The best hobby rc airplanes all have one thing in common: they are durable. As the name suggests, these remote-controlled planes are not for children, but for adults who are passionate about flying. Remote-controlled airplanes can be a hobby on their own, but they can also be a lot of fun as part of a larger remote-controlled vehicle fleet. From stunt drones to realistic biplanes, here are our picks for the best hobby rc airplanes.
Read on to learn more about our favorite hobby rc airplanes.
Our Editor’s Best Hobby Rc Airplanes Reviews
Bestseller No. 1
POWERUP 4.0 The Next-Generation Smartphone Controlled Paper Airplane Kit, RC Controlled. Easy to Fly with Autopilot & Gyro Stabilizer. for Hobbyists, Pilots, Tinkerers.
- PILOTED FLIGHT - Grab a sheet of paper, fold it, and go! Instantly put yourself in the cockpit of an amazing smartphone controlled paper airplane that does high speed tricks. The bluetooth module, which includes autopilot control, connects to your phone so you can experience the sensation of flying countless paper, foam, and even Balsa Wood airplane models.
- INCREDIBLE STABILITY - Loops, Barrel Rolls, & Hammerheads are achieved with the special Acro Mode! Your paper plane’s onboard computer automatically calibrates your paper airplane for imperfect weather with a built-in launch assist and wind stabilizer. Now hobbyists, tinkerers, or students can become the flight controller!
- CONNECTED FLYING - Pair your plane with the POWERUP App to maneuver your plane, keep a robust flight log, compete with other flyers on the leaderboard, and learn to fold new plane designs.
- RAPID CHARGING - A 30 minute quick charge gives you 10 minutes of flight time along with an incredible range of up to 230ft! Traveling up to 20mph, your plane will spend less time on the tarmac and more time in the air. Simply connect the included micro USB cable to a charging port and plot out your next journey.
- STEM READY - Experience the aerodynamic forces that make flight possible through various wing configurations. Lift, drag, thrust, and gravity are learned first hand. Purchase the Night-Flight Kit and Accessory Kit to see how different parts create a new experience. Great for an outdoor class or exploration together with family.
$59.99
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SaleBestseller No. 2
HobbyZone RC Airplane AeroScout S 2 1.1m RTF Basic (Battery and Charger Not Included) with Safe Technology, HBZ380001, Airplanes (RTF), Trainers
- The most durable and perfect trainer for first-time pilots and experienced pilots who teach others to fly
- Equipped with exclusive SAFE technology that helps prevent crashes and makes it easy to learn how to fly
- Beginner, Intermediate and Experienced flight modes you can easily change between at the flip of a switch
- Includes almost everything needed to fly except for a compatible LiPo battery and charger (sold separately)
- Spektrum DXS controller/transmitter with industry-leading DSMX 2.4GHz technology for reliable control without interference
$199.99
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SaleBestseller No. 3
LEAMBE RC Plane 4 Channel Remote Control Airplane with 3 Modes - Ready to Fly Upgrade P51 Mustang RC Airplane for Beginners Adult with Xpilot Stabilization System & One Key Aerobatic
- Flight Stability: The LEAMBE P51 rc plane is made of lightweight elastomer foam and can fly in outdoors. Enough light and high flexibility material make the remote control plane easy to fly
- 3 Mode Makes Easy to Control: Beginner, Intermediate and Experienced 3 Modes which makes you easy to learn to fly the plane at your own pace. Amazing Gift item for adults and kids
- New Upgrade Remote Control Plane: Additional motor and receiver repair ports, upgraded transparent hood, with one-click take-off function, remote control range or signal interference warning. New and upgraded rc plane give you a different Operating experience
- PRODUCT INFORMATIONS: This Large RC Plane Glider Has A Fuselage Length Of 14 Inches, Wingspan: 15 Inches, Battery: 3.7v 360mah. And 2.4Ghz Radio Control distance of within 656 feet. 8mm Coreless Motor, Flying time of up to 12 min on a single charge. The upgraded aircraft will have a reminder to charge when the battery is low
- XPILOT STABILIZATION SYSTEM EASY TO FLY: The Xpilot gyro stabilizer provides ultra-stable self-stabilization for easy flying. The powerful over-grade motor system enables easy control for aerobatic maneuvers
$117.77
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SaleBestseller No. 4
Top Race RC Plane - 4-Channel Remote Control Airplane for Adults and Advanced Kids - 20-Inch Wing Span, Stunt Flying with 6-Axis Gyro Stabilizer - Ready to Fly with Spare Propellers, Easy to Control
- Top Race 4 Channel RC Plane for Adults Remote Control Airplane Ready to Fly TR-C385 20" Inch Wing Span with a working throttle, rudder, elevator, and aileron. It even has a steerable tail wheel for easy ground control.
