Landing RC Planes for Beginners - Model AV8R Instructional Series

In model AV8R episode 148, we feature our viewers most requested instructional video - How to land RC planes for beginners. The principles we teach can also help more experienced pilots that struggle with landing well consistently. This is a very comprehensive tutorial with classroom and flying demos. We also provide some good advice to help pilots stack the deck in their favor when learning to land. Each chapter leads into the next, so watching the whole video is advised to get the most out of it. There are chapter jumps below to easily find specific parts for reference later.
Here are links to our top 4 trainers and the Real Flight RC Flight Simulator. When you use these links to purchase it doesn't cost you more and it helps support our channel. Thanks very much for supporting our efforts!
Link to the Real Flight RC Flight Sim at Horizon Hobby - www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
Link to the AeroScout RTF Basic 1.1 at Horizon Hobby - www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
Link to the AeroScout BNF Basic 1.1 at Horizon Hobby - www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
Link to the AeroScout RTF Basic 1.1 at Tower Hobbies - www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
Link to the Apprentice RTF Basic 1.5 at Horizon Hobby - www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
Link to the Apprentice BNF Basic 1.5 at Horizon Hobby - www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
Link to the Apprentice RTF Basic 1.5 at Tower Hobbies - www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
Link to the Apprentice RTF Basic 1.2 at Horizon Hobby - www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
Link to the Apprentice RTF Basic 1.2 at Tower Hobbies - www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
Link to the Ranger PNP 1220mm at FMS - www.fmshobby.com/products/fms...
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
- Stacking The Deck In Your Favor -
01:36 Instructors And Simulators
02:57 Properly Using "Training Modes"
04:17 Trainer Aircraft
09:44 Proper Trainer Balance And Trim
12:11 You Need A Runway And A Target
- Now, Lets Learn To Land -
15:14 Basic Landing Approaches
17:01 Flying A Consistent Pattern
21:42 Power Off 180 Degree Approach/Pattern Practice/Consistency
- Breaking Down The Power Off Approach -
24:52 Starting And Controlling The Rate Of Decent
26:51 Determining When To Cut Power In Your Landing Pattern
30:02 Missed Approaches
32:39 The Flare/Roundout
37:12 Putting It All Together
39:10 Practice
#new #aviation #rc

[@JustwingitRC]

Silky smooth delivery, teaching aids, and sage advice from an extremely talented pilot (not to mention the gifted camera girl shooting the planes!). It doesn't get any better than this 😎👍🇺🇸

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks John!

[@GregoryC21]

Thank you for this. It should be viewed by all RC pilots. Having a clear checklist in landing is critical to consistency. Light winds and blue skies Adam.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Glad it is helpful, thanks!

[@peterbridger8464]

Hi Adam. I found your video really helpful. I'm the lone flyer in Samoa so don't have the benefit of a club to go to or mentors to hassle. In fact, I believe those that view this, should actually replay it at least a couple of times as you make so many pertinent points. Your explanations are clear and concise - unlike, I must say, others that think they're are on Broadway. Any new video you come out with, I always view. I find SteffenRC is in a similar vein where he gives his honest opinions and genuinely wants to help his viewers. All the best and take care. Regards, Peter

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much for the kind words Peter! We're really glad the instructional vids are helping pilots. Will is a friend of mine...great guy!

[@JN24185]

Classiest, most professional RC Reviewer on KZbin. Hands down. I’ve had many successful landings but still learned so much from this vid. As always, Thanks Adam!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much, really appreciate that!

[@jollyroger2226]

Very well done ! It is obvious that 'Team AV8R' put a lot of thought and effort into this video. Thank you. I hope a lot of RC pilots are able to see and benefit from this !

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thank you very much! We hope so...

[@kevinmaxwellwilkin4915]

Nice video , areoscout is the best trainer hands down . Just so easy to fly . And repairs easy when you do break it , very durable.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Kevin. I agree, in my opinion the AeroScout is at the top of the trainer heap.

[@JeffinLowerAlabama]

Adam fantastic landing instructional video. You showed flying the patterns from the left side and right side. Know RC pilots with years of “experience “ that can only land from one direction. 😊😂. Jeff in LA USA

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Jeff! Yep, I've seen that too.

[@jcb6713]

great review and practice techniques...always good to refresh your flying skills....

[@AL-RCjunkie]

What an informative and comprehensive video, Adam. Wish I'd had this to reference, this time last year, when I was blowing through props due to prop strikes on my landings with the FMS 1.3m pa18. Taught myself the hard (and expensive) way, that I wasn't balancing my elevator adjustments with throttle management properly for the area and conditions I chose to fly in. Granted, it was a busted up paved parking lot, behind an abandoned church with a big open field behind that- wind whipping every which way, dodging barbed wire spools and broken basketball hoops. Shady spot, at best. But, it sure did teach me to fly tight spots with some confidence. And handle some tricky situations without panicking. Well, delaying the panic until the plane was down and parked, rudder side UP 😊 Great video! I'll be recommending this to the annoying freeloaders that keep wanting to learn to fly rc on my planes 😂 👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much Al! Man a lot of folks do it the "Hard" way, but for many that is part of the fun. We hope this makes doing that for them easier. What a hobby bro...

