Free the pilot in you or your child with a remote-controlled plane! Find out the best in this article
Remote-controlled airplanes (RC planes) have been around for decades now, but new technologies have made them more affordable, more fun, and easier to fly. Some models are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, and others take a do-it-yourself approach by transforming a paper plane into a remotely controllable plane.
Experienced pilots can experiment with tricks and flips, while beginners and children can learn to fly without crashing thanks to the safety features.
To find the best options out of the many radio-controlled aircraft out there, we’ve looked at the latest technologies, popular brands, and features to look for and avoid when making a purchase. We took into consideration the durability of RC model aircraft, their battery life, ease of use and cost.
Here are, in our opinion, the best remote-controlled airplanes available at the moment, great for reliving your childhood or for fueling the passion of the aspiring pilot in you.
The best remote-controlled aircraft on the market
1. TR-C285
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This small remote-controlled plane is a great choice for beginners, both kids and adults. Comes out of the box ready to fly, which means you don’t have to worry about assembling it correctly.
The controller is small and easy to use and has three flight modes (easy, medium and hard), so you can progressively train it to fly. It reaches a maximum distance of around 100 meters and has a good flight time of 12 minutes on a single charge.
2. Conversion Kit for POWERUP Paper Airplanes controlled by smartphone
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Were you never good at building paper airplanes? Now you can make your school dreams come true with this app-controlled radio-controlled plane. Simply build your plane around the central shaft, which connects the propeller and the controller, and you can control it from up to 55 meters away.
It is compatible with both IOS and Android. As a bonus, it comes with four sheets of specialty paper to use as a template and with instructions, in case you need a little guidance on proper paper airplane-making techniques.
3. F949S
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For those of us who have always dreamed of flying a Cessna, this is the most that can be achieved. While it’s not quite the same as flying it from its cockpit, this miniature model has identical proportions to the real plane.
It has a battery life of 25 minutes and a working gyroscope, which helps keep it stable. Turn it off anyway, so you can have fun doing tricks in the air.
4. TR-C385
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This small RC plane is designed for flips, stunts and… occasional accidents, which is why it comes with two spare propellers in case of an “unplanned” landing.
The TR-C385 is great for beginners who want to be able to perform some tricks like loops and spirals, as the controller has a designated stunt button. It is also very easy to fly thanks to a six-axis gyro system and has a flight time of 16 minutes.
5. S107G Phantom
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This twin-prop helicopter comes in five different color options and is one of the most affordable RC toys in this article. The flashing lights on the bottom allow you to fly at night or around your home with better visibility, and the simplicity of the controller makes it easy to use for newbies.
In addition to being constructed of alloy steel, the gyro blades lock instantly if they are blocked or if they hit something, so as to avoid damage. The flight time is only about eight minutes, but the recharge time takes less than an hour (faster than most remote-controlled planes).
6. Mini Mustang P51D
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Beginners and younger children will want a plane that can withstand hard falls. And Volantexrc designed this radio controlled aircraft with durability in mind.
The body is made of a lightweight yet flexible foam that can withstand bumps, drops and bends. The front propeller disengages in the event of an impact, which helps prevent breakage. It also has a huge range of 200 meters, almost double that of comparable models.
7. S107H-MI
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While technically not an airplane, this radio-controlled helicopter is easy to fly and exceptionally robust. It is made of durable steel but light alloy which can withstand some bad accidents.
It has safety features, such as one-button takeoff and landing, and height lock to help you avoid crashing. This is a great option for younger children or inexperienced pilots who may overlook the very short five-minute flight time.
Radio Controlled Aircraft Buying Guide: How to Choose the Perfect RC Airplane for You
When buying a remote-controlled aircraft, you should consider some important details, namely where you (or your child) plan to fly it and the experience level and age of the pilot.
Safety Features: Most radio-controlled model aircraft have built-in features that can help prevent them from crashing, or at least make them more resistant to damage in the event of an impact. Maintaining altitude is one of the most beneficial; it means that if you put the controller down, the plane will stay at its current height instead of plummeting to the ground. If you hit something, most models will have parts that come off or stop spinning to prevent further damage.
Controls: If you’re new to remote-controlled devices, there is a learning curve. With this in mind, many devices have some level of flight assistance. Usually, there will be levels such as easy, medium and hard: the easy level provides the most assistance, while the hard level leaves you in complete control. Some even have single button functions for takeoff, landing, and even aerobatics.
Battery Life: If you expect to fly your plane for hours on end, well, you’ll be disappointed. Most planes can last up to 30 minutes at most on a single charge, but most last between 8 and 20 minutes. This is important because you need to know what the battery life will be, particularly if the aircraft is capable of flying far and you don’t want it to crash from low battery somewhere where you won’t be able to recover it.
Reachable distance: Speaking of reachable distance, determine how far away from the controller you want to fly your plane. Most are capable of distances ranging from 90 to 200 meters. If you plan to fly your aircraft in a small area, such as a courtyard, a shorter distance is sufficient. But to explore larger areas, you’ll want a larger radius, even if that will also drive up the price.
