• Introduction
  • Wing Geometry
  • Forces in Flight
  • Stability Concepts
  • Airfoil Simulator
  • Stall and Spin
  • Beginners' Guide
  • Trainer Design

  • Main Page

    • Beginners' Guide

      | First Flight | Radio Control | Servos | Batteries | Glow Engines | Pulsejet | Turbines | Electrics |

    • First Model

      I think that's just a matter of taste.
      Being a skilled glider pilot doesn't necessarily mean being also a skilled
      powered aircraft pilot and vice-versa.

      with a so-called trainer.
      that produces high lift, permitting slow landing speeds without stalling.

      However, a flat bottom high wing with
      dihedral is more sensitive to crosswind
      gusts, so the first flights should be
      done during calm weather.

      A beginner should avoid wings with
      too sharp leading edges, as it will
      worsen the stall characteristics.
      Thunder Tiger ARTF Trainers 40T & 60T


      maintain and would be more sensitive to strong winds.

        It should not be too large either, 
        as it would be difficult to transport, 
        require a larger flying field and 
        would be more expensive.

      which means the wingspan being about 5.5 times the wing chord.
      over the entire surface of the wing.
      loading should not be greater than about 60g/sq.dm (19-oz/sq. ft).
      Wing loading is the aircraft's weight divided by the wing area.
      Some degree of wing washout also improves the stall characteristics.

      The basic parts of a trainer model:

      Engine - provides the power to rotate the propeller.
      Propeller - (also Prop) is attached to the engine's shaft to convert rotational motion into thrust
      and speed, which depends on the Prop's diameter, pitch and the Engine's power.
      Spinner - streamlined part that covers the end of the Prop shaft.
      Fin - (also Vertical Stabilizer) provides directional stability (stability in yaw).
      Rudder - moveable part fitted to the Fin's trailing edge, is used to change the aircraft's direction.
      Stabilizer - (also Horizontal Stabilizer or Stab) provides longitudinal stability (stability in pitch).
      Elevator - moveable part fitted to the Horizontal Stabilizer's trailing edge, is used to make the
      aircraft climb or dive.
      Ailerons - movable parts on both sides of the Wing's trailing edge, are used to make the aircraft
      roll about its fore - aft (longitudinal) axis. When one aileron moves up the other moves down.
      Wing - provides the aircraft's main lifting force.

      for the construction.
      on their price.
      apply the covering material, etc.
      kits with an extensive prefabrication, requiring one or two evenings to assemble.
      plant and some of them even with the radio preinstalled.

    • First Flight

      It's highly recommended to have an experienced instructor beside you during
      your first flight, however, it is not impossible to get succeed by doing it alone.
      Max wind speed recommended is 5 - 8Km/h (3 - 5mph) including gusts.

      Check the plane's Balance Point (may also be referred to as Center of Gravity
      on some drawings) with empty fuel tank by supporting the model plane with your
      or its nose points slightly downwards. Then check if this position matches the one
      shown on the plane's drawings or instructions.

      This is usually done with the Transmitter aerial collapsed. The control surfaces
      depending on the environment.
      or model components reinforced with carbon fibre.
      Some transmitters allow the aerial to be totally collapsed inside a metal case,
      which also may reduce the radiation.
      throttle setting between idle and full-throttle.

      The range will be much higher when the plane is in the air, normally about 1Km
      or as far as one can see the plane.


      If you hand launch your plane, throw it against the wind horizontally and
      straight ahead, not up.
      If you take-off from the ground, taxi the plane towards the wind and let the
      plane gain ground speed before applying elevator.
      may cause loss of airspeed and stall.

      the model may initiate a spiral dive.

      Don't try any turns until the model has gained speed and reached a "safe
      altitude". Be very gentle with the controls and practice gentle turns high in the
      air before you try to land.
      at same time you make a turn.

      the model behaves at low speed.

      so you can imagine "right" and "left" from the model's point of view.

      pitch tendencies.
      A flat bottom wing often tends to "balloon" up into the sky, keeping climbing
      the elevator trim or by reducing the throttle.
      In worst cases it may be needed to increase the motor's down-thrust angle
      and/or decrease the main wings incidence angle.


      Reduce throttle to about half so you have to slightly pull up the elevator to keep
      the altitude.
      landing area by easing the elevator.

      depends on the model's characteristics) you should idle the throttle.
      shallow dive and don't use the elevator to gain altitude or to prolong the
      flight at this stage, otherwise stall is likely to occur.
      Just keep a slightly downward attitude throughout the final approach in order
      to maintain the airspeed.
      however, it is not recommended approaching angles greater than 45 degrees.
      field - just increase the throttle first before applying elevator to maintain or gain
      altitude to prolong the flight or to repeat the landing approach.
      that the propeller or nose gear don't hit the ground.
      Be prepared to repeat unsuccessful landings several times, since it's often a
      matter of trial and error before one gets used to how the model behaves.

      Don't try to land in a specific spot, avoid turns when the model is flying low

      Avoid the proximity of buildings, roads and electric power lines.
      Don't fly close to or towards people and animals.
      of success.

      - Good luck.

      It's also advisable to join the nearest model aircraft club there you may meet
      experienced flyers who can provide you with lots of useful tips and hints.

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