Pre-flight Checks for Your Airplane

The purpose of pre-flight checks is to ensure that your rc plane is in a fit condition to fly, and that everything is working as it should be. Exact pre-flight checks might differ from plane to plane, but there are some fundamental checks that all rc airplanes need to have done, immediately before flight.

If you neglect to carry out the pre-flight checks before you fly your rc airplane, and something is badly amiss, then an avoidable crash is very likely. Many rc pilots have lost their beloved aircraft seconds after take off, simply because they didn't do the checks!

rc airplane

Your first and foremost point of reference for the exact pre-flight checks needed for your particular airplane should be the instruction manual (DVD or CD ROM) that came with the plane. But, failing that, listed below (in no particular order) are the minimum checks that you need to carry out before you take off...

    All servos are secure, and linkages to servo and control surfaces are secure.
    Servo and control horns are secure and not loose.
    Servo linkages are able to move freely and are not binding on anything.
    All servo connections to the receiver, battery pack and ESC are secure and correct.
    The receiver and motor battery pack are securely fixed and cannot move during flight.
    Receiver antenna (aerial) is correctly positioned and not damaged.
    The propeller nut is tight / spinner is secure.
    The wing and tailplane (and fin) are secured properly, as per the instructions (i.e. with the correct method of fixing; rubber bands or wing nuts etc.)
    All control surfaces move in the correct sense i.e. moving the rudder stick left moves the rudder to the left.
    All control surface hinges are secure i.e. you can't pull the control surface away from its respective flying surface.
    The motor power works correctly, and stops when you want it to.
    A range check
This last one, the range check, is very important so we'll cover it in more detail.

The purpose of the range check is to make sure the radio signal from transmitter to receiver is strong, so that you can fly your rc airplane at a normal distance away from you without it going out of radio range. If your plane does go out of range, then you lose all control.

Perform a range check with a MHz radio system thus: Switch on the transmitter then the receiver, and with the transmitter antenna fully collapsed (i.e. down), walk backwards away from the airplane for 30 paces or so. As you walk away from the plane, keep moving the control surface sticks of the Tx (not the motor!) and closely watch the respective control surfaces of the airplane. Don't forget to range check your rc airplane!

If you only get a short distance away and the surfaces start 'twitching' or not responding properly to your stick movements, do not fly. Check the batteries of the radio gear, they may need replacing - low batteries in the transmitter drastically reduce the radio range. Also check for loose connections to the receiver etc., and also the condition of the antenna(s).

If the batteries and connections are OK but the control surfaces still don't respond properly, then other people may be using your frequency nearby. Again, do not fly if this is the case. Interference is a big killer of rc airplanes, and you need to be sure that your frequency is clear before you get airborne.

An rc airplane range check with a 2.4GHz radio system is slightly different, in that the antenna cannot be collapsed. You will have to refer to your radio instruction manual to see the correct range check procedure for your exact radio, as different manufacturers use different methods of activating the range check mode in a 2.4GHz radio. Whichever method is involved, a 2.4GHz radio in range check mode sends out the signals with a reduced voltage, thus producing a weaker signal. The rest of the check is performed in the same way as explained above.

Regardless of whether you have a MHz or 2.4GHz system, do not fly your plane if you see that control surface response becomes unreliable before you reach 30 paces or so away from the plane. You need to identify and rectify before you fly!
If your plane isn't behaving itself on the ground, then it's not going to improve in the air!

Always always always take a few minutes to perform these rc airplane pre-flight checks before you commence your flying session. Get into the habit of pre-flighting your plane every time; the checks take just a couple of minutes to do and will save you the grief of a crashed airplane, if something is amiss.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing an RC Helicopter

Different types of people have different hobbies. One hobby gaining a lot of popularity is flying remote controlled or RC helicopters. While few people can afford to buy real helicopters or even learn to fly one, RC helicopter flying is something a person with a modest budget can afford. Buyers looking to get started in RC helicopters should do the necessary research and learn what they can about this hobby. Before making a purchase, buyers should consider a few things that can help them decide which RC helicopter is best for them.

Most people purchase their RC helicopters and parts from hobby stores, specialty RC stores, and some big box retail stores. However, smart buyers can find better bargains and more selection online, particularly on sites like eBay. The site offers more choices for people searching for RC helicopters.

rc helicopter

1. Type of RC Helicopter

The first thing buyers should consider when buying an RC helicopter is the type of helicopter they want. These helicopter types vary, based on features, motors, and factors. By looking at these types side-by-side, buyers can determine which item suits their needs.

When purchasing an RC helicopter, buyers should think about how and where they plan to use it. For example, if they plan to give it as a gift to a young child, then perhaps a toy helicopter would be the most appropriate choice.

2. Number of Channels

As most users already know, RC helicopters receive radio signals from the controller and translate this into different movement. However, each type of action requires one transmission channel, which is why more sophisticated RC helicopters have more channels. Of course, for beginners, having fewer channels is easier. The most basic helicopters have two channels. One controls the turning or the yaw and the other controls the speed. These helicopters can only fly forward, which limits their movements, but is less complicated to control. A three-channel helicopter adds forward and reverse movements.

