A Guide for Beginners
Almost Ready to Fly Kit
These guidelines are designed to assist new entrants to model aviation in making informed choices when purchasing or building their first model aircraft.
Getting Started
The purpose of this section is to help you understand what is involved with model aviation activities BEFORE you spend your hard-earned money. Only topics that are normally of immediate concern to a beginner are covered. The scope of model aviation extends far beyond what you will learn here. Most fields of human activity involve specialised terminology ("jargon" if you like) so a glossary of terms is included to help you understand the terminology. Words shown in italics will be found in the Glossary. The term "Club" refers to the Greensborough Model Aircraft Club (GMAC). The terms "model aircraft" and "aircraft" all refer to flying machines owned and operated by yourself or by other Club members.
Do |
Do Not |
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Do visit our club flying field and observe how the Club members operate their model aircraft. |
Do not purchase a model aircraft before discussing the issues and available options with the people who will be assisting you in learning to fly. |
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Do talk to Club members and ask questions about their model aircraft and R/C equipment. |
Do not think Club Members won't answer questions about their model aircraft and R/C equipment. |
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Do ask to be introduced to a Club Committee member who can provide any advice and guidance you might require. |
Do not purchase R/C equipment until you have a reasonable understanding of the relative merits of each option. Like many other purchase decisions you make in life, the cheapest or most expensive is not necessarily the best choice for you. |
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Do ask for an introduction to an Instructor. Lessons are free but arrangements that suit both parties must be agreed to. Also see "other suggestions" this table. |
Do not try to teach yourself to fly. It is simply not that easy. You are not permitted to fly at the GMAC field unless you have had proper instruction. |
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Do be certain that professionally constructed rechargeable battery packs are included when you purchase your R/C equipment. |
Do not be tempted to use dry cells or battery boxes with loose cells. This is false economy because such systems are unreliable and you might lose control of your aircraft, resulting in property damage or serious injury. |
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Do make an arrangement with your instructor to have your aircraft inspected, preferably before you bring it to the field for your first flight. Despite your best efforts, there might be something that will make the aircraft unsafe to fly. |
Do not assume that the pre-built model aircraft you have just purchased is truly safe and ready to fly. It is in everyone's interest for an instructor to check the aircraft before it is committed to the air. Also see "other suggestions" this table. |
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Do learn to operate your engine safely. If your aircraft is powered by an electric motor, safe operation is not simply a matter of switching it on. |
Do not assume you know all about operating model engines safely, even a small engine can cause a large accident. |
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Do have your R/C equipment certified before you bring it to the field. ALL TRANSMITTERS (other than 2.4 Ghz) MUST BE CERTIFIED and receivers should be checked for stability and ability to recognise your transmitter. |
Do not assume that a second-hand receiver is any good. It might have been damaged in a crash. For the safety of your aircraft and the people around you, second-hand receivers should be checked by a qualified technician. |
Other suggestions
Boomerang trainer
If you purchase an "almost ready to fly" (ARF) model aircraft from a hobby shop, the shop proprietor may also offer a service for completing the assembly and installing the engine and radio equipment for you. This is a good way to go but it does not remove your responsibility for having the aircraft inspected by an instructor before it is flown.
Some of our club members have found benefit in gaining experience with a computer based flight simulator (as distinct from a "shoot-em-up" computer game) during the learning experience. At the very least you can investigate the relative merits of Mode 1 or Mode 2 operation. Most people can learn to fly with either mode but not necessarily with equal ease. It is not advisable to jump back and forth between modes but if you are having persistent difficulty with your current mode, talk to your instructor about trying the other mode. You will probably have to change instructors to do so.
Acquiring your Aircraft
This can be divided into three parts:
- The aircraft.
- The engine.
- The R/C equipment.
The Aircraft
People have successfully learnt to fly with a glider but in our Club, most people begin with a powered model aircraft. It is better to begin with a "trainer" aircraft first and leave the Spitfire, Mustang (or whatever) for your second or third aircraft. You are far less likely to be disappointed if you follow this advice.
These days, you are spoilt for choice for your first model aircraft because there are many options available. model aircraft can be acquired in the following ways:
Recommendations for a beginner. |
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Recommended for a beginner. |
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Recommended for a beginner. |
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Recommended but you should regularly ask an experienced builder to review your work. |
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Not recommended for a beginner but it can be done with assistance from an experienced builder. |
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Not recommended for a beginner. Unless the particular aircraft is known to your instructor. |
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Definitely not recommended for a beginner. |
Be careful with these options. Not all pre-built aircraft are equal in every respect. Some can be more difficult for a beginner to repair than others.
Whatever you choose, your aircraft should have the following characteristics:
- Be a recognised "trainer" type.
- Be designed for and be powered by a 40 size (or 46 size) engine. (See "The Engine" section below, for information about electric powered model aircraft.)
- Have a high wing layout.
Other non-critical factors to consider:
- Aircraft with a tricycle undercarriage can be easier to handle on the ground than a tail dragger ..
- Three function aircraft can be easier to handle in the air because they usually have more inherent stability.
The Engine
Extra 300
Most beginner model aircraft are powered by a 2-stroke internal combustion engine. Four stroke engines are available but they are much more expensive. An electric motor is another viable option which has many advantages (mostly to do with noise and cleanliness) but they are not necessarily cheaper.
