Most of the time, the RTF (Ready-To-Fly) radio controlled aeroplanes come with a radio, so you don’t necessary have to go through the process and buy the radio on it’s own. However, it’s still good to know the basics of the “radio” in the RC hobby and know what the different number of channels are for.

When you get further in your radio controlled aeroplanes hobby, you’ll be looking for more advanced RC radio transmitter, so I’ll tell you why you should consider getting a better radio than you’d actually need right at the beginning. And we’ll go through the basics of RC radio controls and channels in the process.

For Radio Controlled Aeroplanes: Get a RC Radio Transmitter with At Least 4 Channels

The most basic radio control transmitters have 2-3 channels, rudder or aileron, throttle & steering or rudder & aileron in case of radio controlled aeroplanes. It takes 4 channels to gain complete acrobatic capability that will enable you to fly nearly every radio controlled plane.

Because of this, it might be worth it to by a bit more expensive and better radio with at least 4 channels, even for your first plane, because you can “re-use” the same radio for your next RC plane, heck, you can use the same radio for RC cars and boats as well, and possibly even radio controlled helicopters.

Like said, the 2-3 channel RC radio transmitter will do fine at the beginning, but you will probably have to buy a better one at some point, when you’ve built up your skill and want to move to the more advanced models and want to get full acrobatic control of your radio controlled plane.

Radio Control Channels for Radio Controlled Aeroplanes

With less than 4 channels, you can’t control everything. For a basic, beginner-friendly RC model planes this is not a problem, as many trainee planes don’t utilize more than 3 channels, using throttle, elevator and either rudder or aileron, depending on the plane. Leaving either rudder or aileron out, flying your radio controlled plane is, of course, simpler than with all 4.

Here’s what you get with different number of channels in your RC radio transmitter:

• 1 Control Channel
  • Rudder* (e.g. RC model plane flies with full throttle until out of fuel/power)
• 2 Control Channels
  • Throttle, steering (e.g. RC cars, RC boats). or Rudder & Elevator (e.g. Glider RC airplanes)
• 3 Channels
  • Rudder or aileron, elevator, throttle or rudder, aileron and elevator
• 4 Channels
  • Rudder, aileron, elevator, throttle.
• 5 Channels
  • Rudder, aileron, elevator, throttle, flaps or retracts.
• 6 Channels
  • Rudder, aileron, elevator, throttle, flaps or retracts.

When you have more than 6 control channels, you’ll have the option to add cool extra features like parachute drops, bombs, dive brakes or other operating parts to your model.

The most common number of control channels used on a RC model planes is 4. Cars and boats usually use 2-3 channels. As mentioned, the four-channel control gives you the total acrobatic flight capability and is able to fly most radio controlled aeroplanes – thus making getting a radio with minimum of 4 channels a great choice, even when starting out.

But there’s nothing wrong in getting a RC radio transmitter with 6 or more channels right from the start. Good RC radio transmitter will serve you for many years, so think of it as an investment. As the radio is at no risk of breaking because of crashing to ground, the chances of the radio getting broken are minimal, compared to the risk with the actual plane, which is likely to crash more than once during the early stages of your radio controlled aeroplanes hobby.

Note that if you’re looking for a 2.4 transmitter, make sure that the transmitter works with the receiver you got, or purchase a receiver to go with the new transmitter. For example, the Spektrum 2.4 transmitters have worked only with Spektrum and JR receivers, but not necessarily with any other, as the 2.4 seems to be brand-specific — but like said, take a look at the transmitter (and receiver) specs and you’ll see if they work together or not.

RC Radio Transmitter for Radio Controlled Aeroplanes

To summarize, if you’re new to radio controlled aeroplanes, that 2 channel radio for your RC glider plane or the 3 channel basic radio coming with your RTF RC plane will do just fine. But if you’re seriously thinking about going into radio controlled aeroplanes hobby, consider getting yourself a radio with at least 4 channels.

You know how it goes, when the RC bug bites, you’ll be looking for the high-quality gear. And a metallic, chrome-style RC radio transmitter feels so much better than the usual plastic models, adding sense of quality and luxury to the hobby you love.

The Spektrum RC transmitters are widely recommended by the experts, so you might start looking for a quality RC transmitter from those (JR transmitters being other quality option)…