Radio Controlled Radio Control Transmitter (Tx) - RC Model Aircraft 35Mhz

The radio is the all important controller for your model. You have to be very aware of your radio's characteristics and know exactly how it works before you venture out with your model. For RC Model Aircraft only use 35Mhz, do not use 27Mhz or 40Mhz.

You must memorise this information and fully understand the consequences of not knowing your frequency and channel number when you are flying! This is critical for all airborne RC modelling.

Model Flying Mode 1 or Mode 2?

RC radio's come in two flavours of transmitter, is it mode 1 or mode 2. This is the first thing you have to decide before you buy your first RC radio set.

What are Modes?

This refers to the two main stick controls configuration of an aircraft transmitter.

Mode 1 Radio Control - has the aileron/throttle on the right stick and the rudder/elevator on the left. Mode 1 is popular in UK, Europe and Asia.

Mode 1 = Throttle right

Mode 2 radio Control - is the USA standard and has the elevator/aileron on the right stick and the rudder/throttle on the left. Almost all radios used in the USA, Canada, Central and South America are Mode 2. You can also use mode 2 in the UK if you want to!

Mode 2 = Throttle left

This you must decide NOW. Personally I fly Mode 2 as almost all computer simulation programs (back in 1985 on my Sinclair, use this and it is my preferred choice. When I started flying I found it difficult to find a Mode 2 instructor to help me learn to fly.

Other than that I am self taught and it was very expensive (rebuilding crashed models) and you need a lot of patience and perseverance. best thing to do is talk to your flying club members, you have joined an RC Model flying club haven't you?