RC Plane Lab

Ron and Dave return after a summer break to talk flying, family updates, and shop projects. They highlight five new or reissued RC airplanes and touch on the science of wing loading. The episode wraps with Dave’s $50 swap‑meet Beaver restoration.    Freewing JL‑8 80mm EDF Jet Durafly Curtiss P‑40 Warhawk V2 (Aleutian Tiger) Freewing Eurofighter Typhoon V2 90mm EDF Jet Skynetic P‑47 Thunderbolt “Passionate Patsy” 750mm HobbyKing Kitfox Sportplane (Plug & Play)

Ron, Tom, and Dave cover extreme summer weather, camping with RC rock crawlers, a new UMX‑sized OV‑10 release, their local club fly‑in recap, and a deep dive into how each of them sets up their vehicles for hauling airplanes. 

The guys are back together — sort of — and this week they dive into one of the most common listener questions: How should you assign switches on your radio? After some classic RC Plane Lab banter (Tommy’s “witchy” mic, canceled night flying, and Ron rediscovering his forgotten UMX Viper), the crew breaks down how they each map flaps, gear, lights, rates, gains, and AS3X functions across their transmitters. They compare Spektrum iX setups, talk about why consistency matters more than “the right way,” and share lessons learned — including how Ron’s F‑18 crash came down to one simple gain‑tuning mistake. Whether you’re new to programming radios or just want to refine your habits, this episode is packed with practical, real‑world insight from three pilots who definitely don’t always do it the same way.

Tom makes a surprise remote return to the show from his extended deployment in the U.S. Southwest desert. The guys catch up on flying, mishaps, new airplanes, swap meets, repairs, and the ongoing saga of Reggie’s questionable preflight habits. Ron shares the dramatic loss of his X‑Fly Hornet, Dave talks about resurrecting and repainting an F‑16, and Tom confesses to “Tomming” his Turbo Timber into the gravel. The crew also dives into gliders, paramotors, truck upgrades, and future flying plans.

A couple of new releases hit the RC scene, and a day at the field turns into a mix of flying, tinkering, and trailer‑powered success. With a few maiden flights, some quick repairs, and plenty of hangout time, Episode 210 is all about enjoying the hobby and the moments that come with it.

In this episode we talk about the sudden closure of WACO Aircraft Company and what it means for full‑scale aviation fans. Ron goes over the latest trailer upgrades, including the rooftop AC and the new Spektrum S450 charging setup. Dave makes progress assembling Ron’s RACores Yak‑55, and we wrap up with an update on the new Beginner’s Lounge on RCPlaneLab.com. Head over to https://beginnerslounge.rcplanelab.com!

Tune in to hear how the 2026 Toledo RC Swap Meet and Expo went for the guys!

In this episode, Dave kicks things off with the story behind his April Model Aviation article, “From Trash to Treasure,” and finally shares the full tale behind the project that inspired it. From there, the guys dive into a wave of new releases hitting the RC world: Dynam’s E‑2C Hawkeye with its rotating radar dome E‑flite’s latest lineup — Beechcraft D18/RC‑45J 1.5m, V1200 1.2m, 2m Conscendo, and the new HobbyZone Trojan Motion RC’s Flightline P‑51 HobbyKing’s Tundra TPX 3D profile plane and the Durafly Brewster F2A Buffalo V2 Banana Hobby’s massive JetRuler 1/9 F‑22 Raptor 2.1m composite turbine jet The conversation takes a reflective turn as the crew talks about Dumas closing its doors after 75 years — a tough loss for the hobby, especially for fans of their classic rubber-powered airplanes and iconic boat kits. Then it’s on to swap‑meet season. The guys recap the Eli Swap Meet and why the small shows still deliver some of the best surprises and deals. With Toledo right around the corner, Ron shares the fleet he’s bringing to sell — from the V‑22 Osprey and UMX Beast to the Freewing F‑35, FMS Explorer, and more — and debates whether it’s finally time to pull receivers now that prices have dropped again.    

In this episode, we sit down once again with Hank Rauhaus, the man behind the Toledo R/C Swap Meet & Expo, to get an inside look at what’s new for 2026. Hank shares how the event has evolved since last year, the behind‑the‑scenes work that keeps a 700‑plus‑table swap meet running smoothly, and the trends he’s seeing across the hobby. We talk vendors, volunteers, rare finds, and the static contest, along with some other fun things thrown in. Whether you’re a first‑time attendee or a Toledo regular, this conversation offers a fun and informative look at one of the Midwest’s biggest R/C traditions.   **************** Get your Electrostreak Short Kit from RC Plane Lab! Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/ Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​ Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846 Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​

A bittersweet week in the RC world as we announce the BF‑109 kit winner, talk through the closing of Grayson Hobby after two decades, and recap the Fox Valley Aero swap meet—including a couple of irresistible new additions to the hangar.   **************** Get your Electrostreak Short Kit from RC Plane Lab! Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/ Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​ Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846 Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​

