Aircraft Hobbies

"Do you like the idea of flying rc airplanes, helicopters or other aircraft but the thought of learning how to puts you off? Are you feeling a bit confused and overwhelmed... don't know which model would suit your needs; airplane, helicopter, gas or electric?...

The hobby of radio control flying has exploded in popularity in recent years, and there's never been a better time to get started. It's a hobby that's enjoyed by young and old alike, is rewarding, exhilarating, educational and addictive. If the hobby has caught your attention, please read on!..." more

"Over the course of 43 years, the Hobby Lobby International team has earned their reputation for developing and selling "the best stuff" to the RC hobby community. We are the people you rely on for solid advice, a fair price and technical (sometimes emotional) support after the sale.

As the new owner of Hobby Lobby, I'm often asked, "what is it about this business that made you want to buy it?" The answer has a lot to do with the P-51 Mustang my younger brother Kurt got for his birthday. We each had several control line airplanes at the time, but THIS one flew great - it was THE BOMB! We flew for countless hours in our empty grade school playground. We would spin in tight circles, then fight over who got to fly last before the fuel ran out. When the dizziness wore off, we were excited to rebuild our planes (when we crashed it was always Kurt's fault – but I don't think he remembers it that way). We dreamed about cutting the strings and flying free with radio control..." more

"With the idea of creating unique flying machines for capturing high quality aerial video Draganfly Innovations was formed. The company started in 1998 as a small mail order business specializing in radio control flying machines. Initially selling basic radio control airplanes and blimps, Draganfly began to design and develop their own flying creations.

(To day) Our engineers INVENTED the electric rc toy FUN ALGORITHM. That's why even their most INSANE radio controlled toys are insanely easy to fly - right out of the box. Get some easy to fly electric rc fun from our wide selection of radio controlled helicopters, indoor helium blimps, remote control airplanes, and rc accessories. Then watch your friends line up to envy your flight skills and the sexy, smoking hot design of your new Draganfly Innovations remote control toy.

Remote control toy noobies often start with our Bladerunner Indoor Helicopter, new Firefly Micro Heli, or a remote controlled Blimp. Advanced radio control toy geeks flip out over our Draganflyer 4 rotor Helicopters and our enormous selection of components including Thunder Power Lithium Polymer Batteries and Castle Creations ESCs for brushless motors..." more

"(...) Our mission is to promote model aviation as an educational tool, in formal classroom and informal, after-school settings.

The Academy assists classroom teachers who wish to integrate aerospace education concepts into math, science, social studies, language arts and technology education programs to meet goals and objectives of the national standards for these disciplines.

In addition, the Academy's work with informal after-school programs, community groups, and summer camps enables it to be a valuable resource to help train newcomers - young and old - to the sport, hobby and educational opportunities of model aviation.

Curriculum support and materials for middle school physical science and math programs may be found by contacting us for a copy of AeroLab, a DVD/CD featuring activities developed by science teachers for teachers thanks to the generous support of the Alcoa Foundation. AeroLab lessons feature simple foam and balsa aircraft as tools to teach the concepts of force and motion, potential/kinetic energy and centripetal force. The activities allow students to practice important math skills to determine average speed and distance flown. All labs are aligned with middle school physical science and math standards and are "S.T.E.M. Compliant." The labs feature conceptual activities in the physical sciences to provide opportunities for students to make predictions, collect data, graph results and draw conclusions, as well as participate in lessons designed for directed and guided inquiry..." more

"Central Hobbies is the world's largest supplier of pattern RC equipment. (...)
Central Hobbies stocks thousands of items and parts for the pattern RC enthusiast, and our customers include some of the most successful pilots around the world.
Central Hobbies has fully staffed sales and shipping departments to make sure you get the service you need when you're in the middle of a project... more

The Focus 2 was developed to produce world class performance in a package that can be assembled, trimmed, and maintained by modelers ranging from the beginner to expert. The Focus has enjoyed a record of success in competition dating back to 2001 that has no equal in the ARF arena..." more

"eHobbies delivers fun to people of all ages through the passionate pursuit of their hobbies.

"As one of most prominent online retailers of model and RC hobbies, we've been serving hundreds of thousands of new and loyal hobbyists since 1999.

(...) Our philosophy is simple: offer you the best selection in hobby and toy products with exceptional values, super fast delivery and extraordinary customer service. We have over 60,000 items to choose from - all with the privacy, security and most of all convenience of online shopping. Because we ship from multiple warehouses across the country, we are positioned to serve you better. .." more

Never being satisfied to simply become another look-alike mail order company, Hobby People has been a leader in developing radio control since we first opened our doors.

