Featured News Archives - Model Airplane News

Easy Foam Airplane Repair Tips

Now that we’re well into the flying season, chances are you have at least one plane that has been “benched” because of a not-so-gentle landing. Why not take a few minutes this weekend and repair it? Here’s what you need to know. Let’s face it! Accidents are bound happen, and when it comes to flying […]

Master the Basics: Straight & Level Flight

You should practice straight and level as much as you do any other maneuver. It is also where new precision aerobatics pilots should begin. It may seem like the most boring thing to do, but in reality, straight and level flight is one of the most difficult maneuvers to master. Sure, rolling circles, tail slides […]

Best RC Landings

What goes up must come down! But it’s always best when your RC plane comes down in one piece. Check out this compilation video of pros sticking the landing, shot at various events in Texas and Louisiana over the past year. A MAN shoutout goes to The Traveling Tech Guy and his YouTube channel for […]

Monster-Scale RC

Giant Pythons and Vampires, oh my! Check out this compilation of giant scale RC airplanes from around the UK. This video starts off with an 85% scale Pitts Python and ends with DH Vampire jet. Enjoy the show!

Unexpected Engine Problems & Solutions

After building a Balsa USA Fokker D7 1/4-scale biplane and doing the final setting up on the engine prior to taking to the field, I discovered a violent vibration problem with not one but TWO brand new engines! Good Results on the Test Stand I first ran my original engine choice for the D7, a […]

1/10-Scale Miniature Marvel

About two decades ago enthusiasm was building within the aviation community with the anticipation for the celebrations to come for the 100th anniversary of the advent of controlled human flight. This is the story of how I came to design, build, and fly a 1/10-scale model of the 1905 Wright Flyer. Time was running out […]

Glider Flies 548mph!

This glider’s high-speed passes will make your head spin! Perfect Santa Ana conditions allowed Spencer Lisenby to break the dynamic soaring speed record last year. The wind gusted to 65mph and temps were 45-50F. This flight beat the previous record set in 2018 at Bird Spring Pass by only 3mph. Max acceleration estimated around 90-100G. […]

Balancing Bipes: The Right CG for Safe Flights

When it comes to RC airplanes, I am of the “two sets of wings are better than one” kind of guys. For any model to perform properly and be safe to fly, it has to be properly balanced. This is especially true for multi-wing models. As a basic rule, you first find the MAC or “Mean […]

Pawn Stars, RC-style!

The History Channel’s most popular show, “Pawn Stars,” launches an RC airplane episode! In this show, Corey hits the airfield with seller Ross and tries to cut a deal (or two) for the shop. Seems Corey might be more of a drone fan, but he could have been trying to bargain for a better deal. […]

Let’s talk fuel lines!

On all of my nitro and gasoline-powered airplanes, I use zip ties to secure my fuel lines going from the fuel tank to both the carburetor and the muffler. When routing lines within your airplane, make sure that they can move freely and are not bent in any odd fashion. After all, you need to […]

RC Scale Flak Damage — Weathering Gone Wild?

With the level of detail always increasing, one wonders what can be the next “eye candy” to be added? Well, Dave Morales and Jimmy Cowman may have just moved the bar up a little. Dave’s P-40B model from Jerry Bates plans featured “battle damage” detail which included an aileron with the underlying structure (like ribs […]

Winter is coming …

Instead of sitting on the couch watching television and waiting for spring to arrive, why not build or buy a set of snow skis, bolt them to your plane, and get out there and do some cold weather flying? Winter flying is great fun, and it restores the RC soul during those long, dreary winter […]