- Amazing New Propeller Saver Technology to save RC plane from damage with 3 Spare Propellers and Propeller Savers included if an accident happens.
- Stunt Flying: Easy stunts, upside down loops and spiral flying all with a simple push of a button.
- Dimensions: 20" Wing Span by 14" Long. Motor: 10mm coreless motor. Battery: 3.7v 360mAh. Easy to Fly RC Plane! Amazing Remote Control Plane with 3 levels of flying: Easy, Medium, Hard. This amazingly fun RC plane is the perfect Gift for Adults or advanced kids.
- Caution! Please handle the plane with care since the material is made of foam. Be careful when opening the box and when flying in order to not damage the plane. All planes are made of EPP foam, otherwise it will not fly.
$101.98
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Bestseller No. 5
HobbyZone RC Airplane Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m RTF Basic (Battery and Charger Not Included), HBZ320001
- The most capable, versatile and easiest to fly scale trainer based on the iconic Carbon Cub from CubCrafters
- Equipped with exclusive SAFE technology that helps prevent crashes and makes it easy to learn how to fly
- Beginner, Intermediate and Experienced flight modes you can easily change between at the flip of a switch
- Includes almost everything needed to fly except for a compatible LiPo battery and charger (sold separately)
- Spektrum DXS controller/transmitter with industry-leading DSMX 2.4GHz technology for reliable control without interference
$299.99
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Bestseller No. 6
HobbyZone RC Airplane Sport Cub S 2 615mm RTF Everything Needed to Fly is Included/Safe Technology HBZ444000,White/Blue
- Battery and charger included
- An updated version of one of the best-selling and most popular scale trainer models available for learning to fly radio controlled (RC) airplanes – the Sport Cub S
- 100% complete and ready to fly right out of the box – there’s nothing extra to buy, provide or assemble
- Equipped with exclusive SAFE technology that helps prevent crashes and makes it easy to learn how to fly
- Ultra-micro sized to fly in parks, at sports fields, or even indoors over a basketball court
$159.99
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SaleBestseller No. 7
LEAMBE 4 Channel RC Plane - Ready to Fly Aerobatic Aircraft, Easy Control for Beginners, F4U Corsair RC Airplane Best Gift for Kids
- Easy control: LEAMBE Airplane has a simple operation mode which only needs to press the switch and pull the stick to easily control the aerobatics of the aircraft. It can take off after you assemble the wheels, and it is also convenient to carry. Best outdoor games and toys for you
- Long time flying: Each battery provides up to 15 minutes of flight time (Include 2 batteries). The powerful thrust and power system enables the aircraft to have excellent flying speed. The longest flying distance of this product is 656 feet, so you can enjoy the pleasure and remote control flight experience
- Suitable for beginners: LEAMBE aircraft has flight control assistance, which can help beginners gradually learn how to control the aircraft. And the assistance system also can provide users with a stable flight experience. This product supports both horizontal ground take-off and throw take-off. Because the product has great stability. The three-level flight control can easily perform stunts, and the solid RC aircraft wheels can land safely and smoothly
- Product information: The airplane is made of EPP foam crash-resistant material, the fuselage length of this RC aircraft is 14 inches, wingspan (15 inches)and it includes 2 batteries and 5 propellers(3-bladed propeller*3, 2-bladed propeller*2) . The plane comes with propeller save which keeps the propeller from damage
- XPILOT STABILIZATION SYSTEM EASY TO FLY XPILOT Stabilization: The Xpilot gyro stabilizer provides ultra-stable self-stabilization for easy flying. The powerful over-grade motor system enables easy control for aerobatic maneuvers
$117.77
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Bestseller No. 8
VOLANTEXRC RC Plane Trainer Sport Cub 3CH Remote Control Airplane with Prop Saver, 6-Axis Gyro Stabilizer & 3 Modes to Fly, Radio Controlled Aircraft RTF for Beginners, Kids and Adults (400mm,Yellow)
- XPILOT STABILIZATION SYSTEM EASY TO FLY: xpilot gyro stabilizer ultra stable self stabilization of gyro system. Powerful over-grade motor system allows easy controlling to do aerobatic flying. It's a great remote control planes for beginners, adults.
- BEGINNERS' FIRST RC AIRPLANE TRAINER: 3 level flight control assists(Beginner level with full assist/ Intermediate with partial assist/ Expert for manual control) help beginners learn to fly step by step.
