April 20, 2009

What are the differences between flight characteristics of a real airplane versus an RC airplane?

I am a pilot and may be interested in RC flying. I think most RCs use rudder to turn, whereas a real airplane uses ailerons. Real airplanes use power to control altitude and pitch for airspeed, but I don't know about RCs. Any thoughts for me? Also, what's a good starter plane?

Thanks!
I'm not confused. If you're going to tell me I'm wrong (which I'm not), at least tell me what's right! And you didn't even answer my question

it depends from the Channels of the RC station.

model sailplanes can work fine with one channel, controlling the rudder only.

two channels are usually rudder and elevator
then comes the throttle, and optionaly ailerons and sometimes other stuff, like remote cameras etc.
depends on how much weight your plane is able to carry.

under certain circumstances you could actually build a plane that would be two channel AND rudder and throttle, however you have to build it so that the propeller creates tail heavy momentum when working - that is, power up means climb, power idle means gliding down.
i cannot think of ANY safe mounting of the prop and engine that could ensure this ,and that mounting the engine and prop facing slightly upwards from the nose of the plane, whic is not practical

Filed under RC by Ray

Spread the Word!

Permalink Print Comment

Comments on What are the differences between flight characteristics of a real airplane versus an RC airplane? »

April 9, 2009

jumbobret @ 10:34 am

They are rc planes that flight controls are exactly like real aircraft. Just have to look for them.
References :

jason s @ 10:34 am

A real airplane uses ailerons to turn? (Yes, but they also use rudder) Real airplanes use power to control altitude and pitch for air speed?.?.?.?
My thoughts are either a) you aren't a pilot or b) you are a bit confused:)

I'm not going to "get into it", bit if your flight instructor let you get away with using ailerons only to turn, and encouraged you to adjust your airspeed by pitching the aircraft up and down, then so be it….
P.S. I know NOTHING about R.C. airplanes, and am comfortable admitting it:)

O.K. guys, next time I need to increase airspeed I'll increase throttle slightly and set it…….YOU guys can both pitch downward and set it. (pitching the nose downward is only going to increase your airspeed for as long as you dare to continue heading downward, isn't it?? Once you return to straight/level flight your speed will return back to where it was…minus any changes in density, winds, etc)
Apparently I didn't learn something/somewhere or I don't understand what you typed.

Now, if the initial post had read "Real airplanes use power and pitch to control airspeed and altitude"…that would be correct……just forget I ever jumped in on this one; your question was about R.C.'s and I took it off topic…my sincere apologies.
References :

Techwing @ 11:23 am

The fact that an aircraft is a radio-controlled model doesn't mean that the physical laws it obeys are any different. RC planes fly using exactly the same principles as full-size aircraft. Any differences that might seem to exist can be explained by actual differences in design, such as proportionately different weights, proportions, thrust, etc. But the basics of lift, drag, etc., are the same for any size of aircraft.

Both full-size airplanes and RC models use ailerons to turn, if so equipped. That is, any fixed-wing aircraft has to roll in order to make a coordinated turn.
References :

Ian M @ 12:03 pm

You're right in that most RC models use rudder only to turn. This simplifies the model and saves costs but it's crude. There are models out there with ailerons. As a first trainer I recommend the "Chart Mascot" it's vaguely based on the Cessna 172 in looks and yes it has ailerons. designed is Dave Boddington and the kit was supplied by the Chart Company, Station Road, East Preston, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN16 3AG UK. There phone number was 01903-773170.

Mine uses a cheap Russian built MDS 21 engine of 3.5cc

I also bought a Piper PA38 Tomahawk. It's easier to fly than the model

The mistake most beginners make is to assume large models are harder to build. It's not true. A small model is difficult to see in the air and therefore hard to fly. The "Chart Mascot" is about 5 feet wingspan which is the smallest I would recommend for a first model.

Do not attempt the first flight of the model yourself. Get expert help remember your a beginner in model not a test pilot. Do it yourself and for sure you will crash it.

Ian M
References :
Built it.

Colin @ 2:32 pm

For the record, power for altitude and pitch for airspeed is absolutely correct.

