Electric RC Trainers
1. Multiplex FunCub NG Blue RR
- Price: €349.99
- Wingspan: 1410 mm
- Flight Weight: Approximately 1380 g
- Power System: ROXXY C-35-42-930 kV brushless motor, ROXXY 740 S-BEC controller, HiTec servos, 13×4 propeller
- Materials: Elapor foam
- Features:
- 95% pre-assembled (Plug and Play)
- Separable wings for easy transport
- Welded steel chassis
- Optional tow hook
- Easy battery access
- Battery Required: 3S LiPo (not included)
- Skill Level: Beginner to advanced
- Notes: Excellent STOL capabilities; aerobatics and towing capable.
2. HobbyKing Tundra
- Price: €204.76
- Wingspan: 1200 mm
- Flight Weight: Approximately 950 g
- Power System: 3025-1000 kV brushless motor, Aerostar 30 A ESC, 6x 9g digital servos, ORX 3-axis gyro
- Materials: EPO foam
- Features:
- Pre-installed gyro with training mode
- Large tundra wheels
- Functional flaps
- Quick wing attachment system
- Battery Required: 3S LiPo (not included)
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Notes: Forgiving and affordable, ideal for new pilots.
3. FMS PA-18 Super Cub
- Price: €304.16
- Wingspan: 1300 mm
- Flight Weight: Approximately 1350 g
- Power System: Brushless motor and ESC, Reflex module (optional)
- Materials: EPO foam
- Features:
- Oversized tundra wheels
- Functional flaps
- Simple screw assembly
- Battery Required: 3S or 4S LiPo depending on setup
- Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Notes: Balances scale appearance and flight performance.
Glow and Petrol RC Trainers
4. Pilot-RC Trainer
- Price: Varies (starting around €600 for airframe)
- Wingspan: 1880 mm (74″)
- Flight Weight: Approx. 4.5–5.5 kg (depending on setup)
- Power System: Recommended 20–30cc petrol engine or .91–1.20 glow engine
- Materials: Balsa and plywood construction, covered with film
- Features:
- Two-piece wing with carbon joiner
- Wide stance landing gear
- Large fuselage hatch for easy access
- Designed for training and basic aerobatics
- Fuel Required: Petrol + oil mix or glow fuel (depending on engine)
- Skill Level: Beginner (under supervision) to intermediate
- Notes: Highly durable and visible in the air, great for club training and transition to larger models.
5. Seagull Boomerang Trainer (Glow)
- Price: ~€200–€250 (airframe only)
- Wingspan: 1550 mm
- Flight Weight: Approx. 2600 g (with glow setup)
- Power System: .40–.46 glow engine
- Materials: Balsa and light plywood, pre-covered in film
- Features:
- Tricycle landing gear for easy ground handling
- Bolt-on wing for convenient transport
- Durable and stable design
- Fuel Required: Glow fuel
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Notes: A well-known club trainer, highly recommended for its forgiving flight characteristics and simple maintenance.
EDF (Electric Ducted Fan) Trainer Jets
6. E-flite Habu STS 70mm EDF Jet
- Price: €329.99 (RTF), €289.99 (PNP)
- Wingspan: 920 mm
- Flight Weight: Approximately 1400 g
- Power System: 70mm EDF, 2840-3150kV brushless inrunner, 70A Smart Lite ESC
- Materials: EPO foam
- Features:
- SAFE technology with beginner modes
- Durable, lightweight airframe
- Tricycle landing gear
- Optional telemetry and GPS module
- Battery Required: 4S 3200–4000mAh LiPo
- Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Notes: One of the few EDF jets specifically designed for first-time jet pilots.
7. Freewing Vulcan 70mm EDF Jet
- Price: ~€260 (PNP)
- Wingspan: 1030 mm
- Flight Weight: Approx. 1700 g
- Power System: 70mm 12-blade EDF, 2860-1850kV inrunner, 70A ESC
- Materials: EPO foam
- Features:
- Bold aerobatic-focused design
- Large control surfaces for responsiveness
- Steerable nose gear and rugged tricycle gear
- Fast, precise, and agile
- Battery Required: 6S 3300–4000mAh 35C LiPo
- Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced
- Notes: A high-performance sport EDF for experienced pilots looking to push aerobatics and speed.
8. Arrows Hobby Marlin 64mm EDF Jet
- Price: ~€175–€195 (PNP)
- Wingspan: 900 mm
- Flight Weight: Approx. 1050 g
- Power System: 64mm EDF, 2840-3150kV motor, 40A ESC
- Materials: EPO foam
- Features:
- No-glue assembly
- Functional flaps
- Rugged fixed gear
- Stable, forgiving flight
- Battery Required: 4S 2200–3300mAh LiPo
- Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Notes: Excellent transitional EDF with forgiving flight characteristics.
Comparison Table
Model | Type | Price (€) | Wingspan (mm) | Weight (g) | Skill Level | STOL | Rough Field | Scale Look | Special Features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Multiplex FunCub NG | Electric | 349.99 | 1410 | 1380 | Beginner to Advanced | Yes | High | Moderate | Tow hook, welded chassis |
HobbyKing Tundra | Electric | 204.76 | 1200 | 950 | Beginner | Yes | Moderate | Low | Gyro, flaps |
FMS PA-18 Super Cub | Electric | 304.16 | 1300 | 1350 | Beginner to Intermediate | Yes | High | High | Scale details, flaps |
Pilot-RC Trainer | Glow/Petrol | ~600 (airframe) | 1880 | ~5000 | Beginner to Intermediate | Moderate | Very High | High | Large access hatch, carbon wing joiner |
Seagull Boomerang | Glow | ~200–250 | 1550 | 2600 | Beginner | No | Moderate | Moderate | Club favorite, tricycle gear |
E-flite Habu STS | EDF | 329.99 | 920 | 1400 | Beginner to Intermediate | No | Moderate | Moderate | SAFE tech, RTF option |
Freewing Vulcan | EDF | ~260 | 1030 | 1700 | Intermediate to Advanced | No | Moderate | Moderate | Sport jet design, aerobatic |
Arrows Hobby Marlin | EDF | ~175–195 | 900 | 1050 | Beginner to Intermediate | No | Moderate | Moderate | Bolt-together, forgiving EDF |
Quick Picks
- 🏆 Best for Beginners (Electric): HobbyKing Tundra — Gyro-aided, easy setup, affordable.
- ✈️ Most Versatile STOL Performer: Multiplex FunCub NG — Excellent short takeoff/landing and tow capability.
- 🎨 Best Scale Appearance: FMS PA-18 Super Cub — Beautiful finish and realistic proportions.
- 🔧 Best Gas Trainer: Pilot-RC Trainer — Durable, spacious, ideal for clubs and larger setups.
- 💡 Best Value Glow Trainer: Seagull Boomerang — Classic choice for glow beginners.
- 🚀 Best Beginner EDF Jet: E-flite Habu STS — SAFE tech, great intro to jets.
- 🌀 Best Sport EDF: Freewing Vulcan — Agile and fast for intermediate/advanced pilots.
- 🛩️ Best EDF for Transitioning Pilots: Arrows Hobby Marlin — Stable and easy to fly for EDF newcomers.