We’ll walk you through the exciting process of assembling an RC plane step-by-step. With clear instructions and helpful tips, you'll learn the art of building and prepare to take your creation to the skies.
Build Your RC Plane
We’ll walk you through the exciting process of assembling an RC plane step-by-step. With clear instructions and helpful tips, you'll learn the art of building and prepare to take your creation to the skies.
The Anatomy of an RC Airplane
Control Surfaces
Basic Electronics Wiring
RC Plane Parts
Every good pilot knows their aircraft; so let's break down the anatomy of an RC plane, part by part. Explore the glossary below to familiarize yourself with the essential components you'll be assembling and piloting.
Body Components
The main body of the plane that houses all the important stuff - electronics, servos, battery, and landing gear. This component can be crafted from all sorts of materials: foam board (our favorite), balsa wood, or even molded plastic. The build of your fuselage has a huge effect on the aerodynamics of your RC plane.
Akin to the sails of a ship, the wings of your RC plane catch the wind and provide lift, allowing your plane to take off and stay airborne. The ailerons are located on the trailing edge of each wing and act as the steering paddles of your aircraft, helping it change direction. When one aileron goes up, the other goes down, causing the airplane to roll. The size and shape of the wings, along with the responsiveness of the ailerons, greatly impact the stability and maneuverability of your plane. For your first RC plane, you might want to look for wings with a gentle dihedral angle and responsive ailerons that make turns smooth and controlled.
Often called the "empennage", the tail of the RC plane could be compared to the rudder of a ship. It's a crucial piece that helps steer the plane and keep it stable in the sky. There are two main parts that make up the tail: the horizontal stabilizer and the vertical stabilizer. Together, they keep your RC plane from wobbling. A larger, flat horizontal stabilizer is more forgiving, making it the perfect choice for beginners.
More than just a mechanism for returning your plane safely to the earth, the right landing gear plays a role in ensuring a seamless takeoff from any terrain. For beginners, simplicity and durability are key. Some beginner planes skip the landing gear altogether and are designed for belly landings, making them hassle-free. So, when building your first RC plane, consider what kind of landing gear suits your comfort level and flying location.
Removable modules that house your motor, propeller, and sometimes your ESC, Power Pods make building and repairs super easy. If your plane takes a nosedive, you can simply swap out the power pod instead of fixing or rebuilding the whole plane. Plus, they're versatile and interchangeable between different plane models, allowing for experimenting between various motor setups without any permanent changes.
Like the fuel tank of an airliner, the battery compartment holds that which powers your flights. A well-designed, easy-to-access battery compartment allows for a quick swap or adjustmentment to get you back in the skies as soon as possible. Whether it has a dedicated hatch or a Velcro strap, a user-friendly battery compartment makes sure the battery stays secure during flight and helps you fine-tune the plane's center of gravity for smoother control.
Electronics
The transmitter is your direct line to your RC plane, controlling its every move from the ground. For beginners, a simple 4-channel transmitter is a great start, allowing you to control the throttle, rudder, elevator, and ailerons. It's important to choose a transmitter that feels comfortable in your hands, with responsive joysticks, switches, and dials, and to ensure it's compatible with your plane's receiver. Selecting a straightforward and compatible transmitter will set you up for a smooth and enjoyable flying experience.
The receiver picks up signals from your transmitter and turns them into actions. It's crucial to make sure your receiver is compatible with your transmitter - meaning that the number of channels on both components match each other. Consider the range of the receiver too; a standard range suffices for beginners, but you might explore extended ranges as you progress.
Servos act as the muscles of your RC plane, translating commands into movements. Selecting the right servos involves considering its size, weight, torque, and speed. Standard servos are typically a good fit for beginner pilots, ensuring a smooth performance without weighing your RC plane down. As you gain experience, you may consider faster servos to increase speed.
Picking the right battery and charger ensures your plane is well-fueled and ready to soar. LiPo (Lithium Polymer) batteries provide an optimal blend of weight, power, and flight duration. Battery capacity is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh) and voltage, indicated by the number of cells (S) and determines how long and powerfully your plane runs. Make sure the charger you select has features like overcharge protection.
Similar to the engine of a car, the motor of your RC plane drives it forward. Brushless motors operate without the friction and wear of traditional brushed motors, making them more efficient, long-lasting, and powerful. Motors come in two types: outrunners for stable flights and inrunners for speed. It's important to consider your motor's specifications - the Kv rating (indicating RPM per volt) and wattage.
The ESC in your RC plane acts like the throttle and brakes in a car, regulating the power from your battery to your motor. You want to ensure that the ESC you choose is compatible with your motor and battery. Pay attention to the ESC's current rating, measured in amperes (A), which should match or slightly exceed the current draw of your motor. The ESC may also come with additional features like a Battery Eliminator Circuit (BEC), which can power your servos and receiver, eliminating the need for an extra battery.
Flite Test Aura 5 Lite offers enhanced stability and control for all types of fixed wing aircraft.
Key Benefits include: SMOOTH FLIGHT EXPERIENCE - On a windy day or in less than ideal weather, stabilization helps to react to forces on control surfaces that are not being input by the pilot. This gives you an experience of more control and authority over your aircraft.
CLEAN RESPONSES - The Aura is designed to enhance the pilot’s experience, while not interfering with the pilot’s control. Your aircraft will fly as if it were bigger, and in less wind, even though it is as agile as you want it to be.
RC Plane Building Materials List
When crafting RC planes, we use special materials to make sure the planes fly well and don't break easily. This includes lightweight foam boards, parts to control and make the plane move, and electronic components.
Airframe
The Speed Build Kits (flat packs) for beginners contain the basic components of the airframe, including the laser-cut maker foam board, pushrods and BBQ skewers.
Electronics are essential for RC plane flight. Power Pack Kits include servos, motor, ESC and propellers. Additional requirements include the transmitter, receiver and battery.
Crafty Kits for beginners include the basic tools for quick and easy plane assembly, including hot glue gun, tape, box cutter, ruler, screwdriver, triangles, and more.
You've done a fantastic job building your RC aircraft with our step-by-step guides and tutorials. Now it's time to take to the skies! We'll guide you through the basics, offer helpful flying tips, and ensure you're ready for your first exhilarating flight.
You've done a fantastic job building your RC aircraft with our step-by-step guides and tutorials. Now it's time to take to the skies! We'll guide you through the basics, offer helpful flying tips, and ensure you're ready for your first exhilarating flight.
