A Beginner's Guide to Flying RC Planes

[@flywithmikefromchicago]

I’m an intermediate at this hobby having tried it first decades ago with my dad and recently gotten back into it. Been watching a lot of YT videos from various channels and I gotta say, your content is my favorite. I love your approach to education, your variety and volume of content, and your overall attitude/humor that you work in from time to time. Thank you for making these videos. You’re also one hell of a pilot. I fly full-scale aircraft and am now working on becoming a commercial pilot for a living, and your grasp of aerodynamics and the physics of flying is something I don’t see much in this hobby, and it’s really great to see! Would love to fly with you some day!

[@TwoBrosRC]

That's awesome to hear, Mike! Thanks for checking us out. Do consider joining up on Discord, we love hanging out with our channel fans! https;//bit.ly/TBRCDiscord

[@coyoteman8073]

I love watching this kind of video even though I consider myself an intermediate pilot because I can always pick up little tips or information that someone else may not of put out. Thanks for the great service you provide and keep up the awesome content.

[@TwoBrosRC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rjl91788]

"if Cleetus can do this, so can you" hahaha. Hell yah brother!

[@BluegrassStateRC]

I would add on the landing section: Stabilized approach with minimal input for corrections is key. I've found a lot of beginners tend to over-correct with large inputs, causing extreme roll/pitch/yaw that drastically slows airspeed and makes for scary and unstable landing. Kind of goes in line with the anxiety, as you may feel the need to make a correction fast and overdo it or worse, correct in the wrong direction if not very experienced. Great video!

[@edwardrizzorhands]

I just ordered a flite test kit to dip my toes into this hobby (coming from cars). This video gave me a good idea of how to plan my approach into rc flying. Thank you!

[@TwoBrosRC]

Good luck, and have fun!

[@KIN_Additive]

Thank you so much for making this video! It's really upsetting when experienced pilots with inflated ego's potentially ruin the hobby for newcomers. Whenever I witness these people shaming others I make sure to confront them with a polite and direct tone and I encourage others to do so as well.

[@TwoBrosRC]

Right on, man. More people speaking out about this will make the offenders less likely to feel comfortable doing it anymore.

[@meshall9586]

Such a great video, I hope many new pilots see this. The more newcomers the better so thx for sharing. Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱

[@roberthill2315]

Thanks for this video! I've been in the hobby about 20 months and I wish I had seen it on day one. You're right, there's a lot of info available and nothing really ties it together. I've transitioned to EDFs and can honestly say... the more you push yourself to advance in flying, the simpler it will seem. Yes, I still use SAFE as a crutch, but slowly I'm trying to get past it. Videos like this one help reinforce basic skills that eventually translate into muscle memory. Thanks and keep it up!

[@TwoBrosRC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@derekmitchell1738]

Thank you for this video Two Brothers. I just ordered my first plane and was looking for a video just like this one, and this video answered most of the questions I had!

[@TwoBrosRC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AL-RCjunkie]

Great information, Jon! When I was experiencing a lot of anxiety trying land in cross wind or a tail wind shift, etc. I would think of the saying, " when going through Hell, keep going". I'd try not to force a plane down in crappy conditions, scraping wings, breaking props or worse. I learned to just keep going around. Eventually, I time it right and can keep my spare props where they belong. In my shop with the other spare parts I'm no longer breaking on the regular 😊. I still use SAFE quite often, too. I cranked up the bank angles and SAFE gains to suit me. But, I fly rc planes to relax and have fun. I'm not trying to win any awards or wow anyone with cool tricks. I just love seeing my planes fly and (hopefully) land. And I'm just enough of a control freak to want to it myself. Thanks for another quality, entertaining tutorial with amazing camera work 👍

[@TwoBrosRC]

Happy to help, man! Definitely fly how you want to, and never let anyone talk you out of using SAFE. If that's how you enjoy flying, keep it up and keep 'em flying.

