How to Land an RC Plane • Plus: The Landing Pattern Explained

This rcvideoreviews.com video breaks down the mechanics of landing an RC Plane including discussion on the various aspects of the pattern, as well as how to use the elevator and power during landing.
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[@airbus7379]

Thanks this improved my landings

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thanks for taking the time to write and let me know. I'm glad it helped.

[@smesui1799]

Great to hear this from a pilot who is also a full-scale pilot.

[@dginia]

I agree with you! In trying to help others, I have realized that actions taking place during downwind, base, and final are actually a checklist of things to be accomplished to ensure a good landing. On downwind I am planting my feet parallel to the runway and I am slowing a bit. I enter base at an altitude that will allow me to descend on a (hopefully) constant slope to landing. The turn to base is when I decrease power and the visual comparison to the horizon gives an idea of the rate of descent. The turn to final comes when I feel I am over the vanishing point of the line down the runway center. Wings level on that path, and the only thing to manage is power to the touchdown.

[@peterzingler6221]

Crazy how the scenery looks like a sim

[@RCVideoReviews]

That one is the real deal :) Sims are getting really good aren't they?

[@leroyhelander1980]

I'm almost positive that is the RC field in Lady Lake Florida?

[@agrenham9013]

Definitely gave me understanding and insight on landing.. I've crashed around 7 edf jets due to hot landings and bounce. Thanks

[@RCVideoReviews]

Glad it helped!

[@chrisdavis3642]

Outstanding tutorial! I've burned countless batteries just practicing the approach in fact the CG for me anyway is determined on how controllable/smooth the glide path is on landing.. everything else is secondary. Determine how much flap if any at all. I like 3 flap settings.sometimes less is more depending on the airframe and wind conditions!! What a great way to enjoy social distancing!!

[@dr.razorx]

Tip for all, on final add 03 or 04 clicks down on trim (elevator) , this will help you in high winds conditions to take it down. Best Regards

[@kristamercedes3723]

Thx for this, I'm brand new to the flying aspect of the rc hobby, Just totaled my first airplane today trying to learn things like this due to no experienced guidence. I'll be remembering what you taught on my next one👍

[@RCVideoReviews]

Don't let the crash bother you too much, we've all been there. Just keep plugging at it and take things one step at a time. Good luck.

[@charleshill506]

Try learning on a flight simulator like Realflight or something similar. I did that 20 years ago and soloed my first try without using a buddy box or trainer. Did loops, rolls and landings first flight. Didn't crash until many flights later. Goodluck.

[@davidknutz3314]

Good to see you’re back

[@RCVideoReviews]

I never really left. Just had a ROTTEN summer with flying. Too hot and too windy to really enjoy it.

[@penknight8532]

Whoever was flying that RC Hawk is amazing!!

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thanks :) I keep telling my wife the same thing. I'll have to share this as proof I'm right :)

[@tedlings333]

Another great presentation. I have practised the technique many times and found it a great help with my RC landings. My landings are much better now. Very well explained. I have gained much RC experience from your videos. Thank you very much.

[@RCVideoReviews]

That's great! Glad to hear you've improved.

[@greatgandalf5233]

Thanks and a great job... I was an A6E Dewb, NATOPS, Misson Cmdr, Weapons Tactical Instructor... definitely a thumbs up!

[@RCVideoReviews]

Lol, I ran NATOPS for Aircrew at my squadron. What a job. Thanks for watching.

[@boldlionpro2814]

Great work Sir! I’m new and have a simulator and will be using this technique. Thanks again!

[@RCVideoReviews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

Down wind, base, final, I learned it on a full sized bird. Easier to fly inside than outside...we entered at a 45 deg. Angle, pulled power, add flaps and greased i in...my rc foamies are squrrly. 👍good video.👍

[@penknight8532]

At the end of this video I thought I was watching Chef John at Food Wishes. And as always, land straight.

[@RCVideoReviews]

I hear that a lot...

[@solarsynapse]

I spent a lifetime controlling rate of descent with the elevator until I tried EDFs which with flaps causes a stall and 2' splat. Without flaps seems fine. I am slowly learning this method. No prop wash with jets!

[@bobturner3388]

Agree 100% Proofs in the pudding. Very well explained

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thank you.

[@HuckThis1971]

When I fly, I fly patterns as well. Makes it more fun and realistic.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Me too, I love flying the pattern.

[@koalatails6391]

I totally agree with your modified pattern. With a smooth curve through base & approach, it is easier to achieve a steady rate of descent. I’m fortunate as a beginner pilot, that at my club field, the racetrack pattern is used by the majority of fliers. So although I need to be able to fly a proper rectangular pattern, I’ve never had to worry about performing a 90 degree turn while I am attempting to bring my plane gently down onto the runway.

