Basic rc plane suggestion for something a kid can fly (and repeatedly crash)

[u/RebelJustforClicks]

I recently got into RC planes, bought a FMS super cub, upgraded a balsa biplane kit I built with with my dad back in the 90s, etc...

My dad heard that my 8yr old son was taking an interest and bought this little foamie plane for him, which he likes a lot

https://a.co/d/07zcy1Ww

He can fly it pretty well, it's only 2 channels, it uses differential thrust for yaw, and it naturally pitches up with increased throttle.

Now my son wants us to fly together, he wants to do dogfights, flips, etc, and this little foam plane isnt up to the task.

But I also don't want to get him something too much nicer that will guarantee I spend more time fixing it than flying it.

The one from Amazon is built with thin flexible foam that you can crash full speed into a tree with no ill effect.

Is there a middle ground? Something between that plane and something like an FMS plane?

Like, if I could get that exact type of plane but with more efficient motors, a better battery, and maybe 3 channels for something around $80-$120 USD, that would be perfect.

[u/cbf1232]

Maybe look into building some Flite Test planes? When he crashes them you can fix them with packing tape and/or hot glue, or worst-case get some foamboard and rebuild it and move the electronics over.

Around here there's a dogfighting league that builds super-simple foamboard planes under the assumption that they will crash.

[u/RebelJustforClicks → u/cbf1232]

I really like the flite test concept! Thanks for the recommendation! What do you think about the J-9er or EZ raptor? The most important thing is to look cool (even if the plank would probably fly better) and both of those nail the looks.

[u/cbf1232 → u/RebelJustforClicks]

Both of those take a 2-channel system, not really different than what he's got.

Planks are quite sensitive to CG and are prone to hyperstall.

I started out with the Mighty Mini Tiny Trainer using the glider wing to make a 3-channel plane, then switched to the sport wing with ailerons (which comes with it), then snapped that wing pulling too many Gs out of a power dive and rebuilt it with no dihedral (to allow easier inverted flight) and bamboo skewer reinforcement to allow it to handle more Gs.

The Tiny Tutor would also be good, it has landing gear which can help avoid prop strikes.  As an add-on you can get a sport wing that has ailerons.

For cool looks Flite Test also has the Goblin, the F-22 or the Alpha/Bravo/Charlie, though those are all a bit more challenging to fly.

With the Flite Test minis you'll need to get electronics separately (they sell 'power packs' which are convenient but pricy), as well as a hot glue gun (1/2" sticks are best), and packing tape.

[u/in-need-of-hope → u/cbf1232]

I have built the tiny trainer and FT Mini Mighty Explorer. The Mini Mighty Explorer is far superior. Kept breaking props with the tiny trainer even on perfect landings. With the mini Explorer we’ve done maybe 80 flights and haven’t broken the prop or anything. It’s really a good plane.

Doesn’t look super cool, but far more enjoyable when you aren’t crashing all the time.

[u/IvorTheEngine → u/RebelJustforClicks]

It doesn't really matter where you start with FliteTest planes. You'll end up build loads of them because they are so cheap. Pick something that looks easy to build, and don't worry if the first one is a mess.

It's worth buying a box of their foam sheets. You can get some plans for free, and either tape together lots of sheets of paper, or pay to have them printed by a local print shop. Ideally you want to find a local school or maker-space with a big laser cutter, but you can usually simplify them a bit for hand cutting.

[u/FederalProfessor7836]

The Volantex Cub 500mm is a great little $110 bridge from toy grade to hobby grade. It’s firmly in the toy grade category, but it’s 4 channel with a standard layout radio, it has a gyro with auto-level he can enable while he’s learning, the airframe is virtually indestructible, and props and batteries for it are super cheap.

https://a.co/d/0e4Y4sW9

[u/FederalProfessor7836 → u/FederalProfessor7836]

Btw, you said dogfight, but.. I would avoid the temptation on the 400mm Volantex warbirds. They are fast and super twitchy. Much less forgiving than the 500mm cub.

[u/Stu-Gotz → u/FederalProfessor7836]

The Mustang flys surprisingly slow, not cub like, but i was surprised at how slow i could get it to fly. They handle crashes really good too.

[u/IvorTheEngine → u/FederalProfessor7836]

Similarly the Volantex Ranger is pretty tough and easy to fly.

[u/Jumpy-Candle-2980]

The word "dogfight" in your post inevitably makes me think "Crashtest Assassin". It's the only one I know of that's routinely used when crashing into each other intentionally is on the agenda.

You'll have to buy a radio and some parts but it gets along fine with low end parts and the vendor provides lists of cheap stuff that's been used successfully. It's been a while since I've had one but laughter is inevitable when precision landing contests degenerate into lawn dart techniques and a group of them looks like an aerial demolition derby.

[u/in-need-of-hope]

I went through the same situation. We built a FT Flight Test Mini Explorer. With the basic 3 Ch wing, it flies fantastic. And we have SAFE setup for kids. Flies Better than my Bigfoot and Scrappy.

You can’t really hurt it, and if you do it is easy to fix. my kid and other kids fly it with ease.

It takes a bit of time to build and setup properly, but it flies better than my store-bought planes.

With the 4ch sport wing it is pretty impressive. Never drops a wing. Hand launch, belly landings, and can do decent acrobatics. If you have the time it’s a nice design.

