Model Aircraft Tips Speed Your Latest Model Project
Model aircraft tips for scratch and plan builders
ParkZone Cessna 210 ready to fly right out of the box
The rapid proliferation of high quality and affordable ready to fly RC model aircraft has transformed the hobby. An aspiring RC pilot can purchase a micro RC model and be flying within minutes of opening the box. This is a remarkable development, and everyone should be thankful that we have this option. Not too long ago RC modelers were limited to flying only the airplane models they had the time and skill to build.
Build from a kit or plan
Building a model airplane from a kit or plans is still a great way to enjoy the hobby. Model aircraft tips are an integral part for this aspect of the hobby. There are so many new and innovative model aircraft building materials and methods these days that knowledge of model aircraft building tips is essential. These insights can be used for building any RC model, and are not limited to indoor flyers.
Desk used for RC model building area
The first model aircraft tip is to ensure you have a suitable work area to build your RC model aircraft. Some of us have the luxury of a workshop in a basement or a garage. Others have to make do with temporary arrangements in a smaller living area. The size or location of your workshop does not matter, but rather that you have a game plan for a place in which to work, to include a storage area for your tools and supplies.
Building in a small work area
In my case, I live in a condo without a dedicated space for a workshop. I have a 30 inch Guillow wood building board that fits nicely on my desk. All my RC model plane components, as they are being constructed, need to fit on this building board. The same consideration goes for the RC aircraft I design, such as the Blackburn monoplane and the Finch. This is simply a good example of having a known work space, planning ahead, and staying within limitations.
Demoiselle illustrated assembly manual - see Silkspan covering methods here
When you build a model airplane from a kit there is usually some sort of instruction manual. The model aircraft tip is to fully study any building instructions prior to the start of construction. And if there are no specific instructions, as is often the case with a set of model airplane plans, work out a sequence of steps for your building. The old adage of “measure twice and cut once” can save a great deal of time as you work to understand the full course of work the lies ahead of you when you build a model plane from a set of plans.
Prepare a kit
Once you have determined your build plan, the next tip is to ensure you have all the materials needed to finish the airplane. The goal is to avoid interruptions in the build process. Check that you have all the wood, music wire, glue and covering items readily available in your workshop. Once you start on the model construction process, you want to be able to finish that particular task without interruption.
Desk and Guillow's building board work area
Once you have the building instructions understood and all materials in place, next make a “kit” of the model airplane. With a standard kit, most of the model’s parts and pieces are likely already laser cut from the included balsa or plywood. If building from a set of plans, the model aircraft tip is to cut out all the parts before the start of any construction. You will be surprised at just how much this step will aid in the speedy completion of your model.
The final model aircraft tip continues with the theme of planning ahead. Once you have all the elements of your model airplane build process in place, schedule time to actually build the airplane. This may sound obvious, but it is surprising the demands on everyone’s time these days. You should devote some amount of model aircraft construction time every day, even if only 15 minutes. Remember, a job begun is half done. Even 15 minutes spent on building a portion of one wing means you are 15 minutes closer to your model being completed and heading for that first test flight.