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Posted 3/24/2010 @ 5:24:47 pm by pilotornot.com
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The State of Modern R/C
R/C (Radio Controlled) Modeling has been around almost as long as the airplane itself. The Wright Flyer was the first controllable aircraft and naturally, the first models were of the Wright Flyer. In today's modern times you would be hard pressed to find a plane that someone has not modeled, with scale detail right down to the actual Turbine engine. It seems that there really is no limit.
Just when you think you have seen it all, R/C aircraft quietly morph their way into our defense system in the form of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), or a different form of R/C (Remotely Controlled), which are called RPVs (Remotely Piloted Vehicle, to avoid any confusion with model aircraft). Although RPVs are controlled from a very long range the concept is still the same as model flying.
Now, in an effort to utilize these tools on our own soil, the Aerospace program at the University of North Dakota is using some of it's UAVs to fly reconnaissance over the Red River and keep track of the spring flooding.
Wikipedia Image
The plane is called the "
Scan Eagle" and is the same size as many R/C models now available. My hats off to this group of people for showing that our incredible Defense Technology has other positive uses as well. Now there's somebody using their head for something more than a "hat rack" !
To take this one step further, the Governor of Texas has requested assistance from UAVs to fly over west Texas and the coastal waters to boost border security in light of recent drug violence in the areas. Homeland Security and the FAA are working together to get the necessary clearances and control stations for 6 UAVs.
It only takes a little imagination to realize that Unmanned Fighter Jets are not out of the question. Think of it, remotely fly in to drop a smart bomb and fly back out without even risking a life !
So when your child says they would like to get involved in R/C, beware you could have a future fighter pilot in your midst and you'll never have to worry that they'll be shot down.
