Part of the RC Airplane Building & Repair Center

Profile Foamies: A Practical Guide to Profile RC Airplanes

Profile foamies are simple, lightweight RC airplanes built around a flat foam fuselage, and they are hard to beat when you want something inexpensive that is still a lot of fun to fly. Tom and I are both balsa guys, so in Episode 83 we asked the obvious question: why would we bother with a profile foamy? My answer was pretty simple. They are cheap, quick to build, easy to repair, and sometimes I just want to throw an airplane in the car and go fly without turning it into a full expedition.

They also cover a lot more ground than the name suggests. Some are relaxed sport airplanes, some are built for aggressive 3D flying, and others are cheap experimental airframes that let you try something without treating every landing like a referendum on your building skills. The common thread is simple construction and a lot of flying for relatively little money.

That does not mean every profile foamy is a beginner airplane. Some slow down beautifully and are easy to repair, but many are designed around large control surfaces and aerobatics. The design and setup matter far more than the fact that the airplane happens to be made from foam.

What Is a Profile Foamy?

A profile foamy uses a flat foam fuselage instead of a built-up or molded fuselage. That keeps the cost and build time down, and a hard landing is usually something you can repair with a little glue and scrap foam. The simple shape also makes these airplanes popular for casual aerobatics and for builders who enjoy experimenting.

My first profile foamy was an F-22-looking airplane. A bunch of us had similar ones, and we actually went flying with the intention of trying to hit each other in the air. It turns out intentionally causing a midair is strangely harder than accidentally causing one. It was a blast, but that kind of stupidity belongs with a small group of pilots in the right setting, not during a busy Saturday at the club field. Cheap foam does not make the propeller harmless or the other people at the field optional.

Why Build a Profile Foamy?

• They are inexpensive. A foam-board airframe does not represent months of work or a painful amount of money.
• They build quickly. You can spend your time flying instead of turning every project into a winter build.
• They repair easily. Foam, glue, and a little reinforcement can fix a lot.
• They are easy to transport. Small profile airplanes are convenient to throw in the vehicle when you just want to fly.
• They are fun to experiment with. Building another airframe or changing a design is a lot less intimidating when the material is inexpensive.

How Profile Foamies Fly

There is no single set of flying characteristics that applies to every profile RC airplane. A lightweight design can slow down extremely well, while a 3D profile model with huge control surfaces can be very responsive. Wing area, weight, CG, control throws, power, and the actual design matter more than the fact that the fuselage happens to be flat.

That is also why I do not automatically recommend a profile foamy as a first airplane. The SandPiper is manageable and slows down surprisingly well, but it is still more active than the stable high-wing trainers we recommend to somebody learning orientation, takeoffs, and landings.

What Are Profile Foamies Made From?

Foam board is an easy choice because it is inexpensive and readily available, but profile airplanes can also be built from EPP and other sheet foams. Some designs use carbon, wood, tape, or other reinforcement to stiffen the wing and fuselage.

Use an adhesive that is compatible with the foam you are actually using. The RC airplane adhesive guide covers the common choices and where they make sense.

Power, Controls, and CG Still Matter

A simple airframe does not mean you can ignore the setup. Most profile foamies use small electric power systems, and the motor, ESC, LiPo battery, and propeller still need to work together. The Electric Power System Center covers that if you are not copying a proven setup.

Large control surfaces can also make a lightweight profile airplane surprisingly aggressive. Start with the designers recommended control throws when they are available, use sensible rates, and check every control direction before flying. And yes, CG still matters even when the airplane looks like somebody forgot to finish building the fuselage.

Why They Are Great Plan-Building Airplanes

Profile foamies are a nice way to get comfortable building directly from plans because most of the shapes are easy to see, trace, and cut. Print the plans at the correct scale, verify a known measurement before cutting foam, and use a sharp blade. Our plans printing and resizing guide covers the part where the printer decides it knows what size airplane you really wanted.

