Remote Control Airplanes – Which One Should You Buy?

From the vintage tail draggers to the whirring jets and even the high winged, stable trainers, a myriad of options are available for the RC airplane enthusiast. These radio controlled crafts make fabulous gifts for people of all ages. After all, few would not appreciate the pleasure and thrill of commandeering an airplane even if this involves standing on the ground with their eyes glued to the sky, as they watch their prized possession soaring to new heights.

Most experienced RC airplane fliers know that the type of aircraft chosen should match the skill and experience level of the flier or it will not take more than a few minutes to experience your first RC crash. So, here is a look at the different types of RC airplanes and the flying expertise they require.

Trainers for the beginners:

As a beginner, whether you are piloting a radio controlled aircraft or the real deal, you will be given a high winged, slow and stable aircraft that is easy to control and truly difficult to crash. Its possible to buy trainers powered by an electrical engine or an internal combustion motor; however, the latter will cost you more. Trainers are available in a plethora of sizes and shapes, so it should not be too difficult to find one that suits your requirements in terms of cost, looks and performance.

Sport airplanes:

The name says it all, among the most popular category of radio controlled aircrafts, these sport planes are a distinct step up from the seemingly sluggish trainers. They are available in a myriad of sizes and shapes and are fantastic for aerobatic maneuvers. These airplanes are usually mid or low winged which offers a more aerodynamic shape and better performance. They are also faster than the trainers; these models can be flown by a relative beginner if you can resist the urge to put the aircraft into a nosedive or spin.

Warbirds:

These are usually the hot favorites in most RC flying competitions and usually the best looking aircrafts on the tarmac. Their tail dragger design (third wheel on the tail instead of the nose) makes them difficult to land, so it would be best to try your hand at the warbirds only after you have collected a considerable amount of experience with your trainers. There are some RTF warbirds that are specifically meant for beginners but it will still take some skill to land them without tipping the aircraft on one side.

RC float planes:

Not as widely available as the regular RC aircrafts, the float planes provide an unparalleled sense of thrill. You are, after all, landing the plane on water. However, as you may have already guessed, this can be tough and it would be extremely sad to lose your precious possession to the drink, so get a lot of practice before trying your hand at the float planes.

The minis and the park flyers

RC airplanes can also be segregated into two categories based on the size of the aircraft and where they can be flown. The park flyers, as their name suggests, are perfect for an outdoor sortie. While it is possible to buy pint sized models in these, what fun would it be if you cant really see the airplane heading up to meet the clouds. Fortunately, park flyers are quite cheap and do not require as many accessories, so a medium sized plane will not break the bank.

Minis are perfect for indoor flying with their tiny electric motors. They are tiny as compared to the park flyers and require limited take off and landing distance.

Flying the big jets

For all you guys who have the need for speed, the jets will offer all the excitement you want. Powered by a jet engine; these aircrafts are the Lamborghinis of RC crafts and boy can they fly. However, their higher price tag means that most people are loath to lose one, so it would be best to enjoy these after logging several dozen hours in the trainer.

Fret not even if you have shoe string budget for your first RC plane; foam RC aircrafts will be the perfect option. They are durable, easy to control and cheap. These airplanes are designed to take a good beating and if a part of the fuselage does give way, all you need is some glue to put the aircraft back in action.