[@Stirling_RC_Videos]

Absolutely correct about using AS3X and SAFE. You're comments are excellent and help clarify the air for some of those guys who what you to fly like them. Love your suggests for T&O flights. I've been starting to do them for the past 4-6 weeks and it has helped immeasurably. My landings are now much smoother.

[@TwoBrosRC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Flyer6709]

What a great video Jon! I didn’t have anyone to learn from or with when I started flying 6 years ago, I just knew I wanted to fly. Your videos would have made the journey way less stressful and frustrating at the time. I like your honesty and positivity with the hobby. Keep up the good work! ✈️🙂

[@TwoBrosRC]

Glad to help!

[@stevetommy1169]

Great video, John. I appreciate all the hard work you put in to them to teach us new pilots. The tricks of the trade. I was lucky enough to have a grandfather that was into the hobby, and he build his own planes and take me out when I was a kid and taught me how to fly. I got to fly with him one last time before he passed away. It was a memory. I will never forget and I still have the plane that he flew one last time. Thanks for the video john

[@TwoBrosRC]

Happy to help!

[@Glowingtomato]

Great video! I just started flying some little foam 4ch planes from 400mm to 600mm and have been going daily for almost two weeks and still learned some great stuff. I just got a nice Radio Master TX16s and ordered a Flite Test Tutor bundle so I can go a little bigger. I've been into surface RC for years and flying is a whole new skill set

[@TwoBrosRC]

It's so much harder than driving, nothing truly gets it across until you get on the sticks and see it for yourself. Hope you stick with it!

[@1Epicdoom]

Great video. I wish I had this when I started flying. I went straight into 4 ch nitro. I dont remember the brand, but it was a 60 balsa kit with electronics. took off, aeleron turn, death spiral, splinters. Gave up but didn't give in. Decided to try electric. Took many smashed airframes and busted props to realize I'm man handling the sticks on something that requires finesse. I learned the hard way, no safe system. I'm teaching my grandson's to fly safe system because I want them to have fun and learn without fear of smashing it into the ground because they forget to be gentle with the sticks. I wish safe was a reality when started flying. The chief financial advisor (wife) would have been happier for sure.

[@jackschwartz3386]

Great video. What I like to tell new rc pilots is to fly what and the way gets you the most enjoyment. Also, I tell them that a good landing is defined by how quickly your plane can get back in the air after touching down. Worry less about how the landing looks. If your plane didn't break, then your landing was a success. Just make a mental note of what you can do differently next time.

[@KhosrowGhoujalou]

I like your attitude thank you for teaching. I’m trying to learn. I listen and I try to practice with the simulator for all the winter and in the spring go to the field. Thank you for teaching.

[@TwoBrosRC]

Good luck out there! ✊

[@johnwalsh1879]

Straight forward Well done. Will be following you from now on

[@kianwong4625]

Great positivity John. Yesterday i crashed my Bae arrows hawk twice. Both while switching into as3x. The jet is not pretty anymore but it still flies. I have a umx pitts which i have also crashed many times, but once again still flies. I think flying repaired planes lessens the stress, compared to a new one. I think cheaper planes makes is a lot less stressful. But can still hurt the pocket. ` i have been using the Sim. Which gave me the confidence to do 3 barrel rolls yesterday. Thanks for your wise words.

[@guygrenke266]

Crashed my BA Hawk twice.not as pretty but it still flies just as good. I gotta see if I can find some matching paint at lowe's or something just a cover up somewhat

[@edwardranno7119]

Looks like you are having a good time..I loved how to learn my Align trex 700 helicopter

[@TwoBrosRC]

Make sure you're checking the gyro corrections before flying - sounds like it might be related to incorrect orientation.

[@kianwong4625]

@@TwoBrosRC thanks john, i think its the panic of switching into safe -that caused my over correction. All gyros working fine . Cheers John.

[@alexandernentwig9596]

Also make sure you only switch modes while the plane flies straight. Safe dampens the throws and if you are in a curve where Safe ‚teaches‘ you to hold the stick, AS3X may have a dramatic effect: way more throw all of a sudden and keeping the sticks in position will be fatal. I once almost crashed because of this, too.

