Recently, everyone has been hearing about all the great new things available for electric flight. There are so many new models available that just taking a quick look at the offerings from various manufacturers will put you as a beginner into “overload”. An electric powered model is an excellent way to get started in radio control and become proficient with radio controlled flight. Follow through this buying guide and find the information that will help you purchase and fly this new generation of electric powered airplanes and subsequently, open up your opportunities for a great new hobby.
Beginners electric model defined
This guide to electric model airplanes is going to assist you as a first time radio control pilot select an electric powered airplane and be confident of your success. There are many electric powered airplanes available. Many are not suitable as a first model even though they are excellent subjects for a more accomplished pilot. The correct kind of model will include all the accessories needed to fly the model. The models that will be considered for beginners will either be the ready-to-fly or almost-ready-to-fly rather than kit built models requiring considerable building skills. If you, as a beginner will follow the recommendations of this guide you will be successful with your first airplane.
You might not believe it but an RC model airplane requires a bit of skill to fly successfully. For the purpose of this buying guide the models for a first time pilot will have the following characteristics. These characteristics are needed to provide the necessary positive stability in this first model.
Characteristics that provide positive stability in the airplane:
- Flat Bottom or High Lift airfoil
- Light weight with relatively large wing
- Slow flying speed
- High wing mounting (such as a Piper Cub)
- Capable of free flight when the controls are released
Your first time model must be uncomplicated in terms of assembly, radio, motor and battery. This electric powered model will require an electric motor for power, a battery, a motor speed control and a radio control system. The final assembly will need very few, if any, tools to get the model in the air the first time. Some models are so complete that they are ready to fly after charging the battery and attaching the wing.
It is very important that you select a first model that will allow you to discover how to fly and give you the skills necessary to fly more advanced models. When you learn the basics you will find a huge number of models that you can fly and introduce you to a long and gratifying hobby.