ORIGINAL: RKinder

I researched this exact question before Christmas, to buy a gift for my nephew (18 year old). Can I buy a decent RTF plane for $150? The answer is yes, and here is what I found, in order of preference.

1. Megatech Freedom Flyer for $119 from www.hungates.com. A 3-ch electric trainer, upgradable to 4-ch. A super deal, & replacement parts are cheap. Couldn't get it before Christmas, however.

2. Hobbyzone Super Cub for $160 from just about any store selling R/C. I bought this one for my nephew. It's a 3-ch electric trainer. It has a strong motor, is tough, and is easy to fly.

3. Also-rans: ParkFlyers.com BeginAir, $160. Parkflyers.com Cessna 182 3-ch or 4-ch for $160 or $180. ParkZone J3 Cub, $160. Several other Hobbyzone planes also had promise, from $110 to $150.


My nephew lives way out in the country on the Oklahoma plains, so he won't have an instructor, and wind is usually pretty strong. I wanted him to have a tough, easy to fly bird, with cheap, easy to replace wings/fuselage. All of these choices are electric.

I personally prefer glow-fuel. But there's really no way to get into that for less than $300. ARF trainer plane, at least $60. Engine: $50 TX/RX/servos: $120. Flight Box: $40. Misc kit build accessories: $50. One could build a S.P.A.D. (spadtothebone.com) and get a really tough, cheap plane, but most of the $$$ are for radio/engine/servos, so you won't save much.