Easy Way to Happiness

Thankfully, radio controlled aeroplanes are now designed for every skill level from the beginner to the advanced flyer. Youve done your research, worked out the cost (hopefully including the running costs for power and replacement parts), chosen a power source and then your model. Now you have just brought your first radio controlled aeroplanes home and opened the box.

Hopefully, yours is a straight forward fly-out-of-box one that requires very little set up or I’m guessing it may get put on the shelf for a few days! What model did you get? Was it a smaller one that you can practice indoors with or perhaps you thought it was really easy and went for a really expensive model with a six foot wing span!

It doesn’t matter what model it was but Im guessing that unless you are a naturally over confident person, that a little voice inside you is telling you to be careful. You dont want to crash and burn on your first flight as this will not only be embarrassing but will cost you even more money! Of course money isnt everything and you dont want to injure anyone either.

Please consider these basics before your inaugural flight outdoors. Some may sound silly, but something inexperienced users often do and regret later. First things first though, read the manual properly! Its not rocket science, but there are a few things you should be familiar with first.

Choose your area carefully and be especially mindful of the law! Do not even attempt to fly in an area where there are clear signs displayed that you cant operate any remote controlled devices. You will get fined so be aware. Find an open area where there are very few people and one that has no telephone lines which tend to be quite low. Trees can be a big no no as well, as these will beckon an inexperienced users model to crash into! Take a look at the ground as well as although not necessary, you may have a habit of walking around to direct your radio controlled aeroplanes and fall over a bump or tree trunk. What do you think will happen to your nice new model then? Bang! Somewhere there should also be a nice flat and stable area to take off from.

Now youve found a suitable area, whats the weather like? Choose a calm, bright day and if the sun is really bright, get some polarised sunglasses so you dont get blinded so easily when looking up.

Double check your radio controlled aeroplanes before you start. Experienced flyers will always do this and for a very good reason, so get in the habit yourself. Check the landing gear is working and secure, check the batteries (or other power source) and know your expected flight times. Make sure the radio connection is communicating with your aeroplane properly.

One final check before you attempt your take off ” is the area you are going to use still clear of humans, cats and dogs? Hopefully your take off and landing will be smooth but you are likely to be concentrating hard on this and be oblivious to everything else. Good luck and enjoy the ride!