rc airplanes Archives - Model Airplane News

Detailing a Ziroli Staggerwing

There are few 1/4-scale models of the Beechcraft Staggerwing, and the most popular RC design is the one from Nick Ziroli. It’s outline is very close to scale and it produces a great looking scale airplane. When it comes to making them look real, you need to use some scale parts and techniques. Here are […]

Gas Engine Basics — Troubleshooting 101

When you’re starting your gas engine, get into the habit of using the same procedure all the time so you can easily identify any problems that pop up. It’s important to always have a friend secure the airplane’s tail and make certain the prop bolts are tight. Switch the ignition circuit (kill switch) off, close […]

Indoor Airliner: it’s a floater!

At the recent Model Fair in Stuttgart, Germany this gigantic Airbus wowed the crowd. The biggest indoor flier we’ve seen yet, it has a 15.74-foot wingspan and weighs less than a pound. It’s the handiwork of Airstage, a company who creates RC ultralight models for the marketing and entertainment industries (the airliner is not for sale […]

Resin Casting Scale Parts: Mass Production Spark Plugs

Once you get to a certain level of scale modeling, you’ll start making parts that need to be produced in multiples and, most likely, are not commercially available. This is easily dealt with by making a master part and then reproducing it with a mold and resin casting liquid. Resin casting is considered an advanced technique, […]

Sheeting Giant Warbird Wings

When it comes to sheeting the wings, you want to do it right with any airplane, but for giant scale warbirds, you really need to do it correctly. I like to start once the retracts are setup and the plywood support ribs and the mount rails have been epoxied into place. We used the landing […]

Make Engine Cowls: Easy tips for Beginner

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Straight and Level Flight — Master the basics.

If you’ve seen individual IMAC maneuvers, you’ve probably noticed one factor that ties everything together: straight and level flight. When flying an aerobatic sequence, you must start and finish each of your maneuvers in straight and level flight. Since straight and level flight signifies the end of one maneuver and the beginning of the next […]

Master the Precision Roll — Tips for Perfecting this Classic Maneuver

Because it’s used in so many other maneuvers, it’s important to perfect this one and add it to your foundation repertoire. High-speed rolls are generally easier to start with because inertia is a tremendous help. Long, graceful rolls are usually done at medium to high speed to allow inertia to help keep the maneuver axial. […]

Radio Fundamentals: fly better with dual rates, expo & mixing

Utilizing your radio’s built-in programming will let you fly better with more control of your model. This article is intended for new and intermediate fliers and higghlights three important features you need to understand, dual rates, exponential, and mixing. LET’S GET STARTED First of all, when holding your radio during your flight, it’s a good […]

Easy Scratch-built Skis (fly off that snow!)

Now that many flying fields parts of the country are covered in snow, it’s the perfect time to add skis to your favorite flier! This classic how-to from our good friend Roy Vaillancourt provides a great project that will not only use up some of those leftover pieces of wood in your workshop and but also let […]

Workshop Video Tip — Securing RC Airplane Wheels

When it comes to making good and safe landings, you need your wheels to stay put during your flight. Lots a broken props and more damage is caused when one of your wheels comes off the axle, usually during the takeoff run. Senior editor John Reid shows how to keep them in place.

Flight tips for Knife-Edge Flight

On your first attempts, it’s wise to enter your knife-edge maneuvers from a slight climb to buy yourself some extra time to think through the steps so you don’t finding yourself rushing to recover. You’ll also find it much easier to build your first sustained knife-edge if you initially roll the airplane in the same […]