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Most RC brands sell a finished product. Flite Test sells an afternoon with a hot glue gun. That one fact explains why its planes are cut from foam board instead of molded foam, why the electronics are sold separately as "power packs," and why a good chunk of the catalog does not sit on Amazon next to the ready-to-fly trainers.
This page is a researched brand guide built from Flite Test's own product pages and articles. It is not based on our own building or flying, so there are no "I crashed it twice" anecdotes. Where a number is a maker figure, it is labelled that way, and where something could not be confirmed, it is left out.
A short history, as Flite Test tells it
A Flite Test article from 2018 describes the company's "humble beginnings in Chad Kapper's garage." In the same piece, the company describes crowdfunding raised to create a headquarters for aviation. The company's own fundraiser article described a multi-year plan to convert an existing golf course into a "World of Flight," and the company's About page lists Josh Bixler as President. The Indiegogo campaign behind that headquarters reported 2,308 backers. Those are 2018 details, and the status of the project today may differ.
The takeaway for a builder: this is a company that grew out of a video show about building planes, and the product line still reflects that. Everything is designed to be cut, glued, repaired and reused. Our manufacturers guide shows where it sits among the other brands.
How the kits work
Airframe only
Flite Test's kit pages say it plainly: the kit includes the airframe only. You get laser-cut foam sheets and a hardware pack with items such as control horns, a firewall, rubber bands, zip ties, velcro, skewers, pushrods and landing gear wire. The motor, ESC, servos, battery, charger, transmitter and receiver are separate. For a deeper look at that shopping list see our foam board kit buyer's guide.
Maker Foam
Flite Test's foam is sold as "Maker Foam Board by Adams v2." Per Flite Test, the paper facing is bright white and designed to take paint or decals extremely well, and the board is somewhat translucent so models can be lit from inside with LEDs. The sheets are 3/16 in thick and measure 20 in by 30 in. The Sea Duck kit is cut from a separate brown water-resistant sheet. Our painting guide covers finishing without adding too much weight, and the glue guide covers what holds it together.
Power packs
Each kit page names a power pack. Here is what Flite Test says is in each.
| Pack | Motor | ESC | Servos | Props | Meant for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Pack A Radial v.2 | Radial 1806 2280kV | 25A, XT-30 | Four 5 g | Two 6x4.5 CCW | Single-motor Mighty Minis |
| Power Pack B Radial v.2 | Radial 2212-1050Kv | 25 amp, XT60 | Four 9 g | Two 9x4.5 | Small planes of about 1 to 2 lb, such as the Tutor and Old Fogey |
| Power Pack C Radial v.2 | Radial 2218/1180Kv | 40A, XT-60 | Four 9 g | Two HQ 10x4.5 CCW | Park Flyer planes |
| Power Pack F Radial v.2 | Radial 2205 2300Kv | 25A, XT-30 | Four 5 g | 6x4.5 CCW | Small planes needing more punch |
Twin kits use a Twin Combo or Twin Add-on version of Pack B or C. Each pack still needs a battery, charger, transmitter and receiver from you. Flite Test also warns not to plug the pack's red JST lead into a receiver, because it is meant for high-voltage accessories such as 12V LEDs.
For choosing the receiver and radio, see our transmitter and receiver guide.
The lineup
Flite Test's badges for build level, flying level and build time are used below. They are the maker's ratings, not ours.
EZ series: the smallest start
The EZ3 First Flyers kit has three airframes, the EZ Vee (15 in span), the EZ Plank (15.75 in) and the EZ Canard (15.5 in). The store lists Build and Flying Levels as Very Easy, a 0.25 hour build, a 350 mAh single-cell battery and a 2-channel setup using the EZ Power Pack. The airframes ship without electronics. A larger EZ Plank v.2 is listed at 18.75 in with a 54 g airframe, 65 g with a battery and a 7 to 10 minute flight time, and the EZ Piglet is a 14 in plane with a 7 to 10 minute flight time.