[@RCVideoReviews]

I've thought about this a lot. In a full size plane, the two benefits I can come up with for a student pilot are 1) It demonstrates control over the plane. 2) It gives the student a repeatable perspective on the runway. i.e. Lets them easily see what "good looks like". On the first point, I've taught all of my driving age children how to drive and one thing I insist on is that they control the vehicle, the vehicle doesn't control them. So I suppose the 90 degree turns help the student understand what should be happening and what good looks like; however, the racetrack turn has always felt more fluid and manageable to me.

[@koalatails6391]

RC Video Reviews. Even when flying a model the rectangle course demonstrates control. At my club field we have to negotiate the surrounding trees, low flying is limited. I can’t take a long approach, I would run out of runway.

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@koalatails6391 You need a Banshee stoneblueairlines.com/airplanes/vas-the-banshee-36.html and a set of FPV goggles. I used to have a blast navigating our park in Arizona with that plane on goggles. We had a row of trees running parallel to a brick wall and I used to try and pull a "Luke Skywalker" by dropping the banshee between the two and firing a torpedo at the death star. Loads of fun. Ok, back to your point: Yes, many things taught in full size flying are about control. So I think you hit the nail on the head.

[@SiR2Dean]

Thanks and subbed, not sure why I didn’t think about throttle controlling attitude on landings 🤦🏼‍♂️ lesson learnt

[@RCVideoReviews]

Welcome!

[@thomasallan8113]

I am with you on the race track turn approach.

[@RCVideoReviews]

It works...

[@johnhess351]

Would have been just as good as a podcast.

[@jimmiemcdaniel9905]

Good. Exponential good explanation of landing but need to have a video where you can actually see the airplane

[@RCVideoReviews]

That's a pretty old video before I got a camera man and had to use a gopro on a hat.

[@SunriseRCAviator]

Very good explained. I practice this as much as I can.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thank you. I'm glad you found it useful.

[@Themindsettrail]

Thanks for this

[@RCVideoReviews]

My pleasure!

[@JB73691]

I blip the throttle on landings with a nose up attitude. SO I flare the plane and add power if needed

[@leroyhelander1980]

My instructor taught me to fly the downwind bleeding speed and altitude then turn dirrectly to myself still bleeding speed and altitud until arriving a the far edge of the runway. Then use airloins to left turn onto runway. He said this makes it easier to judge your position and altitude. Im just getting into flying and am curious about your opinion?

[@RCVideoReviews]

We don't use downwind to drop altitude. We use base and final to drop altitude. I do not really care to use ailerons after I've slowed down on final, I prefer to use rudder to make my turns and ailerons to limit bank angle to maintain the most lift. The rest of what I think is in the video. The brutal truth is that this hobby is filled with opinion and in the end you have to find what works for you.

[@markymark3075]

Great video, thanks

[@RCVideoReviews]

Very welcome

[@ludwigvanzappa9548]

Very well explained . Thank you for sharing !

[@RCVideoReviews]

You are welcome!

[@DziugasTripReports]

Hello, I have been flying a sports cub s2 for a while now, I have a 1.2 twin otter from e flite laying around my room, should I jump to that, or what plane would you recommend?

[@RCVideoReviews]

The Twin Otter is perfectly stable. I've watched a friend fly at our field. If you can get your Sport Cub up and down without incident, you shouldn't have any issues with the Twin Otter. If you're looking for a 2nd plane that can help you elevate your skills, take a look at the Hobbyking Crusader (based on the ugly stik) or the E-Flite Leader 480. Both of those planes are usually available and are very well mannered planes.

[@garyvale8347]

thanks for creating this rc video...as a beginner pilot just learning to fly with a high wing trainer 40 size nitro..I find knowing exactly when to begin making my base turn very difficult ...any tricks / tips to help with that specific part of landing ....thanks much

[@RCVideoReviews]

It's called sight recognition. Just go get the stick time. If you turn too early, go around. If you turn to late go around. Each time you make the turn, take a mental snapshot. Eventually you'll just know. Also, if you use the modified pattern I show in the video--the racetrack--you can adjust your radius to help find the centerline. Bottom line though is just go get stick time. That's what will teach you.

[@elijah7924]

Thank you….great video

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thank you. Appreciate the comment.

[@bassfanbob]

Thanks ... 👍👍👍

[@RCVideoReviews]

No problem 👍

[@kendonnelly3248]

Do you release elevator at touchdown to prevent bounce?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Generally no. In most cases once I have my decent rate set I don't release the elevator until the nose gear touches.

