All About Hovercraft RC
(Some links open new windows)
Hovercraft RC
are also sometimes called Air Cushion Vehicles or ACV. They can fliy like a plane but can float like a boat and can drive on land like a car all the while traversing ditches and small gullies. A thrust propeller pushes the craft forward on its bubble' of air. Rudders, like on an airplane, steer the direction of the craft.
This all applies to remote control hovercraft as well as the real thing. Needless to say, it's a unique method of transportation and an exciting hobby too!
The idea for a hovercraft is attributed to Christopher Cockerell (later knighted Sir Christopher for inventing the Hovercraft) when he was working with small boats.
Today they are used for many applications where people or equipment need to travel at high speed over water but be able to load and unload on land.
The hovercraft RC engine provides the power to drive large fans that blow air under the craft and the air is trapped by a rubber skirt that enables it to travel over a wide range of terrain.
Hovercraft RC, or remote control hovercraft have, until recently, been built by a small group of keen modelers but lately the hobby has become much more popular.
Model hovercraft, like many other RC models such as boats, airplanes, cars and helicopters, offer some problems in terms of scaling and operation when reduced from their full operating size.
The general operating principles remain the same but some modifications in the skirt arrangement are needed to make a successful remote control hovercraft replica of the original.
With hovercraft RC, the size of objects encountered on land and the wave size on water are two major problems when scaling model hovercraft. With gas engine driven craft there is also the added problems of water spray and dust, which will choke an engine and cause many running problems. The water poses a similar problem for electric powered remote control hovercraft.
Single engine hovercraft RC use one engine to provide thrust and lift for the craft with the air being split into two flows. About 30% of the air is used under the craft for lift and the rest of the air exits the rear of the craft over a rudder and provides thrust.
This creates simple model hovercrafts with the advantage that they can be controlled from a low cost 2-channel radio control system.
Twin engine model hovercrafts provide one engine for lift and one for thrust. The engines can operate independently and therefore require at least a 3-channel radio system.
The lift motor can be set using one throttle setting and the thrust controlled independently from another radio control channel. This type of hovercraft RC model generally provides better performance in terms of the height it can hover and the speed it can achieve.
We hope you find this information interesting and above all helpful while you research the exciting and unique hobby of hovercraft RC.
Sep 23, 2008
RC Flight Simulator
RC Flight Simulator Reviews
(All links open new windows)
An
RC flight simulator
is a very good learning tool for any RC pilot. Advances in personal computers and microprocessors have enabled these simulators to present a very high degree of realism on the computer screen. Although not a total replacement for in-the-field RC training, virtual training in the comfort of home can help teach you, the student pilot, the eye hand coordination required for successful radio control flying.
Because of this practice at home, when you go to the flying field and have a radio in your hands, you will react more quickly. Faster response time means more time to correct for pilot errors and fewer crashes. And when you're able to keep your airplanes and helis in the air instead of nosing into the earth, you'll save yourself a lot of money in repairs. Of course, another advantage of an RC flight simulator is that it extends the flying season for those of us who live in cooler climates...like Canada eh!
Most sims offer a choice of flying environments, so you can fly from a typical flying field to a pylon racetrack, or anywhere in between. Also, you can adjust the weather such as wind direction, crosswind velocity and gusts and even experiment with different motor and battery combinations to make the flight simulation as easy or as difficult as you like. Most RC flight simulator programs also include a few helicopter models.
My personal favorite is the Real Planes G3 Simulator because of it's incredible realism and many great features but some may find it too expensive.
Now if you're mostly into park flyers, then I know you'll be very happy with "Backyard Edition", but for the RC flyer who's really on a tight budget, I've even included a link to a very popular FREE sim called "Pre-Flight". So now it's time to "take off" with one of these excellent software programs today!
Pre-Flight FREE Sim Download
Backyard Edition RC Flight Simulator
(All links open new windows)
An
RC flight simulator
is a very good learning tool for any RC pilot. Advances in personal computers and microprocessors have enabled these simulators to present a very high degree of realism on the computer screen. Although not a total replacement for in-the-field RC training, virtual training in the comfort of home can help teach you, the student pilot, the eye hand coordination required for successful radio control flying.
Because of this practice at home, when you go to the flying field and have a radio in your hands, you will react more quickly. Faster response time means more time to correct for pilot errors and fewer crashes. And when you're able to keep your airplanes and helis in the air instead of nosing into the earth, you'll save yourself a lot of money in repairs. Of course, another advantage of an RC flight simulator is that it extends the flying season for those of us who live in cooler climates...like Canada eh!
