If you’ve ever watched an RC airplane carve across the sky and thought “I want to do that” — you’re in exactly the right place. This is our complete guided course for people brand new to the hobby. Twelve lessons, a practical starting point for choosing, setting up, and learning to fly your first RC airplane.
RC Plane Lab is a podcast hosted by Ron, Tom, and Dave — three guys who love this hobby and have been flying for decades combined. We kept hearing from newcomers: “I don’t know where to start.” So we built this — twelve structured lessons covering everything from picking your first airplane to maintaining it after a rough landing, plus a full library of extra resources.
covering the whole hobby
from experienced pilots
on the Discord server
to take to the field
Work through these in order, or jump to whatever you need right now.
What is RC flying, what does it cost, how much time does it take, and is it right for you?
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FAA registration, the TRUST exam, AMA membership — all the legal requirements in plain English.
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Trainers, warbirds, gliders, foamies, electric vs. glow — know what’s out there before you shop.
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RTF vs BNF vs ARF explained. Our specific plane picks and what gear you actually need.
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Practice before you crash for real. Our two simulator picks and how to use them effectively.
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Charging, storage, disposal, and the safety habits that keep your batteries working safely.
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What every stick, knob, and switch does. How the controls work and how to check their direction safely.
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Pre-flight checklist, takeoff, turns, landing, and building your skills flight by flight.
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How airspace works, how to check the airspace and the flying site before you launch.
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How wind, gusts, temperature, and the field itself affect your flying day.
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How a local club or experienced pilot can help with setup and first flights.
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Post-flight inspections, foam repairs, servo care, and workbench habits that keep you flying.
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Lesson 1 covers what the hobby is really like, what it costs, and whether it’s right for you. No commitment required — just good information from pilots who’ve been doing this for years.