Best RC Airplane for Beginners

One of the best beginner RC airplanes: The E-Flite Apprentice S 15E combines technology and stable aerodynamics to ensure complete success.

best rc airplane for beginners

Basic Description of E-Flite Apprentice S 15E

  • All foam construction makes most repairs quick and easy. Epoxy or foam safe CA can repair most breaks and dents.
  • The High wing makes for a stable beginner RC airplane that is most forgiving.
  • Tricycle landing gear makes for simple ground handling and take-off roll steering.
  • Wing fixing uses good old rubber bands. At one time ALL RC airplanes used this method! When you see your plane doing cartwheels down the runway, you will be thankful for the bands!
  • SAFE technology ensures first time flyers will be successful.

Assembly

The assembly is very simple. Just follow the instructions in the detailed manual and you should be fine. I do like that the manual is available in separate languages and 3 or 4 translations are not contained in the one edition. Makes for a simple manual with not a lot of words I cannot understand!

Basically there are 3 steps -

  1. Bolt on the tail plane and fin/rudder. (Makes replacement, in the future, very easy, if required)
  2. Assemble the nose gear and landing gear to the fuselage ( You will have to remove the prop, spinner and cowl to do this-no big deal!)
  3. Glue the wings together. (I would use epoxy for this rather than the double sided tape supplied) 

I like to take a look at the manual, before I buy, to get an idea of what's involved. Take a look here to see a copy.


What's Included

  1. Complete Apprentice, with receiver ( 4-channel DSMX) and all servos installed.
  2. 5-channel Spektrum DX5e transmitter on 2.4GHz
  3. 840 Kv Brushless Outrunner motor (Installed)
  4. 30-Amp Pro Switch-Mode BEC Brushless ESC ( Installed)
  5. 3s 3200 mAh Li-Po battery
  6. DC powered (12V) 2S-3S balancing fast charger
  7. Transmitter batteries (Dry cells)

Extras you need to buy

In theory everything is included. You might consider buying an extra Li-Po battery to double flight time between charges and a spare prop is always a good idea.


Pre-Flight check

  • Balance as shown in the manual. This is very important and DO NOT fly without balancing the model at the correct spot. If moving the battery position will not do it then please add small weights to the nose or tail.
  • Check that all control surfaces are moving in the correct direction. Once again the manual explains the procedure, so do some "Bench Flying" to familiarize your self.

The First Flight of this Best Beginner RC Airplane

If at all possible, use a qualified instructor to help with that all- important first flight. Most clubs have a training system and using a "Buddy Chord", where the instructor has full control until control can be passed to the student, by pressing a button on the instructor's transmitter.

This is the best way to learn to fly but if you must go-it-alone, then once again, read the instructions in the manual and go over that first flight, in your head, as many times as possible.

If you have access to an RC flight simulator, then practice,practice,practice!

Keep stick movements as small as possible and gently turn and keep the nose pointed slightly down.

Always take off and land into wind and when the airplane is flying towards you, remember that yaw and roll directions are apparently reversed! When on the final approach to landing keep the wings level by moving the aileron stick "under" the low wing and if the model is drifting to say the left then gently "follow" the direction with the rudder stick.

Try to fly a "race track" pattern with the upwind leg over the center of the runway. Keep that beginner RC airplane flying in a gentle oval and practice landing at altitude. When it is time to land, reduce the throttle slightly and loose altitude. When over the end of the runway. reduce throttle a little more, keep those wings level and be prepared to "flare " ( slight "Up" elevator), just before touch down.

Notice the difference between the top and underside color scheme of the model. This helps in understanding orientation of the model.


Safe Technology

Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope is the feature that makes a system that is most likely to result in a satisfied beginner RC flyer.

It consists of basically  two parts. The first is a 3-level system that restricts control surface movements. As the pupil progresses, the maximum surface deflections are increased until at the third level surfaces are at full deflection.

A "Panic button" is provided that, when activated will return the beginner RC airplane to safe level flight, providing there is enough altitude ( See video below)

The other part is the AS3X technology. This is a 3-axes gyro system that stabilizes airplane movements. Any minor disturbance due to wind gusts etc are "flattened" out resulting in a smoother flight .

The combination of these two features results in a system that can contribute to a successful first flight and beyond, to a point where RC flight is fun!


Video of the beginner RC airplane: The Horizon Apprentice S 15e


After Sales Service

Horizon Hobby is well known for the service it gives it's customers. Take advantage of this service! Any question regarding their products will be answered by an expert. Either phone or e-mail at this link. 


RTF and BNF Versions of this Beginner RC Airplane

The Apprentice is available in two versions, The RTF or Ready To Fly type includes the Spektrum DX 5e transmitter.

The BNF version is a Bind aNd Fly has no transmitter, A 5 channel minimum, DSMX compatible type is required.

The E-Flite Apprentice S 15E RTF is in stock. Price =$279.99USD


The E-Flite Apprentice S 15E BNF is in stock. Price =$249.99USD





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