There can be a big difference between R/C Flying Toys and R/C Aircraft, but sometimes the difference is not all that easy to tell.
Model Aircraft have evolved tremendously over the last 25 years or so. Especially in the technology and electronics division. Receivers are lighter and smaller, batteries are better, motors are stronger. All of this has helped advance the sport of radio control aviation to a whole new level. Unfortunately, the line between a flying toy, and a true radio control model aircraft has been blurred. The radio control aircraft market has been saturated with a dizzying assortment of buzzing, spinning, gyrating, and flying electronic toys. Unfortunately, up until now, there has not been a clear distinction between a “flying toy” and a “R/C aircraft.” In fact, even the Wikipedia definition is a bit vague:
A radio-controlled aircraft (often called RC aircraft or RC plane) is a model aircraft that is controlled remotely, typically with a hand-held transmitter and a receiver within the craft. The receiver controls the corresponding servos that move the control surfaces based on the position of joysticks on the transmitter, which in turn move the plane.
According to this definition, anything that has a transmitter, a receiver, and flies, is classified a “radio controlled aircraft”. So how does one make a distinction between a “toy that flies” and a “radio control aircraft”? one word, controllability. If you are truly able to control all of the characteristic of flight within an aircraft via a hand held transmitter, then it doesn’t matter how big or small, how fast or slow, or how cheap or expensive the aircraft is, it should be classified as a “radio controlled aircraft”. The opposite holds true for the category of radio control “flying toys”. They are difficult or impossible to control, and you can not easily alter the basic characteristics of flight, (i.e. altitude, speed, and heading). This doesn’t mean they are not fun however. Some of them fly very well…just not where you want them to!
The fact is, not everyone wants or can afford a true radio control aircraft anyways. If I was interested in buying my 8 year old nephew a birthday gift, I probably would not buy him a “radio control aircraft”. I would however consider giving him a cool “flying toy”. One that actually flies though! If you are in this category, you may wish to visit my post “Back Yard Fliers”-Review”, where I test and review some of the most popular flying toys on the market. I will tell you which ones fly the best, and which ones are a waste of money. But, if you are still not sure which type of radio control aircraft you want, please read on.
In an effort to help someone interested in purchasing a radio control airplane or helicopter for themselves or as a gift, I have identified some of the basic differences between a flying toy and a radio control aircraft:
Size doesn’t matter!
This is good news for many of us! But seriously, just because an aircraft is small doesn’t make it “just a toy”. There are some very serious modelers that spend a great deal of time and money on micro sized components and equipment. Most of the aircraft they fly are custom designed and built, and won’t be found on the shelves of your typical hobby store.
However, 99% of the time if you are searching on the Internet for “micro sized aircraft”, you will most likely find what i will classify as flying toys. Sometimes referred to as “backyard” fliers. Most of them can be flown indoors as well. They typically have a small “liPo” or lithium Polymer battery in the model, standard “AA” batteries in the transmitter, and one or two small electric motor driven propellers. Some of these little planes can actually fly fairly well. However, the amount of actual control you have on the flight is minimal.
Flight Controls
This is the number one characteristic that differentiates between a flying toy and a radio control aircraft. On a fixed wing, or regular airplane, the minimum number of flight controls for a gas or electric powered model to be controlled accurately is three.
- Rudder
- Elevator
- Throttle
If any one of these controls is missing, you will be relying on mostly luck to control your plane.
It reminds me of an experience I had as a kid. When I was about 13 years old, I had been flying control line airplanes for about six or seven years. I had seen radio control airplanes but had not yet been able to afford one. My old man was a control line purest so he did his best to discourage my interest in radio control anyways. But on one particular visit to the hobby store I saw my future! It was a radio control glider. From the moment I saw that glider in its fancy display box I knew I just had to have it. The box came with the glider, the remote control, and a long rubber band launch system that would effortlessly catapult this baby into the stratosphere! All for under $50! Well, needless to say, my dad did his best to thwart my attempts to purchase it. But I was determined. I was selling “boys life” magazines through the boy scouts and had a paper route in my neighborhood. I finally managed to save up enough money to purchase my first “radio control airplane”. When I took it out of it’s box to begin the assembly (ARF) I noticed immediately that the only control surface was a rudder. Even to my undeveloped aeronautical expertise I knew that trying to control a plane with only a rudder may prove to be difficult. I read the directions and it said to control the altitude you would simply make some preflight adjustments to the horizontal stabilizer to prevent the plane from porpoising during flight. The first flight was a near disaster. My assistant and I launched the plane, with the help of the high-start rubber band, directly into the wind. We watched the plane fly high, higher, higher, then began a slow steady arc toward the ground. I tried to control the craft, but every time I turned the rudder it just kept losing altitude until it crashed. It didn’t destroy it however. That came on the second launch. Needless to say, I was very disappointed.
It wasn’t until several years later that I bought my first “real” radio control glider. I then learned how critical it was to have control of your elevator. I thought back to that first plane I had saved so long to buy. It made me angry that people would sell something to a kid that really didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of surviving past the first day. Luckily, the “flying toy” type of radio control aircraft available today are built very sturdy and can survive multiple mishaps and crashes.
Some of the more modern aircraft that fall into the “flying toy” category use two electric motors to drive small propellers located on each main wing. The control of the aircraft is accomplished by alternating the power to each motor. By moving the transmitter stick to the left, power is applied to the right wing motor thus causing the aircraft to yaw left and vise versa. To climb, power is applied to both motors. Unfortunately, although they do fly, this configuration is not sufficient to maintain good control of the aircraft. They lack an elevator, rudder, or ailerons
If you are considering purchasing a “rotary wing” or helicopter aircraft then flight controls are even more important. Most of the “flying toy” versions like the one pictured to the right, have a basic two channel radio, usually with a tail rotor, and main rotor control. They have “fixed” pitch rotor blades and a motor driven tail rotor. Most of These types of aircraft while allowing you move the aircraft up and down and rotate the aircraft, will not give you anywhere near the amount of control you get with a true radio control helicopter. However these types of aircraft are very popular and can be a lot of fun. If you really want the ability to fly a radio control helicopter accurately, (ie: take off’s, landing’s, or 3D flying) then you should consider checking out this post to help you choose the aircraft that’s best for you.
Price$$$
Price is actually a fairly accurate measure of the quality of aircraft you are purchasing. Most of the “flying toy” catagory of radio control aircraft will be priced in the $29-$99 range (US). While a decent trainer (fixed wing) aircraft will run in the $199-$399 range (US). However you can find some deals if you look around. like to shop ebay for a lot of my modeling needs.
As you can see, the line between a “flying remote controlled toy” and a “R/C model aircraft” is not easily distinguishable. However, the fun and exhilleration of flight is something that they all have in common. That’s good enough for me!
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