Build Your Own RC Plane From Free Fight Plans
Older plans offer many options for indoor RC model aircraft
Nieuport free flight model makes a great indoor RC flyer
It is common today to see almost and ready to fly radio control aircraft where ever pilots take their models to the skies. Modelers traditionally had to know how to build your own RC plane to have something to fly. Today’s widespread availability of high quality and affordable ready build RC aircraft is a recent and welcome addition to the hobby. I have numerous RTF model airplanes in my collection, and I enjoy and appreciate their convenience and practicality.
Build a plane from plans
A great complement to RTF model airplanes is an micro RC aircraft built from a set of plans. It is not at all difficult to know how to build your own RC plane design and development from plans. Just as with RC aircraft in general, model construction plans range in complexity from simple trainers to multi engine scale designs.
You can obtain uncomplicated plans for an indoor flyer like the Finch, and advance to more challenging plans such as those for the Blackburn. The Finch can be built in a weekend as a first time project for anyone wanting to build your own RC plane from plans. The Finch is tailored for the ParkZone radio control electronics and geared electric motor which provides an affordable and easy to install control system. Best of all, the Finch’s plans are completely free. You can download a set of these full size CAD plans and get started at any time.
Example of hand drawn free flight model airplane plan from 1972
The ready availability of small and capable radio control electronics allows the modeler who wishes to build an RC plane to adapt just about any model airplane plan to indoor RC flight. This development allows the RC hobbyist to bring back to the skies older model airplane designs that have remained dormant for decades.
Interesting design for a free flight biplane
Until the mid-1990s, all the model airplane magazines had a large number of construction projects available for sale in their plans library. It was common to see up to three construction articles and associated plans for someone wanting to build your own RC plane in just one model airplane magazine issue. Model plans included free flight, U-control and radio control designs. The building materials and construction methods used in these early plans can be understood and applied by today’s RC pilot.
Older plans for indoor RC flight
A quick scan of the ads in any of the model airplane magazines will list various companies that offer these older plans for sale. An internet search will display further resources. Free flight model airplane plans are especially attractive for someone wishing to build your own RC plane for indoor flight. A free flight model airplane is designed with a lightweight structure such as foam that is an ideal first step for an indoor flyer. There is usually room inside the fuselage to fit the radio control electronics installation. Minimum modifications will be required to install an electric motors needed for indoor flight.
The Skyfarer high wing airplane makes a good candidate for park RC flight
Free flight model airplanes were designed to fly on their own without the benefit of control inputs from a pilot on the ground. It is mandatory that a free flight model has sufficient wing size, tail surface area and moments for stable and unaided flight. A modeler who adapts an RC plane from one of these designs is thus assured of a well flying subject.
Free flight models are affordable
Not too many modelers these days build dedicated rubber band powered free flight airplanes. In the past, the affordability of free flight models attracted talented pilots and designers who incorporated a good understanding of aeronautics and lightweight building techniques. The resulting aircraft lend themselves perfectly to being recreated as first-class indoor radio control models.
Go ahead and discover some of these classic free flight plans to create something new to build and fly at your indoor RC flying venue. The cost is minimal. As the original rubber band powered free flight model airplane had to be stable and fly unassisted, an radio controlled adaptation will assure success on that first takeoff.
Build Your Own RC Plane