The Best RC Aircraft of 2025

Passionate fans argue all the time. Sports fans argue about the best players or teams, and movie buffs argue about the top films. Who would win a fight between Superman and Spider-Man… comic book fans know the answer, or at least they think they do. No matter the hobby or pastime, fans will argue for and against hundreds, even thousands of scenarios.

So, radio control pilots might have a few issues with the following list of the best aircraft in 2025.

And that’s okay. It might even be healthy.

Nevertheless, review the list and the reasons why these products were picked. You might be surprised by our choices or be right there with us. That’s part of the fun.  

To be as inclusive as possible, we have included aircraft in four categories: Trainers, Foam, Balsa, and Helicopters. Additionally, we only present the ones currently available on the Horizon Hobby website to ensure you can take home the fun!

The Best RC Trainers

New enthusiasts looking to get into the hobby or seasoned pilots wanting to help newer pilots fly for the first time are always looking for the best experience.

The following three aircraft are perfect for beginner pilots, putting them at the top of our list of the best RC planes of 2025.

Our first choice is the HobbyZone AeroScout S 2 1.1m. It’s designed specifically to make learning fun. Most importantly, the AeroScout features exclusive Spektrum SAFE (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology, making it easier to learn to fly. Using a combination of sensors and flight control software, SAFE allows an RC aircraft to be aware of its attitude relative to the ground. This ‘attitude awareness’ makes it possible to program it with different levels of assistance pilots can choose from based on their level of experience and needs during the flight. There’s even a panic recovery button for added safety. It has a powerful motor, durable construction, oversized tires, and a steerable nose wheel, allowing easy takeoffs and landings. This parkflyer will get you in the air fast.

The HobbyZone Aeroscout is also an RC plane that can grow with you. Many of our internal pilots love flying it no matter the occasion. Lastly, the Aeroscout is the try-me aircraft of choice at the annual Horizon RC Fest due to its durability and ability to handle high-wind scenarios. These aircraft can be seen taking hundreds of flights in a weekend during the event.

Next up is the HobbyZone Sport Cub S 2. Its ultra-micro size makes it the ideal choice for a smaller trainer model that can be flown in large yards, parks, baseball fields, and other suitable spaces where larger models can’t typically be flown successfully by first-time pilots. As a scale model of the famous Carbon Cub by CubCrafters, it doesn’t look like a typical trainer. Still, it has all the essential features, including SAFE technology and panic recovery. You can also add floats, making it an incredible all-around aircraft.

For something completely different and electrifying, we think the E-flite Habu STS (Smart Trainer with SAFE) 70mm EDF jet is one of the most exciting ways first-time or low-time radio control pilots can learn to fly RC airplanes successfully. It features a wide-stance tricycle landing gear with a steerable nose wheel and oversized tires, allowing for takeoffs and landings on surfaces ranging from paved runways to grass and even dirt. Plus, you can install the optional Landing Assist Sensor (LAS) that automatically “flares” for smoother landings to make learning to land even easier. Best of all, the Habu STS has optimized the Electric Ducted Fan (EDF) design to improve its low-speed handling and slow-speed performance, and it has added options for taking advantage of SAFE technology. As a result, the Habu STS is the easiest-to-fly RC jet ever.

The Best Foam Airplanes

Foamies are the mainstays of radio control aircraft. Here are three outstanding RC foam planes that have already made 2025 one of the best years in radio control flying.

New from E-flite in 2025, the Micro B-2 Spirit of America Twin EDF stealth bomber replica starts our list. It has a ton of features, including the benefits of AS3X and optional-use SAFE Select technologies along with an efficient airframe to give you longer-than-average flight times. It’s compact size and sleek design have already made it a popular choice this year.

With its fighter-jet looks, excellent speed, vertical performance, and aerobatic capabilities, the E-flite Viper 90mm EDF jet delivers an experience unlike any other EDF in its class. It’s a scale RC jet that flies smoothly and handles like a sport airplane — yet is also capable of incredible aerobatics and top speeds (we’re talking 120+ MPH). However, what truly sets it apart is how easy it is to take off, fly, and land, which makes it the best choice for a first large-scale jet model. This is repeatedly on our staff’s favorite list when we ask our product development team. It truly is a fantastic RC jet to fly at all speeds.

