| Flying model airplanes is something I have enjoyed for | | | | motor on it, cranked it up and I was in business! |
| most of my life. Like a lot of folks my age, I got started | | | | Granted, building a control-line model from scratch is |
| in the hobby as a kid flying control-line airplanes. My | | | | much easier than a RC airplane, but I was still proud of |
| first aircraft was a Cox PT-19 .049 flight trainer. It was | | | | my creation. |
| heavy and didn't fly very well, but I loved it. After the | | | | The first time I made a modification to a RC airplane |
| Cox was damaged beyond repair, my dad took me to | | | | was also memorable experience. It was on my .40 |
| a real hobby shop where we picked out my first kit. | | | | size trainer. I had already learned to fly and had moved |
| My father was a model airplane enthusiast from way | | | | on to a more aerobatic aircraft. So the trainer had |
| back. In those days, they built all of their models from | | | | been sitting in the hanger for a while. Then one day, |
| kits. Prefabricated ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) models | | | | my friend asked me to teach him how to fly. I hadn't |
| were not even available at that time. So, from the | | | | really considered myself an instructor, but I was eager |
| beginning, I had to learn to build airplanes before I got a | | | | to have a buddy to fly with. These were also the days |
| chance to fly them. | | | | before I had joined a flying club. |
| Years later, I began flying radio control. I started with a | | | | So I dusted off the trainer and took my buddy to a |
| 2 meter glider, then moved on to powered flight. The | | | | large, empty soccer complex to give him his first flight |
| first ARF type of plane I purchased was a Duraplane | | | | lesson. He learned very quickly and after flying for a |
| Aerobat 40. It was supposed to be nearly | | | | while, we received some attention from the |
| indestructible. I did eventually manage to destroy it, | | | | neighborhood kids. This was a fairly normal |
| however. It was heavy and had to be flown at a high | | | | occurrence. I have always enjoyed the way model |
| rate of speed. What I learned early on is that these | | | | airplanes attract children. I guess it reminds me of |
| prefabricated ARF planes were convenient, but they | | | | when I was a kid. In fact, if I have a buddy-box hooked |
| were a bit heavy and didn't fly as well as my kit built | | | | up, I usually allow one or two of the kids to fly for a bit |
| planes. | | | | at a decent altitude! On this particular day, one of the |
| The same is true today. The best flying aircraft is one | | | | more creative kids asked, "Hey Mister, can your plane |
| that is built strong, light and true. The old saying goes | | | | drop bombs?" Of course I answered no, but the kid |
| "build light-flies right" and "build straight-flies great". | | | | inside me thought, "Now that would be cool!" |
| When you purchase an ARF or a RTF (Ready To | | | | When I got back home, I couldn't stop thinking about |
| Fly) R/C airplane today, you are most likely purchasing | | | | that kid's question. My creative juices started flowing, |
| a product that was slapped together in some factory | | | | and soon I found myself out in the garage dismantling |
| in China as quickly as possible, using the cheapest | | | | my airplane. I used the knowledge about aircraft design |
| parts and supplies to get the job done. Admittedly, | | | | I had gained from kit building to decide on the best |
| some ARFs are better than others, but even the good | | | | place to carry an additional payload. Of course it only |
| ones do not compare with the quality of a materials | | | | made sense to place it over the center of gravity. |
| you will find in a reputable RC kit. | | | | That way it wouldn't be nose-heavy or tail-heavy. If I |
| Unfortunately, the finished cost of a kit built plane | | | | kept it balanced, I felt that the added weight wouldn't |
| versus a pre-built aircraft is about the same. Because | | | | affect the flight characteristics as much. However to |
| you can purchase a good .40 size RC trainer kit for | | | | my dismay, the receiver, servos, landing gear and |
| around $75, it may lead you to believe that it is more | | | | battery where already crowded over the center of |
| economical than purchasing a similar type of ARF | | | | gravity. So, to make a space for my intended |
| plane for somewhere in the market of $110. What you | | | | bomb-bay, I had to move the receiver and servo |
| should consider is that you may still have to purchase | | | | locations toward the rear of the craft. I also had to |
| a fuel tank, wheels, wheel collars, fuel tubing, adhesives, | | | | move the battery forward and then add a small |
| covering material and other items that are not included | | | | amount of nose weight to keep the plane balanced. |
| in your RC kit. Most of the good RC kits will list the | | | | The landing gear had to stay put. It really wasn't that |
| required items to finish the job. This alone is enough to | | | | hard. |
| steer some folks who are eager to get in the air | | | | The next step was to design a hinged door that would |
| toward purchasing an AFR or RTF type of plane. | | | | open and close via a servo using the extra channel on |
| Why would you want to purchase something that will | | | | my 6 channel radio. Voila! The result was a remote |
| take days or weeks to build if it cost about the same | | | | control bomb bay that was large enough to fit a |
