RC plane buyer's guide

RC planes are one of the most rewarding parts of the hobby: a well-flown trainer looks graceful, and landing your first plane cleanly is a moment you remember. Choosing the right first plane makes that moment come much sooner.

Step 1: choose the type

A high-wing trainer is the right first plane for nearly everyone. With the wing above the fuselage, the plane naturally wants to level itself.

Step 2: choose a size

• Under 600mm: micro planes for halls and very calm days. Cheap and fun, but blown about by wind.
• 1 to 1.5m: the sweet spot for a first outdoor plane. Handles a light breeze, easy to see.
• 1.5m and up: smoother still, but needs more space and a bigger car.

Step 3: stabilisation

Gyro stabilisation is the biggest single help for a new pilot. Look for:

• Self-levelling beginner mode.
• Bank and pitch limits so it can't roll over.
• Panic recovery to level the plane at the flick of a switch.

Systems include Horizon's SAFE (E-flite, HobbyZone), FMS Reflex and Arrows Vector. See gyro-stabilised RC planes.

Step 4: foam or balsa?

Almost every first plane today is foam: tough, cheap to repair and ready to fly. Balsa and built-up models are lovely to fly but slower to repair. See foam vs balsa RC planes.

Step 5: RTF, BNF or PNP?

• RTF: everything, including a transmitter. Often "Basic" versions leave out the battery and charger, so check.
• BNF: no transmitter; needs a compatible radio.
• PNP: no receiver or transmitter.

For a first plane without a radio, RTF is simplest. See RC transmitters explained if you'd rather choose your own radio.

Step 6: spares

You'll need propellers for certain, and probably a cowl, undercarriage or wing parts at some point. Buy from a brand with UK spares: E-flite, FMS and Volantex are all sold in the UK.

Step 7: the whole budget

• The plane: about £80 to £120 for a small gyro trainer; £165 to £390 for a 1.1 to 1.5m trainer.
• Batteries: most trainers use 3S packs, about £15 to £35 each. Buy two or three.
• Charger: a balance charger, from about £45. See best LiPo chargers.
• Spare propellers.
• Flyer ID (free) and Operator ID (£12.34 a year) from the CAA.
• Club membership if you join one.

Step 8: where you'll fly

A trainer needs a big, open field away from people, houses and roads. A club site is ideal. See where to fly an RC plane in the UK and the UK rules for RC models.

What to avoid as a first plane

• Warbirds, jets and low-wing aerobatic planes.
• Tiny planes if you'll fly outdoors in typical UK weather.
• Anything without UK spares.
• Very cheap planes with no stabilisation.

For specific models, see best RC planes for beginners. All the plane guides are on the RC planes hub.