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radio-controlled aircraft

radio-controlled aircraft

4.4
An aircraft flown without a pilot and controlled remotely by radio
  • noun
  • /ˈreɪdioʊ kənˈtroʊld ˈɛrkræft/
translation icon : avión teledirigido
  • The competition featured a variety of radio-controlled aircraft performing aerobatic maneuvers.

Examples

  • He assembled the radio-controlled aircraft in his garage before testing it in the field.

  • Advances in technology have made radio-controlled aircraft more accessible to hobbyists of all ages.

  • The radio-controlled aircraft soared high above the park.

  • Have you ever flown a radio-controlled aircraft?

  • The children gathered at the park to fly their new radio-controlled aircraft on a sunny afternoon.

  • He skillfully maneuvered the radio-controlled aircraft around the obstacle course at the air show.

  • After weeks of practice, she successfully piloted her radio-controlled aircraft for the first time.

Synonyms

drone
vsradio-controlled aircraft
267 3.7

A small flying machine that people control from the ground, often with a camera

focuses on technical operation by radio signals rather than typical uses
pilotless aircraft
vsradio-controlled aircraft
  • Specialized
6.2

A flying vehicle with no person on it that someone controls from the ground or that runs on a computer

specifies manual radio remote control rather than autonomous systems

How Autonomous

radio-controlled aircraft
4.4
manned
9 3.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

radio-controlled + aircraft

The meaning is directly compositional: 'radio-controlled' (controlled remotely via radio signals) combined with 'aircraft' (a flying vehicle) yields an aircraft operated remotely without a pilot. This straightforward formation follows normal English compound patterns and has clear cross-linguistic parallels, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Radio-controlled aircraft comes from the image of a small aircraft that someone on the ground guides with a radio, sending signals to make it fly where they want. That's why it means an aircraft flown 'without a pilot on board' and controlled from a distance.