Biggest RC Airplanes Ever Built: Record Models and Specs
There is no official Guinness record for the largest RC airplane, but the biggest documented flying models are giant airliners: Ramy RC’s Boeing 777-9X with a 33 ft (about 10 m) wingspan and about 630 lb, and the same builder’s earlier Airbus A380 at about 800 lb with a 32 ft span. By length, the Bishop brothers’ 1:6 Concorde is 33 ft long and weighs 328 lb. Here are the record models with their specs, how giants this size are powered, and the rules that apply.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20264 min read
The biggest RC airplanes ever built
| Model | Builder | Scale | Wingspan | Length | Weight | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 777-9X | Ramy RC | – | 33 ft (≈10 m) | – | ≈630 lb (286 kg) | 2 large electric ducted fans |
| Airbus A380 | Ramy RC | – | 32 ft (≈9.8 m) | – | ≈800 lb (363 kg) | – |
| Concorde (Air France) | Steven and Matthew Bishop | 1:6 | 13 ft (4 m) | 33 ft (10 m) | 328 lb (149 kg) | 4 × JetCat P300 Pro turbines |
| Antonov An-225 | – | 1:16 | 19 ft (5.8 m) | 17 ft (5.3 m) | 206 lb (93.5 kg) | Turbine + EDFs |
| Airbus A380 | Peter Michel | 1:15 | 17 ft (5.3 m) | 16 ft (4.8 m) | – | JetCat P120 turbines |
| Boeing 747-400 | Adi Pitz | 1:13 | 16.2 ft (4.95 m) | 17.8 ft (5.43 m) | 150 lb (68 kg) | 4 × IQ Hammer 140 turbines |
| Fokker Dr.I triplane | Steve Carr | 65 % | 16 ft (4.8 m) | – | – | 550 cc custom engine |
| Pitts Python biplane | Gregg Hayfield | 7:8 | – | – | 305 lb (138 kg) | 650 cc flat twin, 64 in 3-blade prop |
Figures as published by Popular Science (777-9X, May 2026) and Interesting Engineering; blank cells were not published.
The one official Guinness record nearby is a niche one: the largest wingspan on a rocket-powered RC fixed-wing aircraft, 5.90 m (19 ft 4 in), set by James Whomsley in Derbyshire, UK, on 1 August 2024 (Guinness World Records).
How is “biggest” measured?
- Wingspan: the usual yardstick; airliners and gliders win here.
- Length: the Concorde wins with a slim, very long fuselage.
- Weight: decides which rules apply; the A380 at about 800 lb is among the heaviest.
- Scale: 1:2 to 7:8 models of small aircraft (Pitts, H1 Racer) are “huge” models of small real planes.
How giant RC planes are powered
| Power | Used on | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbines (JetCat, IQ Hammer) | Concorde, 747, A380 | Real jet sound, huge thrust | Cost, fuel burn, fire risk, permits |
| Electric ducted fans | 777-9X | No fuel, easier starting | Very large battery packs, short flights |
| Large petrol engines (150–650 cc) | Giant-scale aerobatic and WWI models | Long flights, reliable | Vibration, weight |
More common giant-scale aerobatic models (35–40 % scale, 100–150 cc) run petrol engines; see gas engines for RC planes.
What rules apply to giant RC planes?
- US: recreational models up to 55 lb fly under the FAA recreational rules (TRUST, registration). Heavier models need an AMA Large Model Airplane program waiver or other FAA authorisation. FAA recreational flyers.
- EU: heavy models generally fly in the “specific” category or under association authorisations; check your national aviation authority.
- Insurance through a club or association is practically mandatory, and many fields have weight and turbine rules.
Can you buy a giant RC plane?
Yes. 30–40 % scale ARF kits from established brands (e.g. Extreme Flight, Pilot-RC, Carden) have spans of 2.5–3.4 m and take 100–200 cc petrol engines. Record airliners are custom one-offs that take thousands of hours: the 1:15 A380 took more than 5,000 hours; the 1:13 747, 2,000 hours. Buying a used giant-scale model through a club is the usual way in.
FAQ
What is the biggest RC airplane ever made?
The largest documented flying models are Ramy RC’s 777-9X (33 ft span, about 630 lb) and A380 (32 ft span, about 800 lb). There is no official Guinness category for the largest RC plane.
What is the biggest RC airplane you can buy?
Commercial giant-scale aerobatic kits reach about 3.4 m (around 134 in) span at 40 % scale. Bigger models are custom-built.
How much does a giant RC plane cost?
A 35–40 % aerobatic plane with engine, servos and radio typically costs several thousand dollars; turbine airliners cost far more.
What is the world’s biggest RC helicopter, car or boat?
Each category has its own giants; for helicopters, scale models of 800 class and above with 2 m rotors are common at shows. See our RC helicopter sizes.
More on this topic: the complete RC Airplanes guide covers the basics behind this article.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
