There are many different ways for a beginner to learn to fly RC airplanes or helicopters, and the method I use is one I have developed over the years in working with small groups. It is by no means the only way to learn, but simply one method that has proven successful for a number of people who have become RC pilots and shared some fellowship in the process. My method is used with small groups that meet once a week. I believe in teaching only a few major points per lesson and repetition. I strongly believe in the benefit of using a flight simulator. My method can be adopted for those with more time and those who prove they are quick learners. I hope beginners find this helpful.
Equipment
- 4 channel or more transmitter
- Small airplane for a visual aide
- Hobby grade micro coaxial helicopter
For the first lesson I go over the transmitter and cover mode 2 for 4 channel control (the most used method in North America) and mode 4 for 3 channel control (rudder on the right stick instead of left stick for 3 channel planes.). I cover the movement of the sticks and trim tabs and the benefit of digital trim tabs. Secondly, I go over aligning their transmitter with their aircraft and keeping it aligned with the plane during the flight and third I encourage small stick movements.
Orientation and Alignment
Loss of orientation is the number 1 problem for most beginners. When the aircraft is flying away from the pilot its right and their right are the same as are their left, forward and reverse. However, when the aircraft is coming at them, the controls are all reversed, and this often causes confusion and loss of orientation with the plane. To get around this I teach the students to turn to the direction they turn the aircraft to maintain that orientation of the transmitter with the plane. (I briefly mention how to make the turn with aileron to start and then elevator to keep the wing up. This will be covered in Lesson 2 in detail. It is just mentioned here and I answer almost all questions.) With a 90 degree turn to the right they turn 90 degrees to the right and remain facing the same direction the plane is going. They turn their head to track the plane as needed. When they turn the plane back towards themselves they must be able to see the plane but I want them to keep that orientation so I have them turn their body slightly more to the right if turning the plane to the right and then turning their arms to keep the transmitter aligned with the plane. (For left turns it is the same but to the left.) I encourage them to plan their flight in advance just as a professional golfer pictures his shot before he swings. They take off with their plane or helicopter with their first few turns already scripted and they can practice what they will do before they leave the ground. Bill Walsh scripted the first 15 plays on offense so the 49ers knew what they were going to do before the game started. I want my students to script their first few turns so they know what they are going to do before taking off. I do this to help get their heads into the cockpit before the flight starts.
Make Small Stick Movements
Over-controlling the aircraft is the number 2 mistake, and it is just as hard to overcome. For this lesson I have them fly a small hobby grade coaxial helicopter with the focus being on the the left stick throttle only. For this training the right hand is not on the right stick. I don't want them rotating the helicopter with the left stick. I want them to focus on throttle control. Getting the helicopter quickly off the ground and up to waist height to head high but no higher. By only focusing on that one function of throttle control my students usually obtain success in meeting the goal I set for the first lesson. They learn how once up in a hover how little stick movement is needed on the throttle to make the helicopter climb or drop (one click).
While we may initially have some drifting across the floor from too slow a throttle power up. We also might have some crashes from too fast a power up or power down, the micro helicopter can generally withstand these accidents and I teach them to power OFF! in the case of a crash or expected crash. These little helicopters generally are more likely to damage themselves post crash if left running then being broken from the crash itself. They all get a chance to fly the coaxial helicopter but they only control the throttle. I find they learn to control that helicopter's throttle very quickly when not distracted with learning to fly the helicopter as a whole.
After everyone has flown I ask them if they now understand how little they needed to move the throttle to get the helicopter to climb or lower once they got to the initial hover stage and they do. I then tell them the same is true with the elevator on an airplane and small movements are best with the ailerons and rudder for basic turns.
ORIENTATION
With the plane facing the same direction as the pilot his right and the plane's right are the same making for easy orientation as demonstrated by Dick Andersen
When you have the plane turn , turn your body in the same direction and you remain aligned with the plane. Your right and the plane's right remain the same.
The hardest orientation is when the plane is coming at you. Many students are fine keeping the transmitter aligned with the plane to help in this situation. A few do not find this helpful initially but they usually come around to find it benefitial.
Conclusion of Lesson 1
I encourage my students to reflect on what was covered for a few minutes each day during the week until we meet again. Practice picturing flying and turning the plane and turning their bodies to match. While it may sound somewhat strange to them, those that do it will usually be the more successful pilots. They don't need any equipment. They go home with a hand out that covers the basics. I compare it to a golfer practicing his grip between early lessons. The basics need to be learned and the lessons from the first meeting require no equipment and can be done at home.
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