How to control Flying Radio Control I.C. Powered Model Aircraft ? The Receiver & The Battery part

The Receiver 

This is the small rectangular sealed box with a length of thin wire protruding from one end and a set of sockets and exposed pins at the other end. These sockets are provided to receive the plugs attached to the servos. Normally the sockets are marked with the appropriate designated function. The number of functions available will normally range from 4 up to 7 or 8 depending on the model purchased. There will also be another input socket designated for the battery lead.

There will also be a socket to take a receiver crystal. The crystal will normally be fitted in situ when a new system is purchased. Crystals are usually supplied in matched pairs designated Tx (Transmitter) & Rx (Receiver), the frequency value in MHz and/or the channel number. Never interchange the Tx and the Rx crystals.

Servos 

How to control Flying Radio Control I.C. Powered Model Aircraft ? The Radio Control System Part 2

Antenna
Batteries
Battery Meter
Crystal
Gimbals (Stick)
Handle
Power Switch
Trainer Switch
 The telescoping tube that transmits the signal
 The device that provides power to the transmitter
 The device used to monitor the strength of the transmitter batteries
 The device that sets the radio frequency of the transmission
 The device that allows the user to input desired control movements into the transmitter
 The device for carrying the transmitter
 The switch used to apply battery power to the internal components of the transmitter
 The switch used to allow an instructor to give control of a model to the student
Trim Lever  Slides used to adjust control surfaces during flight

How to control Flying Radio Control I.C. Powered Model Aircraft ? The Radio Control System Part 1

The Radio Control System 

There are many modern radio systems to choose from.  Each manufacturer offers a wide range of options from simple 2 - channel to computer assisted 8 - channel systems (and more!).  The choice is limited only by your financial budget. As a beginner you should discuss the choice of system with your intended instructor.  There are several good reasons for doing this, the primary reason being that the student's systems must be compatible with the instructor's system if a buddy box link is proposed.  This option will be covered in more detail later.
 
All standard radio systems consist of four (4) basic components.  Transmitter     - The unit that takes the control input from the pilot through the gimbal mounted sticks, encodes this input and sends it to the aircraft as a radio signal.
 Receiver - The unit that receives the signal from the transmitter, decodes it and  routes it to the appropriate servo.
Servos - These devices convert the decoded signals into a mechanical force that  is directed via a linkage to the appropriate control surface.
Batteries - The component that provides the electrical supply enabling the other  components to function.

How to control Flying Radio Control I.C. Powered Model Aircraft ? The Power Plant part

The Power Plant 

The most suitable engine size for almost all trainers is a 6.5cc. (0.40cu.in. or "forty") size.  When it comes to choosing an engine for your trainer, the choice is almost mind boggling.  So many manufacturers, each one offering several engines in the same capacity range.  So which do you choose?  You can buy cheap or you can buy reliable. "Reliable" means it starts, ticks over, runs and stops when it's meant to and will probably cost an extra £10 to £15 more than a cheap offering.  If you enjoy the challenge of getting an engine to run properly when it doesn't want to - buy cheap.  If you want to learn to fly - buy reliable.

A good engine isn't necessarily a powerful one.  What you need in a suitable trainer engine is one that starts easily, is easy to set up and runs consistently.  When you're learning, most of the time you are unlikely to have the engine running at much more than half throttle.  Ask around at the club and watch anyone else learning to fly.  Notice how easy it is to get the engine started.  Does the engine run consistently throughout the flight - full throttle on take off then back to about half throttle?  Does it falter just after take-off or die in the air unexpectedly?

How to control Flying Radio Control I.C. Powered Model Aircraft ? Ease of Repair Part

Ease of Repair 

You have to accept that your first—and maybe your second—model could well be damaged in the course of your learning how to fly.  With this in mind, you should look for a trainer that has relatively few parts that can be easily repaired if they are broken.

Wood and foam are high on the easy-to-fix list; molded plastic, fibreglass or epoxy resins are more difficult to repair.  Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue (sometimes called ‘superglue’ or ‘cyano’) and epoxy are the most common adhesives used  for gluing wood parts together.  Aliphatic resin or special white glues available from your model shop are excellent for gluing foam pieces back together.

