2026 High-Speed Foamboard RC Challenge

[Mr Man]

Not sure what the guidelines are for hosting a challenge, but I've been thinking about hosting an innovation challenge at some point too. Idea is to come up with anything that improves something about RC flight, whether it is a whole new airplane or just some part for an airplane, so long as it does something new, unique, and interesting.

I feel like something open ended would give a lot more opportunity to experiment and some encouragement to try wild ideas that might be too impractical for other challenges. Plus, it would have a much lower barrier to entry since you wouldn't even necessarily need to build a whole plane for it

Sounds like fun!

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Not sure what the guidelines are for hosting a challenge, but I've been thinking about hosting an innovation challenge at some point too. Idea is to come up with anything that improves something about RC flight, whether it is a whole new airplane or just some part for an airplane, so long as it does something new, unique, and interesting.

I feel like something open ended would give a lot more opportunity to experiment and some encouragement to try wild ideas that might be too impractical for other challenges. Plus, it would have a much lower barrier to entry since you wouldn't even necessarily need to build a whole plane for it

Would tech be part of it?

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Not sure what the guidelines are for hosting a challenge, but I've been thinking about hosting an innovation challenge at some point too. Idea is to come up with anything that improves something about RC flight, whether it is a whole new airplane or just some part for an airplane, so long as it does something new, unique, and interesting.

I feel like something open ended would give a lot more opportunity to experiment and some encouragement to try wild ideas that might be too impractical for other challenges. Plus, it would have a much lower barrier to entry since you wouldn't even necessarily need to build a whole plane for it

Sounds like fun!

Sure does!!

 

[telnar1236]

Would tech be part of it?

Yeah, idea is pretty much anything that goes on a flyable plane counts - could be an airfoil or a cooling vent or a spinner - could probably include transmitter and FPV related hardware too. Two big parts of the score would be proving that it works and how generally applicable it is to most RC flyers, though, which might be more challenging for some kinds of tech

 

[telnar1236]

Or software for that matter, if it runs on a transmitter, receiver or flight controller or is used to build planes

 

[MadMonkey]

R&D is most of my job anyway so I'm up for that

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Yeah, idea is pretty much anything that goes on a flyable plane counts - could be an airfoil or a cooling vent or a spinner - could probably include transmitter and FPV related hardware too. Two big parts of the score would be proving that it works and how generally applicable it is to most RC flyers, though, which might be more challenging for some kinds of tech

Oh, I was thinking more like smart features or AI😂😂😂 (I kinda don't think most flyers would use that...)

 

[The Hangar]

Not sure what the guidelines are for hosting a challenge, but I've been thinking about hosting an innovation challenge at some point too. Idea is to come up with anything that improves something about RC flight, whether it is a whole new airplane or just some part for an airplane, so long as it does something new, unique, and interesting.

I feel like something open ended would give a lot more opportunity to experiment and some encouragement to try wild ideas that might be too impractical for other challenges. Plus, it would have a much lower barrier to entry since you wouldn't even necessarily need to build a whole plane for it

I like this idea, it might be the kick I need to do some design work. I've been wanting to designing a quick-release wing latching system similar to the ones found in extremeflight/skywing planes that could be 3D printed for use on scratch builds, or to implement on store-bought planes for convenience at the field.

 

[telnar1236]

Oh, I was thinking more like smart features or AI😂😂😂 (I kinda don't think most flyers would use that...)

If you can get AI running on a plane I will officially be impressed. If you're working on those things, they would be a good fit. To clarify a bit, I was more thinking accessibility and ease of use in the kinds of things we fly on the regular. A lot of people use some form of gyro or autopilot so upgrades or add-ons to those are good. More the kinds of things that would do poorly in that category would be things requiring expensive dedicated hardware (e.g. a 120mm 12s EDF or a $250 battery) or a ton of skill (a balsa or composite plane for example). It more means the kind of thing your average rc flyer could use than necessarily something that will be widely adopted.

 

[telnar1236]

I'll probably kick off the challenge around December running through April or so unless people think a different timeline would be better. That gives us time to build and experiment over the winter and then some time in the warmer part of the year to actually fly our creations

 

[MadMonkey]

I'll probably kick off the challenge around December running through April or so unless people think a different timeline would be better. That gives us time to build and experiment over the winter and then some time in the warmer part of the year to actually fly our creations

I fly in winter and hide in the AC during summer... dang Texas 🤣

 

[RickHunter]

So finally got a little time this evening and got at least the Sharknado out to fly. Couldn't get all the way out to the field, but tried it out in the mesa near my house. Due to me being nervous about where I'm flying, I only got to about 80% throttle. This thing is insane. Used two old 2200mah 3s batteries in series. Not my best landing (no battery left to go around again), but no damage minus a prop. Both batteries are toasted now. Can't wait to try it again at the feild with a good 6s battery. I think it will be in the 160s-170s range. Loudest plane I ever flew. Will post a video in the next day or two.

 

[MadMonkey]

That style of plane (hotliner/pylon racer) seems to do pretty well. That's sort of the design I'm gonna go for if we do this next year!

Keep pushing it, I wanna see what it'll do.

 

[RickHunter]

That style of plane (hotliner/pylon racer) seems to do pretty well. That's sort of the design I'm gonna go for if we do this next year!

Keep pushing it, I wanna see what it'll do.

I plan on it. This thing had me clinching my cheeks more than my V1200. I will feel much more comfortable flying this at the feild. I need to lower the rates even more at speed, and try to figure our some better cooling. This thing gets hot, just like the designer said it would.
I don't have any easy way to cut plywood, so I 3d printed all the plywood parts (PETG). Was a little worried if they would hold up or not, but they worked great. Got permission from the designer, so i will share the files in the Resources soon.

 

[RickHunter]

Here's the video.

2026 Speed Challenge - RickHunter

Here's the video of the Sharknado. I'll do another flight when I get time to go out to the air field and really let loose.

forum.flitetest.com

 

[Air-headed Aviator]

Man I wish I could join in on this challenge, but from what I've learned from @Mid7night and Joshua Finn during their friendly challenge almost 8 years ago is that to get hand built foamboard designs to approach 200mph you need at least 8S powertrains and some mean props. my most powerful powertrain atm is a twin 6s 64mm EDF unit, but that probably could barely crack 120mph on a strictly trimmed down aircraft.

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Man I wish I could join in on this challenge, but from what I've learned from @Mid7night and Joshua Finn during their friendly challenge almost 8 years ago is that to get hand built foamboard designs to approach 200mph you need at least 8S powertrains and some mean props. my most powerful powertrain atm is a twin 6s 64mm EDF unit, but that probably could barely crack 120mph on a strictly trimmed down aircraft.

Yeah, its not easy to beat that!😂 (I think it was actually 174mph, though @MadMonkey hit 203mph this year! Though that was on a 3D printed airframe, so there is still room for foamboard!) Though just so you know, this challenge ended about 2 weeks ago, but we plan on doing it again next year so stay tuned!👍

Though there should be a monster airplane challenge coming up, so if you have any big motors...

 

[telnar1236]

Man I wish I could join in on this challenge, but from what I've learned from @Mid7night and Joshua Finn during their friendly challenge almost 8 years ago is that to get hand built foamboard designs to approach 200mph you need at least 8S powertrains and some mean props. my most powerful powertrain atm is a twin 6s 64mm EDF unit, but that probably could barely crack 120mph on a strictly trimmed down aircraft.

Should be able to hit at least 140 using that in my Rapier 64 airframe and probably faster, if you can fit the battery, if you're looking for a speed plane. That hit 133 mph on 4s and I have thoughts on optimizing it still further.