SOCIAL MEDIA RESOURCES FOR MODEL AVIATION TOPICS
AMA SOCIAL MEDIA Manager Lee Ray posed the following question on AMA’s “I Fly AMA” Facebook group (facebook.com/groups/IFLYAMA): “Which model aviation channels do you follow on social media?” He received several great responses about podcasts, YouTube channels, forums, and other social media outlets that members view as resources for topics about the hobby, from learning new techniques and finding out the latest about events to just tuning in to lighthearted conversation and interviews.
Although we don’t have the space to list them all, we selected a few that might be worth perusing in between your flying!
RC Roundtable Podcast
Website: rcroundtable.com
YouTube: youtube.com/@RCRoundtable
RC Roundtable consists of Fitz Walker, Lee Ray, and Terry Dunn, friends who love all things RC—especially those that fly. Celebrating 10 years of podcasts this year, the three always have topics for their podcast episodes, but, as they say in the “About Us” section of their website, “You never know where the conversation will go.” Podcasts consist of interviews with hobby companies, event coverage, current builds, or are sometimes just free-for-all conversations.
Podcasts are available to download as MP3s on the RC Roundtable website but can also be viewed as videos on YouTube. The trio is also on Facebook, X, Spotify, Instagram, Apple Podcasts, and RCGroups.
The RC Saylors
Website: thercsaylors.com
YouTube: youtube.com/@TheRcSaylors
Amassing 647,000 subscribers on YouTube, The RC Saylors began their video channel to share their passion of RC drones, airplanes, cars, and more. The husband-and-wife team uses the video channel to showcase and review everything from budget-friendly indoor drones and foamy airplanes, to high-end EDF jets and RC cars, to events they attend. “We love making content that is enjoyable for all skill levels the entire family can watch together,” they state in their bio.
The RC Saylors also maintain a website and Facebook page, where they share more of their zeal for all-things RC.
Joshua Orchard
YouTube: youtube.com/c/JoshuaOrchard
Instagram: instagram.com/joshuaorchardrc
Joshua Orchard’s YouTube description states, “I’m just a model aviation enthusiast who focuses on building from scratch. I love to share my techniques and explore new stuff too. My aim is to inspire others to try their hand at building flying works of art, not just your average foamie.” Many of Joshua’s YouTube videos detail his Scale builds, with how-tos and tutorials of the steps he takes along the way.
Check out his Instagram account full of photos of his builds and the events and competitions he’s attended as well.
Two Brothers Radio Control
Website: twobrorsrc.com
YouTube: youtube.com/@twobrosrc
Originally a team of two brothers-in-law, Two Brothers Radio Control is now a husband-and-wife team that serves as a source for in-depth model aircraft reviews and tutorials. Their focus is “pushing the limits of model aviation on YouTube;” however, they also utilize several other channels for engagement with model aviation enthusiasts, including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
One way that Two Brothers Radio Control sets itself apart from others is with channel memberships on the website, which allow them to continue reviewing new products and give thanks to their supporters with access to exclusive content, merchandise discounts, and even shoutouts in their videos.
HobbyView
YouTube: youtube.com/@HobbyView
Facebook: facebook.com/HobbyView
Although he is one of the three podcasters with RC Roundtable, Fitz Walker also has his own channel, HobbyView. It’s everything model aviation related as well, but he also looks at STEM educational projects, plastic model events, electronics, 3D and laser printing, and more.
In addition, HobbyView has a Facebook page, where Fitz shares products and information both from companies and other social media pages, as well as numerous photos from the events he attends.
RC Plane Lab Podcast
Website: rcplanelab.com
YouTube: youtube.com/RCPlaneLab
Whether you’re trying to figure out what airplane to buy, needing help to choose the right motor and battery setup, or just wanting to “geek out” about RC aviation with people who love it as much as you, you’ve found the right place with RC Plane Lab.
The RC Plane Lab podcast, which is available on its website, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts, as well as Facebook and Instagram, is hosted by Ron Hull, Tom Dale, and Dave Taylor. Between the three, they have decades of combined experience flying RC airplanes and building balsa models or the occasional foam airplane.