The E-flite UMX Conscendo is an easy and extremely fun to fly sport aerobatic motor glider offering a flying experience you simply can’t get with any other model. The UMX Conscendo is easy to launch, fly, and land because it features, you guessed it, exclusive AS3X and optional-use SAFE Select technologies. The E-flite Conscendo offers a unique blend of soaring, sport, and aerobatic flight performance designed for sport pilots and glider enthusiasts. Plus, the glider comes almost fully factory-assembled and nearly ready to fly right out of the box. Simply install the one-piece wing with the quarter-turn thumbscrew, install a charged battery, bind it to your Spektrum transmitter, and you’re ready to handle large yards, parks, sports fields, and more.

The Best Balsa RC Planes

The next step for veteran radio control pilots is flying a balsa plane. While not all balsa plans are considered giant-scale, many of them are, and these high-priced flying machines demand a great deal of time, patience, and skill. When we talk about radio control modelers, these are the kinds of planes they build and fly.

Here are three of the best balsa planes of 2025 for experienced radio control pilots.

An easy choice for a first balsa plane, the Hangar 9 Pawnee Brave 20cc is designed for scale to sport flying. This giant-scale Almost-Ready to Fly (ARF) model offers a wide range of performance and handling depending on the power system. An electric motor, glow, or gas engine can power the Pawnee Brave. It features functional LED landing lights and flaps, tundra-style wheels/tires, and scale details such as a complete cockpit area with scale pilot, instrument decal, and canopy. Pilots can quickly go from crop dusting to aerobatic flying all in one performance-minded aircraft.

Experienced balsa pilots longing for a military aircraft should look no further than the Hangar 9 OV-10 Bronco. Rarely modeled, it’s Horizon Hobby’s largest giant-scale RC warbird to date. It features scale realism, including a highly detailed satin-finish covering and ultra-scale accessories, including the pilot, cockpit details, and sidewinder missiles. There’s even added weathering. The Hangar 9 Bronco is designed to accept 30 – 35cc gasoline engines as well as electric power and showcases a real giant-scale, 108-inch wingspan that breaks down for easy transport.

One of the most versatile balsa planes available, the Hangar 9 Ultra Stick 10cc ARF makes it possible to fly sport, high-speed, aerobatic precision, and 3D, all in the same flight. The proven design combines simplicity and versatility, including top-shelf materials, quality craftsmanship, and superior engineering. It features exceptional durability, a wide flight envelope to grow your skills, and big wheels ready to handle just about any flying field condition. Plus, you can fly it over water by simply bolting on the optional lightweight float set. 

Honorable Mention

An honorable mention is the Hangar 9 Hawk T-45 ARF Turbine Jet. This second turbine jet from Hangar 9 is perfect for experienced pilots to move into turbine-powered models. The Hawk T-45 has the right combination of attention to detail and flight characteristics that Hangar 9 pilots expect. The Hangar 9 MB-339 single-handedly took the turbine world by storm and has been the reason so many more pilots are now AMA Turbine-rated! This second turbine release is sure to please!

The Best RC Helicopters

One of the most fun things you can do with radio control is to fly an RC helicopter. Below are some helis for a variety of skill levels.

For intermediate pilots looking for their first high-performance collective pitch helicopter, the Blade Fusion 360 Smart RC helicopter is a great choice. It is easy to fly and see in the air and is designed to help pilots progress confidently from simple maneuvers to advanced 3D stunts. This powerhouse features lightweight carbon fiber and anodized aluminum construction, presenting exceptional rigidity and durability. Plus, it integrates SAFE and Smart technology. Pilots get kit-level quality in a Bind-N-Fly package.

The more recent addition to the list, the Blade Revolution 90 FP (Fixed Pitch) RC helicopter, is perfect for first-time – and even experienced – pilots looking for an ultra-micro helicopter they can fly indoors to hone their skills. Exclusive SAFE technology and the fixed-pitch flybarless design offer unmatched simplicity, durability, and stability. It also features an optional-use Altitude Hold mode that helps to automatically maintain altitude so pilots can focus on learning the cyclic and tail rotor controls to make it even easier to fly. It arrives 100% factory-assembled and includes everything needed to fly in the box.

Looking Ahead to the Best RC Aircraft of 2025

Whether you’re taking your first steps to a flying field or a seasoned RC pilot looking for your next challenge, these aircraft represent the best of what’s available today.

Expect to see even more amazing RC planes this year! You can bet Horizon Hobby has big plans for 2025. Which RC planes and helicopters will be the best RC aircraft of the second-half of 2025? Stay tuned to find out!