Piloto Ready to Fly Radio Control Plane
Tips and techniques on flying the Piloto radio control plane
Piloto radio control plane review page 1 page 2
Piloto easy radio control plane in flight
Flying the Piloto radio control plane
The Piloto electric RC plane could not be any simpler to fly. As noted in the instructions, ensure you have a large enough flying area for your first flights. The instructions recommend a 20 foot by 20 foot minimum area, but this is a bit small as far as I am concerned. Bigger is better for a flying space until you are comfortable with the Piloto radio control plane flight characteristics. The big item for whatever flight venue you use is to ensure there is no wind. The Piloto can be flown outdoors, but only under no wind conditions.
Piloto radio control plane and transmitter
It is always best to have a helper launch the Piloto radio control plane on its first flights. Instruct your assistant to grip the Piloto at the bottom of the fuselage; this is the natural holding location, and will keep fingers well clear of the propeller. Give a quick check of the left-right movement of the rudder control to ensure the rudder works and is not jammed or damaged before you signal to launch. Push the transmitter’s spring loaded throttle control to somewhere between the half and three quarters setting and gently toss the Piloto radio control plane into the air at a slight upward angle.
Piloto radio control plane climbing out after takeoff
After takeoff
The Piloto easy radio control plane will dip a bit in altitude until it builds up some airspeed; increase the throttle to keep from flying too low. The throttle controls the Piloto’s height (or altitude) with this two channel transmitter. As you add power the model will climb, and as you reduce power the model will descend. There will be one power setting, somewhere around ¾ throttle that will maintain level flight. Once you find this power setting, just keep the throttle there. Turns with the Piloto radio control plane are easy and instinctive with the rudder control stick. Orientation of the Piloto radio control plane may be a challenge until you get a few flights under your belt. Please see the “How to Fly RC” page for further tips and guidance on this important aspect of radio control plane flying. Be sure to use full rudder control for initial turns until you are fully comfortable with the Piloto’s flight characteristics. Plan ahead for your initial turn after takeoff so as not to fly into a wall. Fly the Piloto close enough to you such that you can easily see what the model is doing.
Piloto front view
The entire flight control arrangement of the Piloto radio control plane can be described as firm, gentle and balanced. The Piloto just does not have any bad flight habits. The Piloto flies slow enough for you to enjoy watching it maneuver, yet fast enough to keep the flights interesting. You can add full rudder input at any time, and there is no danger of the Piloto radio control plane banking into a spin or spiral. By the same token, the Piloto will not do abrupt “bat turns” with full rudder control inputs, so plan ahead a bit when approaching a wall or column in your flying area. In learning how to fly the Piloto, you will of course bump into the floor, ground or wall from time to time. This is no issue, as the pusher mounted motor and propeller, safely shielded by the carbon-fiber tail boom and foam wing, simply cannot get into any position to sustain contact damage.
Piloto top view
Keep the Piloto plane light!
There is an important point on flying the Piloto radio control plane, mentioned under the “Operating Tips” on the last page of the instruction manual. It says that you should not place any labels or stickers onto the Piloto, as these could interfere with its performance. This is a very good point. The total weight of a small indoor radio control plane such as the Piloto is critical. The Piloto is carefully designed to maximize the effect of its tiny electric motor for optimum flight performance. There is essentially zero margin for any extra weight on the Piloto, to include the weight of something seemingly as light as a label, sticker, or even paint.
Piloto is a well designed indoor model radio control plane
In summary, the Piloto radio control plane is a well designed and constructed radio control plane that is ready for flight literally out of the box. The Piloto is easy enough for beginners to fly, yet well mannered and agile for the more experienced pilot to have fun. The digital radio control method gives positive control of the radio control plane out as far as you can see it. Give the ready to fly Piloto radio control plane a try, you will not be disappointed!
Piloto radio control plane review page 1 page 2
Easy Radio Control Plane Piloto