The Work That an RC Airplane Needs

An RC Plane needs alot of care and work to get going, because even thought they look nice and simple to most, they are very hard to master and build. Before you start building, it is a good idea to learn how to fly the Plane, beacause it is fragile, and expensive to replace. Once you've mastered the controls, it is time to actually build it. It all starts out with a box of wood parts, which contains the wings, body, the propelers, and the wheels. Which you have to manually put together. Then comes the harder part, where you have to setup the remote for the plane, and you have to set up multiple a transmitter on the controller, as well as multiple receivers on the plane to control the direction, and the wings, as well as the rudder (back wing), which helps with direction (side to side). Also, you need a receiver on the elevator (back wing also), which helps with up and down motion. You also need to setup a motor. These are primarily the things you need to make an RC Airplane, but I will go into more depth on my poster and in my video. Tomorrow I will get my RC Plane model to show, and I will also finish my movie next week, also after that, I will do my written statement, then I will do my poster and finish my blog, as well as submit it, then I will get all things organized, finish my poster, practice, and talk to my supervisor, prior to the presentation, to get ready for the final presentation and exhibit.

Some Pictures of What a Finished RC Plane Looks Like!

Bibliography

Website:
1.)

EHow. "How to Build RC Airplanes | EHow.com." EHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Trusted Advice for the Curious Life | EHow.com. Ehow, 1999. Web. 18 Aug. 2011. http://www.ehow.com/how_2041691_build-rc-airplanes.html.

2.)

Baer, Carl. "Learn How To Build RC Planes." Learn How To Build RC Planes Today! 2010. Web. 18 Aug. 2011. http://howtomakercairplanes.com/.

3.)

Staley, Chip. "RC Plane Parts." RC Plane Parts. 4 Nov. 2010. Web. 18 Aug. 2011. <http://ezinearticles.com/?RC-Plane-Parts---Heres-All-You-Need-to-Know-to-Get-Started&id=5327779>.

Book:

1.)

Baer, Carl. The Beginner's Guide To Flying RC Airplanes. The Beginner's Guide To Flying RC Airplanes. Carl Baer, 2010. Web. 18 Aug. 2011. http://www.rc-airplane-world.com/beginners-guide-to-flying-rc-airplanes.html.

Video:

1.)

"How to Build a Great Homemade RC Airplane Really Cheap - YouTube." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 18 Aug. 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKUj6oGyqO4.

Interview/Expert Source:
1.)
Britten, B. (September 20, 2011) Help with the IMovie concept of the project. 

Getting Things Organized, and Starting The Plane

Today I went to BC Shavers to get some materials for my RC Plane. I had some help from my parents, as well as some books from the library. I need to make some more time to assemble all the parts of the project, but I am on my way to being there. I shold be able to finish half of the work needed to make the plane by next week. I will start the written statement when the building is done, and I will keep recording what I do in my journal, as well as changed plans, or things that take me off track, or obstruct my work. I will try to finish the written statement before the deadline by a week, so I can do my IMovie work to make a movie of how to make an RC Plane. I my plans dont work out, and my time is short, I will have to do the IMovie project part a little bit earlier, and save more time at school to go to the lab during lunch or after school to finish that portion of the project on time. But, I realized that getting a new kit and assembling it, as well as buying all the parts will take too long, and will waste too much time, when I could just easily get a model, and learn how it is all built. Building a new plane would also cost 400-500 dollars, so it is too expensive for me. But, I found a way to fix my problem by just getting a model, and explaining the steps to build it, including a movie. Also, I am having trouble fitting all my steps in my schedule, so I am shortening things up, and finding more time, as well as starting the Written Statement soon.

Getting The Parts and Working on The Project

Today, I got all the parts to build my RC Plane, and I read the manuel, and understand how to build it well. I have gotten help from adults for things like electrical wires, but I realized that I didnt have enough time to do my project, so I changed some plans, and got some parts premade. To make the Plane, there is many complicated things, such as putting the electrical wires in the right spot, and many other little details that need to be stressed on. But, I have understood my job, and have started to create my project, and will finish it in a couple of days, after I get all the parts set up. Most of it is done, and I will finish it when I get all the parts, and get more help from adults to make the Plane, and for this, I need more time, so I will try to free up my schedule, and focus more on what I have to do with my project. When I am finally done with my creation, I will completely understand the instructions, and make a poster, or a video based on my work, and understanding for other peoples future learning. But I am not yet on that stage until I finish the Plane, which should not take long, since the parts are almost all gathered, and I understand the manuel, and I already have my parents'help on some things. So far, I am on a good start to my actual creation. After a long break from work, I am on a good path to completion, and setting up more time for work on the project.

Research and Plan

I have done some research on my topic, and I used three different media to research on my topic.
Some of the Research which I have done is:

You must Build it Straight.
Use right type of Apoxy Glue.
Find the Center of Gravity of Plane.
Purchase seperate kit with parts.
Get large, flat building space.
Read Instructions.
Paint Plane Last.
Build with wood, and start out with wings and work your way to center of Plane.
Draw plan of Plane First.
Make Plane symetrical on both sides to give it ballance.
Get a 4 channel radio transmitter and reciever.
Get a wrench, screwdriver, modeling knife, drill, tape, sandpaper, pencils and wire cutters.
For the rest, just get someone who knows about electrical wires to help, and put the pieces of the plane which you built together while following the instructions that come with your store bought kit.

To make movie of instructuions with plane I will use:

IMovie HD to:

Get certain clips which I record, and put them together.
Control lenght of Video, and add effects to make it more interesting, as well as music, and my talking to explain the instructions. I can use diagrams too. I will appear in the video too.

Mind Map:

1.) Techniques Chosen: I will buy the kit, and follow its instructions, and my Research to make the RC Plane, then I will carefully follow my goals set, and finally be able to put a movie together with IMovie HD, and IMovie HD help when needed. I can also get help from experts, and obnly do part by part, instead of blowing it all off on the last day, but work on it during the week, and maybe start a little bit early.
2.) Creation of Product: I will buy the parts from a kit, and follow the Research which I did to make sure that I am doing everything right, and finding things, such as the Center of Gravity for best flight, wiring, etc.
3.) Support and Development of AOI Focus: I can get some help from experts, as well as research alot about my topic, and when I am done, I will share the knowlege which people have taught me to others to pass it on. My AOI is Approachs to Learning.

I am now ready for my next meeting with my supervisor on March 8th, 2011.

Supervisor and Meeting

I have chosen my supervisor, it is Mr. Harrison. I have had my 1st meeting with him, and have finished my criteria for meeting #1. I have handed my sheet in with a signature from my parents. I am going to go to the library and get some information on my topic. I have also decided to make a 'how to' video of my RC airplane. I will get the information needed to buid my plane, and make a video by March, 2nd/11 in time for my next meeting with my supervisor.