We've talked about the free RC flight simulator called FMS. It can be operated with keyboard, USB game controller, or your own radio transmitter with a commercial USB cable. Until now, this last option has been somewhat expensive, with USB cables around $50.

Now Hitec RCD (hitecrcd.com) has a USB cable product for FMS. For JR brand transmitters, only $12. Hitec and Futaba transmitters need an additional adapter, for a $24 total price tag.

This is a low cost way to get into simulators with the same transmitter that you will use on your rc airplane.

Find out more about RC Flight Simulators on our website.


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Do you have a servo with stripped gears? Do you like soldering and electronic projects? Well, with a resistor and a power amp or mosfet, you can turn that old servo into a working speed control for your electric rc airplane, boat, or car.

Find out more in our tutorial on the DIY Electronic Speed Controller.


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Designers of rc jet airplanes have a few options available to them. They can stick a big propellor on the back (pusher jet), but this doesn't look so nice. Then there's the very scale model jet turbine, but this is an expensive option. A good compromise of form, function and price is the ducted fan engine. These can be driven by either glow-powered engines, or electric motors. The latter are becoming very popular for this type of power system.


Find out more about this type of rc airplane in our guide to the Electric Ducted Fan.


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The EZ400G rc airplane is great for aerial photography. It is a slow and stable flier, and comes mostly pre-built. For carrying a camera, certain strengthening upgrades are advised.

Find out more about the recommended upgrades in our guide to the EZ400G mods.


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OK, show of hands, who saw the TAG (Tactical Assistance Group) chopper on CSI: NY last night? This radio controlled helicopter had twin machine guns that proved very deadly.

There was a small inaccuracy in the script (which we’ll forgive since we’re just happy to see our “toys” on television). The pilot referred to battery time as if it were an electric helicopter (and a battery looking a lot like an 8 cell NiCad pack was shown). Yet when the helicopter canopy was lifted off, you could clearly see a glow engine muffler 

Or maybe you saw the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Assault Chopper on Alias a couple of weeks ago? This was a smaller electric heli that was totally autonomous. It could use facial recognition software to acquire, then go after, a target.

It’s perhaps a sign of the times that these units are now featured as main parts of the plot lines in these episodes. Previous use of rc helicopters and rc airplanes was primarily to represent the real thing, in special effects, chase or crash scenes.

However with the advent of electric parkflyers, rc airplanes and their kin are perhaps more forefront in the minds of television writers. Couple that with military action taking place overseas using well-publicized UAV’s, and it’s no wonder that writers are coming up with these ideas.


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Weathering of scale models is the process of duplicating the wear and tear that real airplanes see during their life. A nice shiny new-looking model is fine for representing something just out of the factory. Most planes in operation start to show signs of wear quickly.

Check out our guide to Scale Models - Weathering to learn more about weathering techniques that will make your model look that much more realistic.


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