rc planes – The RC Model Hub

Flying an RC plane (radio controlled plane) is one of the most thrilling and addictive hobbies there is. There are tons of options out there - numerous models that promise a variety of features, competitive prices, and technology to choose from. It's easy to get over-whelmed, but for a newbie pilot the best place to start are RTF (ready to fly) rc airplanes. And to be honest I was even overwhelmed by the choice of RTF rc planes for beginners, so I dived into finding out as much about them as possible. This article provides you with some of the best Ready To Fly (RTF) RC Planes for beginners to choose from, keeping in mind all the features and requirements that a novice pilot will need. I've summarized below the key things to look out for, and found some excellent beginner RTF rc planes, which will save you a lot of time if you're looking for one to buy. I won't reveal 'til later which one I went for! Beginner RTF RC Planes - Top Picks Here's our top picks' list of highly recommended RTF rc planes for beginners, one of which is bound to suit you to the ground (or air!): Any recommendations we make are always based on either products we already own and use, or are carefully assessed in terms of their attributes and user feedback - criteria we use ourselves whenever we buy. Where products sold by Amazon are suggested, they will have the following criteria at the time of writing, unless there are no alternatives available: Minimum of 4 starsNo more than 10% of all reviews are 1 or 2 starsThe product has a minimum of 100 reviews We also highly rate products which have free shipping or are sold through Amazon Prime. HobbyZone Sport Cub STop Race 3 Channel Rc PlaneTop Race 4 Channel Rc AirplaneVOLANTEXRC Sport Cub 500 ParkflyerVOLANTEXRC RTF Ranger 600VOLANTEXRC P51 MustangWotryit WLTOYS A380VOLANTEXRC T28 Trojan ParkflyerFuntech RC Airplane Remote Control AirplaneLandbow RC Plane 2 Channels Top Picks Table Top RatedTop Race Rc Plane 3 Channel Remote Control Airplane Highly rated by usersAmazon's Choice3 level flying modes: Easy, Medium, HardNew Propeller Saver TechnologyReady-to-Fly includes everything you need Check details on Amazon Most PopularHobbyZone Sport Cub S Perfect as a trainer airplaneModes let you learn to fly RC at your own pacePanic Recovery ModeReady-to-Fly includes everything you need Check details on Amazon More AdvancedTop Race Rc Plane 4 Channel Remote Control Airplane Everything you need to flyAmazon's choiceThrottle, rudder, elevator, aileron and tail wheel controlOne Key ReturnOne key aerobatics Check details on Amazon More AdvancedVOLANTEXRC Sport Cub 500 Parkflyer RC 4 Channel Airplane Everything you need to flyAmazon's choiceThrottle, rudder, elevator, aileron controlOne Key ReturnOne key aerobaticsXpilot Stabilization System Check details on Amazon Great ValueFuntech RC 3 Channel Airplane Everything you need to flyAmazon's choiceThrottle, rudder, elevator control Check details on Amazon Glider DesignVOLANTEXRC RC Glider Ranger 600 Everything you need to flyAmazon's ChoiceOne Key ReturnOne key aerobaticsXpilot Stabilization SystemGlider design for longer flights Check details on Amazon World War II FighterVOLANTEXRC P51 Mustang Everything you need to flyFleex foamOne Key ReturnOne key aerobaticsXpilot Stabilization SystemWorld War II Fighter design Check details on Amazon Trainer AircraftVOLANTEXRC 4-CH T28 Trojan Parkflyer Everything you need to flyOne Key ReturnOne key aerobaticsXpilot Stabilization SystemTrainer design Check details on Amazon Civil AirlinerWotryit WLTOYS A380 Everything you need to fly3 Channel (rudder, elevators and throttle)One Key ReturnGyro stability system Check details on Amazon Lowest priceLandbow RC Plane 2 Channels Everything you need to flyAmazon's Choice2 Channel Gyro stability system Check details on Amazon For more detail about any of these rc planes, take a look below. While it might be tempting to go for the really flashy, and sleek, high-end, high-tech models, opting instead for a sturdy, reliable rc plane with good ground control along and safety features and self-leveling technology, would be prudent. There are a lot of questions you need to consider before you pick your first plane. Do you go for a two, three or four-channel RC plane? What about the size and the materials used to build it? What features do you need to look out for? Here are the most important things... What Are The Important Things For RTF Beginner RC Planes? The Complete Package Make sure that you get everything in the box you need to start flying - possibly with the exception of some AA batteries for the transmitter. You should look out for: The airplane fuselage, wings and all operating surfaces such as the rudder, elevators and ailerons if fitted. These should all be in place and working right out of the box.The motor and propeller, fitted to the fuselage.Landing gear. This is often separate in the box, but can usually be easily fitted.Batteries. Usually Nimh or LiPo batteries with charger. Look out for 2 batteries to extend your flying time.Receiver with servos. Already installed in the aircraft.Transmitter. This is usually on the 2.4 Ghz frequency, which is the most common. Quick Assembly The ideal beginner's RTF rc plane will be ready to fly right of the box. If there is any assembly required, it should be minimal, such as clipping on wire undercarriage. RTF (Ready To Fly) or BNF (Bind N Fly) RTF rc planes usually are literally ready to fly right of the box. Perhaps the only thing you will need to do is add AA batteries to the transmitter, charge the battery in the plane and read the instructions or user guide. Alternatively some planes come as bind-n-fly (BNF) aircraft. BNF planes are aimed at hobbyists who already have a compatible transmitter, flight battery, and charger, usually