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Search for a "foam board RC plane" and two different things get tangled together: molded foam toys that fly out of the box, and build-it-yourself kits made from paper-faced foam sheet. This guide is about the second kind. If you want the first, our roundup of the best planes for beginners is the better starting point, and if you want to draw the plane yourself, the build-from-scratch guide covers that.
This page is based on manufacturer pages and specifications, not on our own building or flying. Build times, weights and electronics recommendations are the makers' figures. Where something is an opinion rather than a spec, it is labelled that way.
Our Flite Test kit guide goes deeper on that company's lineup. The single most important fact about foam board kits is on every product page and still catches people out: they are almost always airframe only. No motor, no ESC, no servos, no radio, no battery. Flite Test's pages say so in plain words. So a kit is a two-part purchase, and the second part is bigger than most beginners expect.
What you are buying
A typical Flite Test kit in this guide gives you laser-cut foam sheets and a hardware pack with control horns, a firewall, rubber bands, zip ties, velcro, skewers, pushrods and landing gear wire. Everything else comes from you:
| You need | Why |
|---|---|
| A power pack (motor, ESC, servos) | Flite Test sells these as matched kits |
| A battery and a charger | Sized to the plane, usually 3S |
| A transmitter and receiver | See the transmitter and receiver guide |
| Glue and tools | Hot glue is the building standard for the Flite Test line |
The power packs, from the maker
Flite Test's three common packs, as described on its pages:
| Pack | Contents | Meant for |
|---|---|---|
| Power Pack A Radial v.2 | Radial 1806 2280kV motor, 25A XT30 ESC, four 5 g servos, two 6x4.5 props | Mighty Mini single-motor planes |
| Power Pack B Radial v.2 | Radial 2212-1050Kv motor, 25 amp ESC, four 9 g servos, two 9x4.5 props | Small fixed-wing planes of about 1 to 2 lb, such as the Tutor and Old Fogey |
| Power Pack C Radial v.2 | Radial 2218/1180Kv motor, 40A ESC, four 9 g servos, two 10x4.5 props | Park flyer planes |
Each pack still leaves you to buy a battery, charger, transmitter and receiver. Flite Test also warns not to plug the red JST lead on the pack into a receiver, because it is meant for high-voltage accessories. Our ESC guide and servo guide explain how to size those parts if you shop outside the packs, and the LiPo guide covers batteries.
The kits at a glance
Flite Test's own badges for build level and flying level are included here. They are the maker's ratings.
| Kit | Wingspan | Weight without battery | Build time | Build / flying level | Power pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Mighty Mini Tiny Trainer MKR2 | 37 in (940 mm) | 6.8 oz (193 g) | 2 hr | Easy / Very Easy | A |
| FT Old Fogey MKR2 | 37.75 in (959 mm) | 13.3 oz (377 g) | 2 hr | Very Easy / Very Easy | B |
| FT Simple Cub MKR2 | 38 in (956 mm) | 0.9 lb (408 g) | 2.5 hr | Easy / Easy | B |
| FT Simple Scout MKR2 | 37.5 in (952 mm) | 15 oz (425 g) | 2.5 hr | Easy / Easy | B |
| FT Tutor MKR2 | 41.5 in (1055 mm) standard wing | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | B (standard), C (sport) |
| FT Explorer | 57 in (1447 mm) | 1.08 lb (493 g) | Not stated | Not stated | B or C |
| FT Simple Storch MKR2 | 57.5 in (1460 mm) | 1.8 lb (816 g) | 3.5 hr | Medium / Easy | C |
Flite Test kits, one by one
FT Mighty Mini Tiny Trainer MKR2
FT Mighty Mini Tiny Trainer on Amazon (search)
The smallest kit here, and the most flexible on paper. Flite Test describes four designs in one: a free-flight glider, a 2-channel RC glider (rudder and elevator), a powered 3-channel plane, and a sport wing for 4-channel aerobatics. The idea is to learn every core building technique, from "A Folds" to folding wing airfoils, on one project. The maker recommends a 2200Kv 250-size motor, a 6x3 prop at minimum, a 12 amp ESC, an 800 mAh 2S or 3S battery and two to four 5 g servos, and it builds around Power Pack A. Weighing 193 g without a battery, it is light, so Flite Test rates the flying as "Very Easy" and "Slow."
FT Simple Cub MKR2
FT Simple Cub MKR2 on Amazon (search)
Flite Test calls the Simple Cub one of its most approachable builds. In its simplest form it needs 11 foam pieces and can be completed in under two hours, though the store card shows 2.5 hours, so plan for the longer one. It flies 3-channel first, then upgrades to 4-channel without building a new wing, and Flite Test says adding ailerons takes 15 minutes. It has removable landing gear, and floats are available as a separate purchase.
Specs from the maker:
- Wingspan 38 in (956 mm), weight 0.9 lb (408 g) without a battery.
- CG 1.75 in (45 mm) from the leading edge of the wing.
- Control throws of 12 degrees with 30 percent expo.
- Recommended: 2212B motor, 9x4.5 CCW prop, 18-30 amp ESC, 1300-1800 mAh 3S battery, four 9 g servos.
That is a Power Pack B plane, and the badges say Easy to build and Easy to fly.
FT Simple Scout MKR2
FT Simple Scout MKR2 on Amazon (search)
Same family as the Cub, with a WWI-scout look and an open cockpit. Flite Test says it stalls gently with wings level even in its most advanced 4-channel setup, and describes the cockpit as a place for an optional FPV camera. Specs: 37.5 in (952 mm) span, 15 oz (425 g) without a battery, CG 2.25 in (63 mm) from the leading edge, and a recommended 2212B motor, 9x4.5 prop, 25 amp ESC and 1300 mAh 3S battery. For the camera side see the FPV camera guide, and for planes designed around FPV, the FPV plane roundup.