The Club recommends a .40 to .46 size engine because a trainer aircraft designed for that size engine is a handy size. It is big enough to handle rough air well and small enough to fit into the average family car. If you prefer to begin with an electric powered aircraft, there are at least two options.
- A normal 40 size trainer aircraft powered by an equivalent electric motor.
- Or an electric powered glider which should be a bit bigger than a 40 size aircraft (about 2 metre wingspan) but it will not need an electric motor equivalent to a 40 size engine in power.
The R/C Equipment
Here the scope for choice is enormous. Basically you are limited by your wallet.
Besides the fact that there are many different brands, there is also a very wide range of equipment types. At one end are the very tiny radios designed for model aircraft flown indoors (very definitely experts only) and at the other end are the computer radios with all possible bells and whistles (more expensive). The Club suggests you look somewhere near the middle of the range because the equipment is less expensive. Until recently beginner R/C equipment was very basic but these days affordable computer radios are readily available.
Whether you purchase new or
second-hand is entirely up to you
because the most important criteria are reliability and safety in
operation. All R/C transmitters (other than 2.4Ghz) must be certified
by an
approved person BEFORE they are used at the Club field.
The
newer 2.4GHz radio transmitters do not require certification, but
should have the Australian "C Tick" sticker, that ensures that it
complies with the Australian legal requirements.
If you choose to purchase second-hand, you should do the following:
- Take an experienced friend with you to evaluate the equipment before you purchase it but do not expect your friend to warrant the equipment to be fault free.
- Have the equipment checked and serviced by a recognised service person before you attempt to use it. This will obviously cost but it is cheaper than crashing your aircraft because the equipment was faulty.
Glossary
40
size engine
An engine that has a swept capacity of 0.4 cubic inches (about 6.5
cubic centimetres). Common model aircraft engines range in size from
about 0.1 cubic inches to about 1.0 cubic inches; the most popular size
for beginners being engines in the range 0.4 to 0.46 cubic inches.
There are bigger and smaller engines but they are less common
Aileron
Movable control surfaces on the wings of an aircraft that cause it to
roll about an imaginary axis along it's fuselage.
Certification
A procedure whereby your transmitter is tested for correct operation at
it's nominated point in the radio frequency spectrum. If your
transmitter passes the test, the inspector will affix a signed and dated
sticker to the back of the transmitter.
Control Reversal
A phenomena you experience when controlling an aircraft from the
ground. Your R/C system is set up to cause the aircraft to behave the
way you would expect if you were sitting in it or observing it from
behind but if the aircraft is coming towards you, it will appear to
react opposite to your aileron
or rudder
control
inputs.
Elevator
A movable horizontal surface, usually at the tail of the aircraft, that
causes the front of the aircraft to pitch up and down.
Four Channel
Normally four channels are required to control a Four
Function aircraft.
Four Function
A model aircraft that uses all four primary controls (ailerons, elevator, rudder & throttle).
Fuselage
The body of the aircraft. That is: Excluding wings and tail.
High Wing
An arrangement where the wings of the aircraft are mounted on top of
the fuselage. This arrangement offers the most natural
stability which is a desirable characteristic of a beginner's model
aircraft. Closely allied arrangements are a "parasol" wing and a
"shoulder" wing.
Mode 1, Mode 2
These are labels that refer to the way the four primary
controls
of the aircraft are shared between the control sticks on an R/C
transmitter. Mode 1 refers to the situation where the aileron
and throttle
are controlled through the right stick and, the elevator
and rudder
are controlled through the left stick. Mode 2
usually refers to the situation where the aileron
and elevator
are controlled through the right stick and, the throttle
and rudder
are controlled through the left stick. Other arrangements are possible
but these two are the most common.
Nose Wheel
A wheel, usually steerable, that supports the forward end of an
aircraft on the ground.
Primary controls
Most model aircraft utilise two, three or four primary controls (rudder, elevator, aileron
and throttle). If three are used, they are usually rudder, elevator
and throttle. If only two are used, they are usually rudder
and elevator (also
see: Two Function).
Propeller
The noisy spinning thing that will take your fingers off if you’re not careful.
The propeller is no longer your friend, if it bites your fingers. Play
it safe and be very careful.
Pusher
An arrangement where the propeller
pushes the aircraft
through the air.
R/C
Radio Control
Rudder
A movable vertical surface, usually at the tail of the aircraft, that
causes the aircraft to turn in the horizontal plane, essentially similar
to the way a car or boat is steered.
Skid
A stick or other structure projecting from the underside of the
aircraft to support it on the ground.
Tail Dragger
An arrangement of the wheels of an aircraft where the main wheels are
towards the front and the rear of the aircraft is supported by a tail
wheel or skid.
Tail Wheel
A small wheel that supports the rear end of an aircraft on the ground.
Three Function
When the model aircraft is controlled by rudder, elevator
and throttle
(also see: Two Function).
Tricycle Undercarriage
An arrangement of the wheels of an aircraft which is essentially
similar to the arrangement of a child's tricycle.
Two Channel
Normally the minimum number of channels required to control a two
function aircraft.
Two Function
When the model aircraft is controlled by rudder
and elevator.
