Seldom has a long-established hobby been transformed more than radio controlled model aircraft flying has been with the development of light-weight, inexpensive electric power systems. After decades of dominance by glow and gas powered internal combustion engines, the hottest thing in RC flying today is electric powered model aircraft.Energy dense lithium polymer batteries, powerful brushless electric motors and the digital devices that control them have taken the radio control hobby by storm. With them has come a veritable tsunami of molded foam models of nearly every type of airplane imaginable. Warbirds like the P-51 Mustang, aerobatic aircraft like the Edge 540 and a variety of trainers similar to the Cessna 172 fill the online marketplaces and the shelves of local hobby shops around the world. Traditional models, too, are being developed or converted to fly with electric power systems.These models have their own body of knowledge. Instead of tinkering with the needle valve settings of internal combustion engines, now modelers are computing watts, managing amps, determining volts and shopping for components that maximize power without exceeding the electronic limits of their model's components.RC Ground School provides you with the information you need to get started in the exciting hobby of model aviation. You'll get answers to these and other questions:What should I consider in choosing a model aircraft?What kind of transmitter should I consider?Should I go with a ready-to-fly kit or an almost-ready-to-fly model?What if I need to teach myself to fly?How can I find an instructor?How do I operate my model safely?How do electric models work? Come join the thousands of other modelers enjoying this fun and interesting hobby. RC Ground School is the perfect tool to help you get started.Already flying glow or gas airplanes? Thinking about converting to or adding an electric model to your hangar? The second half of the book is a deeper dive into what makes up an electric model's power system and what you'll need to know to convert that old friend to electric power or at least keep up with the conversations at the field.

Build and fly your very own model airplane design. Using clear explanations, you will learn about important design trade-offs and how to choose among them. The latest research and techniques are discussed using easy to understand language. You will discover: The special challenges faced by the smaller models and how to overcome them. How to choose the right material for each part of the airplane. Easy rules for selecting the right power system, gas or electric. When it makes sense to use one of the innovative KFm airfoils. Pros and cons of canard and multi-wing configurations. A step-by-step design process that includes goal setting and flight testing. In-depth discussions of important topics like airfoils and wing design. The sources of air drag and how to minimize their impact. ADVANCE PRAISE "This book is a joy to read! The writing style and wit add dimension in a way that is rarely found in today's reference materials. If someone has considered designing their own airplane and been put off because of complicated formulas, vocabulary and reference style that would bore even an engineer, this will convince them to go ahead and try it. Written with real people in mind and not engineers - and I mean that in a good way. This is a book that will reside along the other favorites on my bookshelf. Carlos really managed to produce a book that will last a long time and become one of the standards for modelers." - Greg Gimlick, Electrics columnist, Model Aviation magazine "RCAdvisor's Model Airplane Design Made Easy is the ultimate model airplane design book for both beginning and experienced modelers." - Richard Kline, Inventor, KFm airfoils "RCadvisor's Model Airplane Design Made Easy is a real contribution to the world's literature on the subject. It provides an excellent bridge between full scale aviation and aeromodeling, showing the relationship between the two, for better understanding of the differences and similarities which should be applied for good model performance. While thorough in detail, the book is also easily readable so that the information is simple to understand. It is a very good combination of theory and practical application. Nicely illustrated, the book is also full of common sense explanations and references to other sources of information." - John Worth, former President and Executive Director of the AMA "Carlos Reyes personably leads the reader through some basic aerodynamics, materials considerations, electric power system planning and a practical application of theory as it is applied to a finished flying model. The background history of various types of aircraft shows the development of aviation and how it relates to the models that we build and fly today, as well as how models have influenced general aviation. It is always exciting to find some 'new to me' concepts and theories, and there were several in this well-written narrative." - Ken Myers, Editor, Ampeer electric flight newsletter "No matter how long you've been aeromodelling, or what your interests are in our great hobby, the greatest thrill of all is standing behind a unique model that you've designed and built yourself, from a blank sheet of paper - or even a blank CAD file - and preparing to make that first take off. So sit yourself down in a comfy chair, read RCadvisor's Model Airplane Design Made Easy and set off on aeromodelling's greatest adventure. Let Carlos Reyes - an aeromodeller of long standing and great talent - take you through the mysteries of how to arrive at the point that every lover of model aircraft should experience." - Dereck Woodward, aeromodeller, designer and magazine writer for the past fifty years

Features over 100 great how-to building and finishing techniques along with step-by-step photos and illustrations. Includes CG locators, working with balsa, Nyrod installation, construction, tool ideas, and much more.

Looks at building basics, engines, propellers, takeoff and landing instructions, control systems and field equipment for beginners.

It's a lot easier to fly RC planes now than it used to be. There's been a revolution, thanks to the miniaturization and lower cost of tiny electronics and rechargeable batteries. These days you can buy a ready-to-fly plane, charge the battery, and be in the air within an hour. And that's part of the problem. Now it's so easy to get into the air, you can get there long before you're ready. Through trial and error, I've discovered which planes are the best for novice RC pilots. There are dozens of choices, but relatively few have earned a place in this book. I've purchased and flown all of the planes mentioned here (along with other planes that didn't make it into this book). My recommendations are based solely on how the planes perform, the quality of the materials, and the manufacturer's customer support.

Flite Test is all about helping people experience the wonder of flight. Following hundreds of videos online, this debut publication packs the absolute essentials of Radio Controlled aircraft into an easy-to-read yet detailed handbook. Want to learn how to fly? No problem. R/C Airplanes is designed to help you take your first steps in this hobby in the new age of advanced yet inexpensive electric model airplanes. Within this detailed guide, you'll learn all about:* choosing the right aircraft for you* The inner electronics of an R/C plane and radio control systems* The essential aerodynamics needed to understand flight* How to fly an R/C airplane from short hops to full flights* Tips for fixing and maintaining your R/C model