because they already have an rc plane. The advantage of BNF planes is that you save on the ancillary costs. For the purpose of this article, however, we're focussing on absolute beginners who are buying their first aircraft, so we'll look at RTF only. High Wing or Low Wing RC Plane? The high wing design is better suited to beginners as it is more stable in flight than a low wing model. Many of the beginner rc plane models do have high wings. However, the incorporation of flight stability technology - see below - now makes the wing configuration almost irrelevant, What Is "Safe" Technology? The wide introduction of "Safe" (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology into the hobby has meant that many trainer airplanes have beginner friendly flight characteristics. SAFE technology is able to limit the actions of the novice pilot to allow the airplane to fly normally, and continue to fly even if the controls are set to their extreme limits. So SAFE limits the extent to which the plane's flight controls - the rudder, elevators and ailerons - can be moved in flight. But, a plane with SAFE onboard doesn't limit your abilities as a pilot. There are options which involve beginner, intermediate and advanced settings, so you can tailor the amount of "help" you receive from the technology according to your abilities. In the beginner setting you will be restricted, however, to fairly gentle maneuvers, and only in the advanced mode will you be looping the loop. Other features of the technology mean that you're less likely to have a disaster as you learn: AutoLand brings the plane down safely by pressing a buttonHolding Pattern recovers the airplane to a pre-defined GPS pointVirtual Fence confines the plane to an areaPanic Recovery automatically brings the aircraft back to flying level Each manufacturer has their own version. For example, Horizon Hobby has 'ACT' (Anti-Crash Technology™) and Volantexrc has the Xpilot stabilization system. What's the Best RC Plane Motor For Beginners? The main choice here is between the Internal Combustion motor and the Electric motor (We won't even go near jet powered, or EDF, motors until we've gained some experience). Most beginner rc airplanes are electric powered these days, as they are easier to operate, cleaner and in some cases safer, as there is no combustible fuel to deal with. What's The Best Construction Type For a Beginner RC Plane? I was told by an old hand at this hobby that I can be sure of one thing - at some point - probably shortly after I first take control - I'll crash, even with SAFE technology on my side. (As an aside I did wonder whether I should insure my rc plane - I talk in detail about that here). So far any mishaps I've had have not been too major, but a big factor is the way the plane is constructed, and what it's made of. The most robust materials for rc plane construction are carbon fiber based, but these are often expensive. A more common, and cheaper, material is foam, which in it's advanced forms can be very durable. For example, some of the Volantexrc beginner planes use "Fleex" foam, which is more plastic than normal polyurethane. An rc plane is more likely to survive a crash to fly another day if it has components which detach on heavy impact - eg the wings. Trainer models are also now being shipped with "propeller savers", which, as the name suggests, allows the propeller to detach as soon as it meets a solid object - like the ground - so saving the propeller from major damage. Look out, too, for wired landing gear to withstand impacts, as well as substantial tires. The Horizonhobby Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m RTF has big tires able to withstand pounding. Finally, ensure that the model you buy is fairly popular and from an established manufacturer. No doubt at some stage you may need spare parts, and they'll be easier to obtain if the plane is well known. How Much Does A Beginner's RC Airplane Cost? If you will excuse the pun, the sky's the limit as far as cost goes, but for a good RTF rc plane for a beginner you'll pay between $100 and $200 all up to get into the air. What Flight Time Can I Expect From An Electric RC Plane? Once you've mastered the basics of keeping the plane in the air, you'll want to fly for as long as you can, and that will mean ensuring the LiPo battery is fully charged before setting off (assuming you have an electric motor driven plane). RC training airplanes can last anywhere between 10 and 20 minutes in the air, depending on how hard you use the throttle and the model. You may want to buy a second or third battery to extend your flight time. For lots more detail about electric motor batteries, and how to get more out of them click here. Which Is Best: 2, 3 Or 4 Channel RC ? This depends on what you want to do with the rc plane, and how experienced you are. You'll have more control with a 4 channel (or 5 or 6 channel), but you'll have more to do and think about. You'll see rc beginner planes advertised with either 2, 3 or 4 channel transmitters and receivers. Each channel is dedicated to one of the airplane's controls. So a 3 channel is normally configured to control the plane's rudder (making it turn right or left), elevators (making it go up and down), and the throttle (making it go faster or slower). A 4 channel will, in addition, control the plane's ailerons (making it bank right or left). On the more advanced rc planes, more channels are available to control such things as flaps (to enable it to fly much more slowly) and landing gear. Some transmitters have over 15 channels available. I'd suggest you leave these until you have a little experience under your belt. Is It Easy To Fly An RC Plane? The short answer is yes, if it has simple controls, conditions are good with little wind, AND you've had a little bit of experience. Many