TOP 10 PLANS - NOVEMBER

After some behind the scenes work, we are getting much better numbers and a more accurate count of the most popular plans from month to month, November has some shake-ups throughout the Top 10 list.  With winter fully settled in across most of the county, now is a great time to browse our Parkjet's extensive catalog of free plans (137 total) and find that next build to put together for spring flying. The Top 10 list is a good place to start looking for what other pilots and builders are putting in their digital library to build later. So without too much blabbering, let's get to the Top 10 plans downloaded in November, 2014!

10. F-14 by Steve Shumate – The F-14 is one of the all-time most popular downloads on Parkjets.  In fact, for years, it was number one.  The simple build process, coupled with real swing wings, kit availability, decals, and other features means the Tomcat is always at the top of builder’s lists when they want a scale foam flyer.

9. SU-37 by Steve Shumate – The SU-37 by Steve Shumate really pushed the envelope when he first dropped the dual thrust vectoring monster on the RC community years ago.  Today, it remains a popular download. It has a lot of parts, but just like the F-14, it is available in kit form, has some accessories available, but really, as a scratch build, it just takes time, not particularly any great skill.  Anyone can do it.

8. F-14 by MDC – The F-14 designed by MDC is popular for many of the same reasons the Steve Shumate version is popular, swing wings and ease of build.  However, MDC took the design one step further, going with a simple profile model while still keeping the swing wings.

7. Super Bandit by Steve Shumate – The Super Bandit is a great place to start if you are looking for a rock solid platform, many different size and power options (EDF or pusher) and want a design that just looks fast sitting on the table. 

6. F-15 MK2 by Jamie Rothwell – The designer has lots of popular plans on Parkjets, but the F-15 clocks in at number 6.  The F-15’s construction is totally different than the typical box and wing designs, it features a score and fold method that gives you some scale while cutting down on your build time. The Eagle is always popular with large delta wings, twin vertical stabs and classic looks.

5. Hydro – What would you do if you wanted a half-boat, half-plane RC thing?  Download the plans for the Hydro.  It’s that simple.

4. YF-23 Grey Ghost by Craig Clarkstone – Looking at this beautiful design, the YF-23 is no doubt one of the best looking jets out there. The RC version is faithful to the original design with scale features and killer looks. 

3. Mermaid by Marcel du Plessis – The Mermaid stays popular despite its pedestrian looks.  It must be all go and no show.  A water and land loving design, the Mermaid can take off from your local pond or swimming pool and do it in style.

2. SU-37 by Jamie Rothwell – The SU-37 model here is a great example of blending scale, building options and a fast bench to air time. With score and fold methods baked right in, the SU-37 is a great option.

1. F-22 by Steve Shumate – The F-22 Raptor stays on top for another month. It’s scale design and killer thrust vectoring set up make it an obvious choice if you want to really impress your flying buddies at the field. 

TOP 10 PLANS - SEPTEMBER

Here at Parkjets, we just finished up taking some much needed time off from posting to the site and now we are back.  Over the past few months, we have been cleaning up the site, making preparations for some changes and preparing for a bigger and better winter.  Well,  what better way to kick off October with the Top 10 Plans on Parkjets right now?  Let’s get to it.

10. F-14 by MDC: If you want a simple profile F-14 that has functional swing wings, the F-14 my MDC is the place to start.  You can build this model up in one day and take it to the park the next, all because the design uses all 6mm depron foam to create the swing wing. 

9. Chiggy by Robertus: The Chiggy has to be one of the most unique designs out there for a park jet. Utilizing a tri-wing design, topped with a tractor motor and crazy aggressive bomb styling, the Chiggy will have the guys at the flying field wondering if have gone crazy.

8. Super Bandit by Steve Shumate: The Super Bandit is a design of a plane that actually doesn’t exist, but it sure looks like it should. Featuring simple wing designs, multiple sizes to fit your EDF and pusher needs, the Super Bandit is a Parkjets favorite. 

