Knox Model Airplane Club 
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Radio controlled aircraft modeling is one of the most exciting
hobbies available. It involves many interests, disciplines, and skills. Some of these are
aerodynamics, electronics, mechanics, drafting and design, composite material
construction, and woodworking, and these are in the airplane alone. There are many other
fields of interest in the hobby of aircraft modeling; far too many and too varied to try
to list. Many people find that many new skills must be learned before they are ready to
begin to learn to fly. The hobby is constantly changing as new technology is developed. A
new modeler may become frustrated at times but certainly not bored. To reduce the chance of frustration, a new modeler should become
involved with other modelers in order to learn the necessary skills. This may involve
simply visiting a flying site and becoming acquainted with experienced modelers or joining
a club. These modelers are a source of knowledge and experience that can be invaluable to
the new modeler when he begins to build his first aircraft and when he begins to learn to
fly. An experienced modeler can act as an R/C flight instructor to teach a new person the
skills required to fly the aircraft properly and to avoid the inevitable crash. New modelers must realize that a radio controlled model aircraft
is not a toy. It is a true aircraft in that it flies and operates by the same principles
as a full-scale aircraft with the difference being the size and weight. The average model
will fly in a range of 20 to 60 MPH and weigh 5 1/2 to 6 pounds. The force of the model
hitting an object can be devastating especially if it hits a person. Models must be
controlled properly both for enjoyment and for safety. The skills required to accomplish
this must be learned from an experienced modeler. Before purchasing any equipment, the beginner should ask himself,
"Is this a hobby I want to try to see if I like it or is it a hobby I am going remain
involved in for years to come?" If the
beginner is going to remain in the hobby for years, he might consider buying more
expensive equipment such as a ball bearing engine and a six (6) channel radio system. Otherwise, he should try to keep his initial
outlay as low as possible. A beginner can
limit his spending to as little as $200 by buying good used equipment but care must be
taken to ensure that the equipment is reliable. At
the other end of the scale, a beginner could easily invest $1000 on new equipment if he is
not prudent with his purchases. The topics that will be covered will be relating to a beginner or
novice and a trainer airplane. The information relating to all aspects of R/C powered
flight can be overwhelming even to the most seasoned pilot. Those disciplines relating to
the more advanced levels of R/C flight will most likely be learned as the skill level of
the novice improves and the goals are more defined. The Basics of
Flight A beginner should understand the basic concepts of flight. The
theories behind the physics of flight are covered in many volumes of books. There are
different and sometimes conflicting theories and arguments as to how airplanes fly, but
the one accepted principle is that lift is generated as a result of the air pressure on
the bottom of the wing being higher than the air pressure on the top of the wing.
The Lift Diagram shows some of the basic terms relating to a wing
section. These terms are common to R/C
flight.
There are four (4) primary forces that act on an aircraft in
flight; thrust, lift, drag, and weight. Thrust
is the force applied by the combination of engine and propeller acting to pull the
aircraft forward. Drag is the resistance
against the aircraft by the force of the air against the forward facing surfaces. Weight is caused by gravity. In order for a constant speed to be maintained,
thrust and drag must be equal. In order for a
constant altitude to be maintained, lift and weight must be equal.
Lift increases as the velocity of the air passing over the wing
increases or as the angle of attack increases as long as the flow of air over the wing
remains smooth. Actual flight is attained
when the force of the lift equals weight. An aircraft pivots about three (3) axes; the yaw or vertical axis
controlled by the rudder, the pitch or lateral axis controlled by the elevator, and the
roll or longitudinal axis controlled by the ailerons.
It can pivot about any one of these individually or in combination based on
the control surfaces that are moved and the direction of the movement.