Most sims offer a choice of flying environments, so you can fly from a typical flying field to a pylon racetrack, or anywhere in between. Also, you can adjust the weather such as wind direction, crosswind velocity and gusts and even experiment with different motor and battery combinations to make the flight simulation as easy or as difficult as you like. Most RC flight simulator programs also include a few helicopter models.
My personal favorite is the Real Planes G3 Simulator because of it's incredible realism and many great features but some may find it too expensive.
Now if you're mostly into park flyers, then I know you'll be very happy with "Backyard Edition", but for the RC flyer who's really on a tight budget, I've even included a link to a very popular FREE sim called "Pre-Flight". So now it's time to "take off" with one of these excellent software programs today!
Pre-Flight FREE Sim Download
Backyard Edition RC Flight Simulator
Hovercraft RC Introduction
All About Hovercraft RC
(Some links open new windows)
Hovercraft RC
are also sometimes called Air Cushion Vehicles or ACV. They can fliy like a plane but can float like a boat and can drive on land like a car all the while traversing ditches and small gullies. A thrust propeller pushes the craft forward on its bubble' of air. Rudders, like on an airplane, steer the direction of the craft.
This all applies to remote control hovercraft as well as the real thing. Needless to say, it's a unique method of transportation and an exciting hobby too!
The idea for a hovercraft is attributed to Christopher Cockerell (later knighted Sir Christopher for inventing the Hovercraft) when he was working with small boats.
Today they are used for many applications where people or equipment need to travel at high speed over water but be able to load and unload on land.
The hovercraft RC engine provides the power to drive large fans that blow air under the craft and the air is trapped by a rubber skirt that enables it to travel over a wide range of terrain.
Hovercraft RC, or remote control hovercraft have, until recently, been built by a small group of keen modelers but lately the hobby has become much more popular.
Model hovercraft, like many other RC models such as boats, airplanes, cars and helicopters, offer some problems in terms of scaling and operation when reduced from their full operating size.
The general operating principles remain the same but some modifications in the skirt arrangement are needed to make a successful remote control hovercraft replica of the original.
With hovercraft RC, the size of objects encountered on land and the wave size on water are two major problems when scaling model hovercraft. With gas engine driven craft there is also the added problems of water spray and dust, which will choke an engine and cause many running problems. The water poses a similar problem for electric powered remote control hovercraft.
Single engine hovercraft RC use one engine to provide thrust and lift for the craft with the air being split into two flows. About 30% of the air is used under the craft for lift and the rest of the air exits the rear of the craft over a rudder and provides thrust.
This creates simple model hovercrafts with the advantage that they can be controlled from a low cost 2-channel radio control system.
Twin engine model hovercrafts provide one engine for lift and one for thrust. The engines can operate independently and therefore require at least a 3-channel radio system.
The lift motor can be set using one throttle setting and the thrust controlled independently from another radio control channel. This type of hovercraft RC model generally provides better performance in terms of the height it can hover and the speed it can achieve.
We hope you find this information interesting and above all helpful while you research the exciting and unique hobby of hovercraft RC.
(Some links open new windows)
Hovercraft RC
are also sometimes called Air Cushion Vehicles or ACV. They can fliy like a plane but can float like a boat and can drive on land like a car all the while traversing ditches and small gullies. A thrust propeller pushes the craft forward on its bubble' of air. Rudders, like on an airplane, steer the direction of the craft.
This all applies to remote control hovercraft as well as the real thing. Needless to say, it's a unique method of transportation and an exciting hobby too!
The idea for a hovercraft is attributed to Christopher Cockerell (later knighted Sir Christopher for inventing the Hovercraft) when he was working with small boats.
Today they are used for many applications where people or equipment need to travel at high speed over water but be able to load and unload on land.
The hovercraft RC engine provides the power to drive large fans that blow air under the craft and the air is trapped by a rubber skirt that enables it to travel over a wide range of terrain.
Hovercraft RC, or remote control hovercraft have, until recently, been built by a small group of keen modelers but lately the hobby has become much more popular.
Model hovercraft, like many other RC models such as boats, airplanes, cars and helicopters, offer some problems in terms of scaling and operation when reduced from their full operating size.
The general operating principles remain the same but some modifications in the skirt arrangement are needed to make a successful remote control hovercraft replica of the original.
With hovercraft RC, the size of objects encountered on land and the wave size on water are two major problems when scaling model hovercraft. With gas engine driven craft there is also the added problems of water spray and dust, which will choke an engine and cause many running problems. The water poses a similar problem for electric powered remote control hovercraft.
Single engine hovercraft RC use one engine to provide thrust and lift for the craft with the air being split into two flows. About 30% of the air is used under the craft for lift and the rest of the air exits the rear of the craft over a rudder and provides thrust.
