| Once you have learned some basic flying, you will want to try and do some more spectacular maneuvers. Loops, barrel rolls, and stall turns are the most common and are the basis for more advanced moves. To understand how to make these maneuvers, you must understand how your plane flies and works in the air, so it is best to get some good solid flight training completed before you try more advanced moves. Be sure you understand how all the controls affect the flight of the plane and how they work, and then it will be easy to understand how to complete loops, rolls, and stall turns.
A loop is flying the plane up and over in a loop or circle and then back into the original line of travel. The loop is begun by flying level, and it will be helpful if you can fly straight into the wind, giving yourself plenty of altitude. You will need to get up to full speed and then pull back on the elevator stick. You will want to avoid a sudden, jerky movement, but still apply plenty of force and keep the speed as fast as you can. The plane will begin to climb steeply until it begins to break over and be upside down. When it is flipped over onto its back, cut the motor back to the slowest speed, but keep the elevator control all the way back. When the plane is right side up, again reduce the elevator and increase the speed to normal level flight. Once you have completely mastered the loop, you can try barrel rolls.
Barrel rolls are when the plane continues to fly forward, but the body of the plane rolls to the right or left, over onto its back, and then continues until it is flying upright again. To do a barrel roll, you will start as you did with the loop, flying straight and level, but be sure you have lots of space in front of your plane to complete the movement. Fly straight into the wind if possible, and begin your barrel roll by applying left or right aileron or rudder while also applying the elevator. You don't need to increase the speed of the plane for this maneuver; simply keep it at its normal flight speed. The plane will begin to climb and roll over; don't move the controls until the plane breaks over and is diving back down. Once the plane is upright again, you will want to return the controls to a normal flight position, and you have completed your first barrel roll! Barrel rolls are really exciting and easy to execute and can be combined with other moves to create a spectacular aerial show. Once you have fully mastered barrel rolls, then you will be ready to try a stall turn.
A stall turn is a visually appealing way to make an about face with the airplane. You will put the plane into a very steep climb, and at the apex of the climb, you will cut the power, apply the rudder, and turn the plane back down. The wind will help you with this movement too, but instead of flying into the wind, you will want to fly perpendicular to it, and make your rudder adjustment at the end towards or into the wind. This helps the plane execute the turn gracefully and easily. To begin, fly normally perpendicular to the wind, and put the wind on the side you want to turn into. So, if you want to execute a right hand turn, you will want the wind blowing towards your right wing. Once you have determined this, apply full throttle and pull back on the elevator control, adjust the elevator control as needed to maintain a climb and not go into a loop. Once the plane has climbed for a few seconds, cut the speed down to the slowest, release the elevator, and apply full rudder into the wind. Once the airplane has spun around and is in a vertical dive, release the rudder and when you have returned to your initial altitude, speed up the motor and pull back on the elevator to return to normal flight.
Now you are ready to try it for yourself; master these moves and then you can move into even more advanced maneuvers. These three maneuvers can be combined for even more acrobatic movements, and there is no limit to the possibilities. Have a great time, and enjoy making loops, barrel rolls, and stall turns while you amaze your friends!
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