When the rudder is moved to the right, the aircraft will rotate
to the right about the yaw axis and vice versa. When
the elevator is moved up, the aircraft will pitch the nose upwards. The ailerons move in
opposite directions. When the left aileron is
moved up and right one down, the aircraft will rotate to the left and vice versa. The Basic Trainer Quite often a person has an interest in model airplanes and
visits a local flying field just to observe. He
sees all types of airplanes from trainers to pattern planes to scale World War II fighter
planes. His interest is piqued by all the
fabulous looking models. He thinks, "I have to have one of those Mustangs." He immediately sets out trying to find a P-51
model to begin his modeling hobby. This is a
serious mistake. Many hours of training and practice are involved before a beginner has
the ability to handle the more advanced models. A
beginner must realize the dedication that is required to gain the ability to fly the type
of model that initially spawned his interest. He
must begin the hobby with a basic trainer and progress through different levels of models
until his goal is reached. A trainer is a specific type of model aircraft that is designed
to be stable in flight. This means that it
has an inherent ability to correct itself and overcome the rotational forces applied so
that it regains straight and level flight. Most
trainers are designed to that they remain stable in slow flight so that they are easy to
land.
The Basic Trainer diagram shows the components of a common
trainer.
There are certain criteria that a trainer should have in order to
be satisfactory for a beginner. 1. 1.
High Wing - A high wing model is inherently more
stable than a low wing model due to pendulum effect.
Since the weight of the model is below the wing, the fuselage tends to swing
downward like a pendulum in order to equalize forces. 2. 2.
Flat Bottom Wing - The wing cross section should
have a virtually flat bottom. This type of
cross section has more gentle flight characteristics that are necessary for a beginner. 3. 3.
Dihedral - The wing should have some dihedral. This means that the tips of the wings are higher
than the center. The effect of the dihedral
is to try to equalize forces and keep the wings level or to return the wings to a level
orientation 4. 4.
High Aspect Ratio - The ratio of the wing length
or span should be at least 5 1/2 times the width or chord.
This will reduce the rate at which the model responds to command input
allowing more time for a beginner to react. 5. 5.
Constant Chord - The width of the wing should be
the same from the center or root to the end or tip. This
distributes the weight of the airplane evenly over the entire surface of the wing. 6. 6.
Low Wing Loading - The weight of the model divided
by the area of the wing should not exceed 19 oz./sq. ft.
This reduces the speed required to maintain an acceptable rate that the
model descends when the power is reduced resulting in a lower landing speed. 7. 7.
Moderate Size - Most trainers are for engine sizes
between .15 and .60. The smaller ones are
more susceptible to the effects of wind and normally the wing loading is higher simply
because of the weight of the radio equipment. The
larger sizes are easier to fly and easier to see but are more difficult to transport. Most trainers are for .40 size engines. These trainers have been widely accepted as the
optimum size. 8. 8.
Structurally Sound - A trainer must be able to
take the abuses imposed by a beginner. This
is especially true for hard landings. It
must be able to withstand minor crashes with minimal damage. It should be relatively easy to repair. A trainer that meets these guidelines will give the beginner
excellent service without the frustration that can occur with an inappropriate model. With proper instruction, the beginner can progress
quickly to his solo flight and on to the novice stage and still get years of sport flying
from the trainer. There are several trainers on the market that meet and far exceed
the guidelines. These range from the most
basic kit to beautiful Almost Ready to Fly (ARF) models and Virtually Ready to Fly (VRTF)
complete with engine and radio. There are a
lot of considerations when choosing a trainer but the two most basic are time and money. A trainer built from a kit has the advantage of being less
expensive in some cases. It gives the builder
the pleasure of building, the option of color and trim scheme, and the knowledge of the
structure to perform repairs. The biggest
disadvantage is the time required to construct the model when the beginner would rather be
learning to fly. Another disadvantage in some
