Air Model making

The air model making (or model aircraft making) is a form of Modélisme which for a share developed in almost total symbiosis with the Aviation of which he endeavors to reproduce the representatives on different scales. The orders of size can vary much, of a few tens of grams with 150 Kilo S, of a Décimètre to 8 or 9 Mètre S of Envergure. The techniques used are also very diverse, of construction in paperboard, with modern synthetic fibers, and of the elastic motorization by S, with the reaction engine last miniature. The radiocontrolled planes thus gather as well the “planes Cacahuète” for the flight in interior, as of the counterparts of Concorde or Airbus. One can however distinguish two forms from this Modélisme: static model making and flying model making.

Static model making

As in the others Model making S, the realization of Maquette S for the only pleasure of the eyes is very developed. It is in the field of the Aéronautique that the Maquette out of plastic spread with a more and more pushed détaillage and a standardization in fact of the scales used. The famous brands are well-known like Airfix, Heller, Monogram, Revell, etc For this type of model, multiple materials can also be employed: Wood, resin, precut metal but also paperboard. The model of Avion was always a subject of predilection for the Maquette out of paperboard.

If one can say that this model making containing kits ready to go up and decorate is often the first stage before the passage to the flying models, there also exists in the static models of the models of contest, built by model makers having a strong technical level. In this last case, creations are static to allow possible realization the most faithful to its original, and not for lack of knowledge or means. The reasons bringing to this situation can for example be:

to exempt itself to complicate a manufacture already very thorough, by superfluous material;
to avoid moving away the aspect from the model of the original, by a motorization or an installation of radio control being able to make ugly the Plane;
to avoid damaging, even destroying, a work recognized for the precision of its completion, at the time of an accident of vol.

Flying models

Indeed, in spite of the differences in scale, the first efforts of the model makers were very close to those of the pioneers of aviation and one meets all the sizes of models to which some are very close - by dimensions - Drone S met in the modern Armée S.

In the context of the dynamic models, one meets engine apparatuses as well, (planes or helicopters) that sailplanes. More exceptionally (but in an obligatory way for the flights where the wind is insufficient), the sailplanes can receive a motorization which avoids to them having to be tractor drawn by another model of plane itself motorized. They are then Motoplaneur S. One will note that the amateurs of model making glides (the sailplanes use the wind to operate) usually share in impassioned thermal flight (which uses the current heats ascending which meet easily in plain per good weather) and of the Vol of slope (which uses the ascending currents produced by a continuous wind being based on a slope either in Montagne or in strongly undulating ground).

One will also note the existence of models of planes to engine which are connected by a cable to a stud around of which they turn at extremely important speeds: the circular Flight.

Currently develops use of electrical motors, made possible by improvement of capacity of accumulating S. amateurs there lose odor of oil (Castor oil or oils synthetic) which is mixed with the usual Carburant (Méthanol), but gain there in auditive peace.

Technologies sails very about it at present in electric model making are machines for the flight in interior, in Gymnase S or hangar, also called flight Indoor which can also call upon the engines known as “rubber”. The electric models used are often motorized by engines three-phase brushless with revolving cage having very good outputs. The accumulators used are Li-Po or of NiMh.

Also, an important branch of passion for air model making is interested in the reproductions of helicopters. This passion is often fed by the greatest difficulty to control this type of spectacular apparatuses and naturally less stable than the planes with engine or the sailplanes.

Lastly, the lighter than the air are also represented, inter alia things because of the pleasure associated with a very calm and very discrete activity on the sound level (like the sailplanes) and far from expensive (a Montgolfière requires an only little crêpee paper, and a source of heat like a stove of camp-site). Generally not controlled, the Montgolfière can be transported at considerable distances (several tens of Kilomètre S do not have anything unusual) when time lends itself to it.

Techniques

Materials employed

wood (Laminated balsa, samba, , pine…), are used for the Fuselage S and the wings, wood light being preferred with wood like the pine used only like rigidifying structure.
metals are found in the tubes, the more or less rigid stems of orders, even for the construction of the plane itself (Aluminum, and even Titane).
the resins, like adhesives, coatings, are used with the entoilage of the structures (like coats it nitro-cellulose), or, with synthetic fiber fabrics, for the construction of fuselages or wings.
the Polystyrène S are used for certain heavier but faster constructions of wings.
the paperboard S and various Papier S are also used.
the Kevlar, carbon, the glass fiber, are also usually used for the Fuselage S and the wings of the planes and sailplanes of competition.
the Depron is increasingly widespread and allows a technique of not very expensive construction.
the EPP (Poly Expanded Propylene) is used more and more for the realization of model of small to average cuts, to carry out models of sailplanes or electric planes very resistant to the shock, for the training or the Vol of slope of combat.

Motorizations

the engines rubbers function using long elastic S rolled up, whose unwinding involves the Hélice.
the compressed-air engines, are used little, and especially in coasting flight.
the sandows, winches, and even of the planes “tractors”, are used to launch the sailplanes.
the engine spark-ignition (generally of one-cylinder 2 times) are often used, some being able to be alone remarkable models (radial engines, multicylinder in line or V).
the electrical motors (in particular driving brushless or without brushes) are used more and more, thanks to progress of the accumulating . Certain models also have photovoltaic solar panels, to increase autonomy but as demonstration only, because of poor yield of the solar cells.
the turbines are pulled by electrical motors or with explosion.
the Pulsoréacteur S are rare because noisy and especially difficult to implement (not adjustment of power. It are often used in demonstration because of their with dimensions very spectacular.
the reaction engine are parts of luxury (minimum 2.000 Euro S), and remain complex to implement.