Here is a list of just a few of our most important contributions which have allowed modelers to achieve maximum enjoyment at the lowest prices possible:

• First mail order company to import model engines—Taipan from Australia in 1972
• First to fully develop and market Almost-Ready-to-Fly aircraft—vacuum formed fuselages with hand built-up & covered wings
• First to develop and market the "next generation" EZ-type ARFs. Today we have totally built-up, all-balsa, Monokote covered ARFs.
• First to introduce items like electric starters and field totes
• First mail order company to open our own kit manufacturing facility in 1974. Today we occupy two buildings of about 70,000 square feet.
• First to heavily discount all goods. First mail order company to manufacture our own brand radio system—Cirrus—holding costs down at a time when some manufacturers wanted to raise prices ... more

World Class Radio Controlled Models and Accessories.

"When I started Great Planes Model Manufacturing in 1982-with a degree in mechanical engineering and plenty of experience assembling poorly-made R/C kits-I knew what I wanted to see changed: better designs, higher quality parts, more helpful instruction manuals and easier flying characteristics. People ask me how a company as young as Great Planes has managed to achieve all this and more. I tell them you need three key ingredients..."
1° Great Technology
"Surprisingly, no machines had ever been designed specifically for cutting model airplane parts before. So I worked with a well-known designer to create machines capable of smooth, precise cuts. With the addition of computer-aided drafting, our engineers have fine-tuned interlocking construction to make our planes virtually "goof-proof." We also use computers to generate extremely accurate model plans that complement photo-illustrated instruction manuals." (...)
2° Great Products
"Listening to fliers also helps us meet their needs for new products. In addition to perfecting the art of kit-making, Great Planes has taken Almost Ready-to-Fly engineering to new heights with models like the Ryan STA. It‘s flight-ready in only 15 hours. But with its oval-shaped, sheeted fuselage and MonoKote® covering, the Ryan looks — and performs — like a carefully built scale masterpiece. We‘ve also turned our attention to the increasingly popular Park Flyer electrics for today‘s smaller flying sites. You‘ll find trademark Great Planes assembly and flight advantages in such compact models as the BLT, Tutor, Fundango and Li‘l Poke. But that‘s not all: Our engineers also created perfectly matched motors, batteries, gear drive systems and electronic speed controls to help you bring out your Park Flyer‘s very best performance." (...)
3° Great People
"A company can be only as good as its people, and we have the best. Our in-house R&D team consists entirely of active R/C modelers, many of whom have more than 20 years of experience in the hobby..." more (Don Anderson)

"Heliguy.com is owned and operated by Colena Ltd (UK). We are a small internet based company dedicated to bringing the customer high quality products and services.

Colena Ltd operates an online RC helicopter store offering a rapid processing timeframe and a comprehensive support programme alongside a well managed spares and accessories department.
We nurture our current customer base by offering a developed forum community and providing a bespoke service.
We pride ourselves on our referal history, which continually supplies new custom from established customers."

Photography utilising SUAV, FPV and stabilisation systems
Heliguy build rigs for aerial photography as well as more sophisticated small unmanned aerial vehicles capable of longer flight times.
Heliguy deals some potential options you may consider when attempting to build a similar rig for your unique application.
These are suitable for smaller helicopters and dont represent such a big outlay in cash. They are suitable for less serious applications, and will still provide video downlink capability and high resolution images. more

"Northeast Sailplane Products is committed to bringing its customers the very best in Sailplane and Electric flight. Over the last few years we've worked hard to become #1 in customer service and satisfaction throughout the R/C Sailplane and Electric flight industry."

"All of the planes and motor systems in the NSP-ONLINE catalog have been extensively reviewed and flight tested by some of the best pilots in the hobby, and we are committed to searching for the next best performer in each category. (...) " more

"Now you can fly this Incredibly Tiny Spitfire Fighter by Radio Control - Any Time You Choose!
"Holy Cats! That's a TINY Spitfire, and it flies Amazingly good!" - That's what you are going to hear from onlookers as you do a low altitude fly past with precision and authority and land in the palm of your hand!
At 6-Inch Wingspan and 2.7grams flying weight, this Supermarine Spitfire really shows off the unique technological advantages of Plantraco's HFX900 R/C system. Low weight and high thrust - these are the factors the give all our RTF models aerial supremacy wherever they are flown. You are going to love flying this model - Another great Plantraco design from the drawing board of Joe Malinchak - the greatest model aircraft designer we have ever seen!
Yes, Plantraco has now made it possible for you to enjoy flying the World's Smallest Ready-To-Fly 1/72nd Scale Model Spitfire..." more

S&B Model Aircraft is a proud Australian manufacture of scale EPP WWII warbirds designed for electric flight and slope soaring (PSS).

