DIY Network

Learning to Fly: RC Flight Prep From "Radio Control Hobbies" episode RCH-205

At the RC air-field, Chris Chianelli readies the Nitro Airstrike for its maiden voyage.

In this segment, Chris Chianelli shows how to prep your plane at the flight field before taking it aloft.

Important: This demonstration provides some of the basic information for assembly and operation of this particular model plane or kit. There are variations in assembly for each particular model. Read and carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions that come with yours, whether it is this particular model or another. Additional information about assembly as well as running, troubleshooting and fine-tuning the model can be found in the manufacturer's instructions.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure I
	Figure J
	Figure K
	Figure L
	Figure M

RC Flight Prep and Safety

• Before you even think about flying your plane at the airfield, it's a good idea to know something about the AMA -- the Academy of Model Aeronautics. If you're considering the hobby of model airplanes, it's a good idea to join this worthwhile organization. Membership provides insurance, valuable information, a magazine subscription and access to other individuals in the hobby.

• Sanctioned RC airfields have a method for controlling the numbers and radio frequencies of flyers using the field to avoid radio-signal conflicts or interference. Typically this is done through use of a board with numbers that are assigned to each flyer (figure A). Clip your AMA identification card to the number on the board that corresponds with the radio frequency that you are using (figure B). In that way, the other pilots using the field will know not to use that same frequency.

• Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection when fueling, starting and operating model RC airplanes.

• A portion of the hobby of RC flying is proper preparation. Know the necessary equipment that you'll need at the airfield, and come prepared with a well-equipped flight box (figure C).

• Your flight box should include wrenches and other tools, replacement parts (props, wheels, etc.), fuel, engine-starter, glow-plug igniter and other miscellaneous items such as insect spray, sunscreen, first-aid kit, etc. The box in our demonstration also includes a power-panel (running off a 12-vold battery) to power up all of the necessary systems such as the starter, fuel-filler and glow-plug. Chris advises the use of dedicated hand-held glow-plug igniters (figure D), however, to avoid having extra wires present in the area of the propeller when starting a plane.

• The engine on our Nitro Airstrike (figure E) was broken in earlier. Break-in can be done at the field or at home in your shop, but it's important to allow for the proper break-in prior to flying the plane.

• For this plane, fueling is done by plugging the fuel-filler tube into the intake on the engine. With the tube connected, engage the "fill" function on the fuel-filler. When the tank is full, excess fuel will begin overflowing from the vent outlet (figure F). As soon as you see fuel overflow, turn off the filler.

• After the tank has been filled, reattach the fuel lines according to the manufacturer's instructions (figure G).

• Some fields are equipped with starter stands (figure H) which hold the airplane stationary and steady while the engine is running. If your field does not have these stands, it's critical to have someone assist you in holding the plane as you start the engine.

• Before starting the engine, perform a radio range-check according to your manufacturer's instructions to ensure that all of the controls are operating properly and at the necessary ranges.

• Important: As with operation of all RC models, turn on the RC transmitter before starting the engine. The transmitter should always be the first thing turned on and the last thing turned off.

• With fueling complete, a range-check performed and the transmitter on, you're now ready to start the engine. Rotate the prop a full-turn counterclockwise (the opposite direction from the way it turns during operation). This helps ensure an efficient start.

• Attach the glow-plug igniter to the engine (figure I), place the starter on the cone of the propeller (figure J) and -- making sure hands and other objects are clear of the propeller -- start the engine by engaging starter (figure K).

• Check the throttle adjustment using the radio transmitter (figure L). Remove the glow-plug igniter.

• Check the operation of the flight controls using the radio transmitter (figure M) as a final check before flight.