Mighty Minis
| Kit | Wingspan | Weight without battery | Build / flying level | Build time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiny Trainer MKR2 | 37 in (940 mm) | 6.8 oz (193 g) | Easy / Very Easy | 2 hr |
| Mighty Mini Explorer | 38.5 in (978 mm) | 14.1 oz (400 g) | Easy / Very Easy | 1.5 hr |
| Tiny Twig | 29.25 in (743 mm) | 9.5 oz (270 g) | Easy / Medium | 1 hr |
| Cruiser MKR2 | 32 in (813 mm) | 9.5 oz (270 g) | Medium / Challenging | 3 hr |
The Tiny Trainer is the one most people mean when they say "Mighty Mini." Flite Test describes four designs in one kit: a free-flight glider, a 2-channel glider, a powered 3-channel plane and a 4-channel sport wing, and says it teaches "A Folds" and folding airfoils. It builds around Power Pack A, with a recommended 800 mAh 2S or 3S battery.
Park Flyers and Swappables
This is the bulk of the catalog. A selection, with the maker's figures:
| Kit | Wingspan | Weight without battery | Build / flying level | Build time | Power pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Cub MKR2 | 38 in (956 mm) | 0.9 lb (408 g) | Easy / Easy | 2.5 hr | B |
| Simple Scout MKR2 | 37.5 in (952 mm) | 15 oz (425 g) | Easy / Easy | 2.5 hr | B |
| Old Fogey MKR2 | 37.75 in (959 mm) | 13.3 oz (377 g) | Very Easy / Very Easy | 2 hr | B |
| Tutor MKR2 | 41.5 in (1055 mm) | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | B or C |
| Explorer MKR2 | 57 in (1447 mm) | 1.08 lb (493 g) | Medium / Easy | 3 hr | B or C |
| Simple Soarer MKR2 | 57.5 in (1460 mm) | 11 oz (311 g) | Easy / Easy | 2.5 hr | B |
| Simple Storch MKR2 | 57.5 in (1460 mm) | 1.8 lb (816 g) | Medium / Easy | 3.5 hr | C |
| Bushwacker MKR2 | 45 in (1143 mm) | 1.15 lb (521 g) | Medium / Medium | 3 hr | C |
| Bloody Wonder MKR2 | 28 in (711 mm) | 11.5 oz (326 g) | Very Easy / Very Easy | 2 hr | C |
| Sea Duck WR | 56 in (1422 mm) | 2.45 lb (1111 g) | Challenging / Medium | 6 hr | C Twin |
A few notes on what the pages say.
- Simple Cub. In its simplest form, Flite Test says, it needs 11 foam pieces and can be done in under two hours, though the store card shows 2.5 hours. Moving to ailerons takes about 15 minutes, and the landing gear is removable. See our guide to the best trainer planes for how a kit compares with a ready-to-fly trainer.
- Simple Scout. Flite Test says it stalls gently with wings level even in its most advanced setup, and that the open cockpit can take an optional FPV camera. For FPV-oriented planes in general, our FPV plane roundup is the next stop.
- Tutor. Modeled on classic trainers such as the Sig Kadet and Eagle 2, with a standard wing, a sport wing and a Turbo Tutor wing kit. The maker says Power Pack C plus the Turbo wing gives "wild vertical performance" and full 3D maneuvers.
- Explorer. The store page compares it with the Hitec Easy Star, Sky Surfer and Bixler series, and lists Pack B for a lighter setup or Pack C v.2 for extra power and FPV gear, which requires a 9x6 propeller.
- Bushwacker. A STOL bush plane with large control surfaces and a design credit to "Peter" on the page. Flite Test calls it aerobatic as well as STOL capable.
- Bloody Wonder. A 3-channel "bank and yank" plane. Beginners can use a small 24 g motor, and Flite Test says a larger motor can tow a 75 ft streamer.
- Sea Duck. A tribute to a cartoon seaplane. It is a 6-hour, Challenging build in water-resistant brown sheet, using the twin version of Pack C.
- Simple Soarer. A 2-channel glider that can be launched with a power pod or a tow release.
