These may be toys but they're fun for more than kids. These micro and mini indoor RC airplanes have either infrared or 2 channel 27/49 MHz controllers. They are presented below in roughly smaller to larger size.
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.)
- Differential thrust (alternative to control surfaces for movement)
- 2 channel / 3 channel Transmitters (what stick does what)
- Trim (how it works)
Nano Hawk
Nano Hawk Image Courtesy of PriceGrabber
This living room flyer got great reviews at Micro RC Reviews, saying that "Flying the Air Hogs Nano Hawk was some of the most enjoyable flying that I have done." The Air Hogs version of the PalmZ (Silverlit and Spin Master are related companies), it may have different color selections but the same 8" wingspan, dual wing design, infrared control, and flight characteristics.
- Size: 8" wingspan x 7.25" length
- Style: Biplane with single push prop behind/below upper wing
- Material: Flexible Foam
- #Channels/Controls: 2-channel; Throttle / Rudder
- Frequency: Infrared / Tri-Band
- Other Functions/Features: Trim lever on transmitter, spare rudder, charger in transmitter
- Recommended Ages: 8-10 and up
PalmZ
PalmZ Image Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Part of the X-Twin line of mini and micro airplanes from Silverlit, the PalmZ can turn in a space as little as about 9 feet x 9 feet and comes in orange, green (Buy Direct), or blue. Read the RC Mania review.
- Size: 8" wingspan x 7.25" length
- Style: Biplane with single push prop behind/below upper wing
- Material: Flexible Foam
- #Channels/Controls: 2-channel; Throttle / Rudder
- Frequency: Infrared / Tri-Band
- Other Functions/Features: Trim lever on transmitter, spare rudder, charger in transmitter
- Recommended Ages: 8-10 and up
Avion
Avion Image Courtesy of PriceGrabber
From Megatech, the Avion offers a tight 3 foot turning radius making it suitable for living room flying. It uses infrared control, charges directly off the transmitter, and is designed for safe, stable indoor flight. It has fully proportional controls with trim control. RC Universe has a detailed flight report.
- Size: 7.5" wingspan x 8.75" length
- Style: Biplane with single rear-facing prop, foam & stick body
- Material: High Density Foam
- #Channels/Controls: 2 Channel, Throttle, Rudder
- Frequency: Infrared
- Other Functions/Features: Trim on transmitter, display stand, charger on transmitter
- Recommended Ages: 10 and up
Avionnette HM 8
This is a semi-scale replica of the Henry Mignet HM-8 "Avionette." It comes with the Plantraco HFX900 transmitter and can fly indoors or outdoors on a calm day. The Avionnette is a high wing monoplane with landing gear. It has a carbon fiber propeller on its nose and tiny, lightweight actuators on its control surfaces.Aero Ace Series
Aero Ace Jet Image Courtesy of PriceGrabber
These indoor / outdoor RC airplanes from Air Hogs are the Spin Master versions of the Silverlit X-TWIN series. They come in monoplane, bi-plane, or jet versions and generally require more space than a living room. They use 27 MHz with A/B/C channels (varies by style). Recommended for ages 8 and up.
