The Birth of Radio Controlled Aircraft -

Radio controlled aircraft have been around since the end of World War II, in fact one early radio controlled aircraft was a full sized B17 Flying Fortress designed to be flown as a 'drone' fully laden with explosives. In general though early radio control was too expensive and undependable for most hobbyists until the advent of transistors and solid state circuitry bought hand held remote control radio within the reach of hobbyists. The advent of modern electronics also meant servos, batteries, and receivers also became more dependable and importantly extremely light and relatively cheap!

Types of Aircraft -

With the many types of models and radios offered it can be confusing and difficult to make a choice when starting out in this exciting hobby. There are 3 basic types of aircraft to fly - Fixed Wing (Aeroplanes), Rotary Wing (Helicopters) and Gliders. These aircraft can be powered by Nitro (petrol) engines or Electric Motors powered by battery (Mostly Lithium Polymer)

It is generally accepted that Helicopters are more difficult to learn to fly although many people do manage to fly Helicopters before flying Aeroplanes, in addition most 'beginner' helicopter kits are more expensive than the equivalent Aeroplane kit.

Starting Out -

Come down to our field on any Sunday and talk to the flyers. we our more than willing to show you what it's all about and give you plenty of invaluable advice. If you like what you see and want to take up flying, join our model flying club. We can provide suitable training which will give you a much better chance (but no guarantees) of taking your plane home intact after a day's flying. The club will provide insurance through their membership scheme.

What's necessary to get started (Aeroplane)

The best way to start is with a high wing trainer. Trainers can be purchased in ARTF form (almost ready to fly) In other words the box comes with the fuselage, wings, and tail already built. All that is necessary to do is join the wings together, glue the tail, fit the undercarriage, and install the engine and radio equipment.

The club instructors will advise on a suitable model, engine etc. A transmitter, receiver, servos and a battery are the main items needed to control the plane. These usually come as a package, but can be bought separately. There are many makes and you need to choose one that suits your plane, listen to the advice you will be given, listen to what the experienced members tell you.

It is a requirement in this country to use 35MHz or 2.4 GHz frequency range for flying, so a transmitter and receivers must meet one of these specifications. Within this 35 MHz frequency range a channel needs to be selected. This ranges between channels 55 and 90, and a crystal fitted into your transmitter and one in the receiver in the plane must match, so they can transmit and receive a signal between the plane and the transmitter and thus communicate with each other. Other items need to be purchased, such as a flight box for your equipment appropriate fuel for your engine, if you use a nitro engine, a starting method, probably an electric starter, a glow stick and some method of getting fuel into the plane.
How much does all of this cost?
The initial set up costs are quite high but remember the transmitter and field equipment can be used for other models as well. For example, an entry level computer transmitter has a 6 model memory. Prices will vary depending on make and model purchased and there will be other extras required from time to time but the following may be used as a guide:

Nitro Powered -

Whats necessary to get started (Helicopter)

If you are brand new to the hobby of RC helicopters or aircraft, then you'd be well advised to start out with an electric model RC helicopter. They have many advantages, not the least of which is that the learning curve and maintenance issues are very easy with electric RC helicopters, as opposed to their 'Nitro' counterparts. They are also very much less expensive than nitro models, and with all the fuel and assorted accessories necessary to flight operations with a nitro model.

It is important to note that as with all RC Aircraft safety is paramount, particualry so with RC Helicopters as the spinning blades can be very damaging in the event of collisions etc.

One very important issue is size! smaller helicopters are less daunting (safer) to fly than large helicopters but are not as easy or stable to fly as larger helicopters, likewise and as a general rule of thumb the bigger the helicopter the more expensive it will be to buy and repair! Helicopter sizing is a little confusing the general standard used now ranges from '250' size being the smallest (althought there are 'toy' helicopters that are smaller) to '700' being the biggest. The most common size for beginners is a 450 class helicopter such as the Align Trex 450 which has a 680mm diameter rotor disc. Another route is a coaxial electric RC helicopter, these have twin rotor blades, which spin in opposite directions, thus eliminating the need for a tail rotor and making actually flying one of these birds a lot easier! many people start out on this type of helicopter to learn the basic elements of flying.

Learning how to fly your RC helicopter is the next big hurdle, as for Aeroplanes get advice from our flyers on any Sunday. Bring your helicopter along and we will help where we can to set it up, although it is important to note that any advice and help is given on the basis that we cannot accept responsibility for any subsequent faults.

Many times electric RC helicopters come RTF (ready to fly) and this can get you started fast, getting you in the air quicker. Likewise as for Aeroplanes it is a requirement to use standardised radio control equipment, see above.

The initial setup up costs of a 450 class helicopter such as the Trex 450 are as follows:

Again the above information is a guide, it is possible to get very compettitive deals to reduce this cost any club member will be pleased to give you help or advice, just ask.