This week we remind listeners that Electro‑Streak short kits are back on the bench and available now. We take a quick look at Banana Hobby’s X‑Fly new 4‑channel business jet, the new little E‑Flite UMX GeeBee, and talk through Dave’s rebuild of Ron’s old E‑Flite Cub. Then we wrap with a fresh “What’s in Our Hangar?” rundown. Dave's Cub Pic X-Fly J-65 Twin Jet UMX Gee Bee R-2   **************** Get your Electrostreak Short Kit from RC Plane Lab! 13th Squadron BF109 Giveaway Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/ Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​ Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846 Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​

Happy New Year! Tune in as we talk ElectroStreak kits, the BF109 giveaway, FCC rule changes, new plane releases, RRAMS (Beloit, WI) swap meet finds (a flying fish!?!?), Brazilian flying friends, and a handy Spektrum battery checker!   Get your Electrostreak Short Kit from RC Plane Lab!   13th Squadron BF109 Giveaway   XBC200 Battery Checker   E-Flite UMX Viper   Skynetic “Havok” Racer   FMS 800mm Beaver   E-flite Timber 1.5m 10th Anniversary Special Edition   E-Flite Sportix   **************** Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord   Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/   Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​   Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab   Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]   Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846   Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​

Ron & Dave chat with Jack and Steve Niezgoda from the 13th Squadron about squadron life, RC aviation, and building passion that lasts. 🎁 Plus—we’re giving away a 13th Squadron BF109 kit! Enter now at 👉 https://rcplanelab.com/bf109giveaway Tune in, join the fun, and don’t miss your chance to win! Visit them at https://13thsquadron.com/

Tune in to hear our annual Wive's Episode!  Here's to a wonderful 2026! 

Tune in as Ron and Dave answer listener questions and talk about some things that are coming up.   E-Flite Gee Bee 1.0m: https://www.horizonhobby.com/e-flite-gee-bee-r-2-1.0m-rc-airplane/

Tune in as Dave's brother, Daniel, joins us as we talk about a couple recent swap meets, and other stuff.

Tune in to hear what the guys have planned for the winter, and some other stuff, too!

It's hard to believe it's already Halloween again! We hope you enjoy this replay of our first Halloween episode from 5 years ago! This one was fun to make, so we hope you have as much fun listening as we did recording it. Happy Halloween! 

Tune in as we sit down and talk with Miguel Alvarez about all things AS3X, AS3X+, Safe, and Safe Select. Miguel is an Electrical/Firmware Engineer for Spektrum and Horizon Hobby, so as the guy who writes the code for the stabilized receivers Horizon Hobby offers, he knows all about the ins and outs of this subject!   **************** Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord   Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/   Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​   Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab   Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]   Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846   Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​      

We reached out to the 3 candidates running for President of the AMA and invited them to each come on our show separately to tell us a little bit about themselves and to state their case as to why they would make a good President.  Tune in to this episode to hear our conversation with Greg Stone.  

Tune in to hear how the last fly-in of the year went for the guys, and Tommy has some news. 

Tune in to hear about the recent Vintage RC Fly In Ron and Tom went to, and also hear a trip down memory lane about what vintage equipment the guys started out in the hobby using. 

Tune in to hear how Tommy's jet fix went, and hear what else he's been working on.

Tune in to hear about the recent events we've been to, what we have coming up, and who crashed! 

Tune in as the guys discuss some upcoming fly-ins, and what they've been up to the last couple of weeks. 

Tune in as we talk about some new plane releases, a drone show Ron saw, and what we plan to do on Model Aviation Day. 

Tune in to hear some exciting news from Tommy. Plus, a shout out to a listener that sent us something pretty cool. 

Tommy's gone this week, but tune in to find out what Ron and Dave have been up to over the last couple of weeks!

Tune in as the guys talk about the last couple of weeks and some new plane releases.    **************** Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord   Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/   Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​   Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab   Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]   Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846   Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​    

Tune in as the guys talk all about their trip to Joe Nall this year! 

2/3rds of the RC Plane Lab crew were able to meet up with 2/3rds of the RC Roundtable crew and record together on the final day of Joe Nall 2025! Tune in for the fun!   **************** Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord   Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/   Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​   Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab   Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]   Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846   Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​    

Tune in as the guys sit down and chat with Steve Schlesinger from FrSky as we learn about the history of FrSky, how to pronounce it, and some of the cool things Dave's new radio can do.    Link to the Ethos 1.6.2 Simulator for the X20RSS: https://github.com/FrSkyRC/ETHOS-Feedback-Community/releases/download/1.6.2/X20RS-Simulator.exe   **************** Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord   Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/   Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​   Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab   Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]   Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846   Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​  

Tune in as the guys talk about them setting a new record for number of maidens in one day, Dave talks about his new FrSky radio, and Ron talks about what he's done with his new trailer so far...   **************** Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord   Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/   Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​   Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab   Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]   Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846   Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​  

What sold? What's new? How was racing? Tune in to hear how the 2025 Toledo RC Swap Meet and Expo went for the RC Plane Lab guys!

