Flying With Realism - 2004/04
THE ABILITY TO fly a model airplane in a smooth, precise,
scalelike manner without erratic motion is a skill for which many of
us strive. However, airplanes have a few inherent characteristics that
tend to inhibit smooth, exact control. If the pilot is aware of this and
understands how to compensate, he or she can do a more realistic
job of flying the aircraft.
Airplanes and the wind!
Airplanes and the
Ralph Grose
IF yOu hang around the airport or the
Radio Control (RC) flying field as I do, you
will eventually hear comments which allude to
one or more of the following statements.
• The airplane will tend to yaw toward the
upwind direction.
• As you turn upwind, the airplane will tend to
gain altitude and/or airspeed.
• As you turn downwind, the airplane will tend
to lose altitude and/or airspeed.
• As you turn from upwind to crosswind, the
airplane will tend to roll to a steeper bank
angle.
