It's not always easy to pick one from hundreds of options in trainer aircraft. If you or someone you know is just getting into the hobby and is looking for a great first RC plane, you've come to the right place. Here, we will list our top 5 picks for beginners to help make choosing a first model easier. We will cover a few categories: price, space needed for flight, features, upgrades, and capabilities.
#1 Hobbyzone Duet S 2
SKU: HBZ05300
If you don't have much space to fly and you're looking for some cheap fun, the Hobbyzone Duet S 2 could be for you. Coming in with a wingspan of just 525mm, fly easily at your nearby park when there is little to no wind or even at an indoor gym. This model comes at a Ready To Fly (RTF) completion level, meaning it includes absolutely everything you need to get flying! Featuring exclusive Spektrum SAFE technology, you can fly with or without bank angle limit assistance by pressing the right gimbal to switch between beginner and experienced modes. As this model steers with differential thrust motors, it isn't capable of quick rolls or aerobatic maneuvers.
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Price - $169.99 (RTF) - Nothing needed to complete the model
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Space required - Minimal: indoor or park flying with little to no wind
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Features - SAFE Bank Angle Limit Technology
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Optional Upgrades
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None
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Capabilities - Limited due to lack of control surfaces
#2 Hobbyzone Sport Cub S V2
SKU: HBZ444000 (RTF) / HBZ44500 (BNF Basic)
The Hobbyzone Sport Cub S V2 is a fantastic RC plane to start with if you want the ability to begin learning more advanced skills once you're confident in your flying. It is a step up from the Hobbyzone Duet S 2, featuring fully functional control surfaces in the tail and wing. It comes in both Ready to Fly (RTF) and Bind and Fly Basic (BNF Basic) completion levels. With a wingspan of 616mm, it can be flown indoors and outdoors at your nearby park with minimal to no wind. An optional float set is available if you want to try water take-offs and landings.
SAFE technology is a major assistance for flying this model - take advantage of the bank angle limit assistance, gyro assistance, and Panic Recovery mode when you get into trouble in the air. If you feel you've lost orientation, simply press the Panic Recovery Trigger and your plane will level out. You can switch between Beginner, Intermediate, and eventually Experienced mode via switch. You're also able to fine-tune the control level even more with Dual Rates (activated via gimbal press).
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Price
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$279.99 (BNF Basic) - Transmitter, battery, and charger required
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$359.99 (RTF) - Nothing needed to complete the model
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Space required - Minimal: indoor or park flying with little to no wind
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Features - SAFE Bank Angle Limit Technology with gyro assistance, Panic Recovery mode, and Dual Rates
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Optional Upgrades
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Float Set (SKU: EFLUA1190)
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Capabilities - Ability to perform basic aerobatic manoeuvres
#3 Hobbyzone Apprentice STOL S
SKU: HBZ6100 (RTF) / HBZ6150 (BNF Basic)
Similar to the Sport Cub S 2 V2, the Hobbyzone Apprentice STOL S is a capable little trainer with fully functional control surfaces on the wing and tail. With a wingspan of 700mm, you can fly this model in your local park with little to no wind. It features the same SAFE technology as the Sport Cub S2 V2 along with a better transmitter, bigger wheels for landing on tougher terrain, a brushless motor, and short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities. Due to its wing design, this STOL-capable model can lift off and land much faster using up less of your runway space. The bigger brushless motor runs off a larger battery, has a longer lifespan, and is much more powerful than the brushed motors used in the Duet S 2 and Sport Cub S2 V2.
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Price
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$349.99 (BNF Basic) - Transmitter, battery, and charger required
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$429.99 (RTF) - Nothing needed to complete the model
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Space required - Minimal: park flying with little to no wind
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Features - SAFE Bank Angle Limit Technology with gyro assistance, Panic Recovery mode, Dual Rates, and a brushless motor
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Optional Upgrades
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None
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Capabilities - Ability to perform basic aerobatic manoeuvres, Short take-off and landing capability (STOL)
#4 Hobbyzone Aeroscout S
SKU: HBZ380001 (RTF Basic) / HBZ385001 (BNF Basic)
This model is much larger than the previously listed models, with a wingspan of 1.1m. It requires a larger amount of space for use, a minimum of 400m clear space in all directions is recommended. Being larger, it's less affected by the wind than the smaller models. The Aeroscout S is great if you're worried about hitting your fingers on hand launch or breaking props on rough landings, as it sports a mid-mounted propeller, protected from front impacts. If you prefer to take off from the ground, this model makes lining up on the runway and taxiing back to you easier with its steerable nose wheel. If you want to practice water take-off and landing, floats are available as an optional purchase. The Hobbyzone Aeroscout S has SAFE technology for easier flying and comes in BNF Basic and RTF Basic completion levels.
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Price
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$399.99 (BNF Basic) - Transmitter, battery, and charger required
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$469.99 (RTF Basic) - Battery and charger required
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Space required - Reasonably sized park or flying field: 400m of clear space in all directions with low wind speeds
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Features - SAFE Bank Angle Limit Technology with gyro assistance, Panic Recovery mode, Dual Rates, brushless motor, steerable nose wheel, and a mid-mounted propeller
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Optional Upgrades
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Float Set (SKU: HBZ3811)
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Capabilities - Ability to perform basic aerobatic manoeuvres
#5 E-Flite Apprentice STS
SKU: EFL370001 (RTF Basic) / EFL3750 (BNF Basic)
The Apprentice STS is commonly used to teach beginner pilots how to fly at modelling clubs worldwide. Its larger wingspan of 1.5m makes it much less sensitive to wind than the smaller models, and easier to see in the sky. On board, you have SAFE technology to make learning easier and crashes less likely to occur.
There are a few optional upgrades you can purchase and install on this model. These include a GPS module to set a virtual flying boundary and allow you to action a holding pattern whilst in the air, and also a Landing Assist Sensor to smooth out your landings. If you would like more information on these, we have a blog post on the model here. Just like the Aeroscout S, this model has a steerable nose wheel and the option to fit floats for water later down the track.
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Price
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$639.99 (BNF Basic) - Transmitter, battery, and charger required
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$699.99 (RTF Basic) - Battery and charger required
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Space required - Reasonably sized park or flying field: 400m of clear space in all directions with low wind speeds
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Features - SAFE Bank Angle Limit Technology with gyro assistance, Panic Recovery mode, Dual Rates, brushless motor, and a steerable nose wheel
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Optional Upgrades
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Capabilities - Ability to perform basic aerobatic manoeuvres
Every model listed here would be great trainer RC plane for beginners. They each have their advantages in terms of space needed, capabilities, features, and upgrades. If you prefer something small, the Hobbyzone Duet S 2, Sport Cub S V2, and Apprentice STOL S could be the perfect trainers for you. If you plan on purchasing larger models in the future or would just like something bigger to start out with, the Aeroscout S or Apprentice STS might be the way to go. We hope this list can help determine which RC plane is the best fit for you. If you're still unsure, check out our Beginner's Guide to Choosing the Right RC Plane. Happy flying!