This sounds like this could be a fun project. However, I will agree with Matt. You need to get familiar with model flying. If you do as Matt suggests and purchase a cheap glider and affix a motor to it, I would recommend testing this thing with no power first (maybe from the top of a small hill). Test it as a glider with all your equipment installed (motor, battery etc) and the plane properly balanced. Remember, safety first. As far as control, most RC pilots use radio equipment specifically designed for RC airplanes (light weight servos and receivers and transmitters capable of transmitting at least ½ mile). However if you want to go cheap, the best thing you can do is set this up as a free flight plane. You can experiment with free flight adjustments by purchasing cheap, wood, stick gliders you can pick up in a drug store for a few dollars. This will teach you basic control (this is what the Wright Brothers did). Some tips: Your wing is the most important part of the plane. Make sure you have a good straight wing that has plenty of wing surface area (a long wing would be best). Next, you need to make sure the plane is light in weight and the center of gravity is set properly. Some pitfalls of your experiment are going to be the fact that this plane will probably be under powered due to the fact that the motor you have is an inexpensive, low powered can motor (7-9 volts) and you will probably be using a direct drive setup (the propeller connected directly to the shaft of the motor) along with a battery that cannot provide much current to the motor (standard 9volt). So, in your case, you should use a large, light weight propeller with a small pitch that spins slowly (stay away from a 2 motor setup). Remember, if your plane does fly, with no motor control, the plane will fly until the battery dies (this could be dangerous). Now, here’s another suggestion. You say you are into physics. There are plenty of physics involved in flying. For instance, there are physics involved in propeller theory (fluid dynamics), aerodynamics, electricity, thrust, power etc. Do some basic home work in understanding some of these fundamentals. Then introduce these topics to your physics instructor. Maybe you can get the class involved. Maybe the class has a small budget where the purchase of some RC equipment can be requisitioned. Anyway, have fun experimenting, don't let anyone poo-poo on your ideas and keep studying youy math and physics.

Joe T.
Sr. Engineer