Parts availability Often it is easier to replace damaged parts than to repair them.  Try to select a model that has replacement parts readily available via your model shop from the manufacturer. Some model kits have extra wings supplied in case you damage one beyond repair.

How to control Flying Radio Control I.C. Powered Model Aircraft ? The Instructor & Choice of Model Parts

The Instructor 
It’s not completely unknown for individuals to teach themselves to fly model aircraft but more fail miserably than actually succeed.  Without the help and support of an experienced flyer, you are almost certain to destroy your pride and joy at the first attempt.

Gravity is a very unforgiving adversary in this battle and unless you are very lucky, you will loose the initial confrontations.  Even if you have a very commendable attitude and a determination to not be defeated, the encounters will empty your financial coffers quite rapidly.  Repairs or replacement aircraft, engines and radio equipment can be a major drain on finances.
Why make life difficult for yourself when, for the price of a meal out for two, you can have a full year’s club membership and the help of a qualified tutor at your disposal?  Most clubs provide free tuition for novice members.

A proficient instructor can be the best aid to your success in this adventure.  Most club instructors have been through a process of selection and special training to provide them with the skills they need to teach others.
Talk to each of the appointed instructors to find one you can relate to.  Bear in mind also that your instructor has to have your respect.  This relationship is very much a two way exercise and requires you to be receptive and prepared to obey instructions as required.  If the club appoints an instructor that you feel uncomfortable with, don’t be afraid to explain this to the training officer and find one you are happy with.  It is very important that you and your instructor have a strong measure of both trust and understanding.

Once you are happy with your instructor, take some time to sit down and have them explain the programme you will follow (they will probably do this anyhow).  This is important so that you know exactly what will be expected of you.  Not only this, but you will have some idea of the time frames required to fulfill the various stages of the programme.

Choice of Model 

How to control Flying Radio Control I.C. Powered Model Aircraft ? - Essential Considerations & Where To Fly Parts

Essential Considerations 
We are going to work only with fixed wing model aeroplanes powered by two stroke fuel engines.  The basic advice is also relevant to helicopters, as far as engines, radio and starting kit is concerned.  There are some basic fundamental factors you must accept and appreciate before you even start.

1) Where you are going to fly your model.
2) The necessity for you to be protected by third party indemnity insurance.

Both of these essentials can be fulfilled by approaching and joining your local model flying club.  Such organizations will, in most instances, have negotiated flying rights with a local landowner, council, etc. or even own their own flying field.

Most established clubs will be affiliated to the national governing body that controls model flying in your country.  As part of that affiliation they will have inclusive membership insurance at a fraction if the price it would cost you to insure yourself.  Not only does club membership carry these most useful benefits, there will almost certainly be a pilot training scheme for you to take advantage of.  Many clubs today even provide a suitable club trainer and control setup for you to ‘cut your teeth on’, so to speak.  If you haven’t already been put off your initial enthusiasm by the above reality check, then let’s move on to some further considerations.

a) Where are you going to learn to fly your model?
b) Who’s going to teach you?
c) What sort of model will you choose?
d) How are you going to power it?
e) What radio equipment will you choose to control it?
Let’s take each of these basic considerations in turn.

How to control Flying Radio Control I.C. Powered Model Aircraft ? Introduction Part 1

Where to Fly 

How to control Flying Radio Control I.C. Powered Model Aircraft ? Introduction Part 1

Part 1 Introduction 

 Welcome to the world of Radio Control Model Flight.  So what got you interested in this fascinating but almost masochistic hobby!?  A hobby where, if you take the wrong approach, you will almost certainly enter and leave (in fairly rapid succession) a disillusioned and much poorer individual.

You’ve probably encountered some model fliers enjoying themselves at the club field wringing all sorts of manoeuvers out of their models.  You’ve watched in awe as these miniature flying machines defy all the rules of gravity and appear to be capable of doing things even full size aircraft can’t do.  You’re thinking to yourself “Oh to be able to do what these guys can do”.  Well strange as it may seem, YOU CAN!