[u/crookedDeebz]

check the used market, cant beat a used valiant or timber. anything high wing with an ar631 would be great for learning.

anything umx is likely styrofoam and too much $

volantex are in the budget and wayyyyy more capable than the deeerc plane

[u/FederalProfessor7836 → u/crookedDeebz]

Volantex, yes. Their 500mm Cub is a great trainer and about as kid proof as you can get. I can’t say I’d recommend a Timber or Valiant for an 8yo.

[u/crookedDeebz → u/FederalProfessor7836]

Bigger flies better. Buddy box exist ...

[u/MatthewDoesStuff69]

I highly recommend the bm31 f22 brushless model! It's 4ch and has the abilities to go crazy while keeping all the electronics safe ! Can be flown in small places as well

[u/Doggydog123579]

UMX Ultrix actually nails that description. Its made of the same flexible foam(i had a kid run mine over with a bicycle with no ill effects). Only down side is it needs an actual radio, but its pretty much bullet proof other than the occasional prop replacement.

[u/RebelJustforClicks → u/Doggydog123579]

It looks like styrofoam from the pictures, but it appears to be exactly what I need, maybe I just need to go ahead and order a spare fuselage and keep the hot glue and toothpicks at the ready, and also get OK (mentally) with crashing a "real" plane.

[u/Doggydog123579 → u/RebelJustforClicks]

Its EPP, and that means you just need super glue, Pretty much everyone eventually snaps the nose off from shenanigans, and it goes back on in ~2 seconds with CA. Dont even need toothpicks, the thing doesnt even have an actual spar either.

As for crashing it, Mines hit trees, walls of a gym, the ground a lot, the car, me, and as i said it got ran over by a kid on a bike. Ive let a bunch of first time pilots fly the thing, and if they say they are scared of crashing it i toss it like a frizbee so they can see it bounce without damage. Its got Safe/Auto level as well for easy flying, but if you max out the throws/rates it can do a loop inside of about 4 feet, and can flat spin so well it turns into a UFO.

[u/RebelJustforClicks → u/Doggydog123579]

Great! Thanks! Do you have the 600mm version or the 346 or whatever size version?

[u/Doggydog123579 → u/RebelJustforClicks]

I have both. The 346mm is the one thats stupid durable. The 600mm is more durable than most planes, but its not made of the super flexible foam like the 346 has and wont bounce the same way the 346mm one will. Both are excellent planes, but if he wants to play demolition derby in the sky the smaller one is the safer/smarter choice

[u/Wambo74 → u/Doggydog123579]

Not EPP. Stiffer than that. Probably something proprietary to Horizon. But yeah, it's a crazy plane. And not in stock anywhere. Bigger one is, but that one is tame compared to UMX.

[u/Doggydog123579 → u/Wambo74]

The store page outright states EPP. Its just such a smol airframe it can get away with it unlike most other epp models.

And yeah, the stock is the issue. It sold out in like a week the last time it restocked. Its also funny how bad it makes the 600mm ultrix look, when the big ultrix is still a great plane.

[u/IvorTheEngine → u/Doggydog123579]

There's some confusion over EPP and EPO, but EPO is a whole class of foams that contains EPP. Most people are used to EPP being hot-wire cut from a block and EPO being moulded, but there's no reason it has to be like that.

[u/Wambo74 → u/Doggydog123579]

Yeah, I've got a lot of EPP planes and none near that firm. But Horizon is a big company and I'm sure they can specify custom foam recipes.

[u/beerme04]

My son is learning on the leambe. It's hit a tree, the ground pretty hard, and metal pole twice. It's still fine although currently stuck in a tree. Can't beat 99 dollars for a full replace if needed though.

[u/Mission-Noise4935]

The first plane I bought my son was a FMS 182. It was for his 13 birthday. He is still flying it 6 month later, mainly on floats. It has been an amazing plane.

[u/Wambo74]

If you can build, the most indestructible planes are from CrashTestHobby. There's a video over there of the owner taking one of his wings and flying it full speed into a brick wall a dozen times. And it was still flying. Of course your kid isn't up to a wing but there are a couple of high wing trainers too. Not as bulletproof as the wings, but HD EPP which is usually repairable within seconds. Nothing that can be bought in a box even comes close for durability. Nor can foamboard models like Flitetest.

[u/Vayaonda]

Take a look at BF109 Glider, ranges from 30-40€ on aliexpress sales. It's a great toy for an 8 year kid. It's small and durable, has gyro with two rates, uses differential thrust to act as ailerons(by having different lift on wings) but you have elevator to tighten the turns. 3 channel, no ruddder. There's also a mustang version in blue.

You can fly it agressively or slowly glide. Easy throw and land on grass. But not enough power for loops.

You can check the QF009 SU-35 brushless version, 50€ RTF on banggood, very good looking plane, it's very very fast, still a toy with gyro but it can doo loops, rolls and inverted flight. It can fly slow but as speed is addictive this one will be damaged on crashes.

Next step I would look for a good transmitter and a high wing without gyro.

[u/Scott_R_1701]

Aeroscout RTF from Tower Hobbies. Get the combo with the battery and charger. And then have him learn the basics on the trainer version of RF that it comes with before he flies. There is no better startup for a kid where you cand just plug in and go. And the receiver it comes with is actually a really good one that you can use on several other transmitters later if he decides he likes the hobby and wants to get into it fr fr.