7. Hot Spot by Domenico Sebastiani: The Hot Spot is a very familiar design.  It features an awesome delta wing, twin tail booms and an aerodynamic fuselage.  The Hot Spot is made to fly.

6. Hydro: The Hydro continues to be a very popular design and for good reason.  It’s got the chops to go on water and then rise up above the waves and surprise everyone. Available for EDF or prop, the Hydro is just cool.

5. F-15 by Jamie Rothwell: This design has been popular from the minute we posted it.  Easy score and fold design plus the look of the iconic F-15 all rolled into one. Available in a few different sizes makes this a winner.

4. Mermaid by Marcel du Plessis: The Mermaid is good to go on land or sea and gives you a rock solid design that can handle nice and easy park flight like a champ. Elevated motor and electronic gear mean the goods stay dry while you land at your local watering hole.

3. YF-23 by Craig Clarkstone: The Grey Ghost is one of the best looking designs of all time and this design captures the lines perfectly. The YF-23 is not a build it quick and go design, but the end result will have your flying friends wondering if you are a magician with foam!

2. SU-37 by Jamie Rothwell: Like the F-15 above, the SU-37 is dead simple to design and gives you a little Russian flavor.  The SU-37 is graceful and frightening at the same time.

1. F-22 by Steve Shumate: Once again, the Raptor comes out on top. With its cousin the YF-23 in your hanger, you can manage the best looking fleet on the block. 

That's a wrap!  Remember, if you know of a great design, shoot us an E-mail and let us know about it so we can get it posted. 

TOP 10 PLANS - JUNE

July is nearly half way over and we have not posted the Top 10 most downloaded plan on Parkjets for June yet!  Well, time to fix that little oversight.  We have some real changes to the Top 10 list this month, probably due to a better way we are now keeping track of the number of downloads, but much remains the same. Let’s get to it.

10. Super Bandit by Steve Shumate – The Super Bandit slips into the Top 10 list again. The Super Bandit is a superb design by Steve Shumate that combines easy flight, fairly simple construction and the ability to accommodate many different sizes of EDF fans. It can even be configured for a simple pusher set up as well.

9. F-15 MK2 by Jamie Rothwell – The F-15 is an excellent example of the movement to simple score and fold designs that let you achieve a full fuse design without the hassle of sanding and building up a box with formers.  A timeless design that lends itself perfectly for RC Parkjet flying, the F-15 is a must for your fleet.

8. F-302 Tau’ri by Robertus – The F-302 is a fantasy design that combines nearly impossible designs into one mean looking parkjet. Modeled after a popular TV show, the F-302 will be one of the most unique flyers at the field.

7. YF-23 Gray Ghost by Craig Clarkstone – You want a challenge?  You want one of the best looking designs out there? How about building a scale and amazing YF-23 Grey Ghost parkjet.  This design is very well documented and very well tested.

6. Mermaid by Marcel du Plessis – The Mermaid remains a very popular design on Parkjets.  One, it can take-off right from the grass or water, the design makes it easy to fly, and the simple control surfaces make it a real great flyer.

5. T-720 Broadhead by Domenico Sebastiani – The T-720 is classic design with a few twists, ones which make the parkjet unique.  The large oversized canards, the tail boom between the vertical stabs, the winglets, and aggressive slant of the wings all make the Broadhead a parkjets Top 10.

4. SU-37 Terminator by Jamie Rothwell – The SU-37/SU-35 download stays popular!  This is a smaller version of another design with some improvements and the ability to saw off the canards for the SU-035 variant. Like his F-15 above, the SU-37 features score and fold designs that make for a quick build with great in-air realism.

3. FA-209 Saber Tooth Tiger by Eduardo Flores – The Saber Tooth Tiger is a nice little EDF flyer that boasts a terrific weight to thrust ratio, giving it excellent performance.  The easy construction and big wings mean it stays stable in flight and makes for quick repairs when things don’t go right.

2. Hydro – The Hydro jumped up the charts last month, making sure it cements its status as one of the most popular downloads on Parkjets. Part boat, part airplane, the Hydro fills your checklist pretty quickly.  EDF option? Yes!