cases is the emotional attachment the builder develops having spent many hours on his
creation. The big advantage of the ARF models is that they can be assembled
in a matter of a few hours and the beginner can be ready to start his flying lessons. The disadvantages are the cost, the unknown
structure that is sometimes weak, and the fixed color scheme. Most ARF models perform as well or almost as well
as any kit built model on the market. Any
beginner who purchases an ARF model should get an experienced modeler to check the model
before assembly is started. An experienced
modeler can point out areas that may need to be reglued or reinforced. There are several models that are widely accepted as being the
best in the field although there is disagreement as to which is the "All Time
Best". The list is not an all-inclusive
but includes those that are most widely accepted and therefore are most widely recommended
by novices and seasoned veterans of the hobby. Some
of the trainers are also available in .20 and .60 size but the .40 is the most widely
accepted. BEST TRAINERS
Most if not all of the models listed have been reviewed by one of
the major model magazines. A beginner can get
information from these reviews that may help in deciding which model to buy and the areas
of assembly that need special attention. Regardless
of the amount of advice that the beginner gets from experienced modelers, the final
decision is the beginner's. The choice of a
model is an individual choice and all the pros and cons must be weighed. Each person must decide which model is pleasing in
appearance and performance and which one will meet his needs. The final consideration should be that the model
should be considered disposable. Many trainers are destined for the junk pile when it has
served its purpose. The Basic Radio
System There are many modern radio systems from which the beginner can
choose. There are several common brands
including Futaba, Airtronics, JR, Hitch, and Ace. Each
of these offers a wide range of options from a simple 2 - channel to a computer assisted 8
- channel system. The buyer is limited only
by his budget. A beginner should discuss his choice of systems with his intended
instructor. There are several reasons for
doing this, the primary reason being that the student's systems must be compatible with
the instructor's system if it will be used as a buddy box.
This issue will be covered in more detail later. All basic
radio systems consist of four (4) basic components.
There are specific frequencies assigned by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) for use with airborne R/C models. A beginner must ensure that the system that he
chooses is tuned to one of these frequencies. Most
radio system manufacturers place a sticker on the outside of the carton that says,
"For airborne use only". There is
frequency reference chart available that lists the purposes of all of the frequencies that
are assigned for R/C use. The radio that is chosen must meet the 1991 specifications for
narrow band receivers. The beginner need not
know the actual requirements of these specifications because the systems are required to
be certified to this standard. The owner's
manual for the system will note that the requirements are met and many of the transmitters
and receivers will have a gold sticker to signify this fact. The radio system may transmit and receive on either an AM
frequency or a FM frequency. The FM
frequencies are less prone to interference than the AM frequencies although those using AM
frequencies seldom have problems with interference. Some
radio systems use an internal system, called PPM, to help to nullify interference. Regardless of the brand of system, the number of channels, or the
price, all transmitters have the same basic components.
Transmitters may have additional switches, slides, and displays depending on
the functions they perform but the basic components remain the same.
There are two (2) primary modes of operation, meaning the way the
gimbals are set up for operation. There are
unsettled debates as to which mode is the easiest to use and best for a beginner. The modes of operation have become switched
between the United States and most European countries.
Mode I is primarily used in Europe while Mode II is used in the United
States.
Mode I started in the days of reed actuated proportional systems. The transmitters were uniformly set up in this
manner. The thought was that the elevator
and rudder or ailerons were the primary controls and each should be operated by an
opposite hand for precision control. Later
this carried over into the more modern proportional systems since this was the mode used
by most modelers.