[@rudy73000]

Thanks for this complete video... :).. My biggest problem is that I am not able to keep my plane in a straight line after landing, it goes to the left and that's just annoying :(..

[@RCVideoReviews]

Not sure if it's a tail dragger or trike, but you may want to check the alignment of your wheel when the rudder is neutral. Also, make sure both main wheels turn freely/no binding. Off power with no wind, the plane should roll straight.

[@Tjknght]

What rc plane were you flying?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Tower Hobbies Millennium Master.

[@abyssalreclass]

I'm self taught (not an AMA member, I usually fly at various parks around where I live, closest AMA field is a prohibitively long drive away), and I've never had any issues getting taildragger aircraft down. Recently I got my first plane with a tricycle gear, and I keep bouncing on the landing and breaking the nosewheel off on the second impact. What am I doing wrong?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Whenever you bounce it's because the plane isn't ready to stop flying. i.e. You're not slow enough. Try this: As you approach the ground, start to flare so the nose wheel is just off the runway and the mains are only a few inches off the runway and just hold it as long as it takes for the plane to touch the mains to the runway. That's the speed you need to touch down.

[@abyssalreclass]

@@RCVideoReviews Thanks, I'll give that a shot

[@marxiststoner__]

Can't help but crack a joke... If you ask me, landing an actual plane is also optional, just remember to bring a parachute and have really, REALLYYY good and shady lawyers lmao Anyway, loved the video I was thinking about getting some cheap Chinese RC plane so I wouldn't feel bad about certainly crashing during the first flight... Probably would be to afraid to even take off lmao, and I can't help but think that even with having all the knowledge to fly an actual plane, it'd still be easier to land an actual plane then those models, unless you hook it up to a VR headset cause I think that a lack of any instruments and no image feedback from the plane's point of view would make it really hard to make an accurate decision... I'll probably stick with drones and choppers, they're just easier, but just as fun imho... Anyway cheers and have a good one y'all

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thanks for the comment :)

[@noormohamed3561]

How to prevent a bouncy (ballooning) landings ? Do I need to put some up stick immediatly after the wheels touches the ground ?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Bouncy landings are generally due to excessive descent rate. There are a couple of ways to arrest descent rate, one is with power, the other is with a flare. I think the flare is far less precise, so my preference is to establish a satisfactory touchdown attitude and use power to manage rate of descent.

[@noormohamed3561]

@@RCVideoReviews Thank You !

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@noormohamed3561 You're welcome.

[@rqlk]

I have a beginner rc plane, and I’m not really sure how to loose speed efficiently without flying in circles with the throttle on idle, or how to get the right airspeed so I’m fast enough to flare, but not fast enough to start going up again

[@jeffs7915]

You probably figured it out by now, but level flight with throttle setting that causes a slow descent is a good way to begin. Flying is not a recipe or formula with any exact measurements. A lot of factors. The statement of throttle and elevator has truth in it but more significant for full scale,, RC has final is so much shorter and requires faster responses, usually involving changes to both throttle and elevator, as well as all other control surfaces, that it blends together. Yes in an ideal situation set your angle of attack, throttle and cruise comfortably to final flare. Not real life, we are sub-scale, but affected by scale factors. Any unnecessary change to this controlled descent creates an uncontrolled descent. Practice descents upwind at a good altitude and simulate it.

[@jamesdronesandaviation5177]

I have a hard time with landings. I always initiate the glide slope so close to where I am landing and don't end up with enough space to land and end up having to do a go around. I get scared to slow down the speed further out because I don't want to stall the plane and make it crash. Guess I need to work on conquering that fear.

[@RCVideoReviews]

It's really easy to develop a fear of slowing down if you stall or worse, tip stall close to landing. You should also make an effort to stall your plane on purpose high enough to recover so you get a feel for what it looks like and how it behaves. Practice touch and go's. Learn to pick your spot and use the techniques in the video to manage your descent rate and speed.

[@yamabushisama]

Thank you

[@RCVideoReviews]

You’re welcome.

[@tylerfullerdewein4991]

Thanks. What plane are you flying here?

[@RCVideoReviews]

The best RC Plane I’ve owned: Millennium Master. Used to be Flyzone then Tower now discontinued.

[@tyfude]

RC Video Reviews got it thanks! It sure flies nice.

[@RCVideoReviews]

I love that plane. Disappointed they discontinued it.