The RC Plane Lab website also hosts an RC community on Discord, as well as beginner guides for newcomers to the hobby and build logs of their latest projects.
New Products From the Modeler’s Mall
2.4 GHz Frequency Scanner @ $35 + S&H from PE Manufacturing
Email: orders@pemfg.com
Website: pe2buy.com
How many times have pilots blamed a loss of control on a “nearby cell tower” or an area where model airplanes tend to crash? The 2.4 GHz Frequency Scanner indicates how busy the radio-frequency environment is at your flying field and whether interfering sources are present. It can also observe the signal from your RC transmitter, providing assurance that it is sending out a signal.
The 2.4 GHz Frequency Scanner scans frequencies of 2.4 GHz to over 2.5 GHz, including the 2.4 GHz RC band, and measures whether a signal is present at each 1 MHz bandwidth over this frequency range. The scanner does not measure the received signal strength but instead indicates the presence of a signal with the amplitude displayed of how often a signal is present. The Frequency Scanner also records the maximum “frequency of occurrence” value at each 1 MHz bandwidth, which is indicated by a dot on the display. This is useful for recording whether the signals have occurred since the power was turned on, which is when the user might not be observing the display.
Powered by a 9-volt battery, the compact 4-1/8 x 3-5/8 x 1-16-inch 2.4 GHz Frequency Scanner can be easily added to your flight equipment.
E-flite Super Decathlon 1.2M BNF Basic with AS3X+ and SAFE Select @ $279.99 + S&H from Horizon Hobby
Website: horizonhobby.com/e-flite/
The original E-flite Decathlon RJG 1.2m airplane quickly became known as one of Horizon Hobby’s most capable, well-equipped, and easy-to-fly models. Now it’s available again in the iconic Super Decathlon red, white, and black “starburst” trim and color scheme, with the same great features and performance—plus more!
With the same “friendly handling” airfoil and wing design, the Super Decathlon 1.2m is capable of smooth sport flying for low-time and intermediate pilots without any “bad habits.” It features improved digital, metal-geared servos, along with a 3S to 4S 2,200 to 3,200 mAh battery-compatible power system, as well as a 45-amp Spektrum Avian Smart Lite ESC. The BNF Basic version also features an upgraded AR631+ receiver to deliver real-time telemetry alongside AS3X+, SAFE Select, and Smart Transmitter File (STF) technologies.
The Decathlon includes LED landing and navigation lights, durable aluminum landing gear with wheel pants, wing struts, an easily installed/removable one-piece wing, and a top-mounted hatch for battery access. A full-range four- to five-channel Spektrum DSMX/DSM2-compatible transmitter, the battery with an EC3 or IC3 connector, and a battery charger are needed for completion.
OMPHOBBY Bighorn 100-Inch ARF or PNP Balsa Airplane @ $1,199–$2,299 + S&H from Buddy RC
Tel.: (614) 808-4488
Website: buddyrc.com
The OMPHOBBY Bighorn 100-inch wingspan balsa airplane has strong power, long endurance, and aerobatic flight capabilities, combining sport agility with trainer ease! This durable ARF or receiver-ready (PNP) aircraft takes 10 minutes to assemble.
Ultra-short takeoffs and landings can be achieved with flaperons and air brakes for super-slow flight, and the high-wing trainer and sport aircraft characteristics make it perfect for 3D flight. The oversized tires, strong landing gear, and CNC-machined axles are suitable for any flying surface. A painted spinner with an aluminum alloy base is included, as well as high-quality ball-joint rods for the entire aircraft. The servo cable has fixed clamps to prevent it from falling into the wing. The tie rods and ball joints are preinstalled, and the servo horns are preinstalled and glued to the control surface.
The ARF can be powered by a high-quality 35cc, 55cc, or 70cc gas engine, or go electric with a SUNNYSKY 7020 to 7025 motor, 130- to 160-amp ESC, 12S 4,000 mAh to 6,000 mAh LiPo battery, and OMPHOBBY 25G metal, digital servos. The PNP version comes with the motor, ESC, and servos; just add your battery, receiver, and radio and fly! Available in a green, red, or yellow color scheme, visit the Buddy RC website for more information about the Bighorn.