| as a pre-built aircraft? | | | | grade-AA extra large chicken egg. It worked |
| The answer for me is simply the enjoyment of the | | | | beautifully! However, we soon had to abandon the |
| building process. If you like tinkering or using your hands | | | | "egg-bomb" idea. It ended up being a bit too |
| to make things, then you will probably love building an | | | | destructive. It's amazing what a silly, little egg can do to |
| aircraft from an RC kit. But if you are hesitant to | | | | the hood of a 1972 Dodge Dart from an altitude of a |
| attempt to build anything after the disaster with the | | | | couple hundred feet! Yikes! So, I switched to |
| particle board entertainment center your wife brought | | | | paratroopers and the kids liked that even better! |
| home from Wal-mart for you to assemble, give | | | | I have really enjoyed building and flying model airplanes |
| yourself a break. The plans that come in the good kits | | | | through the years. The majority of the aircraft I have |
| are usually full-size and very well written. Most folks | | | | built and flown have been from RC kits. But I believe |
| are at the average skill-level and will do fine building | | | | the pinnacle of every kit builders career, is when you |
| from a kit. | | | | design and build your first aircraft from scratch, without |
| I also realize some people just don't have any desire | | | | a set of purchased plans. Scratch-building has turned |
| to build a plane from a box of parts and pieces. That's | | | | out to be the most fun and challenging part of the |
| ok. Building an aircraft from a set of plans and a box | | | | hobby for me. I have learned how to cut my own |
| of assorted balsa and plywood can seem a bit | | | | foam wing cores, boost the power of my engines and |
| daunting. And, if this is your first time building an RC kit, | | | | make airplane parts from the most unlikely and |
| you may also have to purchase some building | | | | ordinary items. Talk about being frugal. The last airplane |
| materials and tools which will again bring the cost of | | | | I created cost me all of $20 to build and flew like a |
| the plane up. These are all good things to consider. | | | | bat-out-of-hell! |
| The nice thing about tools however, is that you get to | | | | Although I could probably write a whole book on |
| keep them for the next project! . | | | | scratch building, the scope of this article is to discuss |
| Also, if you enjoy learning all of the intricacies of your | | | | the pros and cons of building an airplane from an RC |
| chosen hobby, you should consider building from a kit. I | | | | kit as opposed to buying an ARF or a RTF. So, here |
| have learned a great deal about aircraft design, building | | | | goes! |
| techniques and aerodynamics by assembling my own | | | | The pros are: you will learn a great deal more about |
| aircraft. If you are just getting into flying RC airplanes, | | | | the aircraft you are flying, you will learn more about |
| then the knowledge, skills and ability you gain from | | | | aerodynamics and aviation, you will learn how to |
| building your own aircraft will be invaluable. I would also | | | | modify and improve existing designs, and you may |
| like to suggest that folks who bought an ARF for their | | | | possibly discover a whole new facet of the hobby of |
| first and/or second aircraft, consider building an RC kit | | | | RC aircraft to enjoy. The cons are: you may end up |
| for their next project. It really does take you to a higher | | | | spending more money on tools and supplies initially, you |
| level of the hobby. Once you have built a few kits, you | | | | will take more time in the workshop before you have |
| will find yourself making slight modifications to | | | | an air-worthy ship to fly, and building an aircraft from |
| personalize or improve your aircraft. You will borrow | | | | an RC kit does require a basic level of skill. |
| design ideas from one set of plans and apply them to | | | | The fact is, building airplanes from scratch or from an |
| another. Or you may try something completely | | | | RC kit is not for everyone. If you are just starting out |
| different altogether.. | | | | and are eager to get in the air, then perhaps an ARF |
| I used the (TLAR) design model to make my early | | | | trainer would be a better choice for your first plane. If |
| aircraft design modifications. Which is a very precise | | | | you just don't have the extra time to dedicate to the |
| and intricate method that stands for (That Looks | | | | hobby right now, then an RTF or ARF might suit you |
| About Right)! The first time I tried my hand at | | | | better. But please keep in mind, at some point in the |
| modifying a plane was when I found the wing of a | | | | hobby you may want to reconsider building a model |
| crashed glider in the woods near my house. I guess I | | | | airplane from an RC kit. For me, there is a wonderful |
| was about 15 years old at the time. I took a couple of | | | | sense of accomplishment and a feeling of pride when I |
| feet of the wing of the crashed glider and attached a | | | | stand back and admire a newly completed aircraft |
| solid balsa fuselage to it. Next I added a motor mount, | | | | that has been built from scratch or from a kit. In fact, it |
| tail feathers and then installed an extra bell crank I had | | | | is fair to say that I enjoy building just as much as flying. |
| from a previous crashed model. I strapped a .049 | | | | And that's the truth. |