1. F-22 Raptor by Steve Shumate – The undisputed king of Parkjets stays at the top of the list again. The F-22 Raptor is a classic Steve Shumate effort, excellent documentation, excellent performance, and good scale make it an great choice for anyone to build. 

That's it! Stay tuned, we have a couple more parkjet plans to upload and you never know when a new plan will knock off the #1 download!

TOP 10 PLANS - MAY

With May closing out, and the heat of June already bearing down, it’s time to get to the most popular downloads on Parkjets for last bit of spring. We have some new comers to the list, some old favorites, and a couple of surprises.  Let’s get to it and kick off June right.

10. F-15 MK2 by Jamie Rothwell: We have a few F-15 models on Parkjets and they are all excellent flyers. The Eagle’s broad delta like wing and large flying surfaces make the design an excellent choice for beginners and experts alike.  The Rothwell version utilizes score and fold techniques to give you that full fuse look with minimal effort. 

9. Hot Spot by Domenico Sebastiani: The Hot Spot keeps on keeping on as a popular plan on Parkjets. The “fun jet” like design is a proven performer, while this version keeps the building simple. Just like we like it.

8. X-Shuttle by Robertus: Simple design usually means an easy to fly plane and the X-Shuttle fits this description. Broad wings, simple control surfaces and a simple design means you have time to install LED lights and light up the dark, just like the designer.

7. Hydro: The Hydro is consistently in the Top 10 for Parkjets and while we keep thinking it will lose its popularity, it never seems to for very long. Part boat, part airplane, the Hydro is the perfect craft to terrorize those ducks at your local pond while providing the on-lookers something they rarely see, a boat that can fly.

6. Mermaid by Marcel du Plessis: Another aircraft capable of working in the water, the Mermaid design uses a high motor mount, traditional design cues for construction and a proven design. The Mermaid is an excellent flyer and will not disappoint you.

5. SU-22 Fitter by Robertus: The SU-22 Fitter isnot an easy plane to build, with swing wings and a complicated design.  But as you know, Parkjets tries to offer something for everyone and the Fitter is a great alternative to more common models.

4. YF-23 by Craig Clarkstone: The Grey Ghost, the YF-23 is the design that lost out to the F-22 Raptor when the U.S. decided which new plane to buy. But the Air Force’s loss is your gain. This is one of the most scale depron models we have in our Free Plans catalog, so the build is not simple. But what you can achieve with a little time and effort is well worth it.

3. SU-37 by Jamie Rothwell: Just like his F-15 design (#10 above) the SU-37 uses score and fold building techniques that allow you to build quickly, achieve some scale looks, while keeping the design very simple. The SU-37 plans contained here also have a variant option, sans canard, that give you a great way to keep things fresh.

2. F-302 Tau’ri by Robertus: The Tau’ri is one of the most unusual designs on Parkjets. Straight from the TV series Stargate, the F-302 has some unique features that make it look unflyable.  Dihedral, forward swept wings, and more make this one a great alternative if you are looking for something strange.

1. F-22 by Steve Shumate: The F-22 comes out on top again. The thrust vectoring, the scale looks, the available kit options, the decals, the detailed instruction guide.  Is there any wonder it’s been number 1 for so long and so consistently?  This is not an beginner build, but the results are worth the hard work.

TOP 10 PLANS - MARCH

Ehh, we skipped a month there on the Top 10 list, and that can happen from time to time as life gets in the way. But we do have the numbers from March 2014, and we nearly had a new #1. But, with just 13 fewer downloads (out of 2,100), a newcomer just came up short. 

Let's get to the Top 10 most downloaded plans on Parkjets!

10. Super Bandit by Steve Shumate - The Super Bandit hasn't been on the list for a long time. And it's honestly one of the best looking designs out there so it should be a regular. A real easy build, with options for pusher and EDF configurations, the Super Bandit has a great shape and performs excellent in the air. A Steve Shumate design from years ago, this one will keep you smiling as you throttle up and fly this aircraft like it's on rails. 

