Aircraft models are not just made for display or exhibit. It was not created to just be put on a shelf, waiting to be appreciated and looked at and not meant to be held behind closed doors. Yes, it can serve as a great addition to your collection, but it should not end there. It is not only for those people who have a deep appreciation for aircraft and airplanes. Given a chance to see a real airplane model, everyone, not just aviation enthusiasts will develop an admiration for this work of art. Simple and plain miniatures usually take a number of days to complete, assembled cautiously piece by piece, to make it as exact, detailed, and stunning as possible. Craftsmen creating these models put their time and effort just to build a precise and astonishing masterpiece. A simple airplane model is already amazing, now imagine if it is bigger than you and can even soar in the sky. Now, that even sounds more marvelous!
Nowadays, drones are becoming a trend across all nations, dominating military organizations and facilities. The drones industry is rising fast, leaving the pros and cons to each and every group using it. More companies are using drone technology to handle their production and delivery services. But there is no doubt that despite being conquered by drones, RC Airplanes are still on top of the list and have been around for so much longer. Although drones are considered to have simpler maneuverability, it also has limitations and disadvantages. Some of those limitations may affect its performance from above.
It has shortened flight times, it is powered by high-performance lithium polymer batteries and frequent battery replacement is needed to keep it going. It can also be easily affected by the weather. Since it is using a kind of battery that is sensitive to moisture; it is unlikely to fly during rainy days. Drones can also be easily hacked. Highly developed hacking skills can simply capture its information link network and be in charge of the drone without any hassle, taking all data collected using it. These are just some disadvantages of using drones nowadays.
But despite these things, we cannot deny the fact that drones are more advanced than AC Airplanes.
Introduction to RC Airplanes
There are different types of airplane models. First are the simple aircraft models that are meant to join an enormous collection of items on the shelves. You might have seen one in an art exhibit, at the store, or a display at the malls. These are flying models like plain toy gliders made of balsa wood, paper stock or foam polystyrene. There are already mass-produced airplane models available in the market or you can hire some best craftsmen to have it custom built for you. There are also radio-controlled aircrafts or frequently called RC aircrafts or RC airplanes, which are tiny flying machines that are being controlled remotely by an operator on the ground by means of a hand-held radio transmitter. This radio receiver is used to control the movement of the aircraft model based on the position of the pointing device on the transmitter.
Although each model varies in various ways such as its weight, performance, style, capabilities of motors and batteries, functions, and uses, all RC models were made to help people in many ways since the 2000s. It has different purposes. Regular people use it for fun or as a hobby with their friends and families. While some government, scientific, and military organizations use it for a higher purpose like conducting experiments, gathering weather condition readings, undercover works, and some of it is even equipped with weapons.
Largest RC Airplane
Boeing 747-400 Virgin Atlantic Airliner was hailed as the largest RC Airplane in the world. It is almost impossible to differentiate it from a real airplane in the sky. This RC plane was first introduced to the public in 2015 during Airlinertreffen that was held in Germany. Many people were left in awe and delight as they brushed their eyes to this awesome creation. Airlinertreffen is an airplane assembly, which occurs just once in every two years, and catches the attention of the crowds through its modelers’ engines and large models. This occasion showcases huge and great aircraft models, and just in 2015, Virgin Atlantic RC Airplane was introduced as the largest RC plane ever made.
The event supports its participants to create large models on their own styles and plans. That only means, there would be no kits, but just construction plans as clues. Strong love, appreciation, and admiration for aircrafts are much needed if you want to be part of this event. As what Virgin Atlantic RC Airplane made during its performance when it was put to a test and took its maiden flight, it executed quite a lot of loops before returning to the ground from beyond.
This Virgin Atlantic Airliner is 5.43m in length, with a wingspan of 4.95m. It is motorized by four IQ hammer 140 turbines, with a power of 14kg each, and it has a weight of 68kg in total. The procedure of making this large RC plane took more than 2000 hours or more than 83 days. It is said that a cat or a dog can enjoy a magnificent ride in this plane while getting the pleasure of a bird's eye view of the world from above. Not just it looks like a real airplane but it also sounds and flies like an actual one.
Specs of Virgin Atlantic RC Airplane according to scalar.edu.com
Model: RC Boeing 747 - 400 from Adi Pitz
Wingspan: 4.95 m
Length: 5.43 m
Weight: 68 kg
Scale: 1/13
Turbine: 4x IQ Hammer 140
Pilot: Rainer Kamitz
Meeting: Airliner Meeting in Oppingen
Germany July 2015
This event was also published and posted online in August 2015, leaving the online audience with disbelief and amusement. If it looks like a real airplane in a recorded video, can you even imagine seeing it personally?