[@SlowFlyer85]

Great advice and information even for us old timers too good job😊👍👍👍

[@killrertomato5392]

I started with rc planes and heli then became a real pilot still nothing beats looking at what your doing than being in it. Still flyn rc ❤

[@Nickearl1]

Thanks for this video. I’ve always wanted to do this now I think I can at least get started!

[@tthulsey]

Thank you so much for videos like this it helps me out so much being a beginner

[@bigbristv]

Thanks for this John, I felt like you were talking to me 😅 Just in time. Also, I used your code when I bought my Ranger, thanks! Bris

[@TwoBrosRC]

Awesome! Thank you! Hope you enjoy!

[@rlbutterfield]

Excellent instructional video, Jon. I’ll save this one for future student pilots to watch. Hope you and Cletus are good friends. Funny. 👍🏻🙂

[@TwoBrosRC]

Never met him, but he seems like a great guy. Would love to someday!

[@AL-RCjunkie]

​@@TwoBrosRC Just don't let him anywhere near your planes, if he's got a pocket full of M80's 😊

[@marciopereira1065]

Thank you for the learning video! As a newbie to flying RC planes, this has been really a good video for learning purposes. Good tips and tricks.

[@TwoBrosRC]

Glad you enjoyed it! Keep practicing and you'll be tearing up the sky in no time!

[@marciopereira1065]

@@TwoBrosRC thank you! I wish I could be that confident at the moment… I have an FMS ranger 850mm which I love to fly, and it’s quite easy (landings are always difficult… 🤣). So I thought I could fly a 1300mm Cub. It happens I can’t yet as I’ve already crashed it 🤣 Nothing that CA glue and tape can’t fix. Again, thanks for the tips and tricks. This will Definetelly help me with the Cub. 👍

[@josephgreer9693]

Thanks for this video just what I needed, not much confidence but t really want to fly,have 5 planes but really nervous, thanks again!

[@TwoBrosRC]

You got this!

[@glupkostupko123]

"EDF JETS AREN'T REAL JETS" me who thought i could maybe start with a fighter jet cuz i flew a plane :c

[@paul340mopar]

Shots Fired!....I Like it! 👍👍

[@ugot1try]

As a man who is 5'8, I was not anticipating catching strays so soon into the video 😂

[@TwoBrosRC]

??

[@LarryHamiltonGuitars]

Your completely right about people telling you how to fly, if you wanna fly with a gyro or anything else go fo it. I'm too old to put up with crap like that and your right, life is to short for that kind of behavior. I haven't even got my plane yet, but I'm practicing with real flight evolution and going to start with the habu sts edf, I like jets and that is how I'm gonna start. Good video and great tips.

[@anthonyf.9170]

Excellent tutorial, thank you!

[@gregorygregoriou1894]

Thanks for the educating video, any kind of relevant info is useful for ppl like me who are trying to master the techniques of flying

[@TwoBrosRC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ThatGuyJConroy]

Great positive video! Thank you.

[@jeffdillingham2999]

Thanks for the video. As others have mentioned, I'm an intermediate pilot and can always learn something new, or reinforce what I already know. Good piloting. Are you a thumber, pincher, or hybrid on the sticks?

[@TwoBrosRC]

Thumb 99% of the time, pinch 1% of the time!

[@jeffdillingham2999]

@@TwoBrosRC Nice to know that there's hope for me 😁 I'm a thumber but haven't put in the stick time it takes to fly with the confidence I'd like to have. So your flying tips and dialogue are helpful!

[@TxHornyToad]

I’m old but going to learn this skill. First step, I bought Real Flight Trainer with the controller. Second practice for months to learn how inputs affect the plane, and automatically adjust your input direction based on plane coming towards you or going away. Practice flying especially landings. Step three get a trainer and try it. I’m starting step 2.

[@TwoBrosRC]

Good luck with the practice!

