The invention described here offers a low-cost method of remote flight
control suitable for use in toy airplanes and ornithopters (flapping-wing
aircraft). To accomplish this, the aircraft is powered by a reversible
electric motor. The propeller or flapping wing produces a torque force,
which is dependent upon the direction of motor rotation. This torque
force is used to bank the aircraft and cause a turn. In the case of an
airplane, a reversible-pitch propeller enables the propeller to produce
thrust in either rotational direction. In the case of an ornithopter, the
torque force results from an asymmetrical motion of the wings. By
reversing the motor direction, the asymmetry is reversed and the
ornithopter turns in the opposite direction. This control method reduces
costs, because unlike other toy aircraft control systems, it provides
full directional control of the aircraft without the need for any servo
or actuator in addition to the drive motor.