[@SteffenRC]

Adam, This is the BEST Landing video out there.. (and I've made two videos on this subject...). You have so much info here. Great job. This will help lots of new pilots build confidence in their landing practice... Well done..

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much Will. I appreciate you taking a look at it before hand.

[@reelemin7864]

Awesome video! I really appreciate the time you took to put this together. Excellent detail and explaining! Thanks for all your help.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much! Glad it is helpful.

[@IansRCExploits]

Some great tips Adam and not Just for the beginner pilot, I was particularly pleased to hear you talking about using the throttle to climb and descend, I do think that this gets overlooked a lot, very enjoyable and informative video!! Great Job Adam and Heidi 😀👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Ian! Yep, many think there is a problem with planes that do that...nope, just a characteristic.

[@jeffreydavis4041]

I look forward to seeing the stabilized landings video. Great video!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much!

[@DadsRCHangar]

Brilliant video Adam, I will defiantly mark down video times for reference. One thing I would love you to do. With the A test in the UK we have what’s called ‘Deadstick’ you call this out to let pilots know you have no power and need to land. Now this can happen anywhere within the flight, To emulate that you have lost your engine, you need to land, no go arounds. The way I was taught by Paul Heckles is that you need to loose air speed to place the plane for a nice runway landing, this is still voodoo at the back of my mind. So be great to see a pro like you do it 😊.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much Chris! I tell you what, I'll add that to the more advanced video when we do it. I remember well my nitro flying days and a K&B .40 engine that didn't run worth a crap, Lol. Taught me more about deadstick landings than I ever wanted ti know.

[@DadsRCHangar]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Lookibg forward to your knowledge, might help me calm down in my head 😀

[@JacobiFamilyVideos]

This is exactly what I needed, thank you very much! I appreciate all that you have contributed to RC aviation.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Awesome, so glad this is helpful! Thanks very much!

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Your remark at the end about shooting touch and goes is something that I like to do in all conditions ... grest fun as well also as the wind comes up everything changes. At my main club field the patch is a circle so cross-wind landings are something that we rarely do, we used to fly slope soarers on a slope with a small landing area so landings there really sharpened the skills. Great video Adam, I can see I'll have to follow your teachings if I'm going to video my flights from now on 😁👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Lol, Cliff I love your vids, and you land awesome. That is the nice thing about the "Patch". You guys use it like a WWI air base. Those baby's always need a headwind.

[@Retset]

Great tutorial.

[@john9663]

EXCELLENT advice and presentation! It is so much easier to be consistent with the "180 approach" than the squared-off approach. Looking forward to the next level with some wind, perhaps, and a less forgiving aircraft. Go team AV8R!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much!

[@cooltube]

Adam………what BRILLIANT info/video this is!!!!!!! This all makes so much sense to me as I’m self taught and still learning. I can’t wait to try your power off landing approaches. Absolutely just what I’ve been looking for. 👍🏻🇬🇧

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much! Best of luck with your flying and we're glad this is helpful!

[@creativealtone]

Awesome landing video. I’m new to flying fixed wing about 2 years but about 4 years flying drones. FPV and Camera. I’m methodical about duplicating the feel of maneuvering making things the same every time. Like my trainer said put the plane. I’m the air exactly where I want it. I learned a ton from your vid as I always do. Sharing this vid and looking forward to the advanced version. 👍🏾😎

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful!

[@truenaturestormers2525]

First one, ya, I love the RC. You have an amazing channel. My Man

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks, glad you enjoy it!

[@marchindy]

Great video, I always tell people to dedicate at least 1 battery pack to practice touch and goes/landings every time you go out to fly.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! Yep...great thing to do.

[@Bellairvideo]

Very wise information from a true professional… the only thing…. I wish he was my neighbour & not 15k away🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Maybe one day Noel...I'd love to fly with you bud!

[@Bellairvideo]

Ditto

[@jayaustin3096]

Great tips adam. I self taught myself to fly some what, but i couldnt believe how easy rc planes are to fly. But so easy to crash. I was doing everything wrong. Although still fun. The wind gets me, way more practice. Your educational videos really help. Thank you. Damn wind these days. More power on turns!!!!. Lol.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Jay! Man there are a lot of ways to get flying. Wind can be an issue for sure. Like everything else, you get better with practice. Yep, a bit more power for margin in wind is a good idea.

[@CrazyQuadBrothersP3]

Awesome tutorial! 👍🏻

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@sphinx12tt]

This video should be a must shown at all flying clubs before a person touches a model

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Ha! Thanks very much. Maybe before they try to land at least...

[@sagacyberdemon]

This..... THIS!!!! Thank you so Much.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Happy to do it, and glad it is helpful!

