Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Get Back Into RC After 40 Years!
In this video I will discuss various items you need to consider to reenter the radio control (RC) hobby after an absence of 40 years. This video is filmed in 2026 and a lot has changed with the RC hobby since 1985.
I will go over the low cost of flying RC today compared to 40 years ago. I discuss actions you will consider with the AMA, FAA and computer flight simulators. RC hardware has been revolutionized with the advent of 2.4 GHz technology for radio control units with a highlight on the Spektrum line of radio control electronics and remote ID.
Today's high quality almost ready to fly models did not exist in 1985 and are part of everyone's fleet these days. RC airplane kits exist, of course, but you have to hunt a bit for them. And there are thousands of RC plans available to build from scratch.
AMA: ModelAircraft.org
FAA: FAA.gov
StevensAero.com
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
01:58 - Low cost and variety
06:21 - Some assumptions
07:50 - AMA, FAA and simulators
14:30 - Hardware and electronics
19:58 - Today's ARFs
22:18 - Today's kits
23:09 - Final thoughts
Get Back Into RC After 40 Years!
In this video I will discuss various items you need to consider to reenter the radio control (RC) hobby after an absence of 40 years. This video is filmed in 2026 and a lot has changed with the RC hobby since 1985.
I will go over the low cost of flying RC today compared to 40 years ago. I discuss actions you will consider with the AMA, FAA and computer flight simulators. RC hardware has been revolutionized with the advent of 2.4 GHz technology for radio control units with a highlight on the Spektrum line of radio control electronics and remote ID.
Today's high quality almost ready to fly models did not exist in 1985 and are part of everyone's fleet these days. RC airplane kits exist, of course, but you have to hunt a bit for them. And there are thousands of RC plans available to build from scratch.
AMA: ModelAircraft.org
FAA: FAA.gov
StevensAero.com
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
01:58 - Low cost and variety
06:21 - Some assumptions
07:50 - AMA, FAA and simulators
14:30 - Hardware and electronics
19:58 - Today's ARFs
22:18 - Today's kits
23:09 - Final thoughts
