RC Planes for Beginners and the Golden Age of Radio Control Aviation

Looking back a few decades from now, this period in time may well be seen as the Golden Age for flying RC aircraft. Never before has the hobby been so accessible to so many new enthusiasts. The reasons for the surge of interest in radio control—sometimes also called remote control—aviation are several but technology has been the primary driving force. Improvements in batteries, radio systems and electric motors have led to the wide availability of smaller, lighter, more user-friendly and significantly less expensive airplanes. Today, there is a whole category of aircraft, RC planes for beginners, designed specifically with the purposes and needs of novice pilots in mind. In the past, learning to fly a radio control plane required a steep learning curve and a considerable expenditure of time and money. Today, RC planes for beginners go for well under $100, with some models selling for less than half that, and are so simple to operate that basic flying skills can be acquired in very little time. Unlike more advanced model RC airplanes, beginner planes are very stable and forgiving. They also fly well at slow speeds, allowing the novice more time to recover should an error or mishap occur. The substitution of foam and other more durable construction material for balsa wood makes these aircraft more crash-resistant and harder to damage than in past. Also, because of their simplicity of design, they are easier to repair should damage take place.

The best RC planes for beginners are the "ready to fly" models which require no assembly. RTF models package all the components needed to fly, pre-installed, and take only a few minutes to be readied for flight. You will probably need to put the wings on the fuselage and charge your battery pack. After charging and replacing the pack, check to see the radio transmitter operates properly. The plane’s receiver should pick up the transmitter signal and respond by moving the electronic servos, which in turn activate the control surfaces. The thrust, amount of lift and direction of your plane will all be controlled by the transmitter. If this all seems complicated, it’s really not. The transmitters that typically come with RC planes for beginners--1, 2, or 3-channel models--utilize a minimum of control functions and it only takes a bit of practice to become acclimated.

With prices so affordable--and still falling---and, with RC planes for beginners, basic skills so easy to learn, remote control flying is a pastime to be shared and enjoyed by the whole family.  More reliable and less dangerous and messy than liquid fuel models, low-cost electric-powered planes have made it possible for a new, younger generation to take up the hobby. RC flying can be a good way for adults to spend quality time with children and to model learning new competencies. Beyond just fun, young people can learn and understand the fascinating science behind flying with these hands-on models.