Flying Techniques

The last few years have seen a steady increase in the number of people entering the hobby without the support of their local model flying club, a trend that’s been accelerated by the development of affordable, ready-to-fly, electric-powered helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft aimed specifically at the beginner. You can now purchase a model complete with…

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Learn how to use the rudder and your ability will increase tenfold.  This month we’ll take a closer look at aerobatic crosswind flying, and I’ll introduce you to some of the tricks and tips I’ve found useful over the years. Of the three primary surfaces – aileron, elevator and rudder – it’s the rudder that…

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Learn how to use the rudder and your ability will increase tenfold.  I kicked off this series of articles in the May issue of RCM&E, discussing the impact of crosswinds on model flying and how to counteract the effects, focusing on take-offs in particular. This month we’ll take a closer look at aerobatic crosswind flying,…

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Aviators have to return to earth sooner or later, and we aeromodellers are no exception. Gravity is ever-present, both as friend or foe, and, as far as aircraft are concerned, the rules regarding landing are the same for full-size as they are for models. In this article we’ll explore the two methods of landing, i.e.…

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Right then, David A here. Do you find taking off a nervy affair? It’s understandable if you do. After all, it’s a sequence that means the model is close to the ground for a few seconds at full throttle and when things go wrong they tend to go wrong very quickly without the comfort of…

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The bungee is essentially a super-size catapult that comes into its own when a conventional hand-launch just can’t cut it, providing that extra ‘va-va-voom’ just when you need it most. Blindingly simple in looks and operation, careful preparation and a few basic ground rules can make all the difference between a flat-out failure and a…

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There’s something magical about the sight and sound of a multi-engine model. But twins are troublesome, right? They need an experienced hand at the controls and, of course, there’s the fear of what might happen if one engine cuts! Well, yes, twins do pose their own unique challenges and losing an engine is certainly a…

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So, you like fast models, do you? Perhaps you’re the speed freak in your club who constantly strives to have the fastest aeroplane? Can you fly smoothly and accurately? Do the pitfalls and failures of the hobby only inspire you to try harder? Is winning important to you? Does coming second feel like failure? Comfortable…

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1. Don’t overstep your mark. Every pilot knows his own ability and for a test flight to go well it’s important not to overstep this unless you’re absolutely sure that you can happily achieve the goal. It’s good to have a healthy level of caution, and perhaps a little apprehension, as this shows respect for…

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1. Aerotowing is a rare synergy between silent and not so silent aircraft and requires that two skill-sets are combined in a team effort to safely deposit a glider at height. Each pilot must take responsibility for the safety of his own aircraft and in this respect the glider guider must ensure that the aerotow release…

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