hobbyists get their initial taste for flying from pc simulators, and there are now dedicated rc plane and helicopter simulators which give a very good representation of flying the real thing. Here's a very popular simulator which has many of the training rc airplanes which you might consider, as well as more advanced models: The RF9.5 Radio Control RC Flight Simulator Software with Spektrum Interlink-DX Controller boasts: 170 aircraft and 40 flying sites, including a customized FPV flying site and a dozen new pilot-requested aircraft additions from the best brands in RCVR compatibility and game-like challenges make flight training fun and interactive, while multiplayer combat lets you challenge pilots worldwide Do I Have To Have A License To Fly A Beginner RC Plane? I've written more about whether you need a license to fly an RC airplane here. In the US at the time of writing, you don't need a license unless you're flying for commercial purposes (called the Part 107). However, you will have to register your rc airplane with the FAA and put the registration on your model, if it's over 0.55 pounds in weight. This applies to most of the models covered in this article. It's simple and cheap to register - you can do so over at the FAA website here. Don't be put off by it being called "The Drone Zone" - it applies to rc airplane flyers too! Can I Fly My RC Plane Indoors? Yes, you can. Many of these beginner RC planes are slow and light enough to fly in a gym or a large warehouse. In fact, it may be preferable for a beginner, as you won't then have the problems of wind and rain to contend with. What Is The Best Beginner RC Airplane? We've summarised the 10 best rc airplanes for beginners, above, but here's a bit more detail on each... HobbyZone Sport Cub S This is a great starter airplane, being quite small (2 ft wingspan) and light (1.54 pounds), and having Hobbyzone's SAFE stabilization system should you need to use it when you're learning to fly. it also has the Panic Recovery mode which returns the plane to a level and steady flying level if it goes out of control. It comes with everything need to get it into the air, including transmitter, receiver, and battery. Here's a video giving you a good look at what it can do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX7K8jOO5b0 It has an impressive list of attributes, and few drawbacks: To see more details, and check out reviews on Amazon, click here. Top Race 3 Channel Rc Plane Another ready to fly rc plane, right out of the box, is the Top Race 3 Channel Rc Plane. With the 6 Axis Gyro System, it provides 3 levels of flying ability - Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert. Its advanced propeller technology means it breaks away in the event of a crash, thus minimising or even eliminating any damage to the prop shaft and motor. It's slightly lighter and smaller than the Hobbyzone Cub, but still provides a great flying experience, according to most of its users. Here's a video from the manufacturer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J7nSmL_Z5s&feature=emb_logo To see more details, and check out reviews on Amazon, click here Top Race 4 Channel Rc Airplane A move up from the Top Race 3 Channel RC plane, as this will give you aileron control too. As usual with all of these recommended beginner rc planes, most love it, but there were obviously a few failures where the plane disappeared into the ether after control was lost. Here's a video from a user: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uVE7ecE0SQ Credit: alishanmao To see more details, and check out reviews on Amazon, click here. VOLANTEXRC Sport Cub 500 Parkflyer Similar to other beginner rc planes reviewed here, this comes ready to fly right out of the box, and has Volantexrc's stabilization system, Xpilot. It is slightly more advanced, sporting 4 channel control though. Here's a video highlighting the features: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiJOuL0MQHU Credit Essential RC To see more details, and check out reviews on Amazon, click here VOLANTEXRC RTF Ranger 600 A glider rc airplane for beginners, the VOLANTEXRC RTF Ranger 600 boasts a 30 minute flight time on one battery charge, as it can glide with power off. It has all the usual Volantexrc beginner benefits, such as the XPILOT STABILIZATION SYSTEM, and provides 3 modes for beginners, intermediates and experts. it is of "pusher" design, so it has the propeller high up towards the rear, where it is protected to some extent from damage. Here's a short video putting the Ranger 600 thru its paces: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D2iAUZReX0 To see more details, and check out reviews on Amazon, click here VOLANTEXRC P51 Mustang I have to say that this is my favorite. It looks great, yet, with the modern stabilization system, it's easy to control for beginners. Here's a video from EXHOBBY LTD : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbE25wdHsPw To see more details, and check out reviews on Amazon, click here Wotryit WLTOYS A380 If a civil airliner model rocks your boat, then the Wotryit WLTOYS A380 could be the one for you if you're a beginner model rc plane flyer. Here's a video to gove you a flavor of the plane in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNLqyte81P0 To see more details, and check out reviews on Amazon, click here VOLANTEXRC T28 Trojan Parkflyer This is another VOLANTEXRC beginner's rc airplane, this time in the shape of a T28 trainer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5HY2UQYb6M Here are some of the pros and cons: To see more details, and check out reviews on Amazon, click here Funtech RC Airplane Another high wing repro which is aimed directly at beginners starting out with rc airplanes. To see more details, and check out reviews on Amazon, click here