Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of Easy R/C, where all the answers to your tough R/C questions are right at your fingertips! Whether you’re new to the scene or an experienced pro, we have the R/C solutions you won’t find anywhere else. Be sure to bookmark this page – new updates are posted frequently!

Q: What’s the best/easiest way to learn how to fly an R/C plane or heli?

A: It really depends on your personal preference. Since each pilot learns at his or her own pace, there are many options available. If you have friends or family members who fly, ask them for guidance and advice. You’ll gain more confidence and experience this way than if you start out flying solo. Another option is to find a local instructor or flying club. New and experienced pilots alike find the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) Web site (www.modelaircraft.org) to be a valuable resource for finding nearby instructors and clubs. You can also check the Yellow Pages, type “local R/C flight instructors” in your favorite search engine or try contacting model flyers through social networking Web sites. You can also practice by purchasing an R/C flight simulator, such as RealFlight®, or models that include a plane and a flight simulator, like the NexSTAR Select .46 RTF from Hobbico®! Tower Hobbies also has many informative DVDs and Books to help get you started.

Q: I’m new to flying. What should I choose: a kit, an ARF or an RTF?

A: It depends on what kind of modeler you are. If you’re looking for convenience, nothing beats an RTF (Ready-to-Fly), such as Trainer Airplanes and Coaxial (CX) Helis. Only a minimum amount of assembly is required, so all you have to do is take it out of the box, attach the wings and/or a tail and charge a battery. But if you’re a “hands-on” type of modeler, ARFs (Almost-Ready-to-Fly) are the way to go. They usually take a few hours to assemble, and you also have to add the radio, engine, etc. Kits arrive completely unassembled, requiring more mechanical “know-how” and assembly time than ARFs or RTFs. However, many modelers find that the extra time spent building is well worth the additional effort.

Q: I enjoy flying, but there aren’t any large fields around for miles. Are there any other options?

A: Of course! If you have a park flyer, you can fly in your backyard, at the local park or at a small field. Another option is to get a small indoor plane or heli (like the Heli-Max™ Novus series) and have fun flying it around the house. Just because you don’t have a field nearby, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy flying!

Q: What power source will provide me with the fastest speeds: glow, gas or electric?

A: That depends on what your vehicle is designed to do. Electric vehicles can travel at speeds ranging from 15 – 40 mph, while some glow-powered racers can fly past 80 mph! Check out www.easyrc.com/cars-trucks/index.html for a helpful chart.

Q: I know there are a lot of abbreviations in the hobby world (Many are explained at www.easyrc.com and its accompanying R/C Dictionary!), but I’ve seen some manufacturers using uncommon abbreviations like ARTR and RTC. What do they stand for?

A: This may seem confusing at first, but it’s really quite simple. ARTR, or Almost-Ready-to-Run, is just another way of saying ARR. RTC can refer to an airplane model that’s Ready-to-Cover or to a rock crawler that’s virtually assembled (Ready-to-Crawl).

Q: Can I use regular unleaded gasoline to power my model boat?

A: If it includes a gasoline engine, then by all means, yes (just remember to add a little oil!). But if your boat is designed for glow power, you’ll want to use glow fuel, which is generally a mixture of methanol, nitromethane and oil. If you use the wrong kind of fuel, it can damage your engine.

Q: What if my boat stalls in the middle of a lake?

A: Either wait patiently for wind currents to return the boat to shore, or attach a tennis ball to the end of a fishing rod to retrieve it. Never, ever attempt to swim after a stalled or capsized boat!

Q: I’ve always been told that electricity and water do not mix. Why is it that electric boats can operate safely?

A: The electronic components found in many electric boats are always protected against moisture in a waterproof radio box.

Q: Aside from the obvious, what are the differences between an airplane and a heli radio? They look practically identical.

A: See www.easyrc.com/radiosystems/radiosystems2.html for the answer!

Q: When people talk about radios, I keep hearing all these terms – PCM, 2.4GHz, Spread Spectrum and so on… What do they mean?

A: All of these terms are related to the radio’s signal transmission, including how secure and interference-resistant the signal will be over today’s crowded airwaves. PCM stands for Pulse Code Modulation. Many high-end radios are PCM-based because they’re less likely to have issues with interference. PCM radios are also compatible with a wide range of receivers and include Fail-Safe. 2.4GHz/Spread Spectrum systems shift signals hundreds of times per second, virtually eliminating any chance for interference to occur. 2.4GHz systems are also more convenient, finding frequencies without the use of frequency pins or crystals. Users no longer have to worry if someone else is operating on their frequency. They just have to go to the field, turn on their radio and start flying! If there are more R/C terms you’d like to know about, be sure to check out Tower Hobbies’ R/C Dictionary!

Q: What’s the difference between a 2-stroke and a 4-stroke engine? Which is better?

A: 2-stroke engines fire with every revolution of the piston, while 4-strokes fire every two piston revolutions. 2-strokes are easier for new nitro modelers to operate. 4-strokes produce more torque and feature a more realistic sound – yet cost more and require more maintenance. If you’re new to modeling, your best bet is a 2-stroke. Once you’ve gained some experience under your belt, then by all means go for a 4-stroke. You won’t regret it!

Q: I’ve been out of the R/C hobby for many years. What has changed?

A: Technology has rapidly evolved over the past few years, but R/C is still about having fun. Thanks to changes such as cutting-edge, precise 2.4GHz radio systems and compact, extra-powerful LiPo batteries, modelers are discovering that R/C is easier to enjoy than ever!