Air Land Sea Hobbies

If you’re interested in the world of RC vehicles, there are several accessories that you should always have on hand. By having these products, you ensure that can enjoy your day of RC driving uninterrupted. To that end, you’re always going to want to have extra batteries. There’s nothing more depressing than having to leave your exciting day of RC fun to go to the store and buy batteries. Just make sure to check your particular RC vehicle to make sure you have the right kind of batteries.

In a similar vein, your RC boat or RC car might actually run on a rechargeable battery. If that’s the case, always make sure to bring along your battery charger. Also make sure you have a place to recharge. This way, you don’t ever have to lose a significant chunk of time by running back and forth between the store or home in order to get all the products you need to keep your RC products humming along.

During a battery’s lifetime, it can be exposed to undue amounts of stress when it is being used in an airplane and when it is being charged. The stress that you put on the battery in the plane is the reason you purchased the lipo battery pack in the first place…to power your aircraft. You can reduce some of the demand on your battery packs by not always flying at full power. We can also size our packs to the motor demands so that the power consumption never exceeds 75% of the battery’s maximum output. Take note, however, that no matter what we do, when the batter pack is in the plane and the power is on, electrons will be pulled from the pack. During this process the pack will get warm while giving up that stored reserve of electrons, and its lifetime will become a little shorter. Fortunately, with a balance charger, you can rejuvenate packs to extend their lifetime a little during the charging process. A cell balancer keeps all of the cells in a pack at the same level of charge, which is very important. During the discharge process that happens during flight, the power is pulled from all of the cells at the same time. As the battery packs age, one or more of the cells do not deliver the power at the same rate of discharge as the other cells. At first, this is a very slight difference. Each time the battery pack is charged without balancing, the charger will keep pumping current until the battery pack, as a whole, is at the level of the cutoff voltage. This means that the lower cell is not brought up to the full level of charge as the other cells, which are now actually getting a higher level of charge to makeup for the weak cell. When the battery pack is put back in the plane, the motor draws current from the pack as a whole and does not know that one cell is not discharging the same amount.  As this cycle continues, the weaker cell gets farther out of balance from the stronger cells. This process continues until one day the weak cell can not handle the rate of discharge or one of the stronger cells can’t handle the demands put on it by the motor. Either way the results are the same; it is time to buy a new battery pack.

When it comes to RC racing, there are several things that everyone should keep in mind. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, remember some of the following tips. For one, there is a very wide range of RC products. Some are controlled by joysticks while others use radio frequencies. The range of products means that many different people can enjoy the sport, because there are so many options available.

The other thing to remember about electric RC cars is that they are readily available from many different sources, but you should always do your research before purchasing. There is a huge discrepancy in prices, and you should always look around to make sure you’re getting the most RC vehicle for your money. Also, be aware that all RC cars and other RC vehicles require maintenance. Even if you’re gentle and smart with your RC products, they’ll probably still need some tweaking and basic repairs.

Discus Launching:

Discus Launched Gliders (DLGs) are a fairly new breed of RC glider, designed with a particular launch method in mind.

One wingtip is held by the pilot, who then spins around 360 degrees before flinging the glider up wards - in the same way a discus is thrown in the athletic field event. 
The centrifugal force produced by the pre-launch spin is enough to launch the glider to a surprising height, and the design characteristics of DLGs are such that the aircraft naturally goes into a steep climb immediately after launch. 
The good thing with this form of glider launching is that you don’t have to be strong, because the power comes from the technique.

DLGs are perfect for thermal soaring on a flat field

 Bungee launching:

Bungee launching Radio Controlled Gliders can either be done on a gentle hillside or level ground. The bungee system is a long length of elastic cord extended further by an even longer length of non-stretch cord (anything up to 10x the length of elastic). The bungee is pegged into the ground at one end and attached to a hook on the bottom of the glider at the other end. A small parachute is attached to the glider end of the bungee. To launch, the pilot walks backwards with the glider in one hand and the transmitter in the other, so stretching the bungee. When a suitable stretch has been reached, the glider is released and the bungee then pulls the glider up to a good height.
With a small pull back on the elevator stick at the top of its climb, the glider releases itself from the bungee and your flight commences. The bungee then falls back to earth, slowed by the parachute.

Like discus launching, bungee launches are perfect for thermal flying over a flat field, provided that you have the length to lay out, and stretch, the bungee.

The Radio Controlled Electric Powered Helicopter is one of the most popular RC helicopters in the Hobby today. Many manufacturers have found that the usage of carbon fiber has lightened up the weight of the EP helicopter. One of the best places to use carbon fiber in RC helicopters is the frame. I recently found a 450 size RC helicopter with carbon fiber frame to be much lighter and even stronger that the like helicopter with an aluminum frame. There are many composite materials being used in full size helicopters and there usage is a welcome addition to the electric powered radio controlled helicopters. 

One of the greatest advantages of the use of carbon fiber is the strength of the parts, they now resist bending better than aluminum parts. Not only is the strength a great feature but the addition strength also comes with a big weight savings. Lighter is always better with any helicopter.  Take a look at the new Carbon fiber framed helicopters and to see the difference.  I know you will be able to feel the difference when you fly them.

Every time you give a gift to a small child, you must keep in mind that the gift must be age-appropriate and safe. One of the most common problems with toys and small children is that small pieces break off and pose a serious choking hazard. But don’t think that choking hazards are only for toddlers. Even young children can experience this problem. So if you’re thinking about getting your niece or nephew any number of RC cars, just make sure to do your research.

Low quality remote control vehicles might break apart after heavy use, and this can also leave the car with jagged or sharp edges. This, of course, increases the risk that the child will cut themselves. Because these cars are going to be jumped on concrete and played with in a rough manner, make sure the model you’re purchasing is strong enough to withstand this kind of abuse. After all, you don’t want the toy breaking for two major reasons. First and foremost, the kids could hurt themselves. And two, they’ll be out a toy if it breaks right away.