Many RC Plane Products for Today’s Modeler
Fly an RC model plane from plans, a kit or ready built
The variety of radio control (RC) airplanes available to modelers today is staggering. In the not too distant past, modelers had to build their own RC plane to have something to fly. These model aircraft were constructed with a set of plans or from a kit, with the vast majority of planes hand built in a home work shop.
Typical three channel high wing trainer
One outcome of the fact that most RC planes needed to be built by the owner was a relatively low level of technical sophistication for the normal construction project. There were certainly exceptional builders who produced dazzling model aircraft. But the majority of RC planes seen at the local flying field were usually ordinary in appearance and performance.
Piloting skills
An unanticipated outcome of the requirement to home build each RC plane was the impact on piloting skills. Many potential RC pilots who had neither the time nor inclination to spend several months building a model plane never entered the RC hobby. While it was possible for these budding pilots to purchase a second hand RC plane, it still required a fair amount of personal time and skill to ensure their model was airworthy.
Components of a Chipmunk Almost Ready to Fly kit
The revolution of ready to fly radio control aircraft marked a sea change in the makeup of the RC pilot community. Modelers who constructed their own aircraft from kits or plans were still prevalent at the local club flying field. But for the first time a more casual entrant to the RC pilot ranks emerged, one who acquired their model plane ready to fly out of the box.
Attractive RTF pusher motor arrangement
These new members of the RC plane community are welcome, and offer a fresh perspective on the hobby. By choosing to fly a factory made plane, they assure themselves of a quality, well-built model that will fly properly on the first test flight. There is no concern that an incorrectly built RC model will cause difficulties when taken airborne.
Employing ready to fly RC aircraft allow these new pilots more time to fly and practice various maneuvers. Employment of RTF models can quickly lead to higher pilot proficiency.
Demoiselle is made from a kit and offers slow and stable flight
Fly a scale RC model
Most RC pilots aspire at some point to fly a model replica of a full size aircraft. When you build one of these scale birds on your own, there is a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment once you are done. The challenge, however, is that time spent in the workshop making your model keeps you away from the flying field and sharpening pilot skills. Add to this dilemma the fact that scale RC models are typically more difficult to fly as compared to lighter weight sport aircraft, and you can see the challenges facing the traditional approach to RC scale plane flying.
The situation described above can be neatly solved by adapting a mixture of home built and RTF model planes. Use of ready to fly models allows more time to fly and build piloting skills, such that you are fully prepared to handle a new scale project.
SE.5A scale radio control model airplane
Ready to fly RC planes have also paved the way for widespread acceptance of micro indoor electric models. Successfully building and flying small indoor RC aircraft has always been a tough task due to stringent minimum weight requirements. It is hard for the average modeler, using normal balsa wood techniques, to fabricate these micro aircraft and have them fly well.
Ultra Micro 4-Site RTF foam biplane
Industry recognized this situation and offers an incredible range of quality, well flying ready to fly indoor RC models to fit the needs and budget of any RC pilot. These small flyers range from two channel helicopters to three channel, fully proportional foam aircraft such as the ParkZone Cessna 210 that weight a mere 18 ounces. You can even purchase fully aerobatic four channel airplanes for indoor flight such as the Ultra-Micro 4-Site.
Build from a kit or plans
There are still numerous people who build their own RC models from a kit or set of plans. The quality of RC plane kits these days is extraordinary due to precision CAD design and laser cutting techniques. A great example of a state of the art balsa kit for indoor flight is the Stevens Aeromodel Pietenpol Air Camper. Additionally, plans always provide a ready source of original subjects for indoor RC flight. See a free, full size CAD plan of the Finch you can download here.
Today’s range of radio control model aircraft is wide and varied. Whether you design you own models, build from a kit, follow a set of plans or purchase ready to fly, the variety of RC plane available is amazing. Come on out and enjoy the fun!