How RC Planes Work

Remote control airplanes have a history that dates back over 70 years. They are popular among hobbyists, but they also have a place in the military. These planes come in all different sizes and types appropriate for skill levels from novice to expert. It does not matter who operates the plane or if the model is simple or complex; they all share the same operating mechanisms.

The four controls

Remote controlled models operate exactly the same way a real airplane operates. The only difference between them is the size. There are four ways in that you can control a plane. These controls are called the throttle, elevator, ailerons, and rudder.

Ailerons

The ailerons is the most complex of the four controls. For this reason, not all RC models include this control, especially those made for novice operators. The ailerons allow you to tip the wings in order to roll the plane. Roll is not necessary to fly, but it sure is fun for the advanced operator.

Rudder and throttle

The rudder allows you to control the yaw of a plane. The yaw is what makes the aircraft turn left or right. This is a basic control that all models include. The throttle is the most straightforward of the four operations. The throttle controls the speed of the plane. More throttle makes you go faster, and less makes you slow down.

Elevators

Elevators allow an aircraft to climb or descend. This axis of movement is called the pitch. Controlling the pitch of a plane is often confusing for beginners. The reason for this is that raising the elevators causes the plane to go down while lowering the elevators causes the plane to go up.

Now that you know about the four basic controls included on RC airplanes, it is time to go out and try it for yourself. Have fun.