All members of the S&B team are modellers with considerable experience. Our team are keen modellers who have a passion for scale warbirds that look and fly great and are nearly indestructible so you can really enjoy the experience.
Electric (Speed 400 Class) flight is proving to be one of the largest growth areas in our sport, as it offers so many advantages and opportunities to the modeller in a vast number of areas.
Our kits are almost ready to fly (ARC) and the EPP is pre shaped to scale making for simple quick construction. Production at this point is mainly for the export market. We sell into 22 countries throughout the world with our largest market being the US, with nearly all sales from word of mouth recommendations. Production levels are steadily being increased at a controlled rate to ensure that quality and value to the modeller is enhanced and not compromised. That said we are currently struggling to meet the demand and for some kits there may be a short wait but we assure you it is worth it... more

"HOBBICO is the largest retail and wholesale distributor of radio-control hobby products in the world and one of the most progressive companies in the Champaign/Urbana area.

Hobbico consists of 4 basic divisions: Tower Hobbies, Great Planes Model Distributors, Hobbico Product, and Hobbico Administration (...)

We were founded on the concept that the customer is #1. Our goal is to provide the customer with the best possible products, at the best possible price while providing them the best possible customer service. To accomplish this task, we strive to maintain a highly qualified workforce. That's why we do everything in our power to ensure that we have a satisfied workforce..." more

"Headquartered in Los Angeles, Banana Hobby is a leading distributor of electric & gas R/C planes, helicopters, cars, tanks, boats, and etc. By leveraging our purchasing power and distribution channels, we are able to offer the highest quality products and timely service.

(...) We put our customers in our number one priority! Our mission is to enhance our online customers shopping experience with our widest selection of electric & gas R/C planes, helicopters... etc, and unbelievable price. We achieve this by work hard to make sure your online purchasing experience is the smoothest, most pleasurable and exciting as possible. We guarantee that you will enjoy our premier quality services. We welcome you to explore the website and discover our most up to date technology toys with the hottest product on the market, and our rich selection of products at unbeatable prices!

This 4CH Yak 54 is most suitable for Intermediate & Advanced flyers. Excellent slow-speed capability and stability, more flexibility in controlling with larger ruddder, and perfect aerobatics performance with powerful motor. Because of its unique light weight structure and power, this model is capable of repeated take offs and landings from short grass and capable of performing very entertaining aerobatics such as inside loops, outside loops, axial rolls, inverted flight, knife edge, stall turns, hammerheads, spins, and others we have never seen. Finally, this Yak 54 operates on New 2.4GHz spectrum technology providing freedom from frequency restrictions and interference and longer battery life for the transmitter!" more

ChineseHobby.com offers by NanYang ESC International Trade Co., Ltd.

"ChineseHobby.com is one of the biggest online commercial corporations in Asia, committing itself to build a worldwide wholesale shop online. Our company was originally set up in Nanyang, China in 2006, aiming to operate the business-to-customer transactions with overseas consumers. Our brand name was originated from imitating the gurgling voice people utter when enjoy something happy. Along with the rapid development of electronic business in China, Hohotrade has earned itself a solid reputation for quality, reliability and professionalism in this field. Our operation capabilities cover favorable policy, affiliate discount, instant and safe delivery, privacy protection and well-rounded customer support.

We derive our name from the electronics toy, ChineseHobby. As we are a trade company, we believe in providing solutions to our customers' need. With our business, we strive to provide "store" for our customers, and hope to deliver these "lights" to our customers in the boxes they receive.

The mission of ChineseHobby.com is to provide you with the most hot goods at hot price from China. You can get almost everything you like on this website. We sell a vast range of merchandise produced exclusively by Chinese manufacturers such as trendy digital products, consumer electronics etc.. If you like to hunt for something special at low price by fashionable online shopping, then use ChineseHobby.com to purchase many thousands of super discount products you are interested in." ... more

"Nitro Planes Hobby is a retail and mail order supplier of radio remote controlled aircrafts, serving model fans since 1999. Nitro Planes is the most extensive Hobby Shop web site in the world!

Our headquarters is located in United State's busy city, Los Angeles, home of the entertainment and night life industry.

Over the years, our business constantly partner with many of the best manufacturers and distributors. From there we can better service our customers in the west.

We cater to just about every type of model including Control Line, Rubber Powered Free Flight, Plastic Models, Model Rocketry, and Wooden Ship Models. We specialize in Radio Control, and in particular R/C model aircraft and helicopters..." more