Aeromodelismo

Model Airplane Secrets

Basic to Advanced Strategies On Model Building
By: Bruce Bird

© 2005 Bravos Direct

www.authenticmodelairplanes.com

1

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
The Joy of Flight In The Beginning….

GETTING STARTED
Cost Trainer RC Engines Power, Speed, and Distance Adhesives Field Equipment Tools Those “Oh dear!...” moments

TYPES OF AIRPLANES
Static AirplanesFlying Models Kits Versus Pre-built More Acronyms: Free Flight and Control Line Gliders and Sailplanes Toy Planes Radio-Controlled Glow and Gasoline Fueled Radio-Controlled

TECHNICAL ELEMENTS OF RADIO CONTROL
Transmitter Receiver Servo Buddy Box

Frequency

MODEL PLANE ANATOMY
Aileron Elevator Engine Flap Fuselage Glow Plug Horizontal Stabilizer Landing Gear Propeller Pushrods Servo TailVertical Stabilizer

IN FOCUS: MODEL AIRPLANE ENGINES
Types of Engines How to Choose

AERODYNAMICS - THE BASICS
General Airfoil Dihedral Landing Gear Location Wing Specs (Area, Loading, Lift, and Thickness)

FLYING
Pre-flight Getting Airborne Above and Beyond Field Safety
© 2005 Bravos Direct www.authenticmodelairplanes.com

3

Final Tips

10 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS HAPPY LANDINGS!© 2005 Bravos Direct

www.authenticmodelairplanes.com

4

INTRODUCTION

The Joy of Flight
You’ve always had that dream. You know the one, you take a step and all of a sudden you’re soaring above the clouds. Ever since childhood, the mysteries of the deep blue sky above have attracted you. You wanted to be an astronaut, a pilot, anything to get you up there, where you’d have limitlessfreedom to bank and turn and glide above the static world below. But, sadly, life got in the way of your flying dreams. Somehow, at some point, the line of people destined to become pilots diverged from your own. How and why this happened is a personal tale, but it doesn’t mean those dreams must be lost forever (and if you did end up becoming a professional flyer – well done!). Thousands of peopletake up flying each year, but they attend no courses, enter no cockpit, and don’t even visit an airport. Still they get the sensation of freedom, the command of controls, the satisfaction of a great landing on a blustery day. Welcome to the world of model airplanes. When most people think of model airplanes, they envision a nice tidy box with pieces to be put together like a puzzle, the final productbeing a cute little plane to set on a shelf to be admired but not touched. While this certainly describes one type of model airplane, it’s another category altogether that we’ll focus on in this book. We’ll discuss something that’s more a passion than just a simple hobby. The type of model airplanes in which we’re interested can have wingspans of up to 20 feet, can reach speeds up to 200 miles perhour, and can travel as far as the eye can see. These are serious planes for serious hobbyist.
© 2005 Bravos Direct www.authenticmodelairplanes.com

5

The great thing about model airplanes is that there is something for everyone. You can choose a simple plane, perfect for a child or novice flyer, or build one from the ground up and get involved in some serious competition. Prices for modelplanes vary from $30 for an offthe-shelf model to thousands of dollars for a one-of-a-kind creation. People of all ages can enjoy this exciting hobby. If you’re looking for something new and different, something exciting and fun, then model airplanes could very well be the answer. As you’ll discover in this book, there are hundreds upon hundreds of incredible models from which to choose, each withunique characteristics. Each with its own special thrill. Because of the hobby’s great diversity (and the wonder of flying), you’ll have a blast getting started and quickly become hooked! And this is a social pastime--there are many clubs where you can meet other model plane enthusiasts, plus get the opportunity to watch experts at work. Convinced? Well then, you’ve got a lot to learn. So sit...