Foamboard Plane: How to Build an RC Plane From Foam Board
A foamboard plane is an RC plane built from paper-faced foam board, the kind sold cheaply in dollar and craft stores (for example Adams Readi-Board in the US). It’s the cheapest way to build a plane that really flies: a 1 m trainer needs a couple of sheets, hot glue, and a standard set of electronics you can move to the next plane. Popular free designs such as the Flite Test Simple Cub and Tiny Trainer are drawn for exactly this material. Here’s how to pick a design, what to buy and how to build it.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20264 min read
Why build with foamboard?
- Cheap: a sheet costs very little; a crash costs a new sheet and an evening.
- Easy to work: cut with a knife, fold along scored lines, glue with hot glue.
- Stiff: the paper skins make flat parts surprisingly rigid.
- Downside: heavier than Depron, and water softens the paper. Seal it if you fly from wet grass.
Which foamboard designs suit beginners?
| Design type | Example | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High-wing trainer | Flite Test Simple Cub, Tiny Trainer | Stable, slow, forgiving; the classic first build |
| Flying wing | Simple delta designs | Fewest parts, very durable; less stable for beginners |
| Biplane | Foamboard biplane plans | Slow and agile; more parts and rigging |
| Glider / motor glider | Long-wing foamboard gliders | Long flights in calm air |
Plans are free from designers and communities (Flite Test publishes many). Print them at 100 % and check the scale bar before cutting.
What electronics does a foamboard trainer need?
| Part | Typical for a ~1 m trainer |
|---|---|
| Motor | 2212–2216 outrunner, about 1000–1400 kV |
| ESC | 30 A with BEC |
| Propeller | 9–10 in, matched to motor and battery |
| Battery | 3S 1300–2200 mAh LiPo |
| Servos | 3–4 × 9 g micro servos |
| Radio | 4+ channel 2.4 GHz transmitter and receiver |
| Hardware | Control horns, pushrods (wire or carbon), firewall/motor mount |
Check the motor’s current at full throttle with your chosen prop: how to size an electric motor. Prop fitting: installing a propeller.
Build steps and techniques
- Transfer the plans: tape tiled printouts together and pin them to the board, or trace them.
- Cut: a sharp snap-off blade, steel ruler, several light passes. Change the blade often.
- Fold lines: cut through the top paper and foam but not the bottom paper; the bottom paper becomes the hinge (for control surfaces and folded fuselages).
- Bevel cuts at 45° for folded corners and wing leading edges.
- Remove paper on the inside of curved parts (e.g. the wing’s upper surface folds) so the foam bends without cracking.
- Glue with a low-temperature hot glue gun; spread the glue thinly.
- Spars: glue a barbecue skewer, carbon rod or folded foam spar into the wing.
- Install electronics, centre servos before fitting horns, and balance at the plan’s CG.
Waterproofing and repairs
- Cover exposed foam edges and the underside with packing tape.
- Seal paper with thin coats of water-based polyurethane or a waterproofing spray that is foam-safe (test first).
- Repair dents and cracks with hot glue and tape; replace soaked parts.
- Keep a few spare sheets; rebuilding a nose takes minutes.
First flight checklist
- CG exactly at the mark, controls moving the right way, throws as on the plans.
- Range check and a full-throttle test while holding the plane.
- Calm day, open field, hand-launch level into the wind with firm throttle.
- Trim it level at a safe height, then practise wide turns.
FAQ
Are foamboard planes good for beginners?
Yes. A foamboard trainer is cheap, easy to repair and teaches building and flying at the same time.
Which foam board should I use?
Paper-faced foam board around 5 mm thick, like dollar-store boards. Heavier art-store boards make the plane heavy.
Can I build a foamboard biplane?
Yes, many plans exist. Build a trainer first: biplanes have more parts and need careful rigging.
What glue works on foamboard?
Low-temperature hot glue. Foam-safe CA and contact glue work too; solvent glues melt the core.
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
