Frequently Asked Questions
The questions we answer most often. If yours is not here, email support@skypeakrc.com and a real person will get back to you within one business day.
Choosing your first model
Which RC plane should a complete beginner buy?
A high-wing foam trainer with stabilisation, around 1.2-1.5 m span, on a 3S battery. Our default answer is the Cadet 1400 RTF, because it arrives with the radio, battery and charger and the gyro has three skill levels so the model grows with you. Read the full breakdown in Best RC Planes for Beginners.
What do RTF, PNP and BNF mean?
- RTF (Ready to Fly) – everything in the box, including the transmitter, battery and usually a charger. Add nothing except AA cells.
- PNP (Plug and Play) – motor, ESC and servos installed. You add your own receiver, battery and a transmitter you already own.
- BNF (Bind and Fly) – includes a receiver. Bind it to your existing transmitter, add a battery and fly.
- ARF / Kit – airframe only, or airframe plus hardware. You supply and install all the electronics.
How much should I budget to get started?
Realistically $200-300 for a first setup that includes a radio you will not immediately outgrow, plus at least two flight batteries and a proper balance charger. Add $50-80 for the consumables nobody tells you about: spare props, foam-safe CA, a prop balancer and a battery checker.
Batteries and charging
What C-rating do I need?
Multiply capacity in amp-hours by the C-rating to get the safe continuous current, then check that against what your ESC will pull. A 2200mAh 60C pack gives 2.2 Ah x 60 = 132 A, which is comfortably more than a 45A ESC will ever draw. Higher C-ratings also mean lower voltage sag, so a good pack feels punchier than the numbers suggest.
How do I charge and store LiPos safely?
Always balance-charge on a non-combustible surface, ideally inside a fire-safe bag, and never leave a charging pack unattended. Do not discharge below 3.2 V per cell, and store packs at roughly 3.85 V per cell – most modern chargers have a storage mode that does this for you. Full details are in our LiPo Battery Guide.
Setup and radio gear
How do I bind a receiver to my transmitter?
Put the transmitter into bind mode (usually holding the bind button while powering on), power the receiver with the bind plug fitted, and wait for the LED to go solid. Remove the bind plug, power cycle, and confirm the surfaces respond in the correct direction. The full walkthrough with endpoint and dual-rate setup is in our transmitter setup guide.
My control surface moves the wrong way. What now?
Use servo reversing on your transmitter rather than flipping the servo arm or moving the pushrod to another hole. Reversing in the radio keeps your geometry and your throws exactly as intended.
Can I use one transmitter for several models?
Yes – that is what model memory is for. The SkyPeak TX-8 holds 20 models, so one radio covers your whole hangar with its own trims, rates, mixing and endpoints for each.
Orders and support
Do you stock spare parts?
Yes. Props, cowls, canopies, wing sets, landing gear, arms, motors and servos are held on our own shelves for everything we sell. If it is not listed, email us – we can usually source it.
When will my order ship?
In-stock orders placed before 2:00 pm PT on a business day ship the same day. See Shipping & Delivery for rates, transit times and the rules that apply to lithium battery shipments.
What if I crash it in the first week?
That is not a warranty claim, but it is not the end of the world either – most foam repairs take twenty minutes with foam-safe CA. Order the spares you need from Parts & Electronics, or send us a photo and we will tell you what is worth replacing and what is worth gluing.