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.
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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
Episode 8 · April 10, 2020 · 51:06 A practical guide to RC airplane receivers: binding, channels, power, failsafe, antenna placement, satellite receivers, AS3X, SAFE, and S.Bus. In this episode What a receiver does and how binding works How to choose channel count and power a receiver safely Why final binding establishes important failsafe positions … Read more
Episode 7 · April 5, 2020 · 18:35 Ron and Tom share shop updates on the Super Sportster, Horton flying wing, Lanier Invader, wing sheeting, and seasonal aircraft maintenance. In this episode Listener feedback and early podcast milestones Ron’s Super Sportster flights and new battery delivery Tom’s progress on the Horton flying wing A practical … Read more
\n Episode 6 · April 3, 2020 · 50:48 Ron and Tom explain the transmitter settings RC pilots use most—from endpoints, subtrim, rates, and expo to mixes, timers, and failsafe setup. In this episode How Ron diagnoses a badly trimmed used Great Planes Twin Star Why mechanical setup should come before electronic adjustment Servo travel, … Read more
Episode 5 · Published March 27, 2020 · 40 minutes, 14 seconds · Hosts: Ron and Tom A dependable RC airplane flight begins before the wheels ever leave the ground. In Episode 5 of the RC Plane Lab podcast, Ron and Tom walk through the quick pre-flight checks they perform before takeoff and the much … Read more
Episode 4 · Originally released March 27, 2020 · 25 minutes, 43 seconds · Hosts: Ron and Tom Episode 4 is a shorter workshop-update episode with quite a bit of useful RC airplane information packed into it. Ron and Tom talk about progress on the Horten Ho 229 and Senior Telemaster, explain why engine thrust … Read more
Episode 3 · Originally released March 21, 2020 · 44 minutes, 15 seconds · Hosts: Ron and Tom Choosing a first RC airplane can feel overwhelming. In Episode 3 of the RC Plane Lab podcast, Ron and Tom break down what a beginner actually needs, how the common airplane package types differ, why a simulator … Read more