Flight Basics

In this issue, guest columnist Bob Wilder,a longstanding RC modeler, briefly describes his rich background in RC and his rewarding experience teaching his granddaughter, Dana Wilder, to fly RC airplanes.

Although modern ARF aircraft are remarkably complete right out of the box, there are still many steps that require some workmanship to complete the model. This month's article will cover some of the different techniques to finish the airframe assembly, allowing you to match your efforts to the kit's high quality.

Let's see a show of hands here. How many of you have become amateur meteorologists since you learned to fly model airplanes? Yeah; me too.

This month's 'Primary Training' is in response to an email sent to our Editors' Inbox (editors@flyrc.com) from Rick Breckwoldt. Rick writes: I was hoping that you would include an article about the best way to install the aileron, rudder, or elevator control horns that come with most kits.

The traditional safety structure of AMA clubs has done a lot to reinforce good safety habits over the years. Unfortunately, with the advances made in electric flight and its often less organized and more isolated nature, we have many up-and-coming pilots who have little, if any, way to learn good safety practices

Why does it have to be this complicated? If I had a dollar for every time Ive heard that question asked by fliers who are trying to match electric power systems with airframes, Id be a rich man. In the glow and gas world, the process is pretty simple: just pick an engine at or around the top end of the recommended range and one of the few props listed on its data sheet, and youre good to go.

One of the more unique things about aviation and aircraft is that both are wildly unforgiving of mistakes and inattention. This applies to full-scale as well as the model aviation we practice here.

Every so often an event happens that causes me to refocus my emphasis on safety in the RC world. The most recent incident involved a giant-scale model and a full-scale aircraft at a local fly-in, and serves as notice in my mind that the RC community needs to ensure that all safety considerations have been addressed and remain in our collective focus at all times.

We're at a great time in our hobby. If you look back just a few short years (five are all it takes), you'll see that flying .60- size aircraft no longer means that you are limited to flying a nitro plane. You can pick virtually any .60 aircraft on the market and install your choice of nitro, electric, or 20cc gas powerplants.

Several of the planes that you have in the air, on the bench and in your shop are probably ARFs (look around!). Most of these came with nice hardware packages, but the hardware can often be improved to provide better function and/or reliability.

I'll start out with the one piece of advice that will help the most: work with an instructor. Most model plane clubs are full of people who are happy to take the time to teach you to fly. Our club will help anybody who just shows up at our flying site; we even have a plane for them to learn on.

I am really glad to be writing this new column and especially to be a contributor to Fly RC Magazine! This magazine is going to be the place to discover and learn about the best and coolest gear, …