These indoor flyers can usually handle some outdoor flight time, typically require more room than the toy indoor flyers, and are best for intermediate to expert pilots. Some make good first indoor flyers for pilots with at least a little bit of flight experience but are not usually suitable for first time pilots.
Here are explanations for some of the features you may see listed:
- Indoor Airplane Size
- Wing placement (biplane, high wing, etc.)
- Materials (foam, plastic, etc.)
- 2 channel / 3 channel Transmitters (what stick does what)
- 4 channel Transmitters (mode 1 / mode 2)
- DSM Technology
- Trim (how it works)
ParkZone Vapor Bind-N-Fly
ParkZone Vaper Bind-N-Fly at Red Rocket Hobby
The Bind-N-Fly version of the Vapor comes with a DSM2 receiver. You add your own Spektrum DSM2-compatible transmitter. The Vapor is a 3-channel flyer than can maneuver in small indoor spaces such as a garage or nice-sized living room.
- Size: 14.75" wingspan, .5 ounces
- Style: High wing, single nose prop, stick body, landing gear
- Material: Carbon fiber fuselage and tail/wing framework; PET film wing and tail surfaces
- #Channels/Controls: 3 channel, Throttle, Rudder, Elevator
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz DSM2 Receiver ready for transmitter
- Approx. Charge / Flight Time: 20 min / 15 min
- Recommended Skill Level: Intermediate, Age 14 and up
ParkZone Vapor RTF
ParkZone Vapor RTF at Red Rocket Hobby
This is the ready-to-fly version of the Vapor. Like the Bind-N-Fly version, the Vapor has a Li-Po charger with 20 minute charging and almost 15 minutes of flight time and is suitable to all skill levels. It's recommended for ages 14 and up.
- Size: 14.75" wingspan, .5 ounces
- Style: High wing, single nose prop, landing gear
- Material: Carbon fiber fuselage and tail/wing framework; PET film wing and tail surfaces
- #Channels/Controls: 3 channel, Throttle, Rudder, Elevator
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz DSM2 Transmitter
- Approx. Charge / Flight Time: 20 min / 15 min
- Recommended Skill Level: Intermediate, Age 14 and up
ParkZone Cessna 210 Centurion RTF Electric
ParkZone Cessna 210 Centurion at Red Rocket Hobby
This "ultra-micro" Cessna 210 comes in blue/red, green/silver, and red/yellow color schemes. It's intended primarily for indoor flight, can be hand-launched or ground-launched, and can do some loops.
- Size: 15" wingspan, .6 ounces
- Style: High wing, single nose prop, landing gear
- #Channels/Controls: 3 channel, Throttle, Rudder, Elevator
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz DSM2 Transmitter
- Other Functions/Features: Trim adjustment on transmitter, display stand/built-in charger
- Approx. Charge / Flight Time: 20 min / 15 min
- Recommended Skill Level: Intermediate / Expert
ParkZone Ember RTF
ParkZone Ember at Red Rocket Hobby
A slow-flying indoor plane, the Ember weighs less than an ounce, can perform aerobatic flight, and is ready to fly out of the box after a 20 minute charge. Recommended primarily for indoor flight but you could fly outdoors on a windless day.
- Size: 16" wingspan, .6 ounces
- Style: High wing, single nose prop, stick body, landing gear
- Material: Foam
- #Channels/Controls: 3 channel, Throttle, Rudder, Elevator
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz DSM2 Transmitter
- Other Functions/Features: Aerobatics
- Approx. Charge / Flight Time: 20 min / 10-15 min
- Recommended Skill Level: Intermediate / Expert
Kyosho Minium AD Piper Cherokee RTF
Kyosho Minium AD at Red Rocket Hobby
Available in red (Buy Direct) or blue (Buy Direct), this little plane flies indoors and outdoors, has two flight modes, slow flight capability, and a more powerful engine than previous verions of the Minium.
- Size: 16" wingspan
- Style: Low wing, single nose prop, landing gear
- Material: Foam
- #Channels/Controls: 4 channel, Throttle, Rudder, Elevator, Aileron
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz DSM2 Transmitter, selectable Mode 1/2
- Other Functions/Features: Trim adjustment and built-in charger on transmitter, ESC, Change mode to use with Minium AD helicopter
- Approx. Charge / Flight Time: 15 min flight
- Recommended Skill Level: Intermediate / Expert
ParkZone Micro Citabria RTF Electric
ParkZone Micro Citabria at Red Rocket Hobby
An indoor / outdoor aerobatic slow flyer, the Citabria (that's airbatic, backwards) is available in three color schemes: red (Buy Direct), blue (Buy Direct), and yellow (Buy Direct). The display stand houses the charger. Similiar to the ParkZone Cessna 210 Centurion, it is ready to fly right out of the box (after charging) handles small gyms, and has better range than the Cessna.
- Size: 16.5" wingspan
- Style: High wing, single nose prop
- Material: EPS foam / Depron
- #Channels/Controls: 3 channel, Throttle, Rudder, Elevator
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz DSM2 Transmitter
- Other Functions/Features: Aerobatics
- Approx. Charge / Flight Time: 15-20 min / 15 min
- Recommended Skill Level: Intermediate / Expert
ParkZone Slo-V Electric RTF
ParkZone Slo-V at Red Rocket Hobby
This slow flyer, with its 45+ inch wingspan, needs large indoor space. It also handles outdoor flight. The Slo-V has two flight modes. Mode B is for experienced pilots to do aerobatics and air-to-air combat (with the X-port accessory). Mode A is for less experienced pilots -- works by limiting elevator/rudder control for easier maneuvering.
- Size: 45.875" wingspan x 36.75" length, 15 oz.
- Style: High wing, single nose prop, landing gear, V tail (acts as both rudder and elevator)
- Material: Carbon fiber fuselage
- #Channels/Controls: 3 channel, Throttle, Rudder, Elevator
- Frequency: 27 MHz, 6 channels
- Other Functions/Features: X-Port add-on modules, ESC
- Recommended Skill Level: Beginner / Intermediate / Expert
MicroInvent Peanut Size RTF
These balsa wood and tissue flyers with 10-13 inch wingspans are for large indoor areas but can also fly outside on calm days. Several of these are WWII era biplanes with 3 channel 72 MHz radio systems offering Throttle, Rudder, and Elevator control and 10-15 minutes of flight time depending on the model. There are also some 4 channel aerobatic monoplane models for expert pilots that add aileron control to the mix but also have slightly shorter flight times (10 minutes or less).Bucker BU 133 Jungmeister RTF
This MicroInvent Pistachio Size plane is a speedy little indoor flyer. It can fly outdoors in calm weather, and comes ready to fly with radio equipment and chargers.- Size: Approx. 8" wingspan
- Style: Biplane, single forward-facing prop
- Material: Balsa wood and tissue
- #Channels/Controls: 3 Channel, Throttle, Rudder, Elevator
- Other Functions/Features: Aerobatic capabilities
