The high-flying world of radio control planes is full of fun and excitement, so you’ve made a great choice by deciding on this new hobby. Flying remote controlled planes and helicopters is a fun hobby that has been seeing a massive explosion in popularity as of late as more and more RC planes for beginners are hitting the market.
This makes the decision process all the more difficult, especially if you don’t know your propeller from your rudder! If you’ve yet to learn the RC plane basics, getting off the ground in this exciting pastime can be difficult at best.
Even if you might have a lot of experience with other RC vehicles like sturdy monster trucks, sleek RC Cars, powerful remote control boats or even nimble RC helicopters there is a fair but you’ll have to learn when it comes to remote control planes.
Choosing the Right Radio Control Airplane
The sheer variety of radio control airplane options available these days is astounding, leaving you with several questions. Which one should you choose? How do you tell the good radio control planes from the bad ones? What are the best RC planes for beginners?
Making a solid choice for your first remote controlled airplane is key to enjoying early success in this exhilarating hobby. An advanced remote controlled plane and a beginner pilot is definitely not a winning combination.
When just starting out, you need a stable, slow, high-wing plane, such as a park flyer or trainer. Like anything, learning how to fly radio control planes is done in stages, so getting in above your head when just beginning your RC plane journey can quickly turn this fun hobby into a frustrating nightmare!
Fortunately for you, I’m here to simplify all of the technical jargon and introduce you to the best RC planes for beginners around. Here are five of the best RC planes for beginners on the market today.
This post, it’s photos and table include links to products on other websites. If you purchase something through these links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
1. Champ RTF
When just starting out in the action-packed world of RC planes, your best bet is to go with a plane that practically flies itself, and the incredibly popular Champ RTF does just that!


This easy to fly radio control airplane comes complete with everything you need to learn how to fly in one package, including the batteries and a 2.4GHz Spectrum DSM transmitter. This ready-to-fly plane comes completely assembled and ready for flight.
Thanks to its durable construction, compact size, and smooth flight characteristics, the Champ RTF Trainer is one of the best RC planes for beginners available. It flies like a dream and is easily one of the most forgiving trainers you could imagine.
Simply check out the instructional videos on the manufacturer’s website and launch this beauty into the air for some high flying fun.
As a newbie to radio control planes, you’re going to crash, even with this stable trainer, but it’s durable enough to take some decent knocks and keep on ticking. If you’re looking for RC planes for beginners, you can’t go wrong with the Champ RTF.
2. Super Cub RC Piper J-3 Trainer Plane
The Super Cub Trainer is another great trainer for beginning pilots. The excellently crafted 3-channel radio control airplane is made from durable and lightweight shock-resistant material, helping you land smoothly and avoid unnecessary bangs and dings.


Thanks to its lightweight and sturdy construction, the Super Cub is a smooth flyer and great for any beginner to fly.
Unlike many other planes, the transmitter for this plane can be connected to your computer to act as a simulator as well, which greatly reduces the learning curve. Thanks to its stability, it can also potentially be used as a first person video RC plane.
With everything you need to begin enjoying this fun hobby at such an affordable price, the Super Cub RC Piper J-3 Trainer Plane is hands down one of the best RC planes for beginners on the market.
3. Syma Super Sonic RC Airplane RTF
If you’ve never flown a remote controlled airplane before, chances are you’re going to crash a few times while learning how to fly. Therefore one sensible option is to go with a low-priced model until you hone your flying skills. As one of the most high-quality, affordably priced options available, the Syma Super Sonic RC Airplane is a terrific option.
While cheap, this brand new twin-motor remote controlled plane is made to the strictest standards and comes with everything you need to get up in the air immediately. Featuring a lightweight and durable frame made from molded foam and plastic, the Super Sonic can take a licking and keep on ticking.
As far as quality, inexpensive planes go, it’s simply one of the best.
4. RC Cessna 747 Airplane RTF
As one of the most popular small passenger planes in existence, the Cessna 747 has a reputation for reliability, durability, and performance, making it a popular option for beginning pilots. Just as popular, however, is its smaller cousin: the RC Cessna 747!


Equipped with a 4-channel radio system, ailerons, elevator, throttle, rudder and more, this little beauty of a radio control plane has the fidelity of a real plane and is a terrific option for beginner and intermediate pilots.
Unlike many smaller entry-level planes, the RC Cessna 747 effortlessly glides through the air and keeps its course in breezy conditions. It’s also more durable than most planes. Unless you’re a complete klutz chances are you won’t inflict any damage on this great plane that a little superglue or epoxy can’t fix.
However, you don’t have to worry too much about damaging it, because spare parts are readily available and extremely cheap for this popular plane!
Smooth flying, easy to control, and capable of pulling off barrel rolls and flying inverted, this is a great beginner RC plane that you’ll have fun with for years.
5. Firstar RC Trainer Plane RTF
This sleek RC plane definitely looks cool as it effortlessly soars through the air. Thanks to its lightweight and sturdy construction, intuitive controls, and unique high altitude gliding capabilities, the Firstar RC Trainer is easy for any beginner to operate.


Like other quality radio control planes, it comes with a 2.4GHz Spektrum DSM transmitter that drastically limits interference, has quicker reaction times, and uses less power, further increasing its value as a beginner RC plane.
With a little bit of occasional maintenance, the Firstar RC Trainer Plane will go and go. In the end, it’s a tough as nails park flyer that will not disappoint anyone making their foray into the fast and fun world of RC planes.
RC Planes for Beginners are Great Fun!
Learning how to fly RC planes is a rewarding experience that will provide you with years and years of good times and fond memories. With so many RC planes for beginners, learning to fly is easier than ever. Simply pick out one of these planes, watch an instructional video or two, and get ready for some happy flying!
I’ve had two (2) Champ RC RTF planes. I think they’re great! I’ve flown lots of RC planes and have never found one that I could truly say was easy to fly until I found the Champ. It’s responsive, easy to fly, and most of all, FUN! What could be better? And it won’t break the bank to buy it. For under $90, what more could you ask for? There are lots of other planes out there to fly for the beginner. But, as far as cost, reliability, and ease of flying is concerned, I like the Champ.
Hi Don,
Great to hear thoughts on this . I couldn’t agree more re the Champ!
Thanks
David