Soon after the first powered flight by the Wright brothers in December 1903, building and collecting model airplanes became a fast growing hobby of the old and young alike. In the earlier times, model airplanes used basic aeronautical principles and could only fly short distances. In the earlier days, model airplane enthusiasts had to build planes from scratch using kits and plans. Today, it is very easy for anyone, to get initiated into this fascinating hobby, as model airplanes are available in ready to fly kits (RTF) and almost ready to fly kits (ARTF). Veterans in this field still swear by the old method of building and flying their own model airplane.

Their argument is that building your own model is as much fun as flying it. Not everybody is lucky enough to fly a real plane, but you can experience the thrill of flying and piloting a plane, if you have a remote controlled model airplane. Today, there are different types of model airplanes available in the market and you can choose one, that will give much joy and happiness.

The basic principle of remote control airplane is simple. The pilot stays on the ground and sends radio signals to the airplane, to maneuver it in the air. The signals will convey to the airplane, what you want it to do. Various different types of remote control airplanes are available. There are models that closely resemble vintage airplanes to models with futuristic designs, that seem out of the world.

Most enthusiasts prefer models that are replicas of vintage aircraft. These models have very fine detailing and look exactly like the real planes, that once flew. These remote control planes are powered by either electricity or have gas fired glow engines.

Toy and hobby shops are best places to find such model airplanes. Prices are in the range of $50.00 to $500.00. Prices depend on the size, sophistication of the model and the popularity of the model. It is quiet likely that the model you set your eyes on, may turn out to be expensive.

For those who believe that building your own model airplane is as much fun as flying it, there are kits available of remote controlled airplanes. A detailed instruction manual that comes with the kit will help you locate all the parts, required for construction. A certain level of skill is required to assemble these model airplanes. In case you are not skilled enough, you may opt to buy the ARTF (almost ready to fly) kit or the RTF (ready to fly) kit. In this kit, few parts have to be assembled and you are ready for your first flight in a short time.

You may spend anywhere between 15 to 25 hours building your plane from scratch. But, with the RTF models, you will be able to take to the skies in a very short time and perform all the daring maneuvers.