There are many different areas of aero modelling. A brief outline of these is covered below.

Radio Control (R/C) - R/C aircraft come in many forms. R/C aircraft can be either powered or gliders. Powered aircraft use a variety of propulsion systems such as internal combustion engines, electric or even miniature jet turbines.

R/C aircraft use a radio system to control them in flight. Small electric motors (servos) in the aircraft are used to move the control surfaces and regulate the throttle so enabling total control of the aircraft. The pilot uses a transmitter to send signals to a small electronic receiver in the aircraft which in turn controls the servos.

Control Line (C/L) - Control line aircraft use lines, to control the movement of the aircraft. These lines are connected at one end to a handle which is held by the pilot and the other ends are connected to the model. The aircraft flies around the pilot contstrained by these lines in a circular fashion. The pilot can control up and down movement of the model by moving the handle which operates the elevators in the aircraft. A third line can be used to control the throttle. Control line is an inexpensive way to start aero modelling as no radio equipment is required. The are many forms of C/L flying including combat, aerobatics, carrier deck, speed and scale.

Round The Pole (RTP) - Round the pole flying is similar in some ways to C/L. The models which are usually electric powered are tethered to a revolving pole. The wires connecting the aircraft to the pole are use to carry the electic current used to supply the motor in the model. A simple slot car controller is often used to control the current being sent through the wires and so control the speed and hence height that the aircraft flies at. RTP models are generally flown indoors and many clubs conduct this sort of flying through the winter months.

Free Flight (F/F) - Free flight models are just that, models that are allowed to fly freely without any exteranal control. Such models can be IC, rubber or electric powered or maybe just gliders. Many F/F models are trimmed to fly in large cirles to prevent them flying out of sight.

Gliding - Model gliders have gained increasing popularity in recent years as they are quiet and inexpensive. Slope soarers are flown from a hill where the prevailing wind generates uplift. Thermal soarers rely on thermals to keep them in flight. Obviously these gliders must have a means of getting high enough in the first place to find thermals. A number of methods are used including towlines, bungees, using a small electric or IC motor or even being towed by another powered model.

Indoor Models - Indoor aero modelling takes on many forms. A specialised area of indoor flying involves using very light models weighing only a few grams. These are covered in microfilm and often flown in large hangers. Technology has enabled radio control systems to get smaller and lighter and its is now possible to fly small r/c models indoors.