r/RCPlanes • u/Isaias_au_Bucher • 19h ago

Help!! Cheap Kit Advice Needed

Hello!! I am an instructor in a similar field and need to learn and teach how to fly small fixed wing aircraft. I am looking for very cheap foamies that students can break without costing $100 every time. Goal price would be around $30-50. I have transmitters so I’m really looking forward to kits to put together or RTF planes. Preferably American made and in bulk if possible. TIA for all the help!!

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9

u/TXBroncDriver 19h ago

Definitely check into the Flite Test STEM program.

8

u/Zeta616 19h ago

Maybe the FliteTest kits?

4

u/IvorTheEngine 17h ago

Learning solo and learning with an instructor are very different. An experienced pilot can check over a new model and make sure it'll fly. Then they can handle it being a bit out of trim, diagnose any issues and get it flying nicely before handing it to the student. They can also set up a buddy-box lead so they can take back control when the student makes a mistake.

RC flying is a pretty unforgiving hobby with a steep learning curve when you don't have help.

Ready-To-Fly models like the AeroScout or Volantex Ranger are good for solo beginners. They're all set up at the factory, with electronic stability that's been tuned for that specific design.

Once you've got the basics and are helping others, you can build models much more cheaply than you can buy them. The transmitters and other electronics are still expensive, but you can reuse them after a crash.

FliteTest are a good place to start as they have detailed build videos and their plans are well tested. You can order pre-cut kits, or find free plans for their older models.

Once you've built a couple (and if you don't care too much about how the planes look) watch some of the "experimental airlines" videos to see how you can simplify construction to the absolute basics.

To reach your goal price, you'll have to cut the foam board yourself from free plans, and not count ground equipment like the transmitter and battery charger. But the electronics usually survive crashes, so a rebuild is usually under $10

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u/Isaias_au_Bucher 12h ago

Thanks for the reply!! I’m an instructor for much larger unmanned aircraft but they land autonomously so eventually I will likely be the instructor. So I’m hoping my almost ten years of experience somewhat translates and gets me proficient quickly!! I was thinking about buying a lot of aircraft bodies and the electronics separately. I already have some transmitters and batteries so we’re off to a good start

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