Beginner Series - Choosing a Plane

The Flite Test Beginner Series is brought to you by Horizon Hobby.
Episode 1: Choosing a Plane

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Choosing A Plane

Choosing a plane can be a very difficult and intimidating decision. In this first episode of our beginner series we discuss some of the most common things to look for and help you choose wisely. Here are some important things to consider:

Keep it to 3 or 4 Channels

Choose a plane with 3 or 4 channels to start. It’s best to start simple and get used to flying. A 3 channel plane usually consists of thrust, rudder and elevator. The fourth channel often adds the aileron function.

Alternatively, a 3 channel flying wing, or delta design has the aileron and elevator functions combined into elevons. In order to roll or bank the elevons move opposite of each other. To control pitch they move together.

Aileron - A hinged flight control surface usually attached to the trailing edge of each wing of a fixed-wing aircraft. Ailerons are used in pairs to control the aircraft in roll, or movement around the aircraft's longitudinal axis, which normally results in a change in heading due to the tilting of the lift vector. Movement around this axis is called 'rolling' or 'banking'.

Elevator - Flight control surface, usually at the rear of an aircraft, which controls the aircraft's longitudinal attitude by changing the pitch balance, and so also the angle of attack and the lift of the wing. The elevators are usually hinged to a fixed or adjustable rear surface, making as a whole a tailplane or horizontal stabilizer. 

Rudder - Used primarily to counter adverse yaw and is often not the primary control used to turn the airplane. A rudder operates by redirecting the airflow past the fuselage, thus imparting a turning or yawing motion to the aircraft. In basic form, a rudder is a flat plane or sheet of material attached with hinges to the aircraft's vertical stabilizer.

Choose a Slow Flyer

It takes a little while to gain the muscle memory and response time to fly a radio control plane. A slow flyer will give you more time to react to mistakes and improper inputs. Slow flyers don’t seem cool at first… However, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you fall in love with a good flyer before the one that looks cool.

Start With an Electric Plane

Electric planes used to be cumbersome and under-powered. Today’s electric R/C planes have plenty of power and are much easier to fly and maintain than fuel-based planes. Gassers and nitro planes are pretty awesome, but learn to fly, crash and repair before you add the complication of an internal combustion engine.

Foam is Good

Foam is your friend. The fact of the matter is, your first plane will be trashed. Foam is durable and easy to repair. Balsa planes are beautiful and there is nothing like them. They are works of art that look great on the shelf and in the air. Not to mention they stand the test of time. But don’t start with that beautiful balsa plane. Learn on an inexpensive foam plane that can take some abuse.

Dihedral and High Wings Help Keep You Level

Dihedral is the gentle v shape to the main wing. This helps keep your plane in the upright position. Generally you’ll lose some ability to do aerobatics, but you’ll gain more stable flight. The position of the wing is also important to stable flight. The lower the wing is on the fuselage the nimble the plane becomes. For your first plane, we suggest you go with a high-wing orientation.

Don’t Go Too Big… Or Too Small

It’s important to choose the right size plane for the space you have available. In general the smaller and lighter your plane is the more crashes it should be able to endure. This also means that it’ll be more sensitive to wind and will probably be more squirly. Bigger planes tend to be more stable, but they need more room to take-off and land. 

Park flyers are a good size to start with. They are usually around a 36” wingspan and require a 600 X 600 foot open area to fly.

Go Ugly First

EDF Jets and Warbirds are very enticing. They will only disappoint you for your first plane. Jets and Warbirds are usually meant to fly fast and respond quickly. If you’re just starting out, you’re not ready for that yet. Don’t worry, it won’t take long. For your first plane stick to something ugly that flies well. That way you won’t be as crushed when it hits the ground!

Look For an Easy to Repair Plane

By this point in the article you’ll notice a trend… You’re going to crash. Just accept it. It’ll make it easier to stomach when it happens. it’s just part of the hobby. So, when you do crash or break something, can you back up and flying? Make sure you can buy replacement parts for your plane. The number one replacement part is the propeller. It’s good to choose a plane that has common and easy to find parts.

Learn on a Simulator

If you think this is a hobby you want to stick with, a simulator is a worthwhile investment. They are very accurate these days. We did two previous episodes featuring simulators here:

Flite Test: Learning to Fly on a Simulator (Phoenix)

Flite Test: Simulator Flying (RealFlight)

Different Types of Packages

• RTF (Ready to Fly)

  • Most expensive

  • Most inclusive (has everything you need)

  • Quickest to get into the air

  • Little guesswork/Research

  • Predictable Performance

• BNF / RXR / PNF (Bind-n-Fly / Receiver Ready / Plug and Fly)

  • Let’s you use your own radio system

  • Good second airplane

• ARF (Almost Ready to Fly)

  • Often requires your own electronics

  • Widest selection of manufactured aircraft 

  • Some building skills required

  • Requires more knowledge on electronics and setup

  • Wide performance “envelope” based on electronics and setup

• Kit

  • Most time to get into the air

  • Requires strong building skills

  • Results may vary depending on your ability

• Scratchbuilding

  • More work

  • The cheapest

  • Most fun

  • If you can build it you can fix it

  • Widest variety available

  • Best skill development

  • Free plans available

Flite Test Recommended Planes For Beginners:
 

We would like to thank Horizon Hobby for sponsoring this Beginner Series!  Let us know what you think of this content and let Horizon Hobby know as well!  You can find out more about Horizon Hobby HERE.


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Basic Aerodynamics