How to Build RC Sailplanes
Sailplanes make for a great introduction into the RC airplane hobby. With many models easier to build than their powered counterparts, a basic sailplane kit can be assembled with only a little time and preparation, ready for flight often after only a day or two of work. Building your own sailplane helps to give you a solid grounding in the basics of model airplane design and construction, opening up a hobby that's provided millions of people with enjoyment worldwide.
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Things You'll Need
- Sailplane model kit
- Hobby knife
- Wood glue
- Clamps
- RC Transmitter
- RC Receiver
- Electronic Speed Control
- Battery
- Servos
Instructions
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1
Chose a kit that's easy to construct. Starter plane kits often come with easy to assemble precut balsa wood pieces, requiring that you only purchase the electronics to complete the build. While buying the kit, choose a transmitter and receiver suitable for that particular kit. All parts can be purchased at a hobby shop either in your area or online.
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2
Locate a large level work area, and spread out the parts, checking to make sure all the pieces are present and that the wooden parts are in good order, with no breaks.
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3
Assemble the fuselage. Depending on the kit, assembly of the body can be complicated, requiring that you cut the pieces from balsa strips prior to assembly. Use a hobby knife for cutting, applying firm, even pressure as you cut through the wood and taking care not to splinter it. Glue the parts together according to the manufacturer's instructions, using clamps to hold the glued pieces in place as they dry.
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4
Assemble the wings, tail and rudder pieces. Use the same process of cutting and gluing the parts as with the fuselage, allowing the pieces to dry completely before continuing.
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5
Skin the aircraft by placing the skinning material smoothly along the parts' surfaces. Be careful not to get any wrinkles in the skin as they can interfere with the flight mechanics of the sailplane. While skinning, compartments with removable skins will usually be left for the aircraft electronics.
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6
Assemble the sailplane, connecting the tail, rudder and wings to the fuselage. The parts will often be placed using a combination of pins and glue, depending on the design, so close attention must be paid to the manufacturer's instructions during the assembly process.
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7
Mount the push rods, control horns and mounting plates onto the sailplane body. The push rods will be connected to the servos and operate the moving parts of the rudder and elevators to maneuver the sailplane through the air. The servos are small motors with an arm-like device that moves according to the signals received by the radio transmitter. They connect to the rods, pushing and pulling on the rods, which connect directly to the mounting plates glued to the surfaces of the moving parts. The motion of the servos is then transmitted via the rods into movement of the elevators and the rudder.
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8
Install the servos into the body of the sailplane in the compartments intended to house the electronics. Connect the servos to the push rods, completing the mechanics of the sailplane's control system.
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9
Mount the RC receiver, speed controller and battery into the aircraft body and wire the electrics system. Run the wires from the electronic speed controller to the receiver, and then from the receiver to the servos. Connect the battery to the receiver and close the electronics compartments.
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10
Balance the aircraft by tying string to the center of the sailplane about 1/3 the distance from the front of the wings to the rear. Hold the aircraft level. If it tilts to either side then it's not balanced properly and a small weight should be taped beneath the opposing wing from the tilting to level the plane out. If it tilts to the front or the rear, add weight in the same fashion, leveling the plane. Remove the string once the aircraft has been balanced.
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11
Turn on the RC transmitter and test the controls, making sure that the sailplane's moving parts react correctly to the transmitter signals. Adjust the wiring and control rods if necessary. Once the parts move with the receiver, the plane is ready for flight.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose a work area that's well ventilated as you'll be working with wood glue during the assembly process.
