Tyler Perry RC Planes: His Giant-Scale Hobby and What It Takes
Filmmaker Tyler Perry flies giant-scale RC airplanes as his main hobby. In interviews he has said he took it up after 9/11, when he was afraid of flying, and that learning how wings create lift and how turbulence works helped him overcome that fear and later earn a pilot’s licence. One of his planes is reported to have a 20 ft wingspan and weigh about 300 lb, and in 2026 he was reported taking the controls of a 630 lb model Boeing 777-9X. Here’s what is publicly known, and what flying planes of that size actually involves.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20264 min read
What is publicly known about his RC planes?
| Fact | Source |
|---|---|
| Started flying RC after seeing someone fly a plane in a park, around the time he was afraid of flying after 9/11 | Interview on Live With Kelly and Mark, 2024 (reported by Distractify) |
| One plane with a 20 ft wingspan weighing about 300 lb; others slightly smaller | Distractify, June 2025 |
| Flies giant-scale planes on his property, with his own field and hangar | Model Airplane News, 2023 |
| Took the controls of a 630 lb, 33 ft span model Boeing 777-9X | Reported 2026 (eurweb); the 777-9X model is the build described by Popular Science |
Details such as which radio system he uses, the exact models in his collection or what they cost have not been published in the sources we found, so we don’t guess. The record airliners themselves are listed in the biggest RC airplanes.
What counts as a giant-scale RC plane?
| Class | Typical span | Typical weight | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large sport/aerobatic (30–35 %) | 2.2–2.8 m (87–110 in) | 8–15 kg | 50–120 cc petrol or large electric |
| Giant aerobatic (40–42 %) | 2.9–3.4 m (115–134 in) | 15–22 kg | 150–250 cc petrol |
| Giant scale warbirds and jets | 3–5 m | 20–60+ kg | Large petrol engines or turbines |
| Record airliners (e.g. 777-9X model) | up to about 10 m | up to several hundred kg | Multiple EDFs or turbines |
What radio gear do giant planes use?
Giant-scale pilots generally use high-end computer radios and redundancy, because a failure in a 20+ kg model is dangerous:
- Two receivers or a dual-path receiver so one antenna or receiver failure doesn’t end the flight.
- Power distribution box with two batteries and switches, feeding many high-torque servos.
- Telemetry for battery voltage, engine temperature and RPM.
- Separate ignition battery for petrol engines, with an ignition cut-off on the transmitter.
- Major brands in this class include Futaba, Spektrum, Jeti, PowerBox and JR; the choice is personal.
What do giant-scale RC planes cost?
A 35–40 % aerobatic ARF with engine, servos, radio and power system typically costs several thousand dollars. Turbine jets and custom scale models can cost tens of thousands, and record airliners take thousands of hours of building. Running costs (fuel, batteries, insurance, transport) add up, and most giant-scale pilots need a van or trailer to move their planes.
Rules for flying giant RC planes
- US: recreational models up to 55 lb fly under FAA recreational rules; heavier models need authorisation, typically through the AMA Large Model Airplane programme with inspections and test flights (FAA).
- Turbines: clubs and associations require turbine waivers or certifications.
- Private fields still fall under airspace rules; flying near airports needs authorisation.
- Insurance: club membership with liability insurance is standard.
Want to fly big planes yourself?
- Learn on a trainer and a sport plane until you fly confidently.
- Join a club with giant-scale pilots; most help with first flights and setup.
- Start with a 30–35 % model on a 50–60 cc engine before moving to 40 % or turbines.
- Budget for quality servos, redundant power and a good radio, not just the airframe.
Engine sizes for large models are in gas engines for RC planes.
FAQ
What RC planes does Tyler Perry fly?
Giant-scale models; one is reported at 20 ft span and about 300 lb. He was also reported flying a 630 lb model Boeing 777-9X in 2026. A full list hasn’t been published.
What radio system does Tyler Perry use?
It hasn’t been published in the sources we found. Giant-scale pilots typically use high-end systems with redundant receivers and power.
How much do Tyler Perry’s RC planes cost?
No figures have been published. Comparable giant-scale models cost from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
Where does Tyler Perry keep his RC planes?
Reports describe a hangar and flying field on his property.
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
