Micro RC airplanes

- our dreams realized!

Surprisingly there are currently fewer micro rc airplanes available than micro helicopters, but this trend is slowly changing and some superb micro planes are starting to hit the shops.

It wasn't so long ago that micro size rc airplanes would have been 'made to measure' by indoor flying enthusiasts using normal free flight indoor model airplane kits and modifying them to take the new breed of micro servos, receivers, battery packs and motors.

Such micro radio control components were expensive, and a good knowledge of model airplane building was needed to carry out the necessary modifications. But now, thanks to brands such as ParkZone, true micro rc airplanes that need no assembly are becoming available at very affordable prices, and that's great news for us all!

ParkZone's recently developed innovative micro-technology has allowed the production of the first 4 channel, fully aerobatic micro flyer, the Sukhoi Su-26m, shown below...

The incredible Parkzone Sukhoi Su-26m BNF

Above, the Sukhoi Su-26m from ParkZone is what we've all been waiting for!

At just under 16 inch wingspan, the Sukhoi is aimed at the indoor flying sector of the hobby but of course it can be flown outdoors on completely calm days; with a flying weight of just over one ounce, it doesn't take much of a breeze to upset this little gem of an rc airplane.
And in a step away from the norm, the Sukhoi is sold only in Bind-N-Fly form, there is no RTF version available. BNF requires that you have a DSM2 compatible transmitter such as Spektrum's DX6i.

See the Sukhoi Su-26m micro plane in more detail.

And following hot on the heels of the Sukhoi's success, the Ultra Micro P-51 is a case of 'same chassis, different plane' - this fully proportional 4 channel warbird is more suited to less-experienced rc pilots than the Sukhoi. The P-51 is pictured below; what a little beauty!...

Interestingly, ParkZone have labeled these tiny rc airplanes as Ultra Micro but personally I think the 'micro' label would suffice; when do ultra micro rc airplanes become ultra-ultra micro, and so on?...

These planes aren't recommended for the complete beginner but for intermediate and advanced rc pilots they surely have to be the ultimate 'keep in the car' rc airplane!

Lightweight micro RC airplanes for indoor flying

Indoor rc flying, in places such as school halls and gymnasiums, is a very popular and growing sector of the radio control flying hobby.
Micro electric airplanes like the Sukhoi and P-51 can easily be flown indoors if the space is big enough, but two excellent examples for even smaller spaces are the Ember and the Vapor, both shown below...

The Ember and Vapor also come from ParkZone, and are sold with 2.4GHz radio as standard. Their slow flying capabilities and small size makes them ideal candidates for some gentle indoor flying. But of course, these planes aren't restricted to indoor flying, they can be flown perfectly well outdoors on completely still days.

Even 3D goes micro!

Well, it was only a matter of time before 3D airplanes got shrunk in the wash.

E-flite have paved the way with their Ultra Micro 4-Site, a 15 inch wingspan fully 3D capable profile-based biplane. I'm no 3D flyer myself, but this little thing does look fun!...

Micro rc airplanes like these are true testament to the electronic revolution that has changed the face of radio control flying in the last few years. They are excellent products at an affordable price and great news for us all.
Even if you're not a micro rc plane lover, they do make the most convenient 'keep in the car' models for when you need a quick flying fix, and are worth getting just for that!

The (Ultra) Micro rc airplanes can be seen in more detail here.

ParkZone Ultra Micro J-3 Cub - 3 channel micro scale trainer.