HPB Voices Reloaded
Nov - Dec 2007
Boys and their toys
A radio controlled (RC) plane is a model aircraft that is controlled remotely via radio control. It is typically controlled with a hand-held radio and a receiver within the craft.
When I started flying model planes 2 years ago, I was surprised that most models were made of foam or balsa wood. These materials are commonly used in order to make the planes light enough to take off. Unfortunately, this means that the planes also need repairs and replacement whenever the plane made unexpected visits to the ground below. Thankfully such visits lessened through practice, but crashes do happen due to many factors - such as when the battery in the plane dies unexpectedly, sudden strong unpredictable winds, distracted pilots looking away from their planes for a second... Planes, unlike kites, cannot stay still in the air. So, one has to have constant attention on the plane while it is in the air. In a manner of seconds, the plane could be a speck in the clouds or a new decoration piece in someone's HDB kitchen. A simple set can cost from $300 to beyond $2000, depending on the type of radio, plane and parts used (I spent $800 on my radio alone). You can usually catch a small group of flyers in the weekend at places with large open grass fields, such as Woodlands Ave 2 (near the Singapore Sports School). Those who like nature, getting a tan, likes tinkering with electronics and practising their hand eye co-ordination might especially enjoy this hobby.
