Get Into Airplane Modeling

As someone interested in Ultralight Aviation I have always been amazed to learn how many different kinds of aircraft people's imagination can create. While the real airplanes and even the ultralights are quite expensive or require years of human work if you want to create one yourself, this is not the case with the airplane modeling.

by Josh Monza

If you want to experience, own or construct many kinds of aircraft, modeling is exactly for you. There are different ways to get involved into this exciting hobby. Consider some of these ideas:

Buying Model Airplane

The easiest way to jump into any hobby is first to buy a few of the ready airplanes and see how you enjoy them. There are thousands of stores online and offline where you can find an endless variety. The most reliable place is probably Amazon.

Buying airplane models is not expensive - typically the basic RC models start from $10 or $30 and simple free flight airplanes are much cheaper - $1 - $2. If you check at your local stores you can find even cheaper ones.

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If it's so simple, then why going further? What about the argument that doing things on your own is more fun?

Building Model Aircraft From Kits

Do you know what is the most popular way of buying ultralight and light sport aircraft? No, ultralight pilots don't buy so many airplanes neither build them from scratch. Most aviation enthusiasts buy airplane kits and build their airplanes themselves.

This is very valid for the model airplane hobbyists as well.

The kits or ARF (almost ready to fly) packs are cool for many reasons, especially if you are just starting and have tried only completed models so far:

There are thousands of models available
It's relatively easy to build from kit
It's still an exciting challenge
It's a great learning experience
If you are keen on building model airplanes, it's most recommended to start with a kit or ARF.

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Creating Model Aircrafts From Scratch


If you are ready for a real game, that's what you would do. In any case, this option is for more advanced aviation hobbyists, so most probably it won't be the first thing for a beginner to start with.

What kind of model airplanes could you create from scratch?

1. Paper airplanes

Easy and fun, although this is a lot more appropriate for beginners and even kids rather than building complex models from kits. I'd mention it here just because it's really creating a model from scratch. (Well, typically from a sheet of paper).

2. Non-flying (static) models

These don't look too cool to me - why would you make an aircraft which doesn't fly? Well, it's not really that simple. Making static models is not only kind of an art but it also helps you learn the aerodynamics and other important aviation principles.

The static models are typically exact copies of real aircraft which may require a lot of preciseness and having an eye for the small details. They can be extremely beautiful and valuable.

3. Of course the coolest thing is to make flying airplane models.

Free flying models can be simple, but still require precise work. Controlled and RC controlled aircraft can get you involved into technology and force you to obtain more knowledge. It's rare satisfaction to see your own airplane flying in the sky under your control.

Typically a beginner aviation modelist would go in the order of steps given above. But don't get bounded to it - if you feel you want to start directly from ARF why not go ahead? It's a hobby, not a job, so you are free to do it in the way you enjoy most.