Kyle Hilson, Author at Swell RC

RC Glider Kits: A Beginner’s Guide to Soaring Success

By -Kyle Hilson
Posted on October 24, 2025October 24, 2025
Posted in RC Airplanes

The first time I launched one of my RC glider kits off a sun-warmed hillside, the only sound was wind feathering past the wing and my own breath holding steady. Then the model caught a gentle updraft, lifted, and everything clicked. That moment sent me down a rabbit hole of researching, testing, and comparing kits

RC Model Airplane Kits: A Beginner’s Guide to Building and Flying

By -Kyle Hilson
Posted on October 24, 2025October 24, 2025
Posted in RC Airplanes

I still remember the first time I opened a box of RC model airplane kits and realized just how deep this hobby goes. From tiny micro trainers I could fly in a park to giant-scale birds that need a truck to haul, each kit promised a different kind of adventure. RC model airplane kits are

Minimoa RC Glider: A Timeless Icon of Scale and Aerodynamics

By -Kyle Hilson
Posted on October 23, 2025October 24, 2025
Posted in RC Airplanes

When I first saw the Minimoa carve through the air, it felt like watching history in motion—every bank and slip traced a lineage back to 1930s Germany. The Göppingen Gö 3 Minimoa—with those unmistakable gull wings and elegant woodwork—set records and hearts aflame long before it became a beloved subject for scale gliders enthusiasts. Today,

The Art of Rotorscale Helicopters: A Guide to Scale Realism and Flight Simulation

By -Kyle Hilson
Posted on October 23, 2025October 24, 2025
Posted in RC Helicopters

I still remember the first time I encountered rotorscale helicopters—the moment the blades began to spool up, slicing through the air with a mesmerizing buzz that sent a thrill down my spine. I was amazed at how these RC helicopters didn’t just look like their full-size counterparts; they behaved exactly like them, complete with meticulously

Best RC Boat for Lake Cruising: Expert Guide

By -Kyle Hilson
Posted on October 23, 2025October 24, 2025
Posted in RC Boats

After countless weekends testing boats at my local lake—ranging from nimble pocket-sized rockets to powerful big 6S monsters—I discovered one simple truth: the best RC boat for lake use isn’t just about raw speed. It’s about finding a remote control boat that stays firmly planted in the wind, tracks straight through choppy waters, and keeps

Radian XL 2.6m BNF Basic Review: Soaring to New Heights

By -Kyle Hilson
Posted on October 23, 2025October 24, 2025
Posted in RC Helicopters

The first time I eased the Radian XL into a headwind and nudged the throttle, it felt like meeting a glider I’d been waiting years to fly. The nose lifted smoothly, the polyhedral wing locked in, and with the power off it started to surf the air like it knew where the lift was hiding.

Avios C-130 RC Plane Review: A Large-Scale Aviation Experience

By -Kyle Hilson
Posted on October 23, 2025October 24, 2025
Posted in RC Airplanes

The first time I rolled the Avios C-130 RC plane onto the runway, I couldn’t resist testing this beast myself—four humming props, flaps down, and that unmistakable Hercules presence. The full-scale C-130 is an icon of utility aviation, and Avios captured that spirit in a large, foam-composite RC transport aircraft that feels as authentic as

The Ultimate Guide to Building and Flying a 1/5 Scale RC Plane

By -Kyle Hilson
Posted on October 23, 2025October 24, 2025
Posted in RC Airplanes

The first time I spooled up a 1:5 scale RC plane, the field went quiet. The prop wash ruffled my jacket, the retracts tucked in with a satisfying clunk, and the model lifted off with the authority only a giant can. That moment changed how I think about remote control flight forever. A 1:5 scale

The Largest RC Jet Engine: A Guide to Powering Your Model Aircraft

By -Kyle Hilson
Posted on October 23, 2025October 24, 2025
Posted in RC Airplanes

The day I stood beside a giant-scale RC airliner and heard its turbine spool from a whisper to a razor-sharp scream, I was hooked. The air shook, the asphalt rumbled, and the smell of hot kerosene made it feel like a mini runway at a full-size airport. That moment sent me down a rabbit hole

RC Outrigger Boat Kits: Expert Guide to Building and Tuning High-Speed Hydroplanes

By -Kyle Hilson
Posted on October 23, 2025October 24, 2025
Posted in RC Boats

The first time I saw an RC outrigger blast down a glassy pond, it looked like it was skimming on air—three points touching the water, rooster tail fizzing, and a sound that made my pulse jump. That moment sent me down the rabbit hole of RC outrigger boat kits: researching late at night, comparing hull