This creates simple model hovercrafts with the advantage that they can be controlled from a low cost 2-channel radio control system.
Twin engine model hovercrafts provide one engine for lift and one for thrust. The engines can operate independently and therefore require at least a 3-channel radio system.
The lift motor can be set using one throttle setting and the thrust controlled independently from another radio control channel. This type of hovercraft RC model generally provides better performance in terms of the height it can hover and the speed it can achieve.
We hope you find this information interesting and above all helpful while you research the exciting and unique hobby of hovercraft RC.
Hovercraft RC Introduction
All About Hovercraft RC
(Some links open new windows)
Hovercraft RC
are also sometimes called Air Cushion Vehicles or ACV. They can fliy like a plane but can float like a boat and can drive on land like a car all the while traversing ditches and small gullies. A thrust propeller pushes the craft forward on its bubble' of air. Rudders, like on an airplane, steer the direction of the craft.
This all applies to remote control hovercraft as well as the real thing. Needless to say, it's a unique method of transportation and an exciting hobby too!
The idea for a hovercraft is attributed to Christopher Cockerell (later knighted Sir Christopher for inventing the Hovercraft) when he was working with small boats.
Today they are used for many applications where people or equipment need to travel at high speed over water but be able to load and unload on land.
The hovercraft RC engine provides the power to drive large fans that blow air under the craft and the air is trapped by a rubber skirt that enables it to travel over a wide range of terrain.
Hovercraft RC, or remote control hovercraft have, until recently, been built by a small group of keen modelers but lately the hobby has become much more popular.
Model hovercraft, like many other RC models such as boats, airplanes, cars and helicopters, offer some problems in terms of scaling and operation when reduced from their full operating size.
The general operating principles remain the same but some modifications in the skirt arrangement are needed to make a successful remote control hovercraft replica of the original.
With hovercraft RC, the size of objects encountered on land and the wave size on water are two major problems when scaling model hovercraft. With gas engine driven craft there is also the added problems of water spray and dust, which will choke an engine and cause many running problems. The water poses a similar problem for electric powered remote control hovercraft.
Single engine hovercraft RC use one engine to provide thrust and lift for the craft with the air being split into two flows. About 30% of the air is used under the craft for lift and the rest of the air exits the rear of the craft over a rudder and provides thrust.
This creates simple model hovercrafts with the advantage that they can be controlled from a low cost 2-channel radio control system.
Twin engine model hovercrafts provide one engine for lift and one for thrust. The engines can operate independently and therefore require at least a 3-channel radio system.
The lift motor can be set using one throttle setting and the thrust controlled independently from another radio control channel. This type of hovercraft RC model generally provides better performance in terms of the height it can hover and the speed it can achieve.
We hope you find this information interesting and above all helpful while you research the exciting and unique hobby of hovercraft RC.
(Some links open new windows)
Hovercraft RC
are also sometimes called Air Cushion Vehicles or ACV. They can fliy like a plane but can float like a boat and can drive on land like a car all the while traversing ditches and small gullies. A thrust propeller pushes the craft forward on its bubble' of air. Rudders, like on an airplane, steer the direction of the craft.
This all applies to remote control hovercraft as well as the real thing. Needless to say, it's a unique method of transportation and an exciting hobby too!
The idea for a hovercraft is attributed to Christopher Cockerell (later knighted Sir Christopher for inventing the Hovercraft) when he was working with small boats.
Today they are used for many applications where people or equipment need to travel at high speed over water but be able to load and unload on land.
The hovercraft RC engine provides the power to drive large fans that blow air under the craft and the air is trapped by a rubber skirt that enables it to travel over a wide range of terrain.
Hovercraft RC, or remote control hovercraft have, until recently, been built by a small group of keen modelers but lately the hobby has become much more popular.
Model hovercraft, like many other RC models such as boats, airplanes, cars and helicopters, offer some problems in terms of scaling and operation when reduced from their full operating size.
The general operating principles remain the same but some modifications in the skirt arrangement are needed to make a successful remote control hovercraft replica of the original.
With hovercraft RC, the size of objects encountered on land and the wave size on water are two major problems when scaling model hovercraft. With gas engine driven craft there is also the added problems of water spray and dust, which will choke an engine and cause many running problems. The water poses a similar problem for electric powered remote control hovercraft.
Single engine hovercraft RC use one engine to provide thrust and lift for the craft with the air being split into two flows. About 30% of the air is used under the craft for lift and the rest of the air exits the rear of the craft over a rudder and provides thrust.
This creates simple model hovercrafts with the advantage that they can be controlled from a low cost 2-channel radio control system.