Tune in as the guys revisit one of their beginning episodes covering RC Planes for Beginners. A bit of a warning: This episode goes back to basics, covering terms and topics that are familiar to those of us that are not starting out in the hobby. They talk about what to look for as a first airplane, and give their picks on what a good model would be. They also delve a bit into Lipo batteries, covering the proper care and storage of them.    **************** Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord   Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/   Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​   Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab   Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]   Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846   Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​  

It may not really feel like it for those of us in the mid-west, but Spring is finally here! Tune in to hear what the guys have been up to and what we have coming up.     **************** Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord   Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/   Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​   Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab   Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected]   Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846   Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​

In this episode, we sit down with Dan Landis from Boomerang RC Jets to learn about Dan and to talk about this history of Boomerang and what's in store for their future. For more information, head over to their website: https://www.boomerangrcjets.com/   **************** Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord   Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/   Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​   Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab   Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]   Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846   Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​  

There are lots of new airplanes to talk about this week, along with a boat Ron recently received, planes Dave has refurbished, and a new purchase Ron is excited about!   Head over to https://rcplanelab.com/ep177 to see pictures of the flying wing Dave recently refurbished tat used to be long to Tommy, and the boat Ron finished. 

Mark your calendars for April 4 & 5, 2025 and head over to Toledo, OH for one of the biggest swap meets in the country!  In today's episode, we sit down and talk with Henry Rauhaus, the face of the Toledo R/C Swap Meet & Expo. Tune in to hear all about the resurgence of the show in Toledo and what we can all expect this year!  For more information, head over to their website: https://toledorcswapmeet.com/   **************** Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord   Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/   Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​   Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab   Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]   Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846   Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​        

We got some snow here in Central Illinois, and decided to make the best of it by doing some snow flying. We also made it to the Rock River Aero Modelers Society swap meet in Janesville, WI. Tune in to hear how it all went!   **************** Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord   Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/   Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​   Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab   Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected]   Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846   Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​  

2025 starts off with some new plane releases, a few flights, and a few crashes. Tune in to hear how the last couple weeks have gone! Airplane releases: https://tinyurl.com/64mmf18 https://tinyurl.com/80mmf22 https://tinyurl.com/UMXCirrusSR22T   **************** Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord   Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/   Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​   Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab   Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected]   Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846   Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​

Happy Holidays from the RC Plane Lab gang! Tune in as the guys reminisce with their wives as 2024 comes to an end.

Tune in as the guys catch up with each other on what's been going on the last couple of weeks. After one of the last episodes, Fred, one of our listeners reached out to us about a 1s battery discharging cable that he had made. To see a pic of what we're talking about, head over to https://rcplanelab.com/ep172/

Tune in as the guys talk about a recent swap meet and some new airplanes... Hint: There may be some Stiks involved. :)

Tune in as the guys have a chat with Terry Dunn (from the RC Roundtable podcast) about Ron's recent trip to Wisconsin for an indoor fly-in and an impromptu RC flotilla of fun, where Ron may or may not have sank one of Terry's Sailboats.  Head over to rcplanelab.com/ep170 for pictures from the weekend!   Links from the show: https://rcroundtable.com/ FMS EDF Jet 90mm Super Scorpion V2 PNP Sportix 1.1m BNF Basic with AS3X+ & SAFE Select FMS 64mm EDF F-18 V2 Gray PNP 1s battery discharger  

Dave and Tommy have given the new air filled tires from E-flite a try. Tune in to hear what they think about them, and lots more! Tool of the week: The Spektrum Soldering Jig https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/spektrum-soldering-jig/SPMX-1009.html

We hope you enjoy our replay of our first Halloween episode! This one was fun to make, so we hope you have as much fun listening as we did recording it!

Crashes. Nobody likes them. Tune in to hear about Dave's most recent outing... and other stuff. ******************* Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord   Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/   Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​   Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab   Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]   Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846   Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​

Tune in as the guys talk about a failed fly in, some windy flying, and give their answers to the question "When are airplane markings offensive?"   Links: E-Flite 64mm Viper https://www.e-fliterc.com/product/viper-64mm-edf-jet-bnf-basic-with-as3x-and-safe-select/EFL07750.html   ******************* Join our Discord server: https://rcplanelab.com/discord   Take a moment to fill out our listener survey: https://rcplanelab.com/listener-survey/   Support us by becoming a Patron! https://rcplanelab.com/patreon​​​   Or Support us through Paypal https://paypal.me/rcplanelab   Questions, comments? Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]   Text or leave a voicemail: (818) 351-9846   Website: https://rcplanelab.com​​​

Tune in to hear what the guys have been up to the last couple of weeks, including more maidens and a crash.