Micro Planes Open New Worlds for RC Flight
Ready to fly micro planes are ideal for indoor RC flight
Practical radio control model aircraft have been available since the early 1960s. The size and weight of early RC control systems, combined with gas engines being the only practical power source for these heavier aircraft, relegated just about all RC aircraft modeling activities to outdoors flight.
Tiny two channel Plantraco RC model Spitfire - see more of these types at the E-Fest show
Fly indoors anywhere
Since around 2007, the advent of practical, inexpensive and truly ready to fly micro planes has revolutionized the ability of modelers to easily fly indoors anywhere. RTF helicopters, such as the Pocket Copter, are part of this light weight fleet. There is no precise definition of a micro RC plane. But as a general rule, these are small radio control model aircraft that weigh under two ounces and have wingspans less than 15 inches. Just about the universal building material is some form of foam, due to its strength and light weight. Another nice feature of these small two and three channel models is the lack of ailerons, thus no concerns over adverse yaw.
The true enabling technology for practical micro planes is the incredibly small and lightweight electronics available today. Micro plane designers have managed to include tiny lipo batteries, an electronic speed control and servos into a single electronics brick. The micro plane modeler oftentimes will not be able to even view the electronics, as the RC control systems will be buried somewhere within the aircraft foam structure.
Using ParkZone electronics, it is now very easy to build your own indoor RC micro plane. The Finch is a great starter for this work. Download a set of full size free model airplane plans and give this fun flyer a try.
RTF micro plane and two channel transmitter
Precise design requirements
The aerodynamic design requirements for any micro plane are precise and specific to that design, such as the E-flite Extra 300 3D flyer. This is the main reason for the lack of practical plans or kit built micro RC planes before the current crop of RTF versions. There was just too much precision required in airfoil shape, light weight construction techniques and exact placement of control surfaces to allow widespread success with RC model kits or plans for the average modeler. In addition, the availability of true micro electronics was still a ways into the future.
The vast majority of RTF micro RC planes fly very well. Micro plane manufacturers use a variety of techniques to keep costs low. Many micro RC planes will use just two channels for flight control. A throttle function will always be present, and this is fairly easy to do with the built in electronic speed control. The next required control function is a rudder for turns.
You will find that just throttle and rudder inputs provide a surprising degree of control for these micro flyer planes. The micro models are small and lightweight enough that their airspeeds make any control input easy to monitor, thus quickly building confidence for the beginning aviator. Altitude can be controlled via the throttle, and the rudder will head the micro plane in the right direction for controlled flight.
The Air Hogs Pocket Copter is the world's smallest RC helicopter
You can obtain three channel fully proportional controls in a micro plane, such as with the ParkZone Ember or Cessna 210. The third channel allows for the use of elevator, for a wider airspeed range than with a two channel configuration. Full four channel control, incorporating ailerons, can be found on the more advanced micro planes such as the E-Flite 4 Site aerobatic model airplane.
Micro models are a diverse group
The innovation incorporated across the wide variety of micro planes is really quite amazing. Micro RTF helicopters are a part of this family, see reviews here. You can discover pusher configurations, scale aircraft, and even micro planes with no moveable control surfaces as with the Air Hogs Aero Ace. The Aero Ace uses two pusher propellers employing differential thrust to effect turns. The built in throttle will permit the Aero Ace to climb or descend. This type of control arrangement requires a bit of understanding of aeronautics. For example, when the two electric motors quit as the in flight battery gets low, the Aero Ace lacks any control function (as there are no control surfaces) and will just fall to the ground. Not a big deal with its lightweight foam construction, but something different and all part of the fun with this entirely new breed of micro RC plane.
Aero Ace is a classic RTF micro RC airplane
Rapid product cycles
One item to keep in mind with these micro planes is the rapid product development cycle. A micro plane can literally be planned, produced and brought to market in a matter of several months. If you see a micro plane you like, go ahead and buy it. There is no guarantee that it will be available two or three months later. And with some of these models costing less than $30, you really cannot go wrong.
In short, micro planes are a fun, easy and inexpensive way to fly a wide variety of RC aircraft at your local indoor flight facility. These well designed and innovative micro flyers add a great dimension to your RC flight experience.