[@carlhausler9666]

Great video, very informative. Thanks

[@floydkellogg4689]

Thanks for the amazing content! I have been flying 680mm and 560mm warbirds. I can take off/land/touch and go/some aerobatics. I have a 1.2 Elite Corsair I am working up to. I would love to get a warbird that would bridge the gap if you think I would need too. Any recommendations? Or should I go the Timber route? I also have a Spectrum NX6 that I fly a sport cub with, wonder if I am going to outgrow that or if it will last through the models in my skill level range. Thank you best channel!

[@TwoBrosRC]

Timber is a solid plane to move up to - we highly recommend it. You'll want to upgrade to an NX8 at the least (eventually) to get the most out of your upcoming airplanes. It has 20 channels instead of the 14 that the NX6 is limited to. Definitely join us on Discord and ask for help there - you'll get more info in real-time: bit.ly/TBRCDiscord

[@winder6]

Great video love your channel all ways wanted to get into rc Planes

[@winder6]

Been flying in the sim a bit.

[@itzjoeylo4501]

Great 👍 Video Jon, great content and very informative information.

[@TwoBrosRC]

Much appreciated!

[@stevenclifton-jn6ce]

Thank you I've been looking 4 this,,,

[@emersonb5764]

To be fair, also don’t let anyone tell you you HAVE to run a gyro. For most planes, you don’t. It can smooth things out but is usually not necessary. If you want to use one, go for it. But if you don’t want to, don’t let someone tell you you’re doing it wrong without a gyro. Most common beginner planes come with them preinstalled nowadays, so might as well use it.

[@TwoBrosRC]

Absolutely. Use what you're comfortable with. One thing though, we haven't seen anyone berating non-gyro users. It's always the opposite in our experiences and those we hear about from our community.

[@craig83cg]

I have a gyro on mine, it's more of an " oh shit" switch though, always fly with it off.

[@jriley-tv1on]

@@TwoBrosRC Lol, my friend calls it "gyro-shaming"

[@cybersecuritydeclassified4793]

Where can we download Spectrum setup files for Freewing Jets? (NX10) Thanks, love your videos.

[@TwoBrosRC]

Our Discord server hosts our setup files: bit.ly/TBRCDiscord

[@danflom1271]

Nice looking plane. I bet it would look even better with a cowl. On a less serious note: today Jon told me I can fly full size planes and helicopters, handle a race car at over 200mph, buy and refurbish a race track and purchase a private airstrip. All from my youtube proceeds. lol

[@TwoBrosRC]

If Cleetus can do it, so can you!

[@meshall9586]

Hey flying and voiceover John, is it worth buying this balsa plane? I can buy it relatively cheap but there are almost no reviews about this plane. I’m just a intermediate pilot and looking for a light taildragger for some simple aerobics. Love the fact it only uses 3s lipos and the size. Thx for answering. Cheers from the Netherlands 🇳🇱

[@TwoBrosRC]

It's an interesting plane to learn on. Certainly wouldn't be our first choice for a beginner platform. Will it work? Yes, but just... don't slam it into the ground. Otherwise you'll have toothpicks instead of a plane.

[@justken4851]

Can you please describe your personal technique for landing a medium size foam EDF sport jet airframe equipped with flaps ... from final to roll out? Thanks, Ken

[@TwoBrosRC]

Here's an old style vid that should help, that we'll need to redo at some point: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fV6bd4ukqdapbpYsi=C4mkjWiOY30w6M1K

[@KevinHall-f7h]

Hahaha been flying the same field since I went down there. Great video.

[@TwoBrosRC]

??

[@showusyaguppysaustralia1515]

Great video mate 👍 👌

[@cjespanola5574]

Hi jon..something to ask, what is more difficult, hand launch or runway launch..? Thanks..

[@TwoBrosRC]

Depends on the plane.

[@robertnet4150]

OK I love all your Videos and follow all of your setup videos but i can"t setup my Freewing F16 V2 without your HELP. When?