[@tyfude]

RC Video Reviews I checked eBay just in case :-) I’m trying to land a P-39 and struggling. I have some other planes that land very predictably following your guidance. The P-39 has pretty high wing loading and seems to want more power, but that power arrests the decent as your video shows. I’m afraid to cut the power and stall. Tricky business for me.

[@RCVideoReviews]

@@tyfude You might want to check this video out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnyxop5-lq6iqc0

[@jeffdillingham2999]

Thanks for the video. Landings, yeah, I need to work on those... Were you doing coordinated turns? Do you recommend them for the base leg and final?

[@RCVideoReviews]

If I’m using 90 degree turns I initiate them with the rudder and coordinate with ailerons. If I’m using the racetrack it’s more of a yank and bank-so not coordinated in the strictest sense but also not really slipping.

[@Boeing777DriverAA]

As a newbie my biggest problem is when the a/c is on final and I can't seem to get the aileron inputs correct when the a/c is coming towards me I get the inputs reversed. I wish someone would explain that skill and how to do it correctly.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Push the stick to the low wing. And practice...

[@chrisdavis3642]

So your doing an old school carrier landing

[@RCVideoReviews]

This method is definitely prevalent in the military. There is a civilian dive and flare method, but I find in RC it offers much less control.

[@chrisdavis3642]

Yessir! At my age.. i don't dive and flare like i used to!! However you're approach is how the British learned how to land the Corsair on a flight deck !!

[@highskyes7299]

Great video bit it was hard to see the plane unless it was on the runway .

[@RCVideoReviews]

I know. Unfortunately with a wearable camera and no cameraman, my options are super limited. i.e. No zoom. I originally shot that video with the 60" Kaos, but the camera shut off during filming and I didn't know it. I think going forward I'll use the Kaos as the training plane. It's just bigger and probably easier to see. Maybe I need to get an Orange plane??

[@MichaelReviews441]

how the hell do you align the plane with the runway if you can't see the first person perspective from the plane? it seems really hard to get the plane to land at the proper angle since you are observing it from where you are standing

[@RCVideoReviews]

Practice....lots of it. I have spent pack after pack shooting touch and go's. You learn via sight recognition how to get the correct perspective. Just gotta do the stick time.

[@MichaelReviews441]

@@RCVideoReviews alright, thanks

[@nigelthompson874]

You did say elevator controls altitude. Some say ideally elevator controls attitude. Throttle (power) controls altitude in landings. ???

[@RCVideoReviews]

You might want to re-watch. That's not what I said at all. "You do not use elevator to control altitude" @7:!5. Rate of decent is managed by power.

[@nigelthompson874]

@@RCVideoReviews oops, my bad. May have jumped in too early or responded to wrong video. You explain it very well. Apologies.

[@pauld7056]

The content is great but please use zoom on your camera. Almost impossible to see the plane on a cell phone screen. ☹️

[@RCVideoReviews]

Video was made years ago when the channel was very small and just me before I had cameramen. You cannot fly and zoom at the same time. Since this video we've added some channel helpers who film at the field and we have proper video gear including a fantastic zoom lense.

[@SuperchargedJester]

Great video! I was thinking about you the other day. Have you seen the new badass motors from rc dude hobbies/ innovative designs? Specs are impressive as heck. Someone should review one of them ;-)

[@RCVideoReviews]

I did hear about those. And I need to get back to work on the P38. So maybe an opportunity there.

[@alecsimpson9096]

I just lost my rc plane today flying through the air the some wind came and birds started swarming it then it went down somewhere

[@RCVideoReviews]

What kind of plane was it?

[@alecsimpson9096]

@@RCVideoReviews hobby zone carbon cub

[@RCVideoReviews]

Is it salvageable?

[@alecsimpson9096]

@@RCVideoReviews nope literally obliterated

[@RCVideoReviews]

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully you have other planes to fly..?

[@davidheath9388]

Your a pilot and no one ever told you not to "dive at the runway?" Lol good info though

[@RCVideoReviews]

Yes I'm a pilot and I don't follow your meaning. There are actually multiple methods to conduct an approach, I find the way I explained it in the video the easiest for RC--especially beginners. It is more of a military style which uses power extensively for rate of decent management. In civilian small craft they do teach you to add flaps and nose down to the numbers, but in my experience (1100 hours in military aircraft and 200 hours in civilian aircraft) the military style is easier to manage for RC craft. Lol, thanks for the comment.

[@crossdressingthug3443]

I'll just land it in my neighbors yard

[@WATCHMEGOBROKE]

I hate landing

[@RCVideoReviews]

Man, that's one of my favorite things to do with an RC plane. You know what they say: "Everything about flying is optional but landing" I practice a lot...