New to RC Flying? – 5 Beginner RC Planes you should consider
Now, at the risk of adding to the ‘beginners list’ cliche, I feel that some beginners may be misled due to the sheer amount of information out there and it’s important before you get started to make sure you’ll have as much fun as possible, as safely as possible – hence I have compiled my own list of “Best Beginner RC Planes“.
Choosing an appropriate beginner rc plane is important, and often means that you’ll have to settle for rc airplane kits that look fairly ordinary and sometimes quite unrealistic. But it’s important to remember that looks aren’t everything, and I couldn’t think of anything worse than starting out with my dream plane, and then crying over what’s left of it because I hadn’t yet learned basics of flying.
Beginner RC Planes that we recommend
Below are our top 5 picks of the best beginner rc planes to get you started, they do vary in price, but all are easy to get the hang of quite quickly and are ideal for building confidence in your flying abilities.
| 1. |  |
Slow Stick – Available in Red or Yellow | $31.50 |
| 2. |  |
Super Cub Brushless RTF | $195.50 |
| 3. |  |
Nexstar 46 Trainer – from Hobbico | $114.48 |
| 4. |  |
Firebird Commander 2 | $76.30 |
| 5. |  |
Cessna 182 – from Airbus | $59.95 |
1. The Slow Stick is a ‘slow flyer’. It’s small, lightweight and, you guessed it, it flies slower than your average rc airplane. A slower speed is quite a welcome feature when you’re first starting out as it will be easier to manoeuvre while your brain is trying to remember which control does what.
The Slow stick is an ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) beginner RC model airplane kit, which means that you will have to supply the radio equipment, battery and charger etc.. So although it’s clearly one of the cheapest options, it isn’t all-inclusive.
2. The Super Cub is an RTF rc model airplane kit as it is a complete package and is Ready To Fly straight out of the box. It’s constructed out of practically indestructible EPP foam. It is very easy to control, very durable and replacement parts are cheap – definitely worth the initial outlay.
3. The Nexstar 46 is also an ARF model, so doesn’t include engine or radio system in the kit. It is a ‘trainer’ rc model airplane kit. It is faster, heavier and larger than other types, and as such, requires a very large flying space. Trainer rc airplanes are generally not built to withstand damage, as they cannot be patched up for the next round. Enlisting the assistance of an experienced pilot is probably best to ensure you get the most out of the experience.
4. The Firebird Commander is also RTF and looks a little different to most airplanes because of it’s ‘V-tail’ type design. It’s great for aerobatic manoeuvres, but it’s probably best to delay flying if there is any wind at all. You’ll need a football field-sized area to fly this one safely. The Firebird is very forgiving and easy to repair. It features the wonderful anti-crash technology from HobbyZone, which can be disabled in the future when it’s no longer required.
5. The Airbus Cessna 182 is yet another RTF beginner rc plane kit. It is capable of flying at slow speeds which, like the Slow Stick is an advantage for beginners. It performs ground take-offs with ease and is made of quality parts for a really great price. It doesn’t include batteries for the transmitter, 8xAA batteries from memory, so be sure to have a few on hand.
Of course there are so many beginner rc planes available, it would be fantastic to try some out so you can get a feel for what works best for you. but at least some are extremely affordable for the first timer so there really is no excuse not to get started right away.
Happy Flying!
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