DIY Network

Learning to Fly: RC Flying Lesson From "Radio Control Hobbies" episode RCH-205

Figure A

In this segment, Chris Chianelli takes the Nitro Airstrike (TM ) for a test flight and goes over some of the basics of beginner flying.

Important: This demonstration provides some of the basic information for operation of this particular model plane and transmitter. 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.

Now that you've registered your radio frequency at the air-field, fueled your airplane, turned your transmitter on, done a range check and started your plane, it's time to take your plane to the runway strip and let your RC plane take flight. Here's an important safety tip: Never attempt to carry a running plane (especially a large one like our trainer model) and your radio transmitter by yourself. Carefully carry your plane while an assistant helps you by carrying the radio (figure A).

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	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H

RC Flight Lesson

• Tip: It's a good idea to have an experienced pilot help you trim out your airplane (i.e., adjust your throttle and idle speeds) before you fly it. Typically, there will be experienced flyers at most air-fields who can help you do this if you're a beginner.

• Always take off into the wind. Apply the throttle gently as you taxi, keeping the airplane straight down the runway with the rudder-control. Once you've gained sufficient air-speed, gently apply up-elevator with the elevator control stick to get airborne (figure B).

• Don't make any immediate turns. Keep the plane going up and straight out until you've gained plenty of altitude.

• Once you've gained sufficient altitude, gently make your first left-hand turn.

  Note: For our demonstration, we flew only a left-hand pattern (i.e., only left-hand bank turns). Once you've gained some experience, it's a good idea to practice flying both left- and right-hand patterns.

• With the plane at altitude (figure C), gently throttle back to about half-throttle and use your controls lightly to make minor adjustments to alter flight path.

• To left-hand turns, apply just a little bit of left-aileron coupled with a little up-elevetor to go into a bank (figure D). As the plane comes out of the turn, let off the up-elevator.

• Once you've mastered the left-hand pattern and practiced for a while, you can bring the plane in for approach to land (figure E). Remember that when the plane is coming toward you, the aileron and rudder controls work in reverse. If a wing starts to dip, push the aileron stick in the direction of the wing that is dipping (not away from it, as would be intuitive for most novice flyers).

• Apply just a slight amount of elevator to flare the airplane as it touches down (figures F and G).

• If you're plane is moving too fast on approach, don't attempt to land. Instead, simply apply throttle and bring the plane back up, come around again and make another landing attempt. This technique is not limited just to RC flyers. Navy aviators often do the same thing in their F-14 fighter-jets when landing on the deck of a carrier.

Megatech Nitro Airstrike

Length ?..47 inches
Wingspan?..62 inches
Weight ?..5 pounds
Engine ?..M-46 Nitro
Street price..?$350