[@TwoBrosRC]

We can't help on YT. Join Discord via bit.lt/TBRCDiscord kindly

[@Brads-hanger]

I love your channel great vid😀

[@FragolaRL]

i started out with the motion rc f35 v2 because i was so invested with the retracts and so was my dad and now it sits torn in pieces in my bedroom

[@TwoBrosRC]

That sucks, man! It's definitely NOT a beginner jet, but it is a fantastic *trainer* jet for learning how to fly bigger airframes. When you're ready for it, get another one and try again!

[@FragolaRL]

@@TwoBrosRC I was at least able to get the UMX air tractor by E Flite and the p15 lippisch park jet by motion rc

[@FragolaRL]

@@TwoBrosRC so I’m able to fly with prop and edf, I’m also grateful that the UMX has safe

[@RDEnduro]

Cleetus has been flying RCs for a while though : p. Great vid helpful

[@LarryHamiltonGuitars]

I'm starting with the Habu sts 70mm rtf, so what would be a good progression to say the twin 64mm f14 or one of the f16 80mm.

[@TwoBrosRC]

Hold off on heavier 80mm jets until you get enough stick time to intuitively understand the aerodynamics behind how heavier aircraft handle. We've got tutorials on this that might help. Discord would too: bit.ly/TBRCDiscord - feel free to hop in and ask for assistance.

[@zebzeb3219]

Great video John. Don’t want to nitpick, but for the sake of clarity you always refer to windshear in your videos whereas it’s technically gusty wind and/or very light turbulence you’re encountering; LLWS is not that common. Cheers

[@TwoBrosRC]

Feel free to nitpick, that's one of the fun things about aviation! In terms of actual shear as it's defined by the FAA, you're most likely right. But, do consider that these planes are significantly smaller, and shifting winds in short periods of time would probably count as shear at the scale we're dealing with here.

[@avatargunner6776]

VOLANTEXRC RC Plane Trainer Sport Cub 4CH 500mm red. This will be my first plane my daughter is getting it for me for Christmas . I wasn't for sure what to go with so I went with this one. I hope I made a good choice

[@TwoBrosRC]

Should work, but not really hobby-grade the way the planes shown in this video are. If you want help, hop on Discord via discord.gg/twobrosrc

[@grafity57]

Thank's for the vidéo 😊

[@Squid_Wizard70]

dam a low blow there 3:42 with the cleetus joke lol thought it was funny

[@markmiranda2881]

I think orientation is more important than anything. In air correction takes time and induces panic...at that point a pilot isn't learning much.

[@LMauget]

Aviator Brewing Company? Are the videos located near it?

[@TwoBrosRC]

Yep, the owner is a friend of ours.

[@rosemaryubochi1976]

oh yeah can you make a video of best landing approaches? and landing a full scale 747?

[@TwoBrosRC]

Uhhhh, possibly yes to the former, definitely no to the latter.

[@jaxonwhite2267]

id like to see you give the ov10 bronco a review please.

[@TwoBrosRC]

That's not really a plane that interests us.

[@olliehughes6774]

With AMA fields getting the preponderance of FRIAs, how does one go about finding "rough runways," which won't alarm the general public for those of us who prefer judgement and Fudd free flights? I used to fly in a development which only had the streets paved, forest cleared, and no houses up yet in Funky-Vagene , but that didn't remain a sound option for long.

[@TwoBrosRC]

Google Earth can help a bit with finding a place to fly.

[@biggnasty989]

Hell yeah

[@jaybui7506]

Hey John, can the Draco E-flite good as a trainer?

[@TwoBrosRC]

Definitely not - too heavy, too expensive, and a little too fragile for a beginner-level airplane.

[@HenryTietz4]

"If cleetus can Fly so can you" 🤣

[@edwardranno7119]

Cletus can’t fly!

[@BullyBreedRC]

"You need to start with one of these"... yep... Not counting my umx Turbo Timbers, My PC-21 was/is my trainer. I decided I wanted a high wing and got the Kingfisher. I should have started with the Kingfisher 🤦🏿‍♂️. It's kicked my but the last few weeks 🤣😭

[@TwoBrosRC]

Kingfisher is a great beginner airplane too, assuming you're following the taildragger info here!

