On a wing and a prayer

Flying enthusiasts tour China's fifth remote-controlled plane exhibition in Beijing. [Photo by Wang Jing/China Daily]

A world of aircraft

Stepping into Tao's bedroom is like entering an entire world of model aircraft. Planes of every description, large and small, engines, remote controllers, batteries, glue, and other paraphernalia fill every available space.

Beijing's RC addicts seem to be getting younger, so Tang Xuan - a 30-something veteran of the scene - stands out. The software engineer from Beijing's Zhongguancun district has been involved with model planes for nine years, and uses his leisure time to pass on his experience to the "new kids in town".

"Assembling an RC plane costs from several hundred yuan to more than 10,000," Tang said. "Every veteran player produces his own unique aircraft - after all, many are experts in aerodynamics, flight mechanics, radio, electronics, materials, mechanics, and so on - but I always suggest that beginners choose a 'ready to fly' model, which means they won't have to worry about building the machine. When you have scant knowledge of things such as aerodynamics, you are almost bound to get it wrong, and so buying an RFT model will at least rule out flight failures caused by the plane itself," he said.

His teaching approach starts with two weeks of lessons on the basics of aerodynamics, a program that's designed to provide newcomers everything they will need to know to keep the plane airborne. After that, Tang asks his students to conduct simulated flights on specially designed computer software.

"RC planes aren't easy to fly, and even experienced pilots aren't successful in every test flight. Your expensive plane may disintegrate in mid-air, or shatter on the ground, so using the computer's flight simulator can really help newcomers avoid wasting money unnecessarily," he said.

He said a newcomer can become a reasonably proficient pilot by using the simulator one or two hours a day for two months. However, he warned against doing too much flying, because senses become dulled and that will lessen the advantages of the training. The curriculum is divided into eight weekly segments, with the first week being spent learning to take off smoothly and set the correct course. During the second to fourth weeks, beginners learn to steer the aircraft and keep it level. The fifth and sixth weeks are devoted to practicing regular landing procedures, and the final two weeks show newcomers how to perform emergency landings.

According to Tang, the importance of the training should not be underestimated, because it tests one's mental abilities and enables the pilot to deal with all in-flight contingencies. Tang recommends that novices read Getting Started with Radio Controlled Airplanes: The Complete Beginner's Guide.

After spending long days flying model aircraft in the strong summer sun, his skin has turned a deep, orange color. "We RC plane addicts don't have good skin," he said, with a grin. "Let me say this: To some people, these planes are just toys, but not to us. You can't imagine the emotions we have invested in them. Some people don't understand us so what? We're happy."