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Information for Beginning Pilots

If you are inrested in learning to fly Radio Controlled Aircraft it is highly recommended that you learn from an experienced pilot. The instructor will make sure your plane is ready to fly. There are several things that need to be correct before you put the airplane in the air. Things don't fix themselves while you are flying. They will teach you the controls, basic flight characteristics, and usually will have you on a buddy box with them until you are ready to solo.

I belong to SMRCF club in Stone Mountain Georgia. We fly out of the old Stone Mountain Airport at the base of of Stone Mountain. This is where I learned to fly. We have several flight instructors at the field. Most clubs do.

You must join the AMA to fly at about any site. It gives you supplemental insurance. Then join a club and have someone show you how to fly.

If you try to fly by yourself bring a plastic bag and get ready for a 4 second flight followed by a crash. Usually a devastating crash.

That's Guaranteed.

Take Off and Landing Procedure

1. Practice techniques for safe take-offs. Go through variations.  Typically, advance to half throttle, let plane gain speed. If pointing straight after minor rudder adjustments, increase to full throttle.  Build up +5 mph over stall speed before pulling gently back on elevator stick.  Keep straight and level to build up airspeed to +20 mph BEFORE climbing out.    We will also talk / learn how to abort, how to judge airspeed versus lift, climb-out,  and develop good habits.
If take-offs are smooth, straight, and non-eventful,  then NEXT.
 
2. A. Landings.  Think 3 LEGS.  Setup the plane in a specific field position, plane heading, airspeed, + altitude).  Then downwind turn, Then final approach leg.  Developing escape/recovery habits.  Do you remember our conversation about "which way do sticks go if plane gets out of hand".  Practice in your head, on your simulator, and also with your  controller at home.
  B. Energy management. THis is is real KEY to smooth landings. Think about the plane's airspeed as it approaches final. Do you remember me verbalizing my planes airspeed during approaches?   When you drop nose, airspeed increases while you loose altitude.  Raise nose, then airspeed gradually decreases. Throttle can be used anytime to adjust airspeed. 
 
So, think RIGHT STICK does 2 things. Ailerons must be used to keep wings level for standard approach. If you dip a wing on purpose, the lose of lift will drop altitude and increase airspeed some.  Elevator is used to control descent rate AND airspeed.  If you Verbalize what you think the airspeed is,  this will help you adjust your elevator as you gradually slow down.  The goal is to STALL your wing about 10 feet after the wheels touch.  If you STALL BEFORE wheel touch (or plane gets wobbly), increase throttle a notch.  Do whatever it takes to keep wingtips LEVEL ( = 100% lift).
 
Now to the LEFT STICK. Use Throttle burp if plane gets unstable or nose goes too high (STALLING).  Eventually, you will learn to use left stick RUDDER to maintain direction down runway.  The ultimate landing is WINGS level by using ailerons both left and right touches to maintain wing level regardless of plane direction. Use RUDDER to point plane down runway. Use combination of mostly elevator and a little throttle to bleed off airspeed in exchange for altitude drop.  Remember: When you drop nose, plane WLL increase speed and loose altitude. Raise nose, plane will maintain altitude but LOOSE airspeed. 
 

The BEST landing is when plane is:  1. wings level, Fuselage almost parallel to ground, rudder points plane down middle of runway, and airspeed 3-5 mph above stall speed as wheels touch ground.  The 2 extremes of bad landings are: 

1. Wing tip or airfoil stall (plane drops nose suddenly or wing tip stalls and drops wingtip.  OR

2. Too fast and plane is on a steep downward angle. In this case you will BOUNCE on runway which will point nose UP, which may cause dramatic lose in airspeed (then condition #1 takes over).

 
Remind me to show you the 2 step staircase final approach method.  It gives you much better fine tuning control of your final touch down.
 
It's pretty in-depth. With practice, you can ice almost any landing in almost any condition.  Cross winds are the exception (advanced landing class).
 
The real key is to develop good habits FIRST and train your brain to react instinctively without having to use your brain's 'what if' logic side.
 
And always remember to RELAX your arms and BREATHEEEEEEEE...

 

Building and Flying Radio Controlled Aircraft is a lot of fun and quickly becomes a passion with many. After you fly your first plane successfully then you have been bitten so be forwarned. I don't know one pilot who only has one plane.

Learn from an experienced pilot.

 

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