Radio-controlled aircraft (commonly referred to as RC aircraft or RC aircraft) is a small flying machine remotely controlled by an operator on the ground using a hand-held radio transmitter. The transmitter communicates with a receiver that sends signals to servomechanisms (servo) that move the control surfaces according to the position of the control arms in the vehicle on the transmitter. Control surfaces also affect the orientation of the plane.
Flying RC drones as a hobby have grown significantly since the 2000s with improvements in the cost, weight, performance and capabilities of engines, batteries, and electronic devices. A wide variety of models and styles are available.
Scientific, government and military organizations are also using RC aircraft for experiments, collecting weather readings, aerodynamic modeling and testing. Unlike civil aerial modeling activities, Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) or drones add video or autonomous capabilities, are used for public service (firefighting, disaster recovery, etc.) or commercial purposes, and can be armed if in the service of a country's army.
The earliest examples of electronically steered model aircraft were hydrogen-filled model airships from the late 19th century. Using a basic spark-emitting radio signal, they were flown around theaters as a music hall show. [3]
During World War II, the US Army and Navy used radio-controlled aircraft called Radioplanes as artillery target drones.