Choose the Right Beginning Indoor RC Model Airplane
RFT vs. scratch built beginning indoor RC model airplane
Plantraco Micro Butterfly indoor RC airplane
Until quite recently, someone taking up the challenge of flying a practical indoor RC model airplane was a special modeler indeed. The electronic control equipment for RC model airplanes was designed for outdoor gas powered models, and the electronic components were just not small or light weight enough for indoor RC flight. Electric powered models existed, but they flew outdoors and were forced to use weighty NiCad or NiMH rechargeable batteries to power the brushed electric motors of the day. Technology did not permit the manufacture of the miniature equipment items needed for practical indoor RC model airplanes.
Microfilm indoor free flight model
Early indoor model airplanes
Indoor model airplane flying did exist. Some of the earliest model airplane flights took place over 100 years ago at the beginning of the 20th century, using rubber band powered free flight models. It was every modeler’s dream to have some way to remotely guide these indoor models from the ground. But to achieve this goal, modelers were entirely dependent on technology to make the micro sized electronic components that could make indoor RC model flight a reality. These tasks included producing tiny servos to move the control surfaces; adapting some sort of electronic speed control for a proportional throttle function; and developing very small rechargeable batteries. In addition, there is the critical requirement for producing micro sized models to incorporate all these emerging technologies into a practical flight package.
In light of these challenges to keep things small and lightweight, it turns out that today the best choice for a beginning indoor RC model airplane is to use a ready to fly (RTF) aircraft. Again, this is a very recent development of the hobby. Ready to fly aircraft started becoming popular and widely available for gas and electric powered outdoor models around the year 2000. Today, it can be a challenge to simply find a kit for an RC model aircraft, as the vast majority of model planes these days are offered in a ready to fly package.
Luckily, innovative manufacturers have perfected the micro ready to fly indoor model airplane for both beginning and advanced RC pilots. These remarkable models come literally ready to fly right out of the box, and can include the RC transmitter, lightweight rechargeable battery, airplane, and all electronics installed. All the tyro RC pilot needs to do is charge the supplied battery and head into the air.
There are a wide variety of RTF indoor RC airplanes
Ready to Fly indoor electric RC airplanes
The advent of truly well built RTF indoor electric RC models that are good flyers is remarkable. Due to the nature of the small size and demanding weight and construction requirements for these tiny aircraft, it requires advanced modeling skills to construct a beginning indoor RC model airplane. Thus, there is an essentially insurmountable barrier to the beginning indoor RC pilot, in that they just did not possess the specialized building skills required to construct a practical indoor flyer.
Happily, this problem is completely solved today. Affordable aircraft such as the ParkZone Ember and Cessna 210 are available to indoor modelers everyone. These remarkable RC aircraft truly fly well. The Ember, in particular, is one of the best handling model airplanes I have flown in over 37 years in the RC hobby. You can actually teach yourself how to fly RC models indoors with these noteworthy airplanes. Flying RC planes indoors, there is no wind to worry about. The RTF foam aircraft fly slowly enough for you to easily see your control inputs. The inevitable bumps and crashes do not cause any lasting damage to these light, resilient aircraft.
LiddleRod RC airplane kit for intermediate skill pilots
Kits for indoor RC model airplanes
After you gain flying proficiency with one or two RTF indoor RC airplanes, you can explore building one yourself. You can reuse the radio control equipment from the RTF airplane to the one you are building. You will have to purchase a scale to weigh your model airplane building materials, to ensure your finished airplane comes in at an acceptable weight. Even an extra dab of glue can make the difference between a well performing micro model and one that cannot maintain level flight. Please check back here for further information, plans and developments on building your own beginning indoor RC model airplane!
Beginning Indoor RC Model Airplane