Twin engine model hovercrafts provide one engine for lift and one for thrust. The engines can operate independently and therefore require at least a 3-channel radio system.
The lift motor can be set using one throttle setting and the thrust controlled independently from another radio control channel. This type of hovercraft RC model generally provides better performance in terms of the height it can hover and the speed it can achieve.
We hope you find this information interesting and above all helpful while you research the exciting and unique hobby of hovercraft RC.
Sep 8, 2008
Aug 22, 2008
Electric radio control airplane information
Fly an electric radio control airplane today
One
electric radio control airplane
is the E-Flite Super Airliner in which two fan units and motors are included. This particular model flies around at 2/3 throttle and the speed grows at a phenomenal rate when you increase the throttle. It is quite large with a 55" wingspan and weighing in at 3.25 pounds (1.5 KG) With exceptional slow speed handling combined with high speed passes, it looks and sounds just like the real thing! Definitely not for beginners but once you've had some aileron experience you should be ready for it. For convenience, the wings are detachable for transport. Another electric radio control airplane is the
P-51 Mustang RTF
by Parkzone. Ready to fly when you open the box, it too has removable wings for transportation and storage purposes. The wings are semi-symmetrical as is the elevator which allows it to fly equally well inverted. Take off from the ground or a hand launch is very simple by means of an easy grip area under the wing. Through the Telemaster Electro ARF plane, plenty of modelers have tasted their initial triumphant flying experience. With this unit, the motor mount is installed, the access hatch for the battery is built and the magnetic latch pre-installed. The excellent photo-illustrated instructions show step-by-step how the model is assembled, including the addition of optional flaps.The Easy Star ARF electric radio control airplane is perfect for beginners because of it's very stable flight characteristics. This model might be placed somewhere between a sailplane and a sports plane and it's a pleasure to hand launch and fly it. Made of resilient and repairable foam it provides beginners a safe ride and the prop folds back so that landings won't break it. The Hydro Plane combines the looks of a hydroplane racing boat with the performance of an aerobatic airplane. It's flight character is smooth with a high roll rate and broad speed range. The model is intended for pilots with enough flying skill to handle ailerons. So, if you can fly a 3D foamie, you can fly this as well. It comes unpainted to use your imagination or with several color schemes and decals.As you can see, there is an electric radio control airplane for anybody, from young to old, newbie to pro...enjoy!
One
electric radio control airplane
is the E-Flite Super Airliner in which two fan units and motors are included. This particular model flies around at 2/3 throttle and the speed grows at a phenomenal rate when you increase the throttle. It is quite large with a 55" wingspan and weighing in at 3.25 pounds (1.5 KG) With exceptional slow speed handling combined with high speed passes, it looks and sounds just like the real thing! Definitely not for beginners but once you've had some aileron experience you should be ready for it. For convenience, the wings are detachable for transport. Another electric radio control airplane is the
P-51 Mustang RTF
by Parkzone. Ready to fly when you open the box, it too has removable wings for transportation and storage purposes. The wings are semi-symmetrical as is the elevator which allows it to fly equally well inverted. Take off from the ground or a hand launch is very simple by means of an easy grip area under the wing. Through the Telemaster Electro ARF plane, plenty of modelers have tasted their initial triumphant flying experience. With this unit, the motor mount is installed, the access hatch for the battery is built and the magnetic latch pre-installed. The excellent photo-illustrated instructions show step-by-step how the model is assembled, including the addition of optional flaps.The Easy Star ARF electric radio control airplane is perfect for beginners because of it's very stable flight characteristics. This model might be placed somewhere between a sailplane and a sports plane and it's a pleasure to hand launch and fly it. Made of resilient and repairable foam it provides beginners a safe ride and the prop folds back so that landings won't break it. The Hydro Plane combines the looks of a hydroplane racing boat with the performance of an aerobatic airplane. It's flight character is smooth with a high roll rate and broad speed range. The model is intended for pilots with enough flying skill to handle ailerons. So, if you can fly a 3D foamie, you can fly this as well. It comes unpainted to use your imagination or with several color schemes and decals.As you can see, there is an electric radio control airplane for anybody, from young to old, newbie to pro...enjoy!
Aug 21, 2008
Radio control submarines info
All About Radio Control Submarines
(All links open new windows)
The RC Super Explorer is a fine example of the various
radio control submarines
available today. She's a great looking, ready-to-run unit that will give you hours of fun. Another model to consider is the
Mini Ocean Explorer
submarine which more like a toy but is still a great model to start with.
Now, if instead of purchasing a complete submarine package like those above, you decide to put your sweat and tears into building your own model, you'll want to pick a radio system and components that will give your submarine life and bring it safely home.
