they have a lot more torque. The 4-stroke also has a lower sound level and is far better on fuel. There are also inline engines, horizontally-opposed, and V-style engines as the demand for larger displacement engines increases.
The electric motor powered aircraft are swiftly becoming the most popular choice as the power to weight ratio is far greater than a conventional engine. The biggest drawback is the power source--until the more recent development of the lithium battery. This new battery is producing more flight time--up to ten minutes or more on a charge. These new batteries have a short charge time and much lighter weight. -
The method of control for these aircraft is through the use of electrical servos and can be controlled by a hand held transmitter. Aboard the aircraft are usually four servos, one for the ailerons, one for the rudder, one for the elevators and one for the throttle. Along with the servos there is a receiver and a battery pack.
The transmitter has two levers that control the aircraft. The lever on the right controls the elevator and the ailerons. If the controller lever is pulled back the aircraft pitches up and climbs. Conversely, if pushed forward it pitches down in a descent. If the same lever is moved to the right the ailerons respond with a roll to the right and conversely, if moved to the left, a roll to the left. The lever on the left operates the throttle and the rudder. Pulling back on the lever reduces power and forward increases. A movement to the right will result in yaw to the right and a movement to the left a yaw to the left. -
Model aircraft are a great hobby and a great competitive sport as well with all the model aircraft clubs. They have aerobatics competitions, dog fights using long ribbons attached to the tails of the craft where they try to cut the other aircraft's ribbon, rate of climb contest and a multitude of other events.
It is best to start this hobby with a trainer aircraft which is extremely easy to fly since it is slower and much less sensitive to the touch. Once you have the feel for the aircraft and fully understand flight characteristics it will be time to move up.
