When It Comes To RC Airplanes You Can Choose From Ready to Fly, Almost Ready to Fly or Scratch Built-Hobbies
When It Comes To RC Airplanes You Can Choose From Ready to Fly, Almost Ready to Fly or Scratch Built
Soaring through the air, watching the clouds and the birds fly by. No, you are not flying your own private plane, but you are doing the next best thing. You are flying an RC airplane through the sky. With a little practice, you can even have your airplane doing acrobatics, and you thought you would never be a pilot!Flying RC or radio controlled airplanes is an excellent hobby, and it can be a lot of fun. RC airplanes are perfect as a father and son activity. Bring the family together with some airtime and share the joy of flight. If you want to get started in the RC airplane hobby, you do not need to be intimidated, with recent advancements in electronics; getting started in RC airplanes is easier than ever before.What types of RC airplanes are there?There is so much more than just airplanes in the RC aircraft world. No matter what type of aircraft interests you, there is something available for you. Some of the most common types of kits and models that you can purchase are:1) Airplanes
2) Jets
3) Gliders
4) Helicopters
5) Blimps
6) UFO'sIn addition, of course, within all of these categories, there are a number of different styles. You can get simulations of most real airplanes and jets in the world. Whether you want to fly and old-fashioned bi-level plane or a modern jet. You will be able to find a ready to run kit or model kit that is perfect for you!Can anyone Fly RC Airplanes?RC airplanes are easy to operate and with a little practice, anyone can soon be an expert. You can choose from electric airplanes or gas powered. Typically, electric airplanes are the easier models to fly. With the advances in electronics over the last few years, the receivers in the planes are getting smaller and smaller, and lighter and lighter. This means that the airplanes are easier to manage, especially for new pilots.When you are looking for airplanes that will be easy to manage, you should look for a model with a high wing. Airplanes with a high wing design provide much more stability. You may want to start out with an electric RC airplane and progress to a gas powered model, as the gas models are typically harder to handle and require quite a bit more experience.Do I have to Build my Own RC Plane?You have a few choices when you are starting out in the RC airplane hobby. You do not have to build your own plane; you have the option of purchasing a ready to fly or rtf kit. This is probably the easiest choice because everything you need will come ready in the box. All you need to do is do the final assembly and you are ready to be airborne.You can also choose a kit that is almost ready to fly or arf. These kits typically only require minimal assembly. Often with this type of kit, you may need only to add the final paint job and the decals to be ready to go. You can buy almost ready to fly kits in a variety of finishing stages.You always have the option of course to build your own RC airplane from scratch of course. There are endless kit options available if you are interested in this type of undertaking. The typical make it from scratch kit is made from balsa wood. You can use easy to follow instructions that will take you systematically through the entire process. This is obviously much harder and requires quite a bit more work, however for the experienced hobbyist, the rewards and self-satisfaction from creating your own model airplane can be extremely rewarding.When you build your own RC airplane, you will definitely have a lot more work ahead of you. And these planes can be more difficult to fly. Often times they are touchier to steer and move and they require a lot more finesse. If you have a crash with your built from scratch RC plane, you will have to rebuild the part by hand. If you have an rtf or an arf RC airplane than you can simply purchase the replacement parts and have a quality part, instead of an inadequate repair job.Your Final ChoiceNo matter what your final decision is regarding the type of RC airplane you decide to buy, you will be able to have hours of enjoyment learning to fly your aircraft. There are RC airplane clubs all over the country, and many of these clubs have their own airstrips. Whether you chose to be part of the larger RC airplane community, or enjoy your hobby alone or with a friend, RC aircraft flying can be extremely satisfying.
