Basic Aeromodelling

Plane Model

- Types of Plane Model

There are several distinct types of plane model, each with its own challenges and rewards:

• Gliding: The most accessible entry point, gliding models rely on aerodynamic principles to stay aloft. They’re great for learning about lift, drag, and stability.
• Rubber-Powered: These models use rubber bands to provide initial thrust, offering a hands-on introduction to propulsion.
• Control-Line: These models are propelled by a tether and require skill to steer accurately.
• Radio-Controlled (RC): The most popular and advanced form, RC aircraft are controlled wirelessly, allowing for complex maneuvers and longer flight times. RC models come in a huge range of sizes and designs, from tiny drones to large scale warbirds.

- Movement

Plane models are exactly have the same basic movement as normal plane as Boeing or other real-world planes:

• Pitch: Pitch is the rotation of an aircraft around its long axis (also known as the lateral axis). Think of it as tilting the nose of the aircraft up or down. Pitch is primarily controlled by the elevator – a movable surface on the tail of the aircraft. Changes in engine power, control stick movements, and aerodynamic forces all contribute to pitch.


• Roll: Roll is the rotation of an aircraft around its transverse axis (also known as the longitudinal axis). This is the rotation around the aircraft's length, like tilting from side to side. Roll is primarily controlled by the ailerons – movable surfaces on the wings. These surfaces create differential lift, causing the aircraft to rotate.


• Yaw: Yaw is the rotation of an aircraft around its vertical axis (also known as the directional axis). This is the rotation around the nose, like turning the nose to the left or right. It’s often described as “nose-to-wind” or “nose-off”. Yaw is generally caused by rudder movements. The rudder is a control surface located on the tail of the aircraft. It pushes the tail in one direction, causing the aircraft to rotate around its vertical axis.

Helicopter Model

- Types of Helicopter

• Gyro Helicopters (Most Common for Beginners): The simplest and most popular type. They utilize a single rotor blade for lift and control. Typically feature a main rotor and a tail rotor (though some have a tail fin for stability). Collective pitch control (adjusting the rotor speed) and cyclic control (moving the rotor through a circle) are used to control movement.
• Coaxial Helicopters: These helicopters feature two rotors stacked on top of each other, rotating in opposite directions. This creates a gyroscopic effect, dramatically increasing maneuverability. Requires precise control due to the complex interaction of the rotors.
• Compound Helicopters: Employ a combination of a main rotor and a tail rotor – mirroring the configuration of full-sized helicopters. A larger main rotor provides lift, while a tail rotor counteracts the torque, maintaining stability. More complex than single-rotor gyros, requiring understanding of torque and stability.
• VTOL Helicopters: Designed to take off and land vertically, similar to real helicopters. There are several approaches:
  • Ducted Fan Helicopters: Utilize ducted fans (fans enclosed in a housing) for increased thrust and safety.
  • Rotor-Based VTOL: Employ multiple rotors or tilting rotors to achieve vertical lift and controlled horizontal movement.
• Hybrid Helicopters: Many modern aeromodelling helicopters incorporate features from different categories. For example, a model might be a gyro with ducted fans for increased thrust.