Electric RC AirplanesElectric RC Airplanes offer the easiest and most affordable way to begin flying model aircraft. Recent breakthroughs in manufacturing technology now make these planes lighter and more durable than their balsa wood predecessors. Wing and fuselage materials include ultra light flex plastics as well as EPP foam (sort of like a spongy styrofoam). Electric motors, ultra light servos, and smaller lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries all make electric RC airplanes a great entry point into the RC Hobby Universe. Many of the 2 channel electric rc airplanes are simple enough to operate that children Ages 8 and up can begin to enjoy the hobby and learn the basics of operation and safety. Young Beginner Level: A great starter plane for younger children Ages 8 and up is the Air Phantom RTF. This is a 2 channel dual propeller plane that comes ready to fly (RTF). All you'll need are the six AA batteries for the transmitter. The plane battery recharges from the transmitter so I would recommend that you purchase rechargeable AA batteries otherwise you'll be going through the alkaline AA's too quickly. The Air Phantom RTF electric RC airplane is made of EPP foam so even if the plane hits the ground hard, it won't break. Another nice bonus is that the plane comes with a small screw driver which is needed to open the transmitter battery cover.
Click here to read a review of the Air Phantom...video included!
Beginner Level: Another great starter electric rc airplane is the Megatech Cosmic Flyer. This also is a 2 channel plane that comes RTF. What I like about this plane is that the propeller is positioned behind the main wing. So in case of a hard landing, chances are the prop and motor won't get jammed out of place.
Beginner/Intermediate Level: Stepping up to a plane that requires a bit more skill and is also a top seller is the Megatech Freedom Flyer. This electric RC airplane has it all. It comes RTF with three channels actively controlling the throttle (ESC), tail rudder (left-right), and the tail elevator (up-down).
The Megatech Freedom Flyer. is also made of tough flexible ultra-light plastic so it can take a bit of a beating and still fly. Here are some additional features: it comes with a Speed 400 motor than can bring the plane to over 50 mph, the transmitter is a 4 channel FM with a range over 1500 ft. ...but wait...I said it's a 4 channel transmitter! That's right, even though the fourth channel isn't being used in the stock model, you can buy an aileron upgrade kit and easily mount a servo on the main wing, plug it into the fourth channel opening of the receiver, and now you've got control of the main wing ailerons! This will enable you to do more maneuvers like tighter loop de loops and barrel rolls.
Remember to buy extra flight battery packs so you can keep on flying after your first battery is depleted! The Megatech Freedom Flyer also comes with a "Getting Started" video CD. So if you're looking for a great trainer that you can upgrade once you've mastered the basics, this is the one. Intermediate Level: The Ikarus Shock Flyers offer amazing manueverability for such a low priced electric rc airplane. They are sold as kits and require complete radio systems to operate, which are sold separately.
The Ikarus Shock Flyers were developed for 3-D-freestyle flying. These models can perform virtually anything from the usual aerobatic maneuvers to rolling circles, snaprolls, flatspins, knife edge loops, tumbling, torquing, and even hovering.
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