GETTING STARTED (Part 2)

THE TWO BASICS TYPES OF R/C MODEL AIRCRAFT POWER SYSTEMS

Now that we have basically described the types of model aircraft, we should discuss the power systems that actually get these airplanes up in the air. The two popular power sources are electric power and fueled engine power.

The first system employs an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery. The second system uses a fueled engine that runs usually on what we call glow fuel. Note that when talking electric power we refer to it as the motor. When fuel is involved, the correct term is an engine. Both sources turn propellers at high speeds providing the necessary thrust to lift the airplane into the sky.

For the purpose of this beginner’s quick start guide, we have made the initial choice of an electric-powered trainer aircraft. There are several advantages to electric power that make it suitable for the beginner RC pilot.

These advantages include the fact that it is quiet. The motor generates practically no noise. It is clean, no motor adjustments are necessary, and it doesn’t have start-up problems (the engine starts the minute the battery power is applied). There is not a problem with engine out or stalling situations and no fuel-proof paint required. The only possible limitation to electric power is that you must either wait 20-30 minutes to recharge the battery for each flight or you must buy a few extra battery packs and swap them for each new flight.

Typical Electric Motor.	Typical Glow Motor.

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ELECTRIC POWER (or E-power) consists of an electric motor with a propeller attached to its output shaft. An electronic speed control (ESC) that controls the speed of the motor works much like a throttle. The ESC is operated by the RC system. You will need a battery to operate the electric motor.

It is important that you have a special charger to recharge that battery for each flight. Keep in mind that with electric power, the minute the battery is attached (or plugged into the system) the motor is capable of running and not even the propeller has to be turned or flipped as it does with a fueled system.

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R/C SYSTEMS

Now the subject matter is going to get a little more technical and may initially sound a little strange to you. The all-important RC system is the primary control link between you (the pilot) and your aircraft. If you don’t understand something at first, it will make more sense later when you have that first RC transmitter in your hand and begin the process of learning to fly. Read carefully and listen to your instructor.

There are so many types of RC systems on the market today, making the selection process somewhat overwhelming for a beginner unless steered in the right direction. Very basic beginner RC systems can be purchased for $100, while some of the top-of-the-line computer-type RC systems can run as high as several thousand dollars. Keep in mind that the $100 radio system can fly your aircraft as easily as the expensive radios.

If you choose an RTF trainer aircraft as we are for this guide, the choice of the RC system will have already been made for you. That radio system will have been installed in your aircraft at the factory and a suitable transmitter provided.

If you choose an ARF aircraft, chances are the hobby distributor or dealer will have a recommendation as to what specific RC system to buy, or it may have been sold as a package deal consisting of an ARF aircraft, power system, and RC system and you are required to do the final assembly and installation work.

Any typical RC system will consist of a transmitter that the pilot holds in his or her hands on the ground. The transmitter has an antenna through which it broadcasts a radio signal to your aircraft. There are no wires going from the transmitter to the aircraft.

	Left: the complete flight system (transmitter, receiver, servos, speed control, motor and power battery). Above: The Focus 3 channel transmitter included with the Easy Star.
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On the aircraft end you will have a receiver that receives or “picks up” the signal broadcast by the transmitter. The receiver also has an antenna to receive that signal.

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Inside the receiver the signal is processed and then fed to individual servos, one for each control surface.

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These servos convert the electrical signal into a mechanical output that physically moves the flight control surfaces on the aircraft such as the ailerons, elevator, and rudder.

Since the transmitter and the receiver/servos are electrical devices, they must be battery powered. The less expensive RC transmitters that are provided with many trainer RTFs and ARFs generally use the non-rechargeable AA alkaline battery cells (usually 8 cells).

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That will be the case with our first aircraft used in this guide. As transmitters become more sophisticated, they are provided with rechargeable batteries and include a dedicated charger.

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