Build and Fly an Indoor RC Model Airplane!
An indoor radio control model airplane is fun and affordable
King Rat RC model airplane design
Building a flying a model airplane is a hobby that can be enjoyed by everyone. You can benefit from a wide range of model airplanes, ranging from half size scale replicas to tiny indoor flyers that fit in the palm of your hand. But perhaps the most interesting development of the radio control model airplane lies with the new breed of micro ready to fly RC airplanes. For the first time the RC hobbyist can either build or purchase model airplanes that truly fly well in an indoor area to include a large living room. This is a remarkable development that has occurred only since 2005 or so.
Practical indoor RC models
Modelers have always strived to make and fly a practical indoor RC model airplane. RC pilots are dependent on the technology available to produce the light weight and diminutive electric motors and batteries for these indoor model airplanes. Fortunately, rapid advances in computer technology that apply CAD design techniques to the preparation and production of a micro RC model airplane linked up with a revolution in truly miniature electronics to allow the first generation of indoor radio control model airplanes. The E-flite Extra 300 is another great example of just how far indoor RC model airplane design has come.
Slowpoke RC model airplane on skis
Flying normal sized, two to three pound radio control model airplanes has typically been the focus of the RC hobby. However, you have two requirements to fly these gas powered RC airplanes - a flying field far enough from neighbors that can accommodate the noise of the gas engines, and suitable flying weather. For over 50 years, the vast majority of RC model airplane flight was done in the late spring to early fall, when the weather was warm enough to stay outdoors. A few hardy souls flew their model airplanes during the winter, but this was not a common practice. As a general rule, from late October to early April people did not fly RC model airplanes due to the cold weather. Over the long winter season RC pilots refurbished their existing model airplane fleet and built new aircraft for the following year’s flying season.
With indoor flying, this schedule of model airplane flight has changed forever. Pilots can purchase a complete, ready to fly micro indoor RC model aircraft for well under $100 from a variety of vendors. These combos come complete with a transmitter, an airplane with all electronics installed, flight battery and charger. ParkZone is a leader in this new area of RC flying. Now the only requirement to enjoy RC model airplane flight over the long winter months is locating a suitable indoor flight facility. By using an indoor RC flight venue, modelers do not have to worry about the wind or weather, and can fly from early morning to late at night.
Spektrum DX6i Bind-N-Fly transmitter
Bind-N-Fly technology
Technology has made other positive impacts to indoor model airplane fight. The introduction of Bind and Fly (sometimes referred to as Bind-N-Fly) allows one transmitter to be used for multiple RC aircraft. Spektrum is a leader in Bind-N-Fly technology. The Spektrum DX6i transmitter is a perfect example of affordable advanced technology being made available to lower the costs of flying an indoor RC model airplane. The DX6i can be “bound,” or electronically connected to a specific receiver in your RC model airplane fleet. The binding procedures vary with different receivers, but are simple to accomplish.
Once an RC transmitter and receiver are bound, the receiver will accept control inputs from only that specific transmitter. The advantages are obvious. An RC pilot can become completely familiar and comfortable with a specific radio control transmitter, to include the software programming menus. You will become at ease with the feel of the transmitter for controlling your various RC models. Also, there is no need to bring a transmitter for each individual model airplane to your flying site.
Fokker Triplane RC model airplane
The cost savings with using a Bind-N-Fly transmitter are considerable. When you see a new indoor RC model airplane kit that you would like to add to your collection, all you need to do is purchase the model airplane. There is no need to purchase a new transmitter dedicated to this airplane’s receiver.
Of course, with the older radios on 72 MHz, you could have multiple aircraft RC flight packs for a single transmitter. But the key advantage of Bind-N-Fly is that all Bind-N-Fly transmitters operate on the interference free 2.4 GHz frequency spectrum. The transmitter can retain multiple model trim and control input settings in the computer’s memory. Check out further information on the Spektrum DX6i Bind-N-Fly transmitter here. You cannot go wrong with this advanced, easy to use and affordable piece of RC hardware.