Hi guys,
I am wondering if someone could tell me where I can go to read all about the RC Airplane. I need to learn the basics, from radios and what a crystal is etc....., to every part that goes into an rc airplane.
I am getting ready to build one and I need to learn everything I need for it and what the functions are for each piece.
Is there an artical with pictures, or a website you can direct me to that will teach me everything about an rc airplane? I don't even know exactly what a servo is or where it goes on the plane. I am hoping for an illustrated help guide of some sort. I learn best if I can see where the parts actually go.

Thanks a lot

Hi, welcome to the wonderful world of R/C flying. The best advice I can give you is:

1) Find help locally. This can be any combination of a local hobby shop, a local flier, and a local club. You will have questions that can best be answered face to face. The local help is critical for taking a bunch of parts, turning them into something flyable, and having them last for more than 15 seconds. If you want to fly with a local club, most likely you will need to join the AMA http://www.modelaircraft.org/

2) Buy a good trainer, radio, and engine. Read through some of the threads here in the beginners forum for ideas on which ones are best. As a beginner, you should buy from a local dealer if possible. Then you can get help when you have questions. If you have no local dealer, buy from a well known online vendor. It's best to avoid auction sites for now, it will be hard for you to be sure you get what you need.

The instructions that come with the trainer will help you learn which parts go where. The radio will come with everything you need for it, including servos, crystals, batteries, switches, chargers, etc. The instructions will explain these pieces. The engine will also come with instructions. Supplement these by reading some of the threads in RCU on the subject of breaking in an engine. Personally, I suggest that a beginner who is not experienced with glow engines not start their engine without local help.

3) If you have specific questions, search first and if you can't find the answer, ask away.

Oh, here's a couple sources of information. Go to the Sig site. http://www.sigmfg.com/ Once you have entered, click on News & Information. Then look for the Questions when getting started... link on the left side. Another source is Tower Hobbies, www.towerhobbies.com. Look on the left side under the R/C Resources heading for "Getting started in R/C". It will take you here: http://www.easyrc.com/

Try doing a few searches here on RCU. This place has more info than any magazine, book, or articles you'll ever find anywhere.

Start by searching for "first plane" or "beginner", then try "servo placement" or something similar, try "radios". You'll end up with about a months worth of reading.

Welcome to RCU!
Dennis-

Hey thanks guys for the awesome info!!!!! I will definately take your advice. It will keep me busy for a long while

Thanks Piper Chuck! I will start searching and start learning

I love this hobby!!! Even though it's expensive

This is also a good place to start. Although it does not give you everything you want. It was created by and RCU member named Volkan and it is pinned to the top of the beginners section

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/A_Be...2420167/tm.htm

actually, its really not too expensive....

I was going to go for a gas on-road car...for anything decent i was looking at 600 bux without a radio....

I picked up my NexSTAR Select trainer with everything needed (but glow starter and gas) and it even came with the sim for the PC....and it was just 400 bux...

The AMA has a web page chock full of beginner info. http://www.masportaviator.com It has beginners info, reviews of trainers, articles on landings and approaches etc.

Here's another site that does a good job of explaining maneuvers, basic and a little more advanced.

[link]http://www.killerrc.com[/link]

Hi bookstar75, it would also really help you if you can find an RC flying club in your area. Hobby shops that sell RC airplanes will know if there are nearby RC clubs and can tell you how to contact them. Joining RC clubs are fairly inexpensive and the clubs provide free training for new flyers which will save your plane many times over while you learn how to control it. Some clubs have trainer planes all set up for new flyers to try their hand at flying while their own plane gets built. Hope this helps, Fast![8D]

There is a beginners guide on my web page. It will give you a basic understanding of R/C flight, how the controls work, the different components that make up the model, etc. There is a good bit of additional information in the Beginners Information section if you would like to delve deeper.

Bookstar-

There appears to be a few clubs not too far from Stillwater. Closest would probably be the 3M RC club. http://www.net-express.com/mmmrcflyers/ From their site, it looks like they may have a waiting list. There is also the St. Paul R/C Club. http://www.spmrc.com/

If you want to hang out with some R/C people and look for some deals, come to the Twin City Radio Controllers Auction in Richfield. Registration starts at 8:00 and Bidding starts at 10. Details at tcrconline.com.

Good luck and have fun!

-Scott