So, you're wanting to get some new RC goodies to play with for the new year? Maybe you're just getting started with the hobby and want to know the best place to begin. Be it a micro drone, a new RC airplane, or something else, good news! We have it covered. Here is a Holiday Gift Guide to help pick out what's right for you from the wide (and sometimes frankly bewildering) variety of products out there. Check it out!
Say hello to your resident Flite Test experts. If anyone can help you out, it's Josh and Josh.
Starting off, there are a bunch of sites out there where you'll find an array of drone-like aircraft that you can buy. Unfortunately, it's sometimes difficult to see which sites are reputable, which products are quality, and if a product is more of a disposable toy than hobbyist's product.
Here are three things to keep in mind when choosing your RC aircraft:
- That it grows with you
- You can get replacement parts
- You have access to quality customer service
Having got that down, here are our some of our favourite aircraft we think you'll love too.
1) UNDER $100
Drone/Multirotor:
$49.99
Why you should get one:
- Small and an absolute blast to fly
- Indoor-friendly
- Bounces off things
- Extra batteries are available
- Very easy to fly
- Helps you learn to fly bigger, more advanced drones
- Has an attitude mode function
- Plenty of extra parts available if you need them
Fixed Wing Plane:
$59.99
Why you'd like the Duet:
- Indoor-friendly
- 3 channel (up, down, left and right)
- Can go outdoors
- Giro stabilisation for automatic motor RPM change
- Affordable
Some major benefits of both of these products is they are indoor-friendly, as well as safe around friends, family, and pets. Both of these features make them great options for beginners.
2) UNDER $200
Drone/Multirotor:
FPV Inductrix *note we only sell the BNF version. RTF available at AMAIN Hobbies
$179.99 RTF
Here's our video on the FPV version of the Inductrix:
So what are the benefits of the FPV Inductrix over the standard version?
- Great beginner FPV flying experience
- Teaches core competencies when flying bigger multirotors/FPV drones
Hybrid - Fixed Wing Plane/Drone:
$199.99
Why this wild little machine would be your jam:
- Flight characteristics of both a quad and a plane (so it teaches you how to fly both)
- Can fly indoors and outdoors (check out when we did both in one single flight here!)
- Can be flown with First Person View with our FPV pack
- Starter pack includes a quality beginner radio transmitter (which can be used with our swappables)
- Great for beginners and offers equally great fun for advanced pilots
- 3 different difficulty modes
- Incredibly stable
3) UNDER $300
DIY Fixed Wing:
Here at Flite Test, we have a special fondness for doing it your self. We love building things and adding a whole other dimension to the Radio Control hobby. So, with that in mind, we've selected a couple of our favourite Flite Test DIY aircraft that we think you'll love too.
The FT Simple Scout is one of our latest designs. It is based on an early 1920's style, capturing the lines of those classic aircraft with modern durable materials such as our favourite Flite Test waterproof foam board.
As always here at Flite Test, we provide free plans for you to build your own plane from scratch if you wish, which is also very helpful for making repairs to your Speed Build Kit if you need to! It makes crashing less of a daunting experience.
FREE PLANS:
Full-Size: https://www.flitetest.com/ScoutFullSize
Tiled A-Size (7-1/2 x 10): https://www.flitetest.com/ScoutASize
Tiled B-Size (15 x 20): https://www.flitetest.com/ScoutBSize
Like the Scout, the FT Simple Cub is a great option for newbie pilots. Quite simply, it is super easy to build, very durable and an absolute blast to fly for beginners and experts alike.
Again, we have completely free plans for you to build your own Cub.
FREE PLANS:
FT Simple Cub Full-Size
FT Simple Cub Tiled A Size
FT Simple Cub Tiled B Size
If you like the look of these two, we have around 40 other awesome airframe designs that you can choose from and build in our store. A great way to start out is by building one of our 'Simple' designs (currently the Scout, Cub, Storch and Soarer) and then progressing to some of our more advanced designs that you'll have a ton of fun with (like the FT Viggen or FT X-29).
Check out our other starter packs here!
Fixed Wing Plane:
Strix Stratosurfer $139.95 *this is a BNF plane meaning you have to buy the transmitter separately.
DXe Transmitter $89.99
This a great plane for those out there wanting to get into FPV in the future.
- Stable design
- Capable for FPV
- Can do long-range flights
- durable fuselage
- Prop is centered above the wing meaning that there is a clear field of view from the cockpit
Fixed Wing Plane:
$279.00
A great tried and tested staple of the RC hobby which has taught many now expert pilots how to fly. Here's why it may suit you:
- SAFE technology
- Helps you progress from being a beginner pilot, to an intermediate/advanced pilot.
- Can choose either the standard or mini size
Drone/Multirotor:
Vortex 150 Race Quad - $299
Complete Get Started Pack - $650
If you're wanting to get into racing quads, this is a great place to start. Check out why:
- Includes everything you need to get started
- Excellent performance like many other similarly sized quads
- Durable design
- Fully assembled
- Lots of spare parts
- Great for beginners of a 3s battery
- Advanced performance with a 4s battery
- We have a Flite Test edition!
Let us know what you chose this holiday season and write an article about your experiences! We'd love to hear how it goes for you. Also, if you want any more advice on what to get, there are a ton of helpful people in our wonderful Flite Test Forums that will be happy to help you. Happy flying!
Article written by James Whomsley
FliteTest.com Editor
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