How To

How to Buy a Radio-Controlled System for Model Aircraft

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(4 Ratings)

You're the pilot when you're flying scale model airplanes - but you're on the ground. That means you'll want to invest in a reliable radio-control system before you take to the air.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Battery Chargers
  • R/C Model Engines
  • model engine supplies and accessories - Airtronics, Hitec, Futaba, JR Radio Systems
  • R/C Modeling Construction & Operating Publications
  • Model Aviation Subscription
  • R/C Model Airplanes
  1. Step 1

    Read the appropriate material from the Federal Communications Commission. You'll be using a low-power radio transmitter, and you'll want to conform to the standards specified by the FCC.

  2. Step 2

    Subscribe to hobby publications.

  3. Step 3

    Gather material through Internet research.

  4. Step 4

    Join a radio-control (R/C) hobby club. Learn from members with extensive experience in the hobby.

  5. Step 5

    Visit hobby stores in your area. Pick up literature from manufacturers and discuss possible purchases with the store staff.

  6. Step 6

    Ask club members and people in the hobby business to recommend units with a reputation for quality and reliability.

  7. Step 7

    Make a budget. It's easy to overspend when you're consumed with a novice's enthusiasm.

  8. Step 8

    Consider purchasing a quality used system.

  9. Step 9

    Learn about channels, the term used by R/C enthusiasts to identify the number of control circuits. R/C sailplanes can be manipulated with as few as two channels. Motor-driven R/C aircraft may require four or more channels.

  10. Step 10

    Remember, a four-channel unit can be used to operate a sailplane trainer even though only two channels may be required. The four-channel unit can then be retained when you move up to a more sophisticated scale model.

Tips & Warnings
  • Radio control is accomplished by signals from a transmitter in the hand of the pilot being received by a receiver on the scale model aircraft. The signals are then converted to drive-server motors that manipulate the control surfaces and other devices aboard the model.
  • Radio systems will operate rudder, elevator, ailerons and throttle. Additional channels can be used for spoilers, retractable landing gear, operating flaps, bomb drop, camera actuation and glider release.
  • Integrated circuitry makes sophisticated combinations of control inputs possible and complicated maneuvers easier to accomplish.
  • Prices range from about $60 for a two-channel radio system to over $400 for a six-channel system.
  • R/C units for model aircraft are battery powered. Most hobbyists use NiCad rechargeable batteries. It's useful to keep one set on charge while another set is in use.
  • Ask for instruction when you begin your scale-model flying career. R/C flying is a skill. Without competent instruction, you may find the cost of learning that skill costly in terms of broken scale-model airplanes.

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