How to Make an RC Plane Out of a Drone’s Parts
You can’t turn a quadcopter into a plane directly, but many of its parts can power one. Brushless motors, ESCs, LiPo batteries and the receiver from a hobby quad can drive a small foam plane, and many quad flight controllers can run plane firmware (such as INAV or ArduPilot) for stabilisation and GPS features. You’ll need an airframe (foam board works well), servos for the control surfaces, a propeller suited to a plane, and some setup. Toy drones with all-in-one boards are much harder to reuse.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20263 min read
What can be reused
| Drone part | Use in a plane | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushless motor | Main motor | Small quad motors suit light foam planes; check kV vs prop |
| ESC | Motor control | Individual ESCs work; 4-in-1 boards can drive one motor |
| LiPo battery | Flight battery | Same packs work |
| Receiver | Radio link | Must output PWM or connect to an FC |
| Flight controller | Stabilisation, GPS | Needs plane firmware and servo outputs |
| FPV camera/VTX | FPV plane | Works with the same goggles |
| Toy drone board | Rarely usable | All-in-one, no servo outputs |
What you’ll need to add
- An airframe: foam-board plans, a flying wing or a kit.
- Two to four micro servos.
- Pushrods, control horns and hinges.
- A plane propeller (larger, slower than quad props).
- A motor mount for the airframe.
Steps
- Choose a simple design sized for your motor (a 2204–2306 quad motor suits a 600–900 g plane with the right prop).
- Build the airframe; foam board is cheap and easy, see foam-board planes.
- Mount the motor and fit a plane prop; check current with a watt meter.
- Install servos and link them to the surfaces.
- Connect the receiver directly to ESC and servos, or through a flight controller with plane firmware.
- Set CG, throws and failsafe; test controls with the prop removed.
Using the flight controller
Many quad flight controllers can be flashed with plane firmware that supports servos, stabilisation, return-to-home and FPV features. Check the board has enough outputs for motor and servos and that the firmware supports it. Configure mixer settings for your plane type (normal tail, V-tail or flying wing), and test stabilisation direction carefully before flying.
Matching motor and prop
Quad motors have high kV for small props. On a plane, use the largest prop that keeps current within the motor and ESC limits; measure with a watt meter. A flying wing with a pusher prop is a common choice because it suits these motors and is simple to build. Another DIY route is described in how to make a 3D-printed RC plane.
Limits
Parts from tiny toy drones (brushed motors, integrated boards) generally can’t power a plane worth building. Quad parts also may be heavier than ideal for small planes. But for a hobby quad owner, reusing a motor, ESC, receiver and battery can make a first DIY plane very cheap.
First flight
Hand launch on a calm day over grass, firmly and level. Trim the plane, then land and adjust linkages. Expect to rebuild; foam board is cheap.
Start with a simple design and moderate throws. Once the plane flies well, you can add an FPV camera from the drone, enable GPS return-to-home in the plane firmware, and try longer flights within the rules.
FAQ
Can I turn my drone into a plane?
Not directly, but its parts can power a plane.
Can I use a quad flight controller?
Often yes, with plane firmware and servo outputs.
What plane design is easiest?
A foam-board flying wing or simple high-wing trainer.
Can toy drone parts be used?
Rarely; their boards and motors are too limited.
More on this topic: the complete RC Drones 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