[@bangauavengers2609]

What app you use it ? I wanna learn it

[@TwoBrosRC]

👀

[@rccowboys]

I would like to see a video about landing jets slowly.

[@TwoBrosRC]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fV6bd4ukqdapbpY

[@Cyberdyne_research]

There’s a skill gap you’ll face where you become too good for the simulator, but not good enough to fly reliably. You absolutely need a 4ch to overcome this. Get something lofty before you get something fast.

[@Zane-u1u]

Don’t want to be that guy 10:13 but your center of gravity would be too offcentre from your feet. If the cg was low then you wouldn’t feel like your falling you would feel more planted

[@TwoBrosRC]

🆒

[@BullyBreedRC]

The anxiety is real. I get WAY more anxiety from flying than from boxing other trained boxers. It's not even close 🤣. But I've been boxing 13 years and flyin for 10 months 🤷🏿‍♂️👊🏿

[@TwoBrosRC]

You'll get it, man! Hop on Discord with us and chat via bit.ly/TBRCDiscord - lots of like-minded folk to share your stories with, too. And you can chat with us directly instead of waiting for a YT comment to pop. ;)

[@flyboywbl]

Slippery slope. Now I’m buying turbines and radials

[@Cyberdyne_research]

Step 1: buy an aeroscout rtf. Step 2: buy real flight and the cable.(the dxs that comes with the aeroscout is compatible with real flight) Step 3: fly the aeroscout until you’re bored of it. Step 4: get something a little faster and fly that until you’re bored of it(I recommend an ultra stick) then you are ready to fly jets and be maverick. This is the most cost effective way to learn to fly. I spent $1,000 more than this trying to learn myself. Learn from my mistakes.

[@TwoBrosRC]

That's certainly a way to do it.

[@Cyberdyne_research]

@@TwoBrosRC do you know of any cheaper way?

[@bleudie173]

Flite test route

[@StephenHorton-x2s]

Hey I just found your channel and like your content. I live in FV and 10 minutes from the airport. Can you reach out to me I have some questions I would love to ask you. Thanks.

[@TwoBrosRC]

The airport is now closed to model aviation, but if you want to chat, feel free to hop on Discord via discord.gg/twobrosrc

[@yeggs2156]

Do you not like clet?

[@TwoBrosRC]

Never said we didn't, he's a nice guy. The point being if a guy who focuses a lot on driving can fly a plane, anyone else can do it too with practice and patience!

[@rcplayday7937]

Are you not permitted to address the weeds on the runway? Gasoline works wonders!

[@TwoBrosRC]

Newer vids should have less vegetation in the area we're flying in.

[@robertpawlusiak]

Those Trees are too close for a beginner ! on that air strip you even come close to the trees !

[@TwoBrosRC]

Yeah, good thing we're not beginners!

[@李懒人]

到现在为止。我还只会纸飞机制作，还在研究飞控。

[@GunsNGloryShow]

I wish I had such an awful taxiway.

[@TwoBrosRC]

🆗

[@kamesejordan9550]

there's plenty of people.... just like me?

[@TwoBrosRC]

Ayup

[@DaveCastelino]

I went straight to fighter jet : /

[@TwoBrosRC]

Good luck!

[@StuckInTheSpiral]

“If Cleetus McFarland can fly a plane so can you” That’s a massive overstatement. Can you drift a corvette for miles around a track? Do you run a multi million dollar business? Lmao

[@TwoBrosRC]

Way to get the point, guy!

[@StuckInTheSpiral]

Yea you’re aimed to the wrong crowd. Most of your audience doesn’t know who he is.

[@TwoBrosRC]

🆗

[@giannisgt28rs]

hi, its posible too reverse the sticks of the remote control? thnx

[@TwoBrosRC]

Sure.

[@rmiklosh]

Do you always use rudder with aleron when you turn or you don t have to?

[@TwoBrosRC]

Depends on the plane, but it's good practice in general.