In Part 3 of my getting started guide, you will learn how to fly an RC plane! This is also, sadly, the last post of my getting started guide. But, don’t worry. I have plenty of other posts coming!
Basic Controls:
If you are in the United States, chances are that you will be using a mode 2 transmitter. These are the controls on a mode 2 transmitter.
Controls for 3 channel trainer: (mode 4) (3 channel trainers in US are usually mode 4)
Note: pull back on the elevator to make the model go up, push the elevator away from you to make the model go down.
Controls for 4+ channel planes: (mode 2)
Note: pull back on the elevator to make the model go up, push the elevator away from you to make the model go down.
Preflight Checks:
Before every flight of your RC plane, you should do some preflight checks:
1. Range Test- Check the manual that came with your tx (each tx does this differently). Note: some transmitters that come with RTF planes don’t have this feature.
2. Control Check- move all controls to make sure that everything works properly
Takeoff:
To takeoff your UM RC plane, quickly, but smoothly, increase the throttle to 100%. After it gets up to speed, gently apply a touch of up elevator (beginners should remember that you pull the elevator stick towards you to apply up elevator).
Flying:
Keep the power at 100% until you are at about 100 feet high (1 mistake high) , and then reduce power to 50%. Keep flying level at that altitude, just flying around and getting used to the way your plane handles. If your plane constantly turns to one way or another (or goes up or down), move the trim the opposite way that the plane constantly wants to go to.
Landing
Reduce power to 25% and go to about 20 feet high. After that, turn a gentle 90 degree turn. Reduce power to 15%. Descend slowly to about 5 feet and then make another gentle 90 degree turn. After that, you an either
1. Reduce power to 10%. At about 1 foot off of the ground, cut the throttle.
Or
2. Cut the throttle and glide in until one foot off of the ground.
Then slowly apply up elevator as the plane losses altitude until the plane is an inch off the ground and at a slightly nose up attitude. At this point the elevator should be maxed out. Hold everything where it is and the UM plane should settle right in.
Don’t worry if you crash. Everyone does.
A quick note on repairing:
Make sure that, if you are using CA glue, the glue you use to repair your plane doesn’t eat the foam. Research the foam on the plane that you are training on. If you need foam safe CA glue, use it!
That’s the end of my beginner posts, but I will have my first review posted next Sunday and it’s a great first UM RC plane! Stay tuned.
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