hello,

I am new to this sport. The RC planes are so big these days, what would stop someone from taking RC aircraft plans and sizing the plans to 100% building the plane ( with proper materials of course ) and flying the thing ?? It seems possible.



Thanks

B

They've pretty much been doing that since the late 1890's

If you were referring to upsizing the R/C to fullsize and still flying it R/C


Money for one. Once you get full size R/C the price isn't much differnet than full scale (minus the avionics in the dash).

Next is insurance. AMA has a limit and anything over that limit needs approval and certification.

Right now if you built something that big and flew it hardly an insurance company out there would insure you. And the bigger it is, more than likely the bigger the damage to the public.

Then look at this........as R/C folks we already get blamed for flying over homes etc. Now put a full scale plane that is R/C flying low and doing crazy manuevers. Complaints to the FAA will happen. That just means stricter guidelines being placed on us.

Originally Posted by Road Builder

They've pretty much been doing that since the late 1890's

Those are kind of my thoughts.

Originally Posted by sweetpea

If you were referring to upsizing the R/C to fullsize and still flying it R/C


Money for one. Once you get full size R/C the price isn't much differnet than full scale (minus the avionics in the dash).

Next is insurance. AMA has a limit and anything over that limit needs approval and certification.

Right now if you built something that big and flew it hardly an insurance company out there would insure you. And the bigger it is, more than likely the bigger the damage to the public.

Then look at this........as R/C folks we already get blamed for flying over homes etc. Now put a full scale plane that is R/C flying low and doing crazy manuevers. Complaints to the FAA will happen. That just means stricter guidelines being placed on us.

Thanks, what I am referring to is the following, lets say I see a nice looking aircraft for this example we will use a J3 Cub. I get great plans and blow them up to scale. Build the aircraft (proper materials of course) prepare it for inspection and off I go. Has this happened ? or is this really possible ? That is really my question.

One in norway are building a 92% ultimate. You know him as tikka here on FG.

pretty big the plane in the picture to

Sure it's possible, but it's a little more complicated than material substitution. A J-3 is a bad example because the full size already exists, and it's structure (steel tube and fabric) has been designed to best suit the airframe. Building a full size Cub entirely from wood may be possible but nowhere near as efficient as it's current structure.

Composite models are a different case. But to answer your question, as long as the basic design is sound, most models could be scaled to man carrying size. The structure may not, for reasons of complexity, strength and practicality.

Take a look around the web sometime and you'll see a lot of wacky full size airplanes that flew, and are weirder than most models to ever fly.

CG.

Originally Posted by Barron_V

Thanks, what I am referring to is the following, lets say I see a nice looking aircraft for this example we will use a J3 Cub. I get great plans and blow them up to scale. Build the aircraft (proper materials of course) prepare it for inspection and off I go. Has this happened ? or is this really possible ? That is really my question.

Yes, it is possible. Yes, it has been done before.

RC planes are designed to fly at their given size and make no allowance for supporting the centralized weight of a pilot, as well as control cables. You're much safer to purchase plans for a homebuilt plane than size up an RC plan and hope for the best.

Originally Posted by Flyfalcons

RC planes are designed to fly at their given size and make no allowance for supporting the centralized weight of a pilot, as well as control cables. You're much safer to purchase plans for a homebuilt plane than size up an RC plan and hope for the best.

I would agree. But what if there are no "life size" plans currently available. Perhaps the plans could be gone over by an aeronautical engineer and then go from there. I appreciate your answer sir.

Oh my, what a topic...

Bob

I know but I had to ask.

This is the whole point of "experimental Aircraft". You build it, it gets inspected and you go risk your life....I mean fly.

Folks have been doing this for years and years.

HA !! Sweatpea, your avatar is killing me !!!!!!!! but yes I follow your point. Interesting comments makes me think even more.

Originally Posted by Barron_V

I would agree. But what if there are no "life size" plans currently available. Perhaps the plans could be gone over by an aeronautical engineer and then go from there. I appreciate your answer sir.

Um, because there are life-size plans available?

Hey here's a question: If Earth lost its gravity we could stay attached to the ground with magnetic shoes but how would we breathe if the atmosphere floats away?

Here's the answer: WHO THE F CARES? IT'S NOT A REAL SITUATION!

Hope that helps.