Wheels and Retracts for RC Planes

RC Plane Wheels:

• Wheels are used to support the weight of the RC plane while taxiing on the ground and during takeoff and landing.
• They are typically made of lightweight but durable materials like foam, rubber, or plastic, ensuring minimal added weight to the aircraft.
• RC plane wheels come in various sizes, depending on the aircraft's weight and type. Smaller wheels are suitable for lightweight models, while larger ones are used for larger and heavier aircraft.

Retractable Landing Gear (Retracts):

• Retracts are landing gear systems that can be retracted into the fuselage during flight to reduce drag and increase the aircraft's aerodynamic efficiency.
• Retracts are commonly used in scale models, especially in replicas of military jets and some civil aircraft, to maintain a more realistic appearance.
• They are typically controlled remotely by the pilot using a servo, which allows the landing gear to be extended or retracted.

Manual vs. Electric Retracts:

• Manual Retracts: Some RC planes use manual retractable landing gear, which requires the pilot to physically move the landing gear into position before takeoff and after landing. These are often used in smaller or simpler models.
• Electric Retracts: Many modern RC planes feature electric retractable landing gear, which can be controlled with a flip of a switch on the transmitter. Electric retracts offer convenience and are commonly found in larger and more advanced models.

Tricycle and Tailwheel Configurations:

• Tricycle Configuration: In tricycle landing gear, the aircraft has a nose wheel at the front and two main wheels at the rear. This configuration provides better stability during takeoff and landing and is common in most modern RC planes.
• Tailwheel Configuration: Some RC planes, especially scale models and vintage aircraft, use tailwheel landing gear. The main wheels are positioned near the aircraft's wings, with a smaller tailwheel at the rear. This setup resembles the landing gear used in older aircraft and can be more challenging to handle during takeoff and landing.