In later years, the thinking changed to the Mode II
configuration. More modelers believed that it
was easier to control the primary surfaces effectively with the same hand. Mode II grew in popularity and is used almost
exclusively in the USA. A beginner does not
have to be concerned about which mode he should select since most manufacturers install
the gimbals according the most widely used mode for the nation to which the radio system
is being shipped. There have been discussions over the years involving the number
of channels with which a beginner should start. Some
people say that only three (3) channels should be used; rudder, elevator, and throttle. The argument here is that it is easier for a
beginner to only be concerned with using the rudder to make turns and not be concerned
with the ailerons. Others contend that four
(4) channels should be used; rudder, ailerons, elevator, and throttle. The contention in this argument is that by not
using ailerons, a beginner must go through a second phase of beginner training that being
learning how to use ailerons. A four (4)
channel system offers better control of the model during takeoffs and landings in cross
wind conditions. The four (4) channel
approach to training is more widely accepted today. A beginner might consider buying one of the more advanced six (6)
channel systems to get some of the features that are not available in the basic system
such as dual rate controls. This feature
allows the user to reduce the sensitivity of the sticks thereby reducing the chance of
over controlling. If the beginner is
relatively sure of future goals that involve the use of a six (6) channel system, he can
consider this an investment in his future modeling and therefore save money. A lot must be determined before the initial
purchase and should be discussed at length with experienced modelers, especially the
intended instructor, before the purchase is made. The Basic Engine The primary engine type used by modelers today is a single
cylinder, two (2) cycle, air cooled reciprocating engine that uses a glow plug ignition
and a special fuel mixture of methanol, nitromethane, and castor oil. Most of the components of the engine are made of
cast, forged, or machined aluminum. The power
that can be achieved from these small engines is phenomenal and can vary greatly from one
design to another. A typical inexpensive .40
size engine can produce 1.1 horsepower at 11,500 RPM. The same size racing engine can
produce 2.4 horsepower at 20,000 RPM. All of
these engines are the same in their basic components.
The design of the engine affects its power output, reliability,
and longevity. The prop shaft is supported
by bushings or bearings. Wear takes place
between the piston and cylinder wall and the prop shaft and bushings or bearings. Most engines on the market today are classified as
ABC meaning the they have an aluminum piston and chrome plated bronze cylinder sleeve. This combination normally produces an engine that
yields many hours of trouble free operation if properly maintained. Those engines that have ball bearings for
supporting the prop shaft normally produce about 25% more power and last much longer. New .40 size engines can range from $55 to over $400. There are several that are accepted due to price,
reliability, easy starting, and longevity. BEST ENGINES
The entry-level engines are more than adequate for the average
trainer and are a good investment. They will
normally outlast several trainer airplanes if properly maintained. Construction of the
Trainer The subject of actual construction of a trainer is far too
involved and lengthy to be covered in depth here. The
trainer that the beginner chooses should have a good set of plans and step by step
instructions that guide the complete assembly of the trainer including the installation of
the radio system. There are many books and
articles on this subject that are excellent sources of information. A beginner who has no experience in building balsa
models should seek help from an experienced builder to avoid the mistakes that can have
disastrous effects. A beginner should consider using a strong, slow curing adhesive
to allow time to correct mistakes during construction. One of the best is an aliphatic
resin called Titebond. This cures slowly but
yields an exceptionally strong joint and it sands easily after curing. All joints that are subjected to high stresses
such as the firewall and center wing joint should be joined with a slow cure epoxy. The main thing that a beginner must be careful with is the
alignment of the wings. Wing alignment is
critical in the flight performance and stability of the trainer. The kit's building manual should give detailed
instructions as to how this is accomplished and special care should be taken to follow
these instructions. Effects of Control
Surfaces The new radio systems are proportional control meaning that the
control surfaces move in proportion to the amount of movement of the stick. If the stick is moved half of its total travel in
one direction, the corresponding control surface will move half of its total travel in the
corresponding direction. A beginner must
first know the effect that a stick movement has on the model. During normal flight, the throttle is set so that
a constant speed is maintained. This means
that thrust is equal to drag and lift is equal to weight.
From this stable condition, the effects that the stick movements have on the
trainer are described.
When the right stick is pulled back, the elevator moves up. This causes the nose to pitch upward increasing
the angle of attack of the wing and increasing drag.
If power is not applied, the airplane will slow down and eventually stall. This means that the air passing over the wing
becomes turbulent and lift decreases until weight exceeds lift and the airplane will begin
to drop.
When the right stick is pushed forward, the elevator moves down. This causes the nose to pitch downward reducing
the angle of attack of the wing and reducing drag. As
the airplane descends its speed increases until drag and thrust are again in balance.
When the right stick is moved right, the left aileron moves down
and the right aileron moves up. This causes
the airplane to roll to the right meaning that the left wing moves up and the right wing
moves down. It will continue to roll as long
as the stick is held in the same position. When
the roll takes place, lift is no longer oriented vertically so the effective lift
decreases. As the angle of the roll
increases, effective lift continues to decrease and the airplane will begin to drop.
