KNOW HOW CONTROL SURFACE WORKS

Hi everyone welcome to the first part of how to rc plane. Initially I would like to introduce you to the airplane parts that are used to control the movement of the airplane in the air – to our rc flyer it is called “control surface”.  It will be easy to remember all these part once you are involved in the hobby that you are interested in.  Also you are sure to understand all the function of these parts like your own vehicle. The following pictures will show you how each of the part effect the control of aeroplane.

 

 

 

 

Aileron – Channel one on the transmitter                                                                   Aileron makes the plane rolling on one side.  When flying the rc plane the wind may cause the plane to roll on lateral axis, pilot, therefore uses the Aileron to correct the movement into level flying.  This frequently used control surface has even more benefit to the plane since the Aileron is always mixed with rudder to make a smooth turn into left or right direction.

 

 

Elevator – Channel two on the transmitter                                                               This control surface is connected to the back of trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer ( the part of the plane parallel with ground at takeoff ) When the elevator is moved, the plane dives or climb. For our rc  flyer this elevator control is located on the right joystick of the transmitter, and the way it move is up or down. So your right hand has a control on both Elevator and Aileron at the same time.

 

 

Engine – Channel three on the transmitter                                                                 This is a mechanical device that provides the power to the airplane and makes it fly. For rc model airplane there are two choices of engine – electric motor or internal combustion engine, to many it is known as nitro and gas engines.

 

 

 

Rudder – Channel four on the transmitter                                                                   The rudder, like the tail of airplane, makes the yaw into left or right direction. The yaw action will cause the plane to turn left or right. However the skillful flyer will coordinate Rudder with Aileron which will make a smooth turn and looks great among rc flyer. Some rc plane has only rudder control without aileron. Mostly this is high-wing type such as some glider or light trainer. 

   

 

 

HOW THE RADIO TRANSMITTER WORKS

Flying rc plan is such a adventurous hobby that requires both science and art blending up to make skillful pilot, and once you can master the plane you will addict to it.  Now you will learn how to use the radio control transmitter. This will help you understand the control stick and its movement that response to the control surface.

 

Above of all the rc transmitter I am going to talk to will be categorized as MODE II – mode 2 stick.  If you are just beginning to play rc plane please consult with your nearby club or local flyer and choose rc transmitter with the same mode they are using. Why? because if you have problem during practice learning they can offer you a help. In an emergency situation you can imagine what will happen if you hand out your rc transmitter mode 2 to a local flyer that use mode 1.

 

For universal discussion I will use rc transmitter based on MODE II in this learning.

 

 

This is mode 2 transmitter. The right hand control up/down control and rolling to lef and right.

The left hand controls engine speed and yawing to left and right.

 

 

The  movement on each stick results in the movement of the control surface owing to its dedicated channel.

Channel 1: Left or right movement result in rolling plane to such direction.

Channel 2: Upward stick will nose down the plane downward stick will make the plane climbs up.

Channel 3: Moving stick upward the engine revolution increases, moving stick down engine speed will be decreased.

Channel 4:  Left stick movement will yaw your plane to left, thus making left turn. Moving stick to the right will yaws to the right, thus making right turn ( on vertical axis ).

 

For your information

Every time you roll the plane or yaw the plane you will lose the altitude.  Here is the reason.  When plane rolls or yaws into one side the rudder which  is vertically located becomes horizontally fin – replacing the elevator function. It will take a while to imagine this picture. So when the plane rolls left the rudder becomes elevator and gradually nose down the plane.  To correct this tendency it is inevitable to apply some up-elevator to level the flying.     

 

 

 

MY HINT TO SUCCESSFUL LEARNING

What do you feel after follow subjects up to this point?  I hope  it is OK cause some of you may have good knowledge of aerodynamic and more knowledge of  flying rc plane.  And now it is time to blend your knowledge to develop the flying skill.  The only way to get really save time and money is to play around with flight simulator.

 I used to spent a big overnight time practice flying flight simulator, and until today I still go on with it. Flight simulator help me figure out how to try flight maneuver which I like from beginning till expert without sacrifice any money on crashing plane.  Please be convinced that flight simulator is  a must for any today’s rc flyer, and you can’t live without it.

What is the Flight Simulator that I love?

 

As I have tried using many popular manufacturer like Phoenix, Real Flight, AeroFly, and  Reflex.  Each provider has its own characteristic that I will not say which one is better than the others. If you have time you will love to try all and there will be one that you use most.

 I myself personally like Reflex and Real Flight because they really give a closer touch of a real rc  plane I had flown. However this is a subject that vary from one person to others, as some may agree with me and some many not. There are no risk to try any Flight  Simulator under well recognized manufacturer, and once can master the control stick you will be addicted to it and and will not give up flying.

To have extensive review (from about 12 user) please click on the banner below and scroll to the Customer Reviews

 

 

You may also like this simulator since it gives well responsive feeling of rc flying. Furthermore both airfield and runway environment are captured from the real site of many existing airport.