Welcome to the action-packed world of radio control, or "R/C" as it is commonly called. For as long as motorized vehicles have been in existence, people have been enthralled with the idea of operating them by "remote control" without actually being inside the vehicle. For many years R/C was an activity that only government engineers and electrical wizards could understand, but in this modern age, thanks to micro electronics, R/C is a fast growing hobby that anyone with average skills can enjoy. R/C hobbyists can successfully build fully functioning miniature replicas of airplanes, helicopters, boats, cars, tanks, and even submarines

Questions often asked by beginners in R/C
I Want To Fly An R/C Model Airplane! How Do I Start?
How Far Do They Fly?
How Fast Can They Fly?
What Happens When the Engine Stops?
Can I Buy An Airplane That Is Ready To Go?
Do I Need A License To Fly R/C Airplanes?
What Kind of Radio Do I Need?
Which Airplane Should I Buy First?
Can a Beginner Teach Himself To Fly R/C?
Why Do I Need An Instructor?

I Want To Fly An R/C Model Airplane! How Do I Start?
Find out if there are any R/C Modelers in your area and where they fly. HOBBY SHOPS are a good place to start asking questions. Your local hobby dealer will know about the R/C activity in your area and can get you in touch with the local flyers and model clubs. Check in the yellow pages Of Your telephone book for the name of a dealer near you.
R/C MODEL CLUBS can also be of great help to the newcomer. Go to their flying field and talk with the club members. Don't be shy! Tell them that you are thinking about getting started in R/C and ask for advice on a suitable first model for yourself. Learn from their experience! For the name of a club in your area, write to the ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS at 5151 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie, IN 47302.
MODEL AIRPLANE MAGAZINES are also excellent sources of information. R/C has its own language of terms and nicknames, and reading model magazines will help you learn the terminology.

How Far Do They Fly?
Modern radio control systems have a range of I or 2 miles. However, it is very rare that a model airplane is ever flown that far away. A model with a wingspan of 5 or 6 feet will become a small speck in the sky at 1/2 mile out, so you will rarely fly at that distance because it is almost impossible to see what the model is doing. Most R/C flyers keep their models within 200 or 300 yards of themselves.  

How Fast Can They Fly?

A typical trainer model usually flies in the neighborhood of 50 mph. More advanced stunt models will fly a little faster, at about 70 to 80 mph. And for the real expert, R/C racing models often fly at 140 mph. or more. .

What Happens When the Engine Stops?
A common misconception among the general public is that control of the model is lost if the engine quits in flight. That is not true! The radio system will still function normally since it is powered by its own on-board battery. If the engine quits in flight you simply glide the model in for a landing
 

Can I Buy An Airplane That Is Ready To Go?
Yes, there are now many varieties of aircraft available as ARF (Almost Ready To Fly) and RTF (Ready To Fly). The RTF comes with a plane, servos, transmitter, receiver, and batteries, and is pretty easy
 to assemble. Fuel, glow igniter, starter, battery, and spare parts such as propellers are sold separately.

Do I Need A License To Fly R/C Airplanes?
No, you do not need a license to fly R/C! However, there is a governing body for all model aviation activities in this country called the ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS (AMA). The AMA is recognized by the federal government as the official spokesman for all model fliers in the United States. As part of its duties, the AMA works closely with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to see that certain radio frequencies are set aside for the exclusive use of modelers.

 While AMA membership is not mandatory, it is our club policy that all new R/C fliers join the AMA. In addition to supporting the hobby, AMA membership provides you with important liability insurance protection in case your model should ever get out of control and cause property damage or personal injury, You will find that many model airplane clubs require all of their members to join the AMA for their mutual protection. AMA membership also includes a 1 year subscription to MODEL AVIATION, a monthly magazine covering all phases of model flying.

What Kind of Radio Do I Need?
A simple four channel FM transmitter is adequate for the beginner. Most RTF (Ready to Fly) Kits

Which Airplane Should I Buy First?
By all means, get a specially designed TRAINER airplane! A boxy looking trainer may not be beautiful , but it is a stable platform from which to learn basic flight control. Sporty aircraft and war birds are attractive, sleek, and cool, but their flight characteristics demand experience only training aircraft can provide. An example of a logical progression would be to start with a high wing trainer, then a low wing advanced trainer, then perhaps a sport airplane with some aerobatic capabilities. Progressive training systems are also available. Ask your local hobby shop tech about these systems.

Can a Beginner Teach Himself To Fly R/C?
It's not recommended! Learning to fly R/C model airplanes is not a skill you can learn overnight. It is very similar to learning to fly real airplanes in that you should go through a learning phase with an instructor before you try to pilot the airplane yourself..

Why Do I Need An Instructor?
An instructor serves several purposes. First, he will pre-flight the aircraft and make sure it was properly assembled, and that it's visually trimmed. He will then fly your model for the first time to make sure it is performing properly before you try to fly it. He will briefly go over the flight control system and explain what controls do what and why.