When the right stick is moved left, the left aileron moves up and
the right aileron moves down. This causes the
airplane to roll to the left meaning that the right wing moves up and the left wing moves
down. It will continue to roll as long as the
stick is held in the same position. When the
roll takes place, lift is no longer oriented vertically so the effective lift decreases. As the angle of the roll increases, effective lift
continues to decrease and the airplane will begin to drop.
When the left stick is moved right, the rudder moves to the
right. This causes the airplane to swing or
yaw to the right. This causes the left wing
to move slightly faster through the air causing an increase in lift. The combination of the yaw and the lift increase
on the left wing results in a gentle turn to the right as long as the stick is held in
position.
When the left stick is moved left, the rudder moves to the left. This causes the airplane to swing or yaw to the
left. This causes the right wing to move
slightly faster through the air causing an increase in lift. The combination of the yaw and the lift increase
on the right wing results in a gentle turn to the left as long as the stick is held in
position. When the left stick is moved forward, the throttle is opened
resulting in an increase in speed of the airplane. This
causes an increase in lift and results in a tendency for the aircraft to climb. When the left stick is moved back, the throttle is
closed resulting in a decrease in speed. This
causes a decrease in lift and results in a tendency for the aircraft to descend. It is obvious from the descriptions of the effects of stick
movement, that any movement can adversely affect the flight of a model. These effects can be overcome by using a
combination of control surfaces to achieve the desired results. For instance, the right stick can be moved back
when it is moved left. The result of this
action would be that the nose of the airplane would be raised to overcome the loss of lift
resulting in a banked turn without a loss of altitude. In order to understand how to properly use the controls, a change
in thinking may be required of a beginner who has some basic knowledge of control
surfaces. A beginner must remember the
forces acting on a model in flight and how they affect the model. Field Equipment The equipment required to get a trainer off the ground can be
very inexpensive. There are a few basic
items that will suffice to get a beginner into the air and learning to fly but there are
other items that can be added to make the job a lot easier. MINIMUM EQUIPMENT
These items should cost about $40.
This can vary depending on the brand of the items and the place from which
the items are purchased. An assortment of
screwdrivers, pliers, and allen wrenches may also be needed to perform field maintenance. OPTIMUM EQUIPMENT
These items will cost in excess of $130. The cost will vary depending on the brand of the
items and the place from which the items are purchased.
Field box kits are available for a wide range of prices but can be built
from readily available materials. Plans are
available for a simple field box that will fill the needs of a beginner or for a basic
necessities field box for a beginner who wants something a little more sophisticated. An assortment of screwdrivers, pliers, nut
drivers, and allen wrenches may also be needed to perform field maintenance. Learning to Fly The single most important aspect of learning to fly is getting an
instructor. An instructor does not have to
be certified to any particular standard but must be a competent experienced R/C pilot who
is capable of giving instructions with patience.
Many people think that flying R/C models is easy enough that it can be
learned without an instructor and many have succeeded but at great expense. Many have become frustrated and disillusioned
because of a crash on the first flight and never tried again. This point cannot be stressed enough that R/C
flying is much more difficult that it might seem and that without an instructor to correct
mistakes, a crash is inevitable. There are two ways that an instructor can help a beginner in
learning to fly. One way is for the
instructor to begin by taking off and turning the transmitter over to the student. When the student has a problem, the instructor
takes the transmitter back and takes control of the model.
