What better way to enjoy your free time than to fly radio controlled airplanes? Sure, you might think of a few things, but there’s so much more to RC planes than just flying them. You get to build them, tweak them, modify both hardware and software, as well as customize them as you see fit.
Now that’s a great hobby if there ever was one. Of course, these little gadgets come in different RC levels based on their flight maneuverability, aerobatics and other cool features for you to explore. The more capable the RC plane is, the more complex it is to fly it.
So, if you’re buying one of these works of art for the first time, it’s better to opt for something simple just until you learn the ropes and get the hang of it all. Of course, you can buy a level 3 RC right away, for instance.
However, if you don’t know how to fly, you might crash your plane right away. That said, there’s absolutely no reason to waste money that way or great RC’s for that matter. But enough about that. Let’s get to the good part, which is the shopping guide for RC airplanes by skill level.
Skill Level 1 - Beginner
If you’re just starting out as a RC plane pilot, you want something that’s easy to handle and control. The main reason is that you want to take things slow and steady. Flying an Rc plane isn’t as easy as it may seem, so take your time and enjoy the flight.
For this particular skill level, the HobbyZone Sport Cub S 2 RTF Electric Airplane w/SAFE is the ideal choice. It comes fully assembled, so no tweaking and modifying is required or necessary.
This is a trainer model and that’s exactly what it’s designed to do - help you train and learn how to fly these things. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of time and opportunities for you to go crazy with flying RC’s. Learn the basics first, then you can take things up a notch.
That said, this model has intermediate and expert level settings that you can adjust once you’re confident enough that you can manage more demanding controls. Also, no need to register this model with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), since it weighs just under 250 grams. Furthermore, here’s why this model is ideal for beginners.
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Equipped with exclusive SAFE® technology that helps prevent crashes and makes it easy to learn how to fly
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Panic Recovery mode activates at the push of a button to prevent loss of control and crashes
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Full 4-channel control for everything from training to aerobatic flight capability
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Lightweight yet durable construction perfect for first-time pilots
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Practice flying this aircraft in the RealFlight® simulator
Skill Level 2 - Intermediate
Now that you’ve learned the basics, it’s time for a bit of risk-taking with your RC plane. A level 2 airplane is the best choice for intermediate flyers. Such models are designed for more maneuverability and stunts but are still safe enough to fly without worrying about losing control or crashing your plane.
That said, the E-flite UMX Turbo Timber BNF Basic Electric Airplane is the model you should strongly consider upgrading to. It’s in many ways similar to the Sport Club 2 but more advanced at the same time. It’s a small plane compared to most other models, but boy does it pack a punch. Because of the more powerful 3400Kv motor. This model has an optional SAFE® Select flight envelope protection.
In case you start losing control, just flip the switch and the plane will stabilize itself. In other words, this model allows you to be more daring, but also has a panic button in case you’re a bit more daring than you should be. All in all, you’ll be just fine flying this little engine that could. Here’s a bit more info for the Turbo timber.
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Incredible Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) plus sport and aerobatic flight capabilities
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Functional oversized flaps for shorter takeoffs and landings
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Industry-leading Spektrum™ 2.4GHz DSMX® technology
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Unmatched stability and locked-in feel of AS3X® technology for smoother flight performance
Skill Level 3 - Advanced
Wow, you’re getting good at this. Congratulations, you’re quite a professional flier now.That means you’re ready for a level 3 RC airplane that will more than match your skill level. We recommend the RAGE F4U Corsair RTF Electric Airplane V2.
Now, this beauty resembles a crossover between the P-51 Mustang and Supermarine Spitfire, making it a truly gorgeous aircraft with exceptional design and flying capabilities. You’ll have to assemble it yourself, which makes it even more cherishable than already assembled models.
Don’t worry, everything you need to build this plane is included in the box, the whole kit and caboodle.It’s made from light, durable EPP foam that grants it excellent maneuverability. In other words, you can do some truly insane stunts with this airplane. Here’s all you need to know about this RC plane.
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Stunt button on transmitter that supports aerobatics like loops and rolls
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Innovative detachable propeller system for eliminating broken props
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2.4GHz Radio system that provides interference-free link between pilot and aircraft
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PASS (Pilot Assist Stability Software) system provides confidence as skills progress
Everything You Need to Know About Skill Levels
Skill levels are technically recommendations designed to help RC pilots make more informed decisions when buying radio controlled aircrafts. That doesn’t mean you can’t buy a level 3 RC plane even if you’re a beginner.
However, if you listen to your better judgment, it’s safe to assume you’re more likely to crash such a plane, especially if you don’t know how to fly it. If you evaluate the price and assembly required for each model, you’ll see that it’s not really affordable to take too many risks with RC’s in general, not just airplanes.
So why waste a good airplane and money, to begin with? The fact of the matter is that you need patience when flying RC planes. It’s better to start things off with something simple and purchase more advanced models as your skill levels progress.
It will be a more fulfilling experience than to jump ahead and regret your decision later on. Learning how to fly an RC plane is a process that shouldn’t be rushed. After all, why create problems when you can avoid them?
If you want to speed things up a bit, you can always find an expert that will provide supervision while you fly and teach you how to do so properly. After that, you can evaluate your own performance and decide if you’re ready for the next level. All in all, plan for the future accordingly and you’ll see that taking things one step at a time makes all the difference when flying an RC aircraft.
Reach the Skies With RC Visions
We know that RC airplanes are a life-long passion for many people, so we make it our business to supply RC enthusiasts with everything they need. Whether that’s a new model of an airplane or additional parts, if you have the right ideas, RC Visions has the means to make those ideas into reality. Our company is always available to you, so don’t hesitate to reach out and let us find an ideal RC plane for you.
Skill Levels and RC Airplanes
The effectiveness of your skills should determine which model airplane you should buy. This is the safest bet and here at RC Visions, we have numerous models that fit each category matching your skills ideally. This will also help you find a plane that is most suitable for your needs.
That said, RC levels are highlighted on the boxes, in order to help you pick the right model and ensure a seamless flying experience. Therefore, take things slow and enjoy yourself because flying RC airplanes is a great hobby and an amazing adventure.