[@andretaskmaster4101]

Love the info

[@SlowFlyer85]

Adam real good tutorial I still miss a lot of the landing approaches too long too short and with different planes they all do not land the same practice practice and more practice 😊👍👍👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Frank! Yep, practice makes PDG!

[@user-ol3eg5ks8i]

That was a very good tutorial, thank you. I'm in my sophomore year of flying, it's going well. Looking forward to your recommendations for windy days. I tend to keep the power in more.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much, we hope its helpful. You're on the right track there, you need power to manage windy days, and you need a plan. Think about the winds affect on the airframe ahead of your final approach...which way will it weather vane the tail and how do I need to plan to counter that control wise? Then of course...practice.

[@letvalentino100]

Хорошие советы, спасибо!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks, hope it is helpful!

[@letvalentino100]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Да, ваши советы для меня будут очень полезны! У меня есть несколько авиамоделей. я пытался на них летать, и почти все они разбиты, увы ... Я ремонтировал, и снова пытался летать ... и опять они разбивались ... Теперь я буду учиться на ваших советах, постепенно. Спасибо.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Awesome, best of luck! Happy flying.

[@quilong]

damn, I was doing everything wrong! I'll practice tomorrow!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Hope this is helpful!

[@quilong]

​@@ModelAV8RChannelYes!, I just realized that I need to work on the basics

[@GregJ228]

Common W by Adam

[@AlanMckenzie]

I LOVE this recording, very helpful. I wanted to kindly get your your take on if the AeroScout is right for me. I recently purchased the Super Timber without really learning how to land properly, coming from a small throw plane. My first few landings have been rough; I nose over each time but I feel I am getting better. Would you recommend me moving back to the AeroScout to learn fundamentals or would that further confuse me? Thanks for any recommendations you can provide!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much! So glad it is helpful! Yes, going back to basics and using an AeroScout would help you tremendously. The Super Timber is a great airplane, but it is heavier, more complicated, and somewhat harder to fly...especially for a beginning pilot.

[@AlanMckenzie]

@@ModelAV8RChannel thanks so much, cheers!

[@smoothrc28]

This video was perfect!! Thank You!!! Very new to Airplanes. Maybe I missed it. But when you say flare. Does that men elevator up?? Thanks!!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! That is awesome. So glad its helpful! Yes, when we say pull...like you do with a stick or yoke in a full scale plane...that means up elevator.

[@ironmover5800]

Great video , being self taught I had an idiot for an instructor……. Wow I have a lot to learn yet about basic flying ……

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks man! You do great. Hopefully these vids will help others doing it exactly the way you did.

[@rlbutterfield]

Great video, Adam. Good reminders, even for us geezers. I did forward this video to a couple of friends and students. Looking forward to the next one. Well done, and thank you. 👍🏻🙂

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks man!

[@Drones_Eye_View]

Adam, thank you for this video. After watching it I went out the next day and did the entire day preparing by doing the patterns, then doing touch and gos with my FMS Ranger 1220mm. I probably did about 90 minutes of them thru the day in 2 different sessions. All in AS3X, again because of yours and Will's suggestions. I feel I made some major steps forward as I've seen in my latest videos. (This was the last of the nite...not perfect but I'm doing better kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3jcZH-vaZmIjqssi=U1blZl7ZzDnYNtcK) I'm looking forward to more in this series!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Outstanding Bruce! Glad the instructional vids are helping. Having goals and practicing to achieve them is what its all about.

[@Acemedia574]

I gotta know where you got that Eagle shirt.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Amazon

[@bytex666]

Hoping this video will help me out, I broke the propeller the first time I tried to land my new RC plane with my instructor right next to me. Had to wait 3 weeks to get new ones, so I'm going back to him this afternoon and fly again. Hopefully not breaking something again.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Best of luck! Hope we helped you...

[@bytex666]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Thanks, I'll definately give landing a shot again today. Last time I had a couple of good landings while he was watching, then he walked away to talk on the phone, and I figured I might aswell try again..but I tried to land downwind, so my plane went very fast, went around one more time, still downwind cut the throttle when I was almost touching grass, and the plane flipped upside down pretty fast. He turned around cos he heard it. "what did you do now? oh shit". Just broke the prop in half. Was my first "crash" in over 10 flights, but I let him land it before last time. We don't have a runway, just a gravel road and a knobbly huge grass field, so landing in the grass pretty much always flips the plane. But the road is thin and has telephone poles along, so I'm scared to land there. My plane is the FMS Super EZ v4.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Good luck with your practice. It won't always go perfect, but the practice will make a difference sooner than you think...

[@bytex666]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Yes at least a new prop is only a few bucks to replace :)

[@BrotherAviator]

Very well done Adam. You are an excellent teacher. Thank you

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much, glad it is helpful.

[@BrotherAviator]

I’ve been at this a long time (still not very good at landing) and I learned some new things from this tutorial. For me, that’s pretty much true for all of your videos. Please keep up the good work.

[@Anomic_Hunter202]

I find flying in safe is dangerous once you get used to the plane!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

It has its uses for sure, but too many people starting out get dependent on it.