RTF RC airplanes
- what are they?
RTF rc airplanes are the best way to get started in radio control flying if you're not particularly bothered about building a model airplane, and just want to fly one.
The letters RTF stand for Ready To Fly which means that you, the consumer, don't have to do anything to the model to prepare it for flight, apart from install the radio control gear batteries (usually purchased separately) and do some very basic final assembly work, such as attaching the wing and tailplane to the fuselage.
The image below shows a typical electric RTF plane as purchased, in this case the popular ParkZone Spitfire...
See some other popular RTF rc airplanes.
RTF rc airplanes have introduced thousands of people to the hobby of radio control flying, but it's only in recent years that they have become so widely available and affordable. Before RTFs were produced on such a grand scale, balsa kits were the way to go but these deterred potential modelers who just wanted to fly and weren't too interested in the building side of the hobby.
Nowadays RTF models probably outnumber traditional assembly kits, although of course the traditional kits will always be available - there are countless modelers out there, myself included, who do find building a model airplane to be equally as satisfying, if not more so, than the actual flying of one.
As previously mentioned, RTF rc airplanes often only need the radio control gear batteries to be purchased separately, but there are some manufacturers that offer a complete one box purchase that includes the batteries.
The ParkZone range of electric rc airplanes is an excellent example, and the planes are indeed hugely popular with beginner and experienced rc pilots alike.
ParkZone RTF rc airplanes are great quality and value, another example from their range is the Radian RTF electric powered glider, shown below:
The two RTF examples shown above are both electric, but of course RTF gas powered airplanes can also be bought. In fact, the majority of electric and gas rc airplanes (and helicopters) that are sold by model shops today are Ready To Fly ones, which puts the popularity of these models into perspective.
One very popular RTF gas trainer is the NexStar Select 46, shown below...
This is a great example of what's available in Ready To Fly gas rc airplanes these days, and the NexStar Select has introduced many many new radio control pilots to flying gas powered planes.
An important tip to remember when choosing an RTF model is the availability of spare parts. Buying a complete RTF plane for $30 on ebay, shipped from Hong Kong, might seem like a great idea at the time but you might soon become unstuck when you need to fix it!
Brands like ParkZone, HobbyZone or Megatech have a solid supply of original spare parts which should be available from the shop where you purchased the plane. If you are shopping around comparing products, always look at the availability of items such as wings, motors, tailplanes, props etc.
If you are seriously thinking of getting into radio control flying and don't want to build your model from plans, RTF rc airplanes offer you the best option of taking to the skies in the least amount of time, and with the least amount of fuss.
So long as you always follow the manufacturer instruction manual included in the box, and stick to guidelines given throughout this website, you should have a safe introduction to rc flying with an RTF plane.
Browse a large selection of gas & electric RTF rc airplanes.
Related pages
ARF rc airplanes - a good introduction to model plane construction.
Plug n' Play rc airplanes - a great option for owning multiple models.
RTF rc helicopters - the fastest growing sector of rc flying.
ParkZone rc airplanes - One Box Purchase electric planes.
HobbyZone rc airplanes - electric RTFs very suited to the beginner pilot.
Electric rc airplanes - an overview of this massive sector of rc flying.
Gas rc airplanes - an overview of gas powered airplanes.
