How to fly an RC plane

The first flight of a new RC plane is exciting and, honestly, nerve-racking. Following a set routine makes it calm and predictable. This guide assumes a stabilised trainer such as those in best RC planes for beginners.

Before you go

• Practise on a simulator. Even a few hours make a big difference. See RC flight simulators.
• Learn the controls. See RC plane controls explained.
• Check the balance point. See balancing an RC plane.
• Choose a calm day. Under about 5 to 8mph of wind for a first flight.
• Choose the right place. See where to fly an RC plane in the UK.
• Get your Flyer ID if the plane weighs 100g or more.

At the field

Work through the RC plane pre-flight checklist. The most important checks are:

1. Control directions. Right stick right: right aileron up, left aileron down. Stick back: elevator up. Reversed controls are a leading cause of maiden-flight crashes.
2. Range check in the transmitter's range-check mode.
3. Beginner mode selected on stabilised planes.
4. Failsafe: switch off the transmitter and check the motor stops.

Take-off

• Face the plane into the wind.
• From the ground: smooth, steady full throttle, keeping it straight with the rudder or steering. Let it build speed and lift off on its own with a little up elevator.
• Hand launch: have a helper launch it level or slightly nose-up, firmly, into the wind, at full throttle.
• Climb gently. Don't pull back hard or turn near the ground.

Trimming

Once at a safe height, reduce to about half throttle and let go of the sticks. If the plane drifts, climbs or dives, click the trims a few at a time until it flies straight and level by itself. Land and transfer the trims to the linkages later if needed.

Circuits

Fly wide, gentle ovals in front of you, keeping the plane upwind of you. Use small control movements, especially aileron. When the plane comes towards you, left and right are reversed; many pilots turn their body to face the way the plane is going.

Practise:

• Left and right circuits.
• Figure eights.
• Gentle climbs and descents.
• Flying at different throttle settings.

Landing

Landing is the hardest part and needs the most practice.

1. Fly a circuit downwind, then turn onto a long final approach into the wind.
2. Reduce throttle so the plane descends gently with the nose slightly down.
3. Keep the wings level with aileron and line it up with rudder.
4. Just above the ground, cut the throttle and gently raise the elevator to flare.
5. Let it settle. If it's not right, go around: add power, climb out and try again.

Mistakes that end most first flights

• Reversed controls not spotted before take-off.
• Tail-heavy balance.
• Turning too sharply near the ground and stalling.
• Flying too far away and losing orientation.
• Flying until the battery dies. Use a timer and land with reserve.
• Flying in too much wind.

Stabilisation modes are explained in gyro-stabilised RC planes, and help with joining a club is in joining an RC club. All the plane guides are on the RC planes hub.