More than a dozen other designs are in the catalog, including the Versa Wing, the 3D, the Edge 540, the Sportster, the Bronco and the twin-motor Guinea Pig. If a twin appeals, our twin-engine guide puts them in context. Larger "XL" kits such as the Super Scout XL (60 in, 3.1 lb without a battery) also exist.
Master Series: scale warbirds
The Master Series uses "mold-together" construction developed with designer John Overstreet, in which the paper is peeled and the foam is shaped for curved scale surfaces. The store badges are all Challenging for the build.
| Kit | Wingspan | Build time | Power pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corsair MKR2 | 46 in (1168 mm) | 5 hr | C |
| Spitfire MKR2 | 48 in (1220 mm) | 7 hr | C |
| P-47 MKR2 | 47.5 in (1206 mm) | 7 hr | C |
| Mustang MKR2 | 48.25 in (1225 mm) | 7 hr | C |
| P-38 Lightning MKR2 | 57.5 in (1460 mm) | 16 hr | C Twin |
Flite Test describes the P-47 as a 4-channel warbird with an advanced, hands-on build and an intermediate flight experience, and says the Corsair requires a 6+ channel radio. For a wider selection of warbirds from other makers, see our warbird roundup. If jets or ground attackers are your thing, our A-10 Warthog models guide lists kits and models in that niche, and anyone drawn to classic subjects can look at vintage kits.
Flite Test kits versus ready-to-fly foam planes
| Flite Test kit | Typical RTF or BNF foam plane | |
|---|---|---|
| Out of the box | Flat foam sheets, no electronics | Assembled or nearly assembled |
| Time to first flight | Hours of building | Minutes |
| Electronics | Separate power pack, reusable between kits | Built in |
| Repairs | Hot glue and foam | Depends on the model |
| Stabilization | None on the kit pages read here; electronics are separate | Often included |
| Where it is sold | Direct from the maker and select retailers | Widely available |
Neither route is better; they answer different questions. If you want stick time with a safety net, a stabilized trainer is the faster route. If you want to learn how a plane is put together, a kit is the more educational one. Our foam versus balsa comparison and balsa kit guide cover the step beyond foam board, and the kits for beginners guide compares kit styles across brands.
What to build first
- A very small, low-stakes first build: the EZ3 First Flyers.
- A first airplane with real control surfaces: the Tiny Trainer, or the Simple Cub if you prefer a larger plane.
- A second build: the Simple Scout, Tutor or Explorer.
- A STOL project: the Bushwacker or Simple Storch.
- A scale challenge: one of the Master Series warbirds, after at least one cleanly finished park flyer.
Order the right power pack before the foam arrives. A mismatch between the pack and the kit page is the easiest way to leave a half-built plane on a shelf. A 3S pack with an XT60 connector fits Packs B and C, and an example 2200 mAh 3S pack with XT60 plug is the kind of thing to look for, though you should check each kit's recommended capacity. Our LiPo guide explains the numbers.
Buying notes
Flite Test sells its kits directly, and its store lists power packs, foam board, bundles and a store locator. Genuine Flite Test kits are not reliably found on Amazon, so this guide does not link a specific kit listing. You may see foam-board kits from other brands there; they use similar materials but are not Flite Test products.
FAQ
Q: Do Flite Test kits include a motor, battery or receiver?
No. The kit pages say the kit is airframe only. You add a power pack, battery, charger, transmitter and receiver.
Q: Which power pack goes with which kit?
Each kit page names its pack. Pack A suits the Mighty Minis, Pack B the Simple Cub, Scout, Tutor, Old Fogey and Explorer, and Pack C the Bushwacker, Simple Storch and the Master Series. Twin kits use a Twin Combo.
Q: Is the Master Series suited to a first build?
Flite Test labels the builds Challenging and quotes build times from 5 hours for the Corsair to 16 hours for the P-38. Most builders do a simpler kit first.
Q: What is Maker Foam?
Flite Test's name for its foam board, sold as Maker Foam Board by Adams v2: white-faced, 3/16 in thick, and designed to take paint and decals.
