How I chose my first RC plane

After many years of pontificating, I've finally decided to go for it and buy my first RC plane!

The process so far has been great fun and a big learning curve, as I've discovered what I should and shouldn't go for. Like many, I'm sure, my first model was definitely going to be a super fast aerobtatic rc jet plane, which I'd soon, and easily, have zipping round the neigborhood, winding in and out of the local houses.

Didn't last long mind. I soon found I was dreaming way beyond my capabilities. For starters, the machines I wanted were far too expensive, and that manuveability I looked forward to - way out of my league!

Stepping back a bit, I clearly needed to learn more about the basics before I jumped in feet first. For a start, I realised if I flew a fast jet, I'd quickly be flying it straight it into the nearest wall! It was obvious really - there was just no way I could pick the correct joystick and then move it quickly, and delicately, enough to avoid a crash.

And an expensive one at that.

So now I knew I needed to think cheaper and slower. It was going to be plenty challenging enough to keep a slow radio controlled plane in the air, and though it might be frustrating losing the speed, that was nowhere near as bad as losing my precious, but costly, airplane.

Looking at all the offerings around the net, I started understanding why there were specific beginner rc planes on sale. As I said, I'd already learnt that cost and speed were two factors I needed to consider, and dropping the uncontrollable aerobatic capability was the obvious next step. This also meant a simpler, and so again cheaper, radio system could be used. Those oh so desirable fancy aircraft can use up to 6 radio channels, with their associated transmitters and joysticks, to control all the moving parts on the plane. And there's plenty of them - elevators, ailerons, rudder, flaps, spoilers and more.

For us beginners, its plain stupidity to go for all this complexity. Sticking to a 2 channel radio system allows control over the rudder and elevator for left/right and up/down movement, but I'm feeling confident enough to opt for a 3 channel, which will, eventually, give me control over the throttle, and so the speed, even if I can't use initially use it.

Having made these huge educational leaps, I now discovered there are even different engine types. I'd long known about the gas powered ones and was under the mistaken belief they were the only choice. Turns out that's no longer the case and there are now small, light electric motors, and using them removes more complexity - no fuel to transport or fiddly and messy top up to be done. Perfect for the beginner!

When I started my buying process I'd expected to be building my first rc plane from scratch myself, something I knew was going to frustrate me for weeks or months, when all I wanted to do was fly. But fortunately, though, I'd now discovered the relief of ARF and RTF kits - Almost Ready to Fly and Ready To Fly - which were clearly much more suited to newbies such as me. Buying an RTF means I can get straight to the actual flying instead of going through the time consuming building stage. Definitely a winner!

On top of that, I've sussed the stupidity in trying to fly my plane near my home. With my lack of control I'm guaranteeing I'd fly the it straight into a car or house, writing it off, not mentioning the costly damage to my neighbors property. So now instead I've found a great wide open space in the country where whatever happens I'm not likely to wreck the plane and won't damage anyone else's property.

So, finally, I know I want an rc plane which

• is slow flying and non-aerobatic


• has a 2 or 3 channel radio system


• is electric powered


• comes as an RTF kit.

Bearing all of this in mind, I've filtered my choices down to one of two rc planes, both available from the beginners range at The RC Plane Store.

The first is their Exceed J3 Piper Cub, a complete beginners RTF model, which even includes all the tools required to build it. It has a couple of other features which are perfect for beginners - both the wings and propellor are attached at the top of the body, making them less susceptible to damage in a crash, and it's made of a strong foam, again helping to protect the machine in a crash.

My second choice is the slightly more expensive SD Model Condor. Unlike the Piper, the wings on this are in the more normal middle of the body position, though the propellor is stil well protected by being both high on the body and, unusually, in the middle of the plane and rear facing, so very unlikely to break. Best of all though, it has the great bonus of being built from crash resistant EPP foam, apparently making it nigh on impossible to destroy in a crash - and I think that feature alone is enough to sway the choice.