June 21, 2009
me and my friend are building an RC airplane (question about steering)?
So, we're building an RC airplane with balsa wood and I'm wondering, is it enough to have a variable speed propeller, and independantly operated (one stick on the controller for each) ailerons?
Or is it completely necessary to have the rudder and wing flaps move? (keep in mind we're just starting out with this so we basically just want to build it so it can fly and turn and land.)
You need at least the rudder to keep it balanced. Otherwise you end up cleaning balsa wood from the airfield.
Filed under RC Airplane by Colin
Comments on me and my friend are building an RC airplane (question about steering)? »
If you want to steer the thing, yes those are necessary. A simple servo will do the trick.
References :
You need at least the rudder to keep it balanced. Otherwise you end up cleaning balsa wood from the airfield.
References :
Your basic controls are rudder, elevator, aileron and throttle. On
most trainer (which I hope to hell you are building if you're a beginner) and sport planes need only one servo to run both ailerons. There are some 3 channel trainers out there, the Kadet
series from SIG comes to mind (they have increased dihedral in the
wing so ailerons are unnecessary). The instructions that came with
your trainer (PLEASE tell me that's what you're building) usually are
very complete, some even have check boxes next to each step so you don't overlook anything. Again, I hope the plane you are building is a high wing, flat bottom airfoil, tricycle geared TRAINER AND that you are going to take the plane to a local R/C
flying club for final setup and instruction, otherwise you are just
setting yourself up for some serious grief. I'm not trying to scare you out of the hobby, you just have to realize these are not toys,
they can be LETHAL if out of control, they need to be treated with respect, if you are unsure about anything with the plane, don't take it up, get some help, R/C fliers are some of the most helpful people around. Have fun building the plane, when you're done take to someone with experience to check the balance (very important), the controls, both direction and throw, let them take it up for you, let them teach you how to fly it, you'll have more fun that way.
References :
Building, flying (and making craters with) R/C planes
Academy of Model Aeronautics