There is a “dead time” that neither the student nor the instructor
has control of the model. This can be enough
time for the model to crash and be destroyed. The
other option is to connect two transmitters together so that the instructor can take
control of the model any time that he feels that the student is in trouble. This is the reason that the student should match
his radio system to that of the instructor. Another option available to the beginner is to purchase a buddy
box. This is nothing more that a transmitter
that has had the battery pack, antenna, and possibly some of the transmitting parts
removed. This could be a box that is
specifically built for this purpose by the manufacturer of the student's radio system or
an old transmitter that has been converted. The
big advantage of this is that it allows the student to fly using only his radio gear and
not interfering with the instructor's gear. He
has the option of using more than one instructor, each of whom might have a different
brand of radio. At a cost of $20 - $40, this
is very cheap insurance against a possible crash. The last thing that is required of a beginner before he sets out
to conquer the world of flight is to join the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) or the
Sport Flyers Association (SFA). Each of these
organizations provides insurance to cover the cost of a catastrophic incident resulting
from a model airplane accident. Very few
clubs will allow a beginner to fly at their fields unless he is covered by this type of
insurance. Some clubs will only accept one
type of insurance, either AMA or SFA. Joining
a club is strictly optional but is recommended since this can be a large resource of
information. If the beginner can find a
suitable place to fly that does not have an ordinance against this type of activity, then
a club is not necessary for success. Insurance
should not be looked at as an option but as a necessary evil. There are many other benefits offered by the
organizations. These benefits are covered by
each organization when a contact to the organization is made. The easiest way to find a local club is to ask the
owner of a local hobby shop for information. If
there is not a hobby shop in the area, the AMA or SFA has information about the clubs. When the beginner has acquired his equipment, an instructor and
insurance and he understands the basics of flight and the use of the controls, he is then
ready to start the steps toward becoming a qualified R/C pilot. Each piece of equipment should be checked out by
the instructor to ensure that it works properly. The
airplane must be checked for proper balance then test flown and adjusted for proper
flight. If the test pilot feels that there is
a serious problem with the aircraft, it must be corrected before the student attempts his
first flight. Only after all of the equipment
and the model have been approved by the test pilot should the training begin. There are a few things that a student pilot should keep in mind
when preparing for each flight. These will
help in getting the feel for the model in flight. ·
·
Be
very gentle with the controls. It takes very little movement to get the model to
execute a maneuver. Remember that the farther
the stick is moved, the more the control surface moves and the more the model will
respond. ·
·
As
long as the stick is held in a control position, the maneuver will continue. This is most important when using the ailerons. When the stick is moved to roll the model, it will
continue to roll as long as the stick is held in that position. ·
·
Fly
it in...fly it out. When a maneuver is
executed, it takes equal and opposite controls to overcome it and return to normal flight. A turn requires the movement of the ailerons in
the desired direction of the turn. To recover
from the turn, opposite aileron input is required. ·
·
Keep
the model high.
A Certified Flight Instructor once said, "The two most useless things
to a pilot are air above you and runway behind you."
By this he meant that if a pilot gets into trouble, he must have plenty of air below him to recover. When landing, the runway that is behind the
airplane after touchdown is wasted because there is a reduction in length of runway to
take off again in case of trouble. ·
·
Keep
the model in sight. Do not fly too high nor too
far away. Although the trainer may seem
fairly large, it is easy to get it far enough away so that it is difficult to see its
orientation. Do not fly into the sun. A moment of blindness caused by the sun can be
long enough to lose a model. ·
·
Do
not become discouraged. There will be times
when nothing seems to go right. Each maneuver
results in a near catastrophe. Everyone who
flies R/C models today has been through this in learning to fly. Do not give up.