- GREAT AIRPLANE FOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURE: 2.4Ghz Radio Control distance of 656 ft, the strong anti-interference capability allows to hold a small flight club party between you and your friends.
- MORE LONGER FLYING, MORE FUN WITH YOU: The gear box system provides more thrust and power to increase speed, and more efficient to save battery's power, allowing the plane to fly a long time about 20 minutes.
- FULLY ASSEMBLY READY TO FLY: This version includes everything needed to get the model started, only require the batteries for transmitter. It is fully assembly to get the plane take off within 1 minutes out of box. Portable package to go with you everywhere.
$89.99
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Bestseller No. 9
HobbyZone RC Airplane Duet S 2 RTF Everything Needed to Fly is Included with Safe HBZ05300
- An updated and upgraded version of one of the best-selling and lowest cost hobby-quality trainer models available for learning to fly radio controlled (RC) airplanes
- 100% complete and ready to fly right out of the box – there’s nothing extra to buy, provide, or assemble
- Now equipped with exclusive SAFE technology that helps prevent crashes and makes it even easier to learn how to fly
- Ultra-micro sized to fly outdoors in parks, at sports fields, or even indoors over a basketball court
- 3-channel operation for complete control over climb/descend, steering, and throttle
$79.99
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SaleBestseller No. 10
HAWK'S WORK 2 CH RC Airplane, F-22 Plane Ready to Fly, 2.4GHz Remote Control, Easy to Fly RC Glider for Kids & Beginners
- 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 & 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐥𝐲 - Built-in self-stabilization system, this RC plane is easy to fly. A beginner will learn to fly it just after hours of practice.
- 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐂 𝐆𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 - Light weight and durable foam structure will make it survive from some slight crashes.
- 𝟐.𝟒𝐆𝐇𝐳 𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 - The remote can control the plane in 4 directions: up and down, left and right. And 2 or more planes can fly together without mutual confusion.
- 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - We offer a 1 year aircraft warranty and a 3 month battery warranty. If a non-human problem occurs, you can contact us via Amazon message or the support email on the manual.
- 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 - It’s common to have some problems in playing a hobby rc plane and we can solve almost all of them. Please read the user manual book carefully before start to fly.
$48.99
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Best Hobby Rc Airplanes Buying Guide
Before choosing the best hobby rc airplanes you should consider following options:
1. RC airplane size: RC airplane wingspans range from 12 inches to 25 feet. Smaller RC airplanes are easier to fly and are good for beginners. Larger RC airplanes are more challenging to fly, but they’re better for advanced pilots.
2. RC airplane type: RC airplanes fall into one of two categories: scale RC airplanes and non-scale RC airplanes. Scale RC airplanes are modeled after real-life airplanes, while non-scale RC airplanes aren’t modeled after real-life airplanes.
3. RC airplane power source: RC airplanes are powered by electric, RC airplane gas or RC airplane nitro engines. Electric RC airplane engines are generally easier to fly and cheaper to maintain. RC airplane gas engines offer a more realistic flying experience, but they’re more costly to maintain and have a higher crash risk. RC airplane nitro engines are the most realistic, but they’re the most costly to maintain and have the highest crash risk.
4. RC airplane manufacturer: RC airplanes are made by a range of manufacturers, including Horizon Hobby, ParkZone and Hobbico.
5. RC airplane quality: RC airplanes are made from a range of materials, including foam, RC airplane balsa wood and RC airplane aluminum.
6. RC airplane accessories: RC airplanes come with a range of accessories, including RC airplane landing gear, RC airplane landing gear bags, RC airplane propeller de-ice shields and RC airplane trailer hitches.
What else you should know about hobby rc airplanes
1. What are the best RC airplanes for beginners?
Some of the best RC airplanes for beginners are the ParkZone T-28 Trojan, the ParkZone P-51D Mustang, and the ParkZone Sukhoi Su-26m.
2. What are the best RC airplanes for experienced pilots?
Some of the best RC airplanes for experienced pilots include the Align T-Rex 700E DFC, the Mikado Logo 700, and the SAB Goblin 700.
3. What are the best RC airplanes for aerobatics?
Some of the best RC airplanes for aerobatics are the Extra 300, Pitts Special, and the Cap 232.
4. What are the best RC airplanes for scale flying?
Some of the best RC airplanes for scale flying include the P-51D Mustang, the F4U Corsair, the B-29 Superfortress, and the B-52 Stratofortress.
5. What are the best RC airplanes for long-range flying?
Some of the best RC airplanes for long-range flying are the Piper Cherokee, Cessna 182, and the Beechcraft Baron.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best hobby rc airplanes. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best hobby rc airplanes will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.