FT Tutor MKR2
FT Tutor MKR2 on Amazon (search)
An important current trainer that older lists leave out. Flite Test describes it as inspired by classic trainers and built on the Simple Series techniques. It starts as a 3-channel plane on Power Pack B, adds ailerons for 4-channel flight, and can be set up as a taildragger, a tricycle-gear plane or a floatplane. Swapping to Power Pack C and the Turbo Tutor wing kit turns it into a much livelier aircraft. Wingspan is 41.5 in (1055 mm) with the standard wing and 37.25 in (946 mm) with the sport wing, and the maker lists a CG of 2.25-2.5 in (57-63 mm) from the leading edge.
FT Explorer
The Explorer is documented in a Flite Test build article rather than on a current kit page that this guide could find, so confirm whether the kit is in stock before planning around it. The article gives:
- A 57 in (1447 mm) wingspan and a weight of 1.08 lb (493 g) without a battery.
- CG 2.25 in (57 mm) from the leading edge of the wing.
- A recommended 2200 mAh 3S minimum battery, 20-30 amp ESC and 2-4 9 g servos.
- Two wings: a trainer wing for gentle flight and a sport wing for four-channel aerobatics and greater speed.
- Compatibility with Power Pack B and Power Pack C, and room for a prop up to 9 inches.
The larger wing gives it more presence in the air than the small trainers, which is useful if your local field is rarely perfectly calm.
FT Simple Storch MKR2
FT Simple Storch MKR2 on Amazon (search)
A 4-channel STOL park flyer. Flite Test says you can add flaps, flaperons or leading-edge slats, and rates the build Medium and the flying Easy, with a 3.5 hour build time. Specs: 57.5 in (1460 mm), 1.8 lb (816 g) without a battery, CG 2 in (51 mm), 16-degree throws, an FT 2218 motor, a 10x4.5 prop, a 40 amp ESC and a 1800-2200 mAh 3S pack. Because the build is longer and the wing is large, it is a reasonable second build. That recommendation is ours; Flite Test also describes it as good for newcomers.
FT Old Fogey MKR2
FT Old Fogey MKR2 on Amazon (search)
A slow 3-channel plane, rated Very Easy to build and Very Easy to fly, with a 2-hour build. It is designed for gliding indoors in big rooms or outdoors on calm days. The MKR2 version has a 37.75 in (959 mm) wingspan and weighs 13.3 oz (377 g) without a battery, with a CG of 3 to 3.5 in (76-89 mm), a recommended 24 g 1300kv minimum motor, a 9x4.7 prop, a 10-18 amp ESC, a 1300 mAh 3S pack and two 9 g servos. It has no ailerons. Rudder, elevator and throttle are all you get, which is the point.
STINGRAY J-Trainer, a kit from outside the Flite Test family
STINGRAY J-Trainer DIY kit on Amazon (search)
The Amazon listing describes a foam-board DIY trainer that flies at about 20 mph (a listing claim), repairs in the field with tape or hot glue, and includes spare parts. It says the kit has everything to build and fly except a transmitter, receiver and battery, and recommends a FlySky transmitter, a FlySky 3-channel or 6-channel receiver and a 3S 1300 mAh LiPo. The listing showed as unavailable when checked, and this guide could not confirm a parts list beyond that text, so look at the current listing before counting on it.
Foam board durability and repair
Foam board does not claim to be indestructible. The pitch is that repairs are quick and cheap. Flite Test's guidance, as reported in its glue articles, centers on hot glue: reinforce hinges and joints, and run a bead along exposed foam edges to stop the paper lifting. It notes that glue guns often have high and low settings, that too hot a gun can warp the foam and that too cool a joint will not bond. Foam-safe CA comes up mostly in outside sources, and the usual advice is to test any adhesive on scrap first. Our glue guide has the full comparison, and the foam vs balsa comparison explains why many first builders start with foam. If you eventually want a more scale-finished look, the balsa kit guide is the next step.
Which kit for which builder
- Smallest, most flexible first build: the Tiny Trainer, with calm mornings in mind.
- Straightforward first airplane: the Simple Cub, or the Tutor if you want more room to grow.
- Camera on the shopping list: the Simple Scout.
- Windier field or later sport flying: the Explorer, if you can find the kit.
- Second build and STOL: the Simple Storch.
- Slow, cheap to fly, no ailerons: the Old Fogey.
- One order with fewer parts to chase: the STINGRAY listing, if it comes back into stock.
Whichever you pick, learn the flying side too. Our beginner's flying guide walks through the first flights, and a simulator or an instructor before the maiden flight is worth the time.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between a foam board kit and a foam RTF plane?
A foam board kit is cut from paper-faced foam sheet and glued together by you. An RTF foamie is molded foam that arrives built with electronics installed. They solve different problems.
Q: Do foam board kits include a motor and radio?
Flite Test's kits here are airframe only. You buy a power pack, a battery, a charger, a transmitter and a receiver separately. The STINGRAY listing says its kit includes everything but the radio and battery.
Q: What battery do these kits use?
Per the makers: 800 mAh 2S or 3S for the Tiny Trainer, 1300 to 1800 mAh 3S for the Simple Cub, 1300 mAh 3S for the Simple Scout and Old Fogey, 1300 mAh 3S or 4S for the Tutor, 2200 mAh 3S minimum for the Explorer and 1800 to 2200 mAh 3S for the Simple Storch.
Q: Can a first-time builder really finish one of these?
The maker's own build levels say yes for the small trainers: Easy or Very Easy, with 2 to 2.5 hour build times. The Simple Storch is rated Medium and takes about 3.5 hours.