The next session will be better. ·
·
DO NOT PANIC. When a maneuver goes wrong, take all the time
necessary to recover from the mistake. Panic
will cause a student to over-control in an attempt to recover and cause the condition to
worsen in the opposite direction. Although
the instructor may seem to be a casual observer standing at the side of the student, he
will be watching in case the student gets his model in a dangerous situation. The first few flights will begin with the instructor doing the
take-off and checking out the model. The
student should watch the airplane as the instructor explains each control movement as it
occurs. This will give insight into what is
required to execute a take-off. The same will
be true for the landing. Learning to properly
land a model is by far the most difficult part of learning to fly. The model is most vulnerable when on the approach
to landing because of the close proximity to the ground, its slow airspeed, the reduced
responsiveness to control input, and the disorientation due to reversed control. When the instructor has flown the airplane to sufficient
altitude, usually 150 to 200 feet, he will ask the student if he is ready to take control. It is normal to be nervous at this point. Assuming that the student is using a buddy box,
the instructor will give control to the student by pressing and holding the trainer
switch. He will tell the student the
maneuvers that he wants him to perform and how each one is to be done. He will give him instructions as to how improve
each maneuver as it is being done. He will
have him perform gentle turns left and right, flying ovals around the field, flying
rectangles and figure eights. Each maneuver
serves a purpose in building the skill of the student pilot. The student will progress to steeper turns, slow
flight and stall recovery, each in itself a maneuver required to learn to land. If at any time, the student should get into trouble, the
instructor can take control of the model simply by releasing the training switch. He can avoid a mishap and take the trainer back to
a safe altitude. The instructor will not let
a situation build to a point that is beyond his ability to recover yet he will allow the
student time to attempt the recovery on his own. If the student has the time to devote to flying often, he can
progress quickly. The day will come when the
instructor will allow the student to attempt his first landing. This is a critical time for the instructor since
he must react quickly if the student makes a mistake.
It may take several attempts before the student actually sets the model down
on the runway. Even then, it might bounce and
seem to be flying again. Even when this
occurs, the student must continue to control the model all the way to the point that it
stops rolling. After what seems like an eternity to the student, the day comes
when the instructor is satisfied that the student is proficient enough in his flying
skills to fly solo. This can be a harrowing
or an exhilarating experience for the student. He
feels that he has finally reached his goal but this is only the beginning. At this point, the fun really starts. The student can now spend hour after hour
practicing and developing his skills. Using a Flight
Simulator A flight simulator cannot teach a beginner to fly. There are no magic programs built into a simulator
that teach the user the correct way to perform a maneuver or alert the user when a
maneuver is done incorrectly. A simulator is
exactly what the name implies, a program that simulates the actions of an airplane. It is an easy and convenient way to practice the
simplest turns to the most complex maneuvers even when it is dark, wet, windy, cold, etc. A simulator can benefit a beginner greatly if used
properly. For a beginner, a simulator can be
invaluable in developing approach coordination. When
a model is flying toward the flyer or approaching, the controls are backwards. To make the model go to the flyer's right, the
stick is moved to the left. Being able to
move the stick in the correct direction without thinking takes a lot of practice. This can be done on a simulator. There are three (3) commercially available R/C flight simulators
that offer simulation of powered airplanes. Each
of the simulators is DOS based but will run under Windows 95. The system requirements are 386 processor or
higher with a sound card. All simulators use
vector graphics to generate the images of the models and the surrounding area. Each one
has its own distinctive features, requirements, advantages, and disadvantages. A prospective buyer should examine each of these
carefully before choosing the one to buy. R/C FLIGHT
SIMULATORS
A beginner can benefit from the use of an R/C simulator by using
it between flying sessions to practice the things that he has been taught by his
instructor. Using the instructions he has
been given, he should practice only those things that he has been taught while working to
improve coordination and developing a feel for each maneuver. He can use it prior to a flying session to build
confidence in his ability to control the model. Getting Started With the help of experienced modelers, a beginner should be able
to make a somewhat educated guess as to which trainer system best fits his needs. There are many sources from which a beginner can
purchase the equipment that he will use to begin the hobby.
Most people live in or near a city that has a hobby shop that carries R/C
equipment. The prices may be higher than those from a mail order house but the owner of
the shop can be a big benefit to the beginner. Mail
order houses usually have a larger selection than local hobby shops but the beginner must
know exactly what he wants to buy and place the order for everything at the same time to
avoid incurring multiple shipping charges. When a beginner makes the decision to become involved in R/C
aircraft modeling, he must be willing to devote his time and money to the hobby. He must be willing to tolerate disappointment and
frustration. Although R/C modeling can be
frustrating and disappointing at times, it can be very rewarding and a lot of fun. Copyright
1997 - 2000 © Howard Sullivan |
