Introducing the RC Plane Lab Beginners Lounge!

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We’ve been working on something special for everyone who’s ever wanted
to get into RC airplanes but wasn’t sure where to start — and it’s
finally here.

Introducing the RC Plane Lab Beginners Lounge — a free, structured
12-lesson course covering everything a new pilot needs to know, from
choosing your first airplane to maintaining it after a rough landing.
No sign-up required. No cost. Just good information from pilots who’ve
been doing this for decades.

Here’s what’s waiting for you inside:

🛩️ Lesson 1: Welcome to the Hobby — what RC flying is really like,
what it costs, and whether it’s right for you

📋 Lesson 2: Safety & Rules — FAA registration, the TRUST exam, and
AMA membership in plain English

✈️ Lesson 3: Types of RC Planes — trainers, warbirds, gliders,
foamies, electric vs. glow

🛒 Lesson 4: Buyer’s Guide — RTF vs BNF vs ARF explained, plus our
specific plane picks

🎮 Lesson 5: Simulators — practice before you crash for real

🔋 Lesson 6: LiPo Batteries — charging, storage, and safety habits

📡 Lesson 7: Your Transmitter — what every stick, knob, and switch does

🕹️ Lesson 8: Flying Skills — pre-flight checklist, takeoff, turns,
and landing

🗺️ Lesson 9: Airspace & B4UFLY — how to always fly somewhere legal

🌤️ Lesson 10: Weather — wind limits and reading a forecast

🤝 Lesson 11: Finding a Club — why joining a local AMA club is one of
the best moves a new pilot can make

🔧 Lesson 12: Maintenance — post-flight inspections and workbench
habits

Plus a full Glossary A-Z, Troubleshooting Hub, Printable Field Sheets,
FAQ, and our Best First Planes 2026 guide.

Whether you’re brand new to the hobby or you’ve been thinking about
getting started for years — this is your starting point.

👉 Start the Free Course at the Beginners Lounge:
https://beginnerslounge.rcplanelab.com


— Ron, Tom & Dave

Ep 209: The Beginner’s Lounge, Trailer Upgrades, and the RACores Yak‑55 Assembly

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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!

Ep 207: From Trash to Treasure, New Releases, and Swap‑Meet Fun

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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.

Ep 206: Inside the 2026 Toledo R/C Swap Meet & Expo with Hank Rauhaus

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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.

Ep 205: Farewells, Finds, and a Free BF‑109

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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.

Ep 204: What’s in our Hangar?

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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.

X-Fly J-65 Twin Jet

UMX Gee Bee R-2

Dave’s Cub and Tamiya GrassHopper

EP 203 – What the Fish??

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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

The ElectroStreak Has Landed!

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Hey RC Plane Lab friends,

We’ve got something exciting to share—the ElectroStreak short kit is officially available at shop.rcplanelab.com!

This isn’t just a short kit, it’s a chance to join the RC Plane Lab community in bringing a classic back to life. Inside you’ll find laser‑cut parts, detailed plans, and a few extras to make your build even more enjoyable.

*Heads‑up: these kits are in short supply, so don’t wait too long to grab yours. And since our store is brand‑new, if you run into any hiccups along the way, just drop us a line at ron@rcplanelab.com—we’ll make it right.

But here’s the best part: we want to see your progress! Snap a photo of your build, tag it with #RCPlaneLab (or email it to us), and let’s celebrate together. Your project might even get a shout‑out on the RC Plane Lab Podcast—because nothing makes us happier than sharing your stories with the whole crew.

So grab your kit, fire up the workshop, and let’s make some sawdust. The ElectroStreak is waiting for you.

Happy Building!

The RC Plane Lab Crew
Get yours now!

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