- Red monoplane (compare prices)
- Blue/Gray Jet (compare prices)
- Blue/White Jet (compare prices)
- Yellow biplane (compare prices)
X-TWIN Series
These indoor / outdoor airplanes from Silverlit all have full function radio control in a tri-band system so up to three planes can fly together. These are all hand-launched slow flying RC. All feature foam construction, twin motors with rear-facing propellers, trim control and chargers on the transmitters, and three color schemes for each model (with some body variations).- Classic Trainer: 9.5" wingspan, biplane
- Bi-Wing: 8.75" wingspan, biplane
- Eagle Wing: 9" wingspan, High wing monoplane with stick & foam fuselage
- Sports Flyer: 12" wingspan, mid-wing
- Jet: 10" wingspan
- Turbo-fury: 12" wingspan, mid-wing, 3 variations
Classroom Fighters
The Plantraco Classroom Fighters fly indoors and outdoors. You can purchase them with or without the transmitter. Models are the Zero A6M2, Helicat F6F, and P40 Warhawk (green or camo). Plantraco says that they'll fly in as little as 20 feet by 20 feet of space, are a little faster than their Butterfly, and can handle a slight breeze.- Size: 10" wingspan; 1:48 semi-scale; 1/8 of an ounce
- Style: Low wing, single nose prop, WWII style fighters
- Material: Carbon Fiber propeller, foam body
- #Channels/Controls: 2 channel, Throttle, Rudder (with self-centering actuator)
- Frequency: HFX900 4-channel transmitter, 6 selectable channels
- Other Functions/Features: Factory trimmed, includes FMS Flight Simulator software
Havoc Cyclone
Air Hogs Havoc Cyclone Image Courtesy of PriceGrabber
While most indoor planes just fly around and around and around, the Cyclone is an odd-looking, sort of Delta wing shaped indoor stunt plane. Spin Master describes it as a "Stringray Plane" that can do rolls, loops, and stalls and do it in your living room -- no big gymnasiums needed. It comes in three colors/styles, each with a different channel. There's the Gold Bullet, Power Thunder (Buy Direct), and Double Fan (Buy Direct). It gets rave reviews from most buyers for its ease-of-use, durability, and fun flying.
- Size: Approximately 12"
- Style: Delta wing sort of
- Material: Foam
- Frequency: Infrared
- Other Functions/Features: Spare rudder and landing legs, charges on transmitter
- Recommended Ages: 8 and up
FireFly
FireFly Image Courtesy of PriceGrabber
For indoor/outdoor use, reviews are predominantly positive. However, it has an odd button/stick controller. L/R Turn Control Stick (Channel 1) turns plane left / right in mode I. In mode II it also activates the motors (acts as throttle up/down). Climb button (Channel 2) turns on both the twin motors for takeoffs and climbing when in mode I or II. Comes in green (Buy Direct) or orange (Buy Direct).
- Size: 14" wingspan
- Style: High wing, foam & stick body, twin forward-facing props, landing gear
- Material: PolyNylolene
- #Channels/Controls: 2 channel, Throttle, Differential thrust (right stick)
- Frequency: PCM Transmitter, 27 MHz / 49 MHz
- Other Functions/Features: Self-correcting wing design
- Recommended Ages: 8 and up
X-EC Diversion
This indoor / outdoor airplane from Megatech (PDF with details) comes with both a carrying case and a display stand. Like the FireFly, it comes with a non-standard button/stick transmitter which may be a bit awkward at first for those accustomed to more conventional transmitter controls.- Size: 14" wingspan x 21" length
- Style: High wing, twin front-facing wing-mounted motors/props, foam & stick body, landing gear
- Material: Molded foam
- #Channels/Controls: 2 channel, Throttle, Differential thrust
- Frequency: 27 MHz / 49 MHz
- Other Functions/Features: Display stand, carry case, charger built into transmitter
- Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Wright Flyer
Wright Flyer Image Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Experience the same thrill of flight as the Wright Brothers did in 1903 with this collecter's edition replica of their plane from Megatech (PDF with details). It comes with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. The indoor / outdoor plane has a quick 2 minute charge and can be flown by beginners (although it is recommended that beginning pilots use it in larger spaces).
- Size: 15.5" wingspan, 2.9 oz.
- Style: Biplane
- #Channels/Controls: 2 channel, Throttle and Differential Thrust
- Frequency: 27 MHz
- Other Functions/Features: Comes with a booklet about the Wright Brothers, extra props and other parts
- Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Avion IO
Avion IO Image Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Larger than the Avion indoor micro biplane, the Avion IO is for indoor / outdoor flight (probably what the IO stands for). It can take off from the ground in about 10 feet of space. It received a very good review by Ken Isaac, noting that it flies well, is easy to control, and is durable.
- Size: 16.4" wingspan x 16.5" length; 1.5 oz.
- Style: Biplane, foam & stick body, single rear-facing prop, landing gear
- Material: PolyNylolene
- #Channels/Controls: 2-channel, Throttle, Rudder
- Frequency: 27 MHz / 6 channels
- Other Functions/Features: Adjustable tail for beginner/expert, adjustable trim on transmitter, charger on transmitter
- Recommended Ages: 12 and up
