RC planes · Choose
Best RC planes for beginners
By Paul Walsh Last reviewed
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Modern stabilised trainers have made learning to fly a plane far easier than it was. These are the models we'd point a beginner towards in 2026.
How these picks were chosen. Based on specification, stabilisation features, UK parts availability and owner reports, not on long-term testing of every model. Prices from UK retailers, checked October 2026. RC Mods may earn a commission on some links in future; that never decides a pick.
Our picks
Pick 1
E-flite Apprentice STS 1.5m RTF Basic
E-flite
About £387 at Sussex Model Centre, checked Oct 2026
1.5m four-channel foam trainer with SAFE beginner, intermediate and experienced modes plus Panic Recovery. Needs a 3S 3200-4000mAh battery.
Pick 2
HobbyZone AeroScout S 2 RTF
HobbyZone
About £300 at Wonderland Models, checked Oct 2026
1.1m brushless trainer with SAFE and three flight modes, supplied with a DXS transmitter and RealFlight Trainer Edition. Needs a 3S 2200mAh battery.
Pick 3
FMS Ranger 1220 RTF
FMS
About £218 at Sussex Model Centre, checked Oct 2026
1.22m high-wing trainer with Reflex V3 stabilisation (stabilised, optimised and manual modes). Runs on 3S 1300mAh.
Pick 4
Arrows Hobby Prodigy RTF
Arrows Hobby
About £165 at Access Models, checked Oct 2026
1.4m EPO trainer with Vector stabilisation (three modes), brushless motor and 3S 1300mAh battery. Good value for a larger trainer.
Pick 5
HobbyZone Sport Cub S 2 RTF
HobbyZone
About £180 to £200 at Wonderland Models, checked Oct 2026
616mm micro trainer with SAFE and Panic Recovery, battery included. Flies in a sports hall or on a calm day outside.
Pick 6
HobbyZone Duet S 2 RTF
HobbyZone
About £100 at Wonderland Models, checked Oct 2026
523mm three-channel micro with SAFE, supplied with battery and USB charger. The cheapest stabilised way to try flying.
Pick 7
Volantex Sport Cub 500 RTF
Volantex
About £78 to £83 at Wonderland Models, checked Oct 2026
500mm four-channel EPP plane with gyro stabilisation. Tough, cheap and ideal for a first try on a calm day.
The picks at a glance
| Plane | Wingspan | Approx. UK price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-flite Apprentice STS 1.5m | 1.5m | £387 (battery extra) | The full-size learning trainer |
| HobbyZone AeroScout S 2 | 1.1m | £300 (battery extra) | Compact, tough, simulator included |
| FMS Ranger 1220 | 1.22m | £218 | Good value with stabilisation |
| Arrows Hobby Prodigy | 1.4m | £165 | Best value larger trainer |
| HobbyZone Sport Cub S 2 | 616mm | £180 to £200 | Indoor halls and calm days |
| HobbyZone Duet S 2 | 523mm | £100 | Cheapest stabilised try |
| Volantex Sport Cub 500 | 500mm | £78 to £83 | Cheap, tough first try |
Proper trainers (1.1 to 1.5m)
E-flite Apprentice STS 1.5m. A big, steady trainer with SAFE beginner, intermediate and experienced modes and Panic Recovery. An optional GPS module adds automatic landing. It needs a 3S 3200 to 4000mAh battery. See E-flite.
HobbyZone AeroScout S 2. Smaller and tougher, with a pusher propeller behind the wing that's protected in crashes. Comes with a RealFlight trainer edition so you can practise first. Needs a 3S 2200mAh battery.
FMS Ranger 1220. A forgiving high-wing trainer with Reflex V3 stabilisation, available ready to fly at a lower price. See FMS.
Arrows Hobby Prodigy. A 1.4m trainer with Vector stabilisation, brushless motor and battery, for about £165. Strong value if UK spares are available for it when you buy.
Small planes for a cheap first try
HobbyZone Duet S 2. A 3-channel micro with SAFE, battery and USB charger, for about £100. Perfect for a sports hall or a still evening.
HobbyZone Sport Cub S 2. A 4-channel micro with SAFE and Panic Recovery. Flies indoors in a hall and outdoors when it's calm.
Volantex Sport Cub 500. EPP foam that bounces, a gyro and a low price. See Volantex.
What to buy with it
- Two or three batteries: check the size each model needs.
- A balance charger if one isn't included: see best LiPo chargers.
- Spare propellers, always.
- A simulator for practice: see RC flight simulators.
What to avoid
- Warbirds, jets and low-wing planes as a first plane.
- Very cheap planes with no stabilisation.
- Models with no UK spares.
The full decision process is in the RC plane buyer's guide, stabilisation modes are explained in gyro-stabilised RC planes, and your first flights are covered in how to fly an RC plane.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest RC plane to fly?
A high-wing trainer with gyro stabilisation and a panic button, such as the E-flite Apprentice STS or HobbyZone AeroScout S 2.
Are small RC planes easier for beginners?
They're cheaper and less intimidating, but much harder in wind. A larger trainer is usually easier to learn on outdoors.
What do I need to buy with an RC plane?
Check whether batteries and a charger are included. Add two or three spare batteries, spare propellers and, if not included, a balance charger.
Related guides
RC planes
RC plane buyer's guide
Trainer, park flyer, warbird, glider or 3D: what each type of RC plane is for, sizes, RTF or BNF, running costs and where to buy in the UK.
RC planes
How to fly an RC plane
Range check, take-off, trimming, circuits and landing: a practical sequence for your first RC plane flights, and the mistakes that end most of them early.
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Gyro-stabilised RC planes
How stabilisation and panic-recovery systems work in beginner RC planes, which modes to use when, and when to switch them off.