RC Airplane Parts and Controls

There is a great deal of variety in the shape and configuration of RC airplanes. However, there are basic parts found in most any style plane. Understanding these basics can help you in making a good choice when purchasing your first RC airplane and in learning how to fly them. The parts described here paint the big picture. There is much more detail involved as you dig deeper (or fly higher) into the world of RC airplanes.

• Nose: Part of the fuselage, the nose is the front of the airplane forward of the wings. Some RC airplanes have a propeller on the nose. This part of the airplane is susceptible to damage in diving crashes.

• Fuselage: The main body of the airplane. In a real airplane this is where the pilot, passengers, and cargo would be found. The RC electronics (motors, servos, batteries, wiring) are often housed inside the fuselage. Some RC airplanes have little more than a long stick or rod for a fuselage.

• Wing: Airplanes are called fixed wing aircraft. Attached to the fuselage, the wings don't usually flap or turn. Wings may be straight, curved, flat, rounded, ellipitical, triangular (such as Delta wing style, the plane on the right in the illustration), or other shapes.

• Tail: At the back end of the fuselage, the tail comes in many forms including conventional or T-tail, V-tail, or flat.

• Propeller: Most RC airplanes have some form of propeller. 2 and 3 blade propellers are common. The propeller is usually affixed to the motor and may be mounted on the nose, tail, or the wings. RC airplanes may have 1, 2, or more propellers.

Also see: What Materials Are RC Airplanes Made Out Of? for an introduction to the range of materials used to construct the wings and fuselage of most RC airplane models.