They are also forgiving projects to experiment with. If you build another airframe, moving the electronics over is usually much less painful than starting an entirely new conventional airplane. That was one of the things we talked about in Episode 83: once the electronics are sorted out, another simple foam airframe is not a huge commitment.

Profile foamies are made to be flown. These are the kinds of airplanes that make it easy to get a few flights in without turning the trip to the field into a major production.

Profile Foamies Are Another Tool in the Toolbox

Near the end of Episode 83, we called profile foamies another option in our toolbox of fun. I still think that is the right way to look at them. They do not replace balsa airplanes, scale projects, or the models you spend all winter building. They are for the days when you want something simple, inexpensive, and fun.

Sometimes I want the airplane I spent months building. Sometimes I want the one I can throw in the car and not have an emotional crisis if the landing is ugly. There is room for both.

The RC Plane Lab SandPiper Profile Foamy

The SandPiper is the profile RC airplane Tom and I built around that philosophy. It uses one sheet of Dollar Tree foam board and a straightforward electric setup. It is inexpensive enough to be approachable, but it is not designed as a primary trainer.

SandPiper Specifications

• Length: 28.8 inches
• Wingspan: 19.6 inches
• Airframe weight without battery: about 233 grams
• Typical ready-to-fly weight: about 375 grams, depending on the battery and equipment
• Motor: A2212, 1400 Kv
• ESC: 30 amp
• Propeller: 8×6
• Material: one sheet of Dollar Tree foam board
• Battery: 3S 2200–2800 mAh LiPo

Before You Cut Foam

• Print the plans at full scale and measure the reference dimensions before tracing anything.
• Read through the whole build before placing the electronics, control linkages, and reinforcement.
• Leave the paper on the foam board. The SandPiper uses that paper for stiffness and strength.
• Treat the motor, ESC, battery, and propeller as one system. Do not choose each part by itself.
• Plan the battery location so you can reach the correct center of gravity without adding unnecessary weight.

Ron and Tom both used the same basic A2212 motor package on their SandPipers. A package like the one below can supply the motor, propeller adapter, ESC, two servos, and propellers, but listings and included parts change. Check the current listing and connector type before ordering.

You will also need a transmitter, receiver, and a 3S LiPo battery. We normally place a 2200–2800 mAh pack toward the front of the fuselage and secure it with hook-and-loop material, then move it as needed to set the center of gravity. Do the final balance check with the exact battery and propeller you intend to fly.

The Building & Repair Center covers the shop skills behind this project. Use the Electric Power System Center if you need help matching the power components, and review the center-of-gravity guide before the first flight.

Profile Foamy FAQ

What is a profile foamy RC airplane?

It is an RC airplane built around a flat foam fuselage profile instead of a conventional built-up or molded fuselage. The simple construction keeps the airframe light, inexpensive, and quick to build.

Are profile foamies good for beginners?

Some can be fairly forgiving, but the category also includes very aerobatic airplanes with large control surfaces. I would choose a purpose-built high-wing trainer for a first airplane rather than assuming any foam profile model will be easy to fly.

What foam is used for profile RC planes?

It depends on the design. Foam board, EPP, and other sheet foams are common. The SandPiper uses Dollar Tree foam board with the paper left on for stiffness.

Are profile foamies easy to repair?

Usually. That is one of their biggest advantages. Minor damage can often be repaired with compatible glue, scrap foam, and reinforcement, although the entire airplane still needs to be inspected after a hard crash.

Can I build a profile foamy from plans?

Absolutely. Their simple shapes make profile airplanes especially well suited to plan building. Verify the printed scale before cutting and follow the designers CG, control, and power-system recommendations.

Download the Free SandPiper Plans

If you build one, send us a picture. We always enjoy seeing what somebody else does with the design.

Need help printing the plans at the correct size? Follow our guide to resizing and printing RC airplane plans.