How do you choose the right
radio control system
to navigate this new addition to your R/C family?
The first thing to take into consideration when choosing your system is that radio control submarines can be static divers or dynamic divers.
Whats the difference?
Dynamic divers use an angle on the diving plane to direct themselves downward as they use their momentum to actually dive in the water. The dive will last as long as the forward motion is sustained. Once the force applied by the motor is removed by shutting it off, these radio control submarines will float back to the surface.
Static divers use forward motion in addition to their weight to dive down into the water. Ballasts, or small compartments, fill with water to increase the weight of these radio control submarines. Increasing the weight in turn decreases the buoyancy and means less power must be utilized in the actual dive. Also, once the motor is shut off on a static diver the position the submarine takes in the water will depend on how much water it has taken into the ballasts.
The main point is that static divers, because of the action of filling and emptying the ballasts, require an extra channel on the radio control transmitter. Dynamic diving submarines need a control with 3 channels: one for the rudder, one for diving planes, and one for speed control. Static diving R/C submarines require a fourth channel to control the ballast tanks.
When choosing your radio control, remember that these are the minimum channels necessary for radio control submarines. Each extra accessory on your sub that requires control will require an additional channel.
In addition to the transmitter, radio control submarines need to be equipped with a receiver that handles all of the channels you need to control your sub.
Often these receivers come as a package with the transmitter to insure that they are the same frequency. If you buy them separately, make sure you match the frequency or you and your sub wont be able to communicate.
Once you have the transmitter and receiver figured out, there is another component to consider for controlling radio control submarines. This is the fail safe. While this component is listed as optional on a sub, unless you always operate your sub in a pool this device could mean the difference in whether your submarine makes it home or not.
Fail safe devices detect low power, signal loss, interference, undesirable pressure, and other things that may have a negative effect on your submarine adventure. When one of these occurs the fail safe returns the submarine servos to a preset state. This is especially important in static divers because the fail safe can tell the ballasts to empty even if you have lost control of the sub.
This will cause radio control submarines to surface and make your fail safe worth the investment.
Happy diving!
(All links open new windows)
The RC Super Explorer is a fine example of the various
radio control submarines
available today. She's a great looking, ready-to-run unit that will give you hours of fun. Another model to consider is the
Mini Ocean Explorer
submarine which more like a toy but is still a great model to start with.
Now, if instead of purchasing a complete submarine package like those above, you decide to put your sweat and tears into building your own model, you'll want to pick a radio system and components that will give your submarine life and bring it safely home.
How do you choose the right
radio control system
to navigate this new addition to your R/C family?
The first thing to take into consideration when choosing your system is that radio control submarines can be static divers or dynamic divers.
Whats the difference?
Dynamic divers use an angle on the diving plane to direct themselves downward as they use their momentum to actually dive in the water. The dive will last as long as the forward motion is sustained. Once the force applied by the motor is removed by shutting it off, these radio control submarines will float back to the surface.
Static divers use forward motion in addition to their weight to dive down into the water. Ballasts, or small compartments, fill with water to increase the weight of these radio control submarines. Increasing the weight in turn decreases the buoyancy and means less power must be utilized in the actual dive. Also, once the motor is shut off on a static diver the position the submarine takes in the water will depend on how much water it has taken into the ballasts.
The main point is that static divers, because of the action of filling and emptying the ballasts, require an extra channel on the radio control transmitter. Dynamic diving submarines need a control with 3 channels: one for the rudder, one for diving planes, and one for speed control. Static diving R/C submarines require a fourth channel to control the ballast tanks.
When choosing your radio control, remember that these are the minimum channels necessary for radio control submarines. Each extra accessory on your sub that requires control will require an additional channel.
In addition to the transmitter, radio control submarines need to be equipped with a receiver that handles all of the channels you need to control your sub.
Often these receivers come as a package with the transmitter to insure that they are the same frequency. If you buy them separately, make sure you match the frequency or you and your sub wont be able to communicate.
Once you have the transmitter and receiver figured out, there is another component to consider for controlling radio control submarines. This is the fail safe. While this component is listed as optional on a sub, unless you always operate your sub in a pool this device could mean the difference in whether your submarine makes it home or not.
Fail safe devices detect low power, signal loss, interference, undesirable pressure, and other things that may have a negative effect on your submarine adventure. When one of these occurs the fail safe returns the submarine servos to a preset state. This is especially important in static divers because the fail safe can tell the ballasts to empty even if you have lost control of the sub.
This will cause radio control submarines to surface and make your fail safe worth the investment.
Happy diving!
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