RC Flyer Pro
Get Started
FeaturesPricingExploreLearn to flyRC toolsTry Flight ReplayWhat's new Sign in
All tools

First model finder ?

New to RC planes? Answer six questions and we'll suggest the kind of model to look for first. We don't sell models - it's just advice.

1. Where will you fly most?
2. Will someone help you learn?
3. What's the wind usually like there?
4. What appeals most?
5. Electric or fuel?
6. Budget for the model (not the radio)?

How it works

Each answer adds points to five kinds of first model, and the one with the most points is shown. It's general advice, not a brand or shop recommendation.

Whichever you choose, make sure your radio suits it (most models need at least 4 channels - get a radio you can grow into), get the balance point right, and do a range check before the first flight.

The RC Flyer Pro Learning Path takes you from your first flight to your first certificate, with lesson records and instructor sign-off.

Keep every model's numbers in one place RC Flyer Pro is a free logbook and hangar for RC pilots: your models, batteries, flights and flying field, with GPS flight replays in 3D. Start free

More tools

CG calculatorFind the balance point of any wing - straight, tapered, swept or a flying wing - from a few measurements. Wing loading calculatorWing loading in g/dm² and oz/ft², plus cubic wing loading - the fairest way to compare models of different sizes. Flight time calculatorHow long a LiPo will last from its capacity and your average current - and what to set your timer to. LiPo C-rating calculatorMaximum current, energy in Wh, charge current and whether a pack can handle your motor - plus airline battery limits. Prop thrust calculatorEstimate static thrust and pitch speed for any prop, and the thrust-to-weight ratio of your model. Prop pitch speed calculatorHow fast your prop could pull the model - from pitch and RPM, or your motor's Kv and battery voltage. Motor and prop calculatorEstimate the RPM, current, power and thrust of a motor, battery and prop - and whether your ESC can cope. Power-to-weight calculatorWatts per kilogram (or per pound) and what kind of flying it suits - trainer, sport, aerobatic or 3D. Servo torque calculatorHow much torque a control surface needs at speed - and the servo to choose, with a safety margin. Control throw calculator (mm and degrees)Turn a throw in mm into degrees and back, for any control surface - and save it to your model's Setup card. Battery position and CG calculatorHow far the balance point moves when you slide the battery - and how far to move it, or how much nose weight you'd need instead. Balance point from scalesFind where your model really balances by weighing it on two or three kitchen scales - nose or tail heavy, and by how much. Glider ballast calculatorHow much ballast to add for a windy day, the new wing loading, and how much faster the glider will fly. Turbine fuel and flight time calculatorHow long a jet can fly on its tanks, what to set the timer to, and how much fuel is left when it lands. Range and failsafe checkA step-by-step range check and failsafe test with a countdown timer - for any radio, before a new model's first flight. Flight log viewer (CSV)Open a telemetry log from your radio's SD card and see signal, battery, altitude and more as charts - in your browser. RC unit converterGrams and ounces, mm and inches, km/h and mph, kg·cm and oz·in servo torque, g/dm² and oz/ft² wing loading - all at once. Fuel and oil mix calculatorHow much oil to add for petrol two-strokes (1:40, 1:50...) or turbines (5% turbine oil in kerosene). Futaba model picture makerTurn any photo into a 160×80 BMP for your Futaba's model screen - frame it, remove the background and download. FrSky model picture makerModel pictures for FrSky X20, SE, X18, Twin, X10 and X12X - the right size and file type, with optional AI background removal. EdgeTX model picture makerModel pictures for EdgeTX colour-screen radios - RadioMaster TX16S and TX15, Jumper T16/T18, Flysky PL18/EL18/NV14 and FrSky Horus - as a PNG at the right size. Jeti model picture makerFull-screen 320×240 model pictures for Jeti DC and DS radios - a JPG kept under Jeti's 100 KB limit, or a PNG. Graupner model picture makerModel pictures for Graupner mz-16 and mz-32 radios - every size, as a 24-bit BMP named the way the radio looks for it.