radio control Archives - Model Airplane News

Rudder: Use it to Fly Better!

Pilots should begin their flying careers by using rudder from the very beginning. One of the ways we used to help beginner pilots is by programming in an aileron/rudder mix from the very start. This improves the plane’s performance by eliminating adverse yaw, which is the opposite yaw or skid inherent with aileron deflections on […]

Removable Engine Installation

We’ve seen it time and time again: a giant-scale airplane noses over with enthusiasm and the engine and firewall are ripped out of the fuselage requiring major repairs. For the engine installation in my 85-inch version of the Ziroli Skyraider, I came up with a removable, through-the-firewall setup for engine attachment for a couple of […]

4 Simple Shop Tips

Simple tricks are the best, don’t you think? These tips may not change your life, but they will make your time in the shop easier and more enjoyable. Have your own tip you’d like to share? Send it to MAN@airage.com and you could be featured in the magazine–and score a free subscription to The Hangar, […]

10 Field & Bench Tips

With time, experience and lots of trial and error, we RC modelers all learn good way to do accomplish workshop tasks and/or flying field repairs. The simplest things can often make the biggest difference. Be sure to leave comments about your favorite field or bench trick or tip. 1 Charged Battery ID If you have a bunch of […]

Favorite DIY Advice

Who says old dogs can’t learn new tricks? Here at Model Airplane News, we learn something every day — usually from our readers, the best RC’ers on the planet. Here are four of our favorites. Have a tip you’d like to share? Send the tip and a quick photo to MAN@airage.com! Simple Crush Plate Purchase […]

Favorite Shop Tips

Here are a few of our favorite tips for building, staying organized and making the most out of everyday items. What are some of your go-to tips and tricks? Share them in the comments section! SMOOTH OPERATOR Razor saws are handy for cutting various materials, but their teeth sometimes “snag” the material, especially during […]

Rocky flies again!

Bet you can’t watch this video without laughing out loud! Hilarity ensues when an unsuspecting squirrel gets into the cockpit of an RC plane! Thanks to YouTube’s Hobbywars for producing and posting this nicely done piece, complete with terrific “in-air” footage of Rocky in flight.

Stay in Control 10 Top Radio Programming Secrets

The devil is in the details. After installing your servos according the manufacturer’s directions, you might find that when the servo arm is placed on the spline, it isn’t at a perfect right angle to the servo casing. Or, after you’ve hooked up the various linkages, you discover there is too much or not enough travel […]

Planes Worth Modeling — Pietenpol Air Camper

Quoted from the Pietenpol Hangar display, EAA Museum/Pioneer Airport. Oshkosh, WI: “Bernard H. Pietenpol pursued his dreams of flight from the ’20s through his passing in 1984. His dreams were of planes powered by auto engines that nearly everyone could afford to build and operate. He first flew Gnome, then Ford Model-T powered planes without […]

Cutting Vinyl — Make Custom RC Vinyl Letters

The Stepcraft-2 420 CNC desktop system is more than just a one trick pony. The system is designed to accept a whole range of additional attachments for doing precision operations in a variety of ways. I just tried out the Drag Knife attachment and I have to say it works like a charm. Removing the […]

Install a Sliding Canopy

Many scale modelers simply can’t leave well enough alone. They often find ways to improve their scale projects. With the VQ Warbirds Corsair ARF as a base model, A complete makeover to add lots of details is fun, but to kick it up a notch, a sliding canopy is one of the several sub projects […]

Secrets to Hovering — Master this 3D Move

Of all 3D maneuvers, it’s possible that none represent 3D flying more than hovering. While learning to hover can be extremely challenging, you can make it easier for yourself by knowing the primary forces involved. Control while hovering is maintained solely by the propeller thrust or “prop-wash” over the tail surfaces and the inboard portions […]