RC helicopters with more than three channels can do a variety of movements through the addition of collective pitch. By allowing the user to tilt the rotor blades, the helicopter can do complicated moves like swooping, climbing, rolling, looping, and even flying backwards or upside-down.

rc heli

3. Power Source

Radio controlled helicopters need some type of power source to run and the most common types are glow fuel and electric batteries, although some use gasoline and turbine engines. Glow fuel RC helicopters are the most common. A combination of nitromethane and methanol, glow fuel provides seven to ten minutes of flight time, depending on the type of engine. There is virtually no height limit for glow fuel-powered helicopters and while some users report going up to a mile high, few users push their units higher than their eyes can see.

Batteries are safer and more convenient to use. Previously, batteries could not match the power of the glow fuel, but with advancements in technology, many lithium polymer batteries offer four to twelve minutes of flight time. Aside from lower costs, one advantage of electric batteries is that, unlike fuel powered motors, they do not create a lot of noise. For people who use their helicopters in residential areas or take videos with sound, this is a highly attractive quality.

4. Availability of Parts

 

For buyers who want to go beyond toy helicopters and want to devote their time and resources to flying, then the availability of parts is an important consideration. RC helicopters require much care and maintenance. Flying and using the helicopters can bring about a lot of wear and tear and users find they have to replace certain parts regularly to keep their units flying. The swashplate, batteries, canopy, main shaft, and landing skids are the parts that users replace quite often, especially in the beginning when they crash often. Most parts are compatible among the same types of helicopters, but for some specialty parts, users may have to buy parts made by the same manufacturer.

Some people may even want to upgrade or build their own helicopters, so they must have the right parts. High-quality skids, carbon fiber blades, and aluminum swash blades can help RC helicopters fly faster and higher. These parts are also more durable and may even increase the value of the helicopter.

5. Construction

RC helicopters come in a variety of designs and materials. Plastic, aluminum, glass-reinforced plastic, and carbon fiber are common materials manufacturers use for the body. The blades use lightweight materials like fiberglass or even wood. Some RC helicopters come fully assembled, while complete kits are available for those who prefer to build their own models.

These helicopters need to be lightweight so they can fly and use power efficiently, but they also need to be sturdy enough to withstand crashes. Beginners who are still learning to fly should first go with durable models, such as helicopters made with hard plastic polymers. This material is not very heavy, but still robust enough to survive a couple of crashes. While it is tempting to splurge on the more complex, lightweight models, these do have a very fast response and thus are difficult for inexperienced people to fly.

Dangers of Remote Controlled Helicopters

rc helicopter

 

Remote-controlled (or "RC") helicopters present flying enthusiasts with the opportunity and challenge of flying their own high-powered helicopters without ever leaving the ground. Models range from basic training units to exact replicas of military helicopters like the US ARMY AH-64 Apache. With the fun and excitement of flying RC helicopters, however, also come the very real dangers of damage and injury. No one seeking to enjoy the RC helicopter hobby should begin without clearly understanding the potential dangers involved.

Damage to the Helicopter

Gas-powered RC helicopters are complex, powerful machines. As a result, they can be difficult for novices to operate, and crashing an RC helicopter can create extensive damage to its structure. They're also more prone to damage than less-powerful RC toys that are electrically powered. The gas engines produce high temperatures and severe stress on moving parts, creating wear that can result in more frequent crashes. What's more, repairing damaged RC helicopters is more expensive and time-consuming than with electrically driven vehicles.

Property Damage

A second danger of RC helicopters is the potential for property damage that can result from crashes or accidents. At maximum speeds, an RC helicopter accidentally flown into ground-based objects can cause real property damage. Broken windows and dented cars (or houses) are just a few possible results of a high-speed crash. Even more damage might result if an RC helicopter crashed at full speed into live power lines.

Fire

Gas-powered RC helicopters also create a unique hazard for fire should they crash, especially if they should crash into highly-flammable environments such as a field filled with dry brush or a person's home. RC fuel is higher in octane than regular gasoline, making it especially flammable.

Self-Injury

Careless or distracted handling of an RC helicopter or slight maintenance problems can create another danger: self-injury. Each blade spindle and nut must be able to hold 270 pounds of pressure to prevent the blades from flying off. What's more, the speed at the tip of each rotor blade is 250 miles per hour--more than enough to create deep, penetrating cuts in hands, arms or ankles; even tiny pieces that are suddenly ejected from the helicopter can become violent shrapnel at speeds like this.

Injury to Bystanders

A final danger related to RC helicopters is the danger of injury to bystanders. Flying at high speed with, 250 mile per hour blade speeds, makes an ordinary RC helicopter into a dangerous flying projectile. If one of the blades should come loose, the helicopter will instantly fly apart, creating not one but potentially dozens of pieces of shrapnel flying in every direction.