RC Planes for Beginners – Tip One

RC Clubs

If you’re a beginner to RC planes, tt’s really helpful to find a good RC model airplane club at the beginning of your interest in this hobby.

Here’s a list of some main associations around the world – on their sites you will find a list of local clubs:

Model Aircraft Association of Australia

Australian Electric Flight Association

British Model Flying Association

Academy of Model Aeronautics (USA)

Model Aeronautics Council of Ireland

Chatting with people who share a common interest in model aircraft will ensure you have a great afternoon! Further to this, you’ll get some very good localised tips alongside my more “macro” suggestions listed here.

RC Transmitters

One of the first things you need to do, before you start learning to fly is to decide what “mode” of transmitter you should learn on.

There’s no right or wrong, but typically the popular modes are 1 and 2. With Mode 1 transmitters, the throttle is on the right joystick. With Mode 2 transmitters, the throttle is on the left joystick. As a very general observation, North American rc pilots tend to be Mode 2 operators in the majority, while in Europe and Australia, Mode 1 pilots seem to be more common.

Rather than deciding this Mode for yourself, hunt down an instructor at your local club and find out what mode they are – that way you’ve got someone who can train you! Personally I use a Spektrum DX7 mode 1 transmitter, and would thoroughly recommend either this or the DX6i for any newcomers.

The second reason it is good to visit your local club early on is that you will more often than not have a reasonable chance of securing some good quality second-hand equipment, saving you money up front.

The final reason is plane selection – again you may be able to find a decent second hand “trainer”, but otherwise, will get some handy local advice for finding the best deal on your new airplane and radio equipment.

Perfect radio for beginners - the Spektrum DX6i