With more than 200 episodes—and new ones added regularly—there’s plenty to dig into. Join Ron, Tom, and Dave as we talk about the airplanes we’re building, flying, fixing, and occasionally crashing, along with new gear, events, and the lessons we pick up along the way.
Looking for something we discussed? Search the podcast transcripts to find matching episodes, excerpts, and timestamps, or browse the complete episode list.
A podcast is a lot like a radio show you can listen to whenever it fits your schedule. Each episode of the RC Plane Lab Podcast is a casual conversation about building, flying, fixing, and occasionally crashing RC airplanes.
You can listen right here on the website by opening any episode and pressing play. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or just about any other podcast app. Search for RC Plane Lab, choose an episode, and start listening.
Listening is free, and following the show in your favorite app makes it easy to find each new episode when it is released.
Episode 20 · Originally released June 5, 2020 · Hosts: Ron and Tom Ron and Tom explain electric RC motors, ESCs, BECs, batteries, watts, and a practical method for sizing a complete power system. In this episode Chapter list What Ron and Tom discuss Key takeaways Complete transcript In this episode Episode Topics Chapters 00:39 … Read more
Episode 19 · Originally released May 29, 2020 · Hosts: Ron and Tom Ron and Tom explain the basics of flying a pattern, examine Tom’s receiver problem, discuss repairs, and answer listener questions. In this episode Chapter list What Ron and Tom discuss Key takeaways Complete transcript In this episode Episode Topics Chapters 00:39 — … Read more
Episode 18 · Originally released May 22, 2020 · Hosts: Ron and Tom Ron and Tom compare airplane-storage methods, discuss battery care and Ron’s charging troubles, then answer listener questions. In this episode Chapter list What Ron and Tom discuss Key takeaways Complete transcript Chapters 00:39 — Physical storage and avoiding hangar rash 13:04 — … Read more
Episode 17 · Originally released May 15, 2020 · Hosts: Ron and Tom Ron and Tom reflect on the projects, people, memories, challenges, and small victories that keep them involved in the RC airplane hobby. In this episode Chapter list What Ron and Tom discuss Key takeaways Complete transcript Chapters 00:39 — The question: what … Read more
Episode 16 · Originally released May 8, 2020 · Hosts: Ron and Tom Ron and Tom discuss how to choose a second RC airplane and make the step from a forgiving trainer to a capable intermediate model. In this episode Chapter list What Ron and Tom discuss Key takeaways Complete transcript Chapters 00:39 — RC … Read more
Episode 15 · Originally released May 1, 2020 · Hosts: Ron and Tom Ron and Tom explain how to diagnose, disassemble, inspect, rebuild, and reassemble a nitro RC airplane engine. In this episode Chapter list What Ron and Tom discuss Key takeaways Complete transcript Chapters 00:39 — When a nitro engine needs rebuilding 08:06 — … Read more
Episode 14 · Originally released April 24, 2020 · Hosts: Ron and Tom Ron and Tom catch up on workshop progress, including 3D-printed wing ribs, correcting the Duellist plans, a quick Dollar Tree foam airplane, the Horten build, vintage Irvine engines, pneumatic retracts, and new shop tools. In this episode Chapter list What Ron and … Read more
In this episode How glow engines work and how two-stroke and four-stroke designs differ Choosing, installing, and supporting a nitro engine Reliable tuning, fuel handling, and seasonal storage Episode 12: Nitro Engines, Part 1 April 24, 2020 · 1:02:36 Ron and Tom explain how two-stroke and four-stroke glow engines work, how to select and install … Read more
Episode 11 · April 17, 2020 · 1:26:56 Ron and Tom compare RC battery chemistries, charging practices, connectors, voltage, capacity, discharge ratings, balancing, storage, and safety. In this episode NiCad and NiMH receiver packs and their charging behavior LiPo voltage, capacity, C ratings, balancing, storage, and safety A123/LiFe cells and where they fit in RC … Read more
Episode 10 · April 11, 2020 · 1:01:24 Shop updates on 3D-printed wing ribs, a gas-powered project, testing old servos, Horton progress, the Duelist build, unfinished projects, and crashes. In this episode What Ron learned from 3D-printing a wing rib Gas-engine sizing, prop clearance, and ignition interference How to evaluate old servos before trusting them … Read more