Why You Should Race RC Cars, and Not Just Bash-Hobbies
Why You Should Race RC Cars, and Not Just Bash
For those of you who have been racing your RC cars for years,
and have a friend or two who you have been trying to get out to the
RC tracks, this article is for you. Feel free to forward it to
them.For those of you who are fanatical bashers, and have avoided racing
your rc cars at the local track, hear me out, because I have 5 great
reasons you should take a run at it.1) Hanging out with other RC car enthusiasts- You will absorb new
ideas on how to keep your RC cars running at peak performance, just
by hangin' out in the pits. Not all of them will be good, some
could even do more harm than good. but if you are careful who you
listen to, you can learn some terrific stuff that will make your
ride handle better, run faster, and be more durable.2) The game within the game- Its not just about racing, and being
first in the heats (altho, that is a huge thrill) but its also
about pushing the limits of your RC cars, and fighting agianst the
track itself in a measureable way. When your bashing, you don't
really get a precise way of knowing how fast your vehicle is. When
you race, you will actually know to the millisecond what your
vehicle, limited by your driving skills, can do.3) By being at the tracks, you get to see the latest RC technology
in action- You can go to the hobby stores and look at boxes of RC
cars and buggies all you want. But if you really want to see what
a Hot Bodies Lightning Pro or an XRAY T1'FK05 can do, there is no
better, and cheaper, way to do it than hang out at the tracks. You
get an even better idea when you race against them.4) Making new friends- Not that you need new friends, but it's great
to have a friend who knows RC cars tips and tricks. Someone you can
ask questions, or bounce ideas off of. Or catch rides to the track
when your full scale car is in the shop.5) Just like when your bashing and you finally nail that jump you
set up in your backyard, mastering a track is a total rush-
Everyone will tell you when you first start racing rc cars, just
try to do crash free laps. Isn't that essentially what you are
doing in your backyard?Why not take your Monster truck to the track, and do some racing,
and see if you can handle the track's jumps and rhythm sections?
I bet it will be months before you have a crash free lap. Howse
that for a challenge?If you have put off racing rc cars because it looks intimidating,
your worried you will make a fool of yourself, or smash up your car
or buggy, or piss off someone by smashing THIER car up... well,
your right!! All of that can happen!In fact, when I first started racing my RC cars, I made every
racing mistake there is. I embarassed myself, I smashed my poor
little car up, I was totally confused. Frankly, I didn't have much
fun.But, I fought through it, learned from my mistakes, got some great
advice, and now I enjoy every weekend at the track. I strongly
suggest you give racing a chance. I think it's the best way to
enjoy your RC cars hobby.J.P. Turner, is the author of "The RC Insider's Unfair Advantage Radio Controlled Car Secrets Guide", at http://www.rccarsecretsguide.com and also runs an RC blog, RC Smackdown, at http://www.rcsmackdown.comThis article may be reproduced in its entirety only if unaltered and the resource box is included.
Book Review for The Margaret Ellen, A Karen Cobia Mystery by RC Burdick – Book-Reviews
Book Review for The Margaret Ellen, A Karen Cobia Mystery by RC Burdick
I've discovered a new favorite author, and his name is RC Burdick.The Margaret Ellen is an ocean-drenched mystery, filled with vibrant characters, palpable sea breezes, and spine-tingling suspense. It's a story that lingers in the reader's mind for days, conjuring up images of blustery sky and sea, saltwater-dampened hair, and personalities that spring to life from the rapidly turned pages. Like a great film, it's over far too soon.Karen "Seaweed" Cobia is in a dilemma. Treading water in unsatisfactory relationships, Seaweed knows something has to change. As the charming, boyish charter boat captain sets out to right the wrongs in her life, she finds herself smack dab in the middle of a juicy murder investigation.Seaweed and soon-to-be-ex boyfriend, Angus Loman, discover a body bobbing in the surf off Hangman's Key, an island on the west coast of Florida. Eva Park, local well-known philanthropist, is found face down in the surf with her hands and feet bound and a bullet in her forehead. Because Seaweed was raised by her sea-loving father, owner of Cobia's Bait, Tackle, and Charter Service, her resultant marine expertise aids in the murder investigation. The crusty local detective, Myers, begrudgingly accepts her assistance. Nicknamed "Grim Lips," Myers continues to seek out Karen's help as his regard for her skill intensifies.As the mystery unfolds, a peculiar woman approaches Seaweed for help, embroiling her more deeply in the intrigue. Seaweed tries to balance the life she craves on the ocean with the promise to help the young woman, but instead is catapulted toward a dangerous liaison with the devious culprit who wants her dead.Mr. Burdick's first mystery is a masterpiece ? the sense of place is alive and tantalizing; the scenes are vibrant and tangible. I still taste the salt from the onion rings; feel the condensation on the caf