Remote Control Airplane Flying Thoughts For Beginners

Is your youngster all excited in anticipation of flying that first remote control airplane? Are you apprehensive at the thought of that disappointed look on his face after that plane crashes to the ground? Or are you committed to helping him become an experienced and skilled RC pilot?

Before you buy that aircraft take a look at the different model choices you have, and be sure that first purchase is designed for training, durability, and easy flying. You'll give a happier flying experience if the plane doesn't suffer too much damage in a crash, and the little one can put it back into the air in a short time.

Once you settle on the best model for those beginning flights you'll have a learning curve experience for successful flying operation. Here are a few considerations for preparing for, and focusing on, controlling your radio control in flight. You might find some of this knowledge handy in choosing the right model for you or your child also.

Before every flight, professional pilots go through a pre-flight checklist. I'm sure you understand that action is to make sure the plane is ready for flight, and prepare for the conditions they'll encounter on the scheduled flight plan.

Use the operator's manual for your chosen model to create your own checklist. Also, some manufacturers provide flight-training manuals for beginners. Check their website for a downloadable issue. Join a local radio control flight club, their members offer plentiful advise for enjoying the RC flying hobby.


Steering control for RC aircraft often confuses the beginning pilot because the plane doesn't turn in the direction you expect. Practicing on a flight simulator helps familiarize you for this and gives you great training for other flight maneuvers.

Don't fly too low. If you don't fly your aircraft higher than 50-feet a sudden down draft will put you into the ground too fast for reaction time to recover control. 100-feet and higher gives you plenty of room for clearing trees and other obstacles, and bringing the plane back under transmitter control if it suddenly veers off course.

Once you're in the air back the speed off to a level that allows the RC to maintain altitude and fly smoothly. This lowers your risk of a crash because the speed is too fast to give you enough reaction time.

Know the ideal environmental conditions for flying. Some models fly well in five or six mile-an-hour winds, you can't control others in breezes of more than three mile-an-hour. Still other remote control aircraft won't function in even the slightest movement of air on the outside because they're designed for indoor flying

I know this should go without saying, but make sure your landing strip is clear of obstacles and people before you take off or make a landing approach.

As a beginning pilot you'll likely make a few crash landings. Even long time aviators do from time-to-time. Choose a remote control airplane designed for training first-time flyers, and withstanding those inevitable crashes, and take part in some pilot training before you take to the air. You'll find less disappointment on your flying outings.