An explanation of the hand held controller for RC Airplanes. How it works and how to use it

We take a look at a common controller here and we look at the various knobs and controls and how they control an RC airplane. This is a pretty standard beginner controller. Controllers, and RC airplanes can get pretty complex and there are plenty of planes that have more controls than on the one shown here but this gives you a good overview of what they are and how they work. The picture at left is of a controller.

And here is a video I made showing this airplane coming out of the box and some short footage of me launching it off.

On the previous page I showed you the three basic motions of an airplane: Pitch, Roll, and Yaw and now we see how this controller operates these three functions. The controller also operates the Throttle!

The joystick on the left controls the throttle. Pushing this knob forward will accelerate the speed of the propeller and will make the plane go faster.

The joystick on the right controls the Pitch and Yaw of the airplane. The pitch of the airplane is the up or down motion and this is controlled by the elevators. Pushing this joystick foward will make the airplane pitch down and pulling the joystick back will make the airplane go up. And this same joystick controls the Yaw of the airplane. Pushing it to the left will turn the airplane to the left and pushing it to the right will turn the airplane to the right.

RC Controller

An interesting thing to note about these two joysticks is the normal position of them. The throttle joystick on the left is not spring loaded so it will rest wherever you set it. You can set it all the way down and the propellor will not spin. Or you can push it forward, finding a nice flying speed and then leave it right there and it will stay at that speed.

The joystick on the right, however, is spring loaded and will stay in the center location if not touched. And after pushing and releasing it will return to this center position. What this does is force the rudder or elevators to move thus causing the airplane to move in a new direction. Once the new direction is established you release the joystick and the rudder and elevator go back to the centered position and the airplane continues with its straight flight.

Example: If you want the airplane to go straight you don't touch the right joystick. If you want to make a turn you push the joystick to the left or right and once the turn is completed you release the joystick. If you want to do a big circle in the air you push the joystick to the left or right and hold it in position. If you want the airplane to do a big loop you push the joystick either forward or back and hold it there.

The Megatech Night Flyer Megatech Night Flyer 2 Channel Illuminated Remote Control Airplane

The Megatech Night Flyer is an inexpensive and easy to start out with airplane. I have a complete tutorial on this airplane located here. I bought this plane, put it together and took it out for some flights. It is a nice way to start out in the hobby without having complexity or expense. It isn't a super duper airplane, it is just something inexpensive to get you started. I have a separate webpage and tutorial about this airplane

Super Cub RTF Electric

This plane costs more but has a whole series of great reviews on amazon.com It might not be something that is suitable for young children or for your absolute first plane but if you are a bit more ambitious you might want to take a look at this plane

Variety of Planes and other Flying Vehicles

Pitts Model 12 15e ARF

One of the best things about the hobby of model airplanes is the wide variety of styles and models that are available. Just about every kind of airplane that has been made in real size can also be had in model size. This includes military fighter planes and even helicopters. Some planes like the Pitts Model shown here are specially designed for in the air acrobatics.

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