Now on to your question: One major difference is that RC planes have a much, much higher power-to-weight ratio. It's easy to see why if you imagine something like a Cessna with no seats or interior space, no pilot, passengers, or cargo, and almost no avionics.

This makes certain kinds of aerobatic maneuvers possible in RC planes that are impossible in real airplanes. There is a fake video out there of an airplane meant to look like a real plane that has a wing fall off, maintains its attitude and control using the rudder, and then lands. This video is of an RC plane and this landing would not be possible in a real plane.
References :

April 10, 2009

Dangermanmi6 @ 2:21 pm

RC planes are designed to be more stable in level flight than the real thing. What type is a good starter plane? See if there is an RC flight club in your area they will be able to hook you up with a good starter plane and flight lessons because its not quite the same thing as sitting in the left seat looking out the window.
References :

April 11, 2009

zzooti @ 3:41 pm

The same aerodynamic principles apply, so functionally there is little difference. The biggest difference is that with an r/c plane you have no feedback other than visual-you can't feel roll, pitch, yaw, sideslip, windshear, g-force etc. As for where to start, I suggest you go the same route you used to learn to fly the big boys-start with a stable, low-performance type (a high-wing Cessna perhaps) then as you become proficient (or bored as the case may be) transition to a high-performance type.
References :

April 12, 2009

mindworms @ 10:34 pm

it depends from the Channels of the RC station.

model sailplanes can work fine with one channel, controlling the rudder only.

two channels are usually rudder and elevator
then comes the throttle, and optionaly ailerons and sometimes other stuff, like remote cameras etc.
depends on how much weight your plane is able to carry.

under certain circumstances you could actually build a plane that would be two channel AND rudder and throttle, however you have to build it so that the propeller creates tail heavy momentum when working - that is, power up means climb, power idle means gliding down.
i cannot think of ANY safe mounting of the prop and engine that could ensure this ,and that mounting the engine and prop facing slightly upwards from the nose of the plane, whic is not practical
References :
to supplement Colin's list of differences - TC helicopters /4channel aerobatic ones/ enable negative pitch of blades, so that the helicopter MAY hover upside down - not applicable in real helicopters, not in sustained hover.

most RC helicopters do not use the usual collective pitch but use increased RPM of the main rotor instead, which is possible due to low mass of the rotor. big helicopters have quazi constant RPM and increase the collective pitch of blades instead.

finally, the smaller the plane, the higher the reynolds number, which means the plane flies in a "denser" enviroment. it needs to be correced when performing model tests in aerodnynamic tunnel for real planes designing. the model behaves better than the real plane…

April 13, 2009

artistgmg3 @ 1:47 am

No, you're not confused at all. I also use my ailerons and rudder to send morse code messages to nearby planes. You should try it.

RC aircraft use the same control surfaces as real aircraft. Some cheap RC planes don't have ailerons (2-channel planes, or 3-channel if they have throttle control). A good trainer would be what you are looking for. You want something with a high wing (like a cessna 152 or a piper cub). There is a beginners forum at http://www.rcgroups.com and they can help you a lot to in making a decision.

If you want to go really cheap you can just buy a $30 foam plane from Wal Mart or Toys R Us, or radio shack. Those you can crash over and over. Actually, those are probably a good first step.

Another way to train is to buy an RC simulator program but they can get expensive.
References :

New Allboeing @ 9:53 am

Hi im a trainee pilot and have talked to pilot in my army and he said you use both rudder and ailerons to turn but only ailerons when performing a flip in order to trick your enemy into thinking your going down but then you dive and land on a runway so im guessing your a Ryan pilot mate Ireland's worst wow get proper training im a trainee and im correcting you
References :
Im a Trainee Pilot

April 14, 2009

wahyuMAX @ 6:19 am

To turn the rc model airplanes you can use rudder or ailerons, just like a real airplane. To control the rc airplanes altitude, you can use power( by controling the throttle) too. RC model airplanes is just the tiny figure from the real airplane.hope it help

If you to know more about rc airplanes,please check it out
References :
http://aerofunmen.blogspot.com

Leave a Comment