Electronics

the radio controls are used to control the models in flights, and are mainly categorized by the number of “ways”, which is the number of different Servomoteur S which can be supervised. They generally comprise 4 ways for a plane (elevator, rudder, ailerons of wings, speed of the engine), but can allow the management of much more ways, for possible returning trains, of the camber flaps, the Aéro-frein S, etc Certains recent and expensive models approach the Ordinateur S and offer very sophisticated functions

and functioning even under Windows and with module of émition syntèse frequency (what has means that all the frequencies are usable without quartz for the emetor as for the Ex receiver T12 or T14 de Futaba.

the receivers, assembled in the planes, are hanging radio controls, and distribute, according to the received waves, of the orders to the servo-motors.
the Servo-motor S, often called “servos”, are engines involving of the control surfaces using rods and cables. Their size, weights and power can vary much according to their function and the size of the model

There are some now which function numerically and either into analogical (profit of précition and of réactivitée).

the accumulating S are used to feed all the electronics of a plane, even the engine, standard plusior of accumulator exist (Cd N the nimh the lipo….)
Divers circuits is built and used, with the liking of the need. They can be used for the illumination as flying models, the launching of parachutes, the sound effects…

Principal disciplines

Planes

Sailplanes

Helicopters

Principal marks of flying models

Marks in activity

Marks having ceased their activity

Marutaka
Balsacraft

Principal world records

Sailplane radiocontrolled

Profit of altitude

The world records of profit of altitude by a sailplane were established on July 19th, 2003 with Saint-Vincent-the-Forts (04, France) with an altitude of 2068 m . The preceding record dated of June 11th, 1982. It was carried out by Jack R. Hiner (the United States) with 1950 m of altitude.

This new record was beaten by controlling the sailplane since a two-seater Parapente. Two tests were carried out. The pilots of Parapente were Frederic Jacques and Gabriel Galtier and the pilots of the small-scale model were Frederic Jacques and Olivier d' Apuzzo. The sailplane was a ASW22 of 4 m of scale equipped with a kit Multiplex.

The pilots of the record were:

For the small-scale model:

Frederic Jacques in the Parapente
Thierry Governed on the ground (in charge with takeoff and the landing)

For the parapente:

Gabriel Galtier

Duration of flight

The world records of duration of flight by a sailplane were established on September 9th, 2001, with a flight planed of 36 hours 03 minutes and 19 seconds , between the towns of Ivinghoe Beacon and Buckinghamshire, with the the United Kingdom.

The pilot of the record was Nicholas Shaw.

Outdistance

The world records of distance from flight by a sailplane were established on July 23rd, 1979, with a flight of 716,10 km , close to the town of Louny, in Czechoslovakia.

The pilot of the record was Eduard Svoboda.

Mean velocity

The world speed records average by a sailplane were established on July 20th, 1991, with a flight of 239,70 km/h , between the towns of Bottrop and Sterkrade in Germany.

The pilot of the record was Klaus Kowalski.

Plane radiocontrolled

Outdistance

The world records of duration of flight by a motorized plane, in closed circuit were established on August 3rd, 1998, with a flight of 1.300 km , close to the town of Hagerstown, with the the United States.

The pilot of the record was Maynard S. Hill.

Mean velocity

The world speed records average by a plane motorized by engine, in circular Vol were established on December 6th, 1971, with a flight of 395,64 km/h .

The pilot of the record was Leonid Lipinski.

Profit of altitude

The world records of profit of altitude by a motorized plane were established on September 6th, 1970, with a profit of 8.205 m , close to the town of Dahlgren to the the United States.

The pilot of the record was Maynard S. Hill.

Duration of flight

The world records of duration of flight by a plane motorized in coasting flight were established on August 11th, 2003, with a flight of 86 hours 52 minutes and 19 seconds , between the towns of Spear Cape to the Canada and Mannin Beach, in Ireland.

The pilots of the record were Maynard S. Hill, Barrett J. Foster and David G. Brown.

Helicopter radiocontrolled

Outdistance

The world records of duration of flight by a helicopter, in straight line, were established on June 2nd, 1996, with a flight of 134,10 km , between the towns of Yatpool and Gama, in Australia.

The pilot of the record was Michael Farnan.

Speed

The world speed records average by a helicopter were established on September 23rd, 2006, with a flight of 145 km/h in the town of Mytischy (close to Moscow), in Russia.

The pilot of the record was Mikhail Mukhin.

Profit of altitude

The world records of profit of altitude by a helicopter were established on April 12th, 1992, with a profit of 2.940 m , close to the town of Blagnac in France.

The pilot of the record was Jean-Philippe Allogne.

Duration of flight

The world records of duration of flight by a helicopter were established on February 2nd, 2001, with a flight of 5 hours 59 minutes and 51 seconds , close to Moscow, in Russia.

The pilots of the record were Vladimir Bulatnikov, Yuri Bazanov and Alexander Orlov.

Main associations

French federation of Belgian model aircraft making
Federation of Swiss model aircraft making
Federation of model making

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