Beginners Radio Control Airplanes

You've probably seen those happy people flying RC planes and performing awesome stunts and wondered how to get started but a word to the wise, you are probably not going to do yourself any favours by jumping in at the deep end and spending your hard earned cash on the most impressive and advanced model in the shop.

Performing those stunts and even just flying your aircraft comfortably and confidently takes practice, sometimes lots of it. You may well be better off getting a cheaper smaller model to start with just to get a feel for how much concentration needs to go into controlling your airplane, then you can consider moving up to the bigger league.

My thanks to Hobby Heroes for their image above

Selecting and flying your first RC plane should be an enjoyable experience that encourages you to keep on flying. A high-wing trainer airplane is often recommended for beginners learning to fly their first model. What is it? A high-wing airplane is one with the wing on top of the fuselage, a build which allows for slower and gentler flights and fairly forgiving of control errors so making them ideal for beginner pilots.

High-wing trainers are a fun way to develop your basic flying skills before moving on to low-wing type models which require considerable skill to fly safely. You can buy trainer airplanes in an almost ready to fly kit, requiring just some assembly to get going, or as fully assembled aircraft that just need their batteries charged.

Look for trainers built for durability and which can be repaired easily because as a novice you will have your share of sub-optimal landings (ahem!). Easily repairable construction means you can be back in the air quickly having hopefully learnt from your experience. Trainers with tricycle landing gear tend to be easier to handle on the ground than those with the tail down (tail-draggers) so take that into consideration when making your purchase too.

Don't worry too much about the power and electronics of RC for now. There are various motors, batteries and radio controllers available but your first airplane will have that side of things all matched up for you. Hobby store staff will be able to advise you further if you have any questions.

Of course getting some expert opinion is a must. Try to visit a radio control flying area and observe the airplanes, maybe wait until aircraft have landed before asking questions, though you'll notice the RC hobbyists, like most other hobbyists, are happy to chat. Then you're probably ready to go to a good hobby store and talk with the guys there. They will be happy to help you make the right choice, it's in their interest to encourage you and they genuinely like to see new people join their world, the world of radio control airplanes.

For the Aussies: It is REALLY important to buy from a good hobby shop rather than buy from overseas. You will almost certainly need the support and warranty service! Check out Hobby Heroes beginners radio control trainers (I'm not an affiliate but they helped me write this article)

You can also check out my hubpage on the topic: Radio Control Airplanes for Beginners