R/C Planes

Have you ever dreamed of piloting a plane? If you are a normal person like me, that will stay in your dreams! Now here is an idea which will let you pilot a plane, from outside. You've hit it! It is RC. R/C planes are one of the most interesting toys that are being manufactured at present.

Flying a radio controlled plane in an open environment is just a breeze. If you are on a holiday at some place like Switzerland, flying an RC plane in an open stretching landscape is a great experience. RC planes are manufactured to behave just like a real plane. And they can go at speeds of 150 miles/hour!!!

There are different types of RC planes, each unique in their own way. Jets are the most expensive, and are made to behave most ike real planes. They can go upto speeds of 200 MPH!!!! A micro turbine is used to power them, and the fuel is kerosene. The airframes are made of carbon fiber. So chances of breaking your plane is just 1%.

If you don't have the dough to buy a jet ($5000-$20000 odd), there are still pylon racers to go for. Their aim is to bring great performance at a low price. Pylon racers can go over 150 MPH, and are availale at prices less than $100! In the US, the primariy flown ones are Q500 and Q40.

Radio controlled helicopters, though grouped with RC aircraft, have a different build and the aerodynamics are totally different. Generally speaking, they are designed to act just like real helicopters. Some RC helicopters have cameras fixed for aerial imaging and surveillance.

Other than for entertainment and as a hobby, scientific, government and military organiizations are using RC planes for experiments, aerial imaging, gathering weather readings and even as drones or spy planes. Thee primary military use is to gather intelligence of areas. Some planes are even use for bombing!

The latest RC flight concept is 3D flight, where the weight to thrust ratio is more than 1:1 (usually 1.5:1 or more), large control surfaces with extreme throws, and relatively low wing loadings. These elements allow spectacular aerobatics to make the flying experience more real than ever. They are normally powered by lithium polymer batteries.

The line of communciation between the reciever of the plane and the transmitter of the reomte control is calculated in frequencies. The following are the USA and Canada reserved frequencies

* 72 MHz: aircraft only (France also uses US/Canada channels 21 through 35).
* 75 MHz: surface vehicles.
* 50/53 MHz: for all vehicles with a valid amateur radio (FCC) license.
* 27 MHz: general use, toys.
* 2.400-2.485 GHz: Spread Spectrum band for general use (amateur radio license holders have 2.39-2.45 GHz licensed for their general use in the USA)

However you are going to use it, operating an RC plane is really an enthralling experience. You may pretend you are a spy nad do some spying! Or just simply fly it around at the maximum speed. R/C planes have become a great part in the toys industry. So get an RC plane now!!