9. F-22 by Tomas Hellberg - One of the simplest builds out there, the F-22 features tabbed construction and simple thrust vectoring. Available as a kit or ready for you to tackle from scratch, the Raptor is an excellent build for quick fun. 

8. Hydro - The Hydro keeps on impressing with its popularity. Half boat half plane, the Hydro is happy where ever you want to fly, boat, or whatever!

7. F-15 v2 by Jamie Rothwell - An improved version of the F-15 previously designed by Jamie Rothwell, the V2 refines the score and fold technique used along with improvements to the canopy and scale of the model. An excellent choice. 

6. F-35 by RCCal - The F-35, like its cousin above (F-22 by Tomhe) is a great choice for those builders wanting to get up and rocking in few hours. Simple scale construction, thurst vectoring, and great performance on just about any power combination you can throw at it, the F-35 will leave you grinning. 

5. Mermaid by Marcel de Plessis - A non-jet, but based on a real aircraft, this excellent design is just like the name implies, it's comfortable in the water and is great to take off from grass as well. With the prop above the fuselage, the Mermaid is a must have versitle flyer for nearly all fields. 

4. Hotspot by Domenico Sebastiani - The Hot Spot is based on the Funjet and is proving to be just as popular. A mix of several different design cues, the Hot Spot performs like you expect; plenty of speed, plenty of ability and just lots of fun. 

3. SU-37 JR2 By Jamie Rothwell - This refined design features the Russian beauty, with improved performance and the option to cut off the canards for an SU-35 model as well. Score and fold makes this one go together quickly while still having a full fuse look. 

2. YF-23 by Craig Clarkstone - We said it at the time, this design is so beautiful to look at, it makes you want to build it. The YF-23 is just so smooth. The designer took a lot of time to document everything, so you have all the instructions and decals and tips you could need. This one just missed the top spot and we expect it will be around for a while. 

1. F-22 by Steve Shumate - The F-22 is again at the top of the list. As usual. Thrust vectoring, scale looks, available kit, and excellent documentation means the F-22 will keep you up at night just trying to get to the next level of scratch building for your parkjet fun. 

That wraps up March of 2014 for the Top 10 list. We want to thank all the designers that have let us host over 130 plans over the last few years. And keep downloading! As always, if you have a design, let us know and we will get it posted!

TOP 10 PLANS - JANUARY

So the first month of 2014 is already over and we are just pressing halfway through Feburary.  How time flies! Hopefully many of you trapped by the mountain of snow in much of the country have had a great opportunity to get in some much needed build time on your spring fleet.  

As always, let's take a look at the most popular plans for January 2014.  We have a couple of old friends crack back into the list and the reigning king is de-throned for the top spot.  Here we go.

10. Cargo Twin - The Cargo Twin keeps on being popular in part because of its easy build design and also because it offers a cool way to hve a unique plane at the park. Using twin motors and rock solid building techniques, the Twin Cargo is a nice change of pace for any fleet.

9. F-22 by Tomas Hellberg - This profile F-22 design is an excellent weekend project or for more experienced builders, just a few hours. It features tabbed designs, thrust vectoring in the simplest terms, and great durability. Oh, and if you really want to accelerate your build time, pick up a laser cut version from 6mmFlyRC!

8. Hydro - The Hydro is part boat, part park flyer. Available in EDF or tractor designs, the Hydro will impress at the local duck pond, unless its frozen over!

7. SAF-14 - A unique design, a unique flyer. The SAF-14 might not be a real jet for you or me, but a model that mixes up several modern designs into one great looking model can't be a bad thing. 

6. Mermaid - The Mermaid, like the name implies, is a parkjet that is comfortable in the water as well as the air. With a motor mounted high above the body, your electronics are protected. 

5. F-35 - Simple profile design plus thrust vectoring plus quick build time plus modern looks equal one heck of a parkjet platform. 

4. SU-37 MK2 - Featuring a score and fold method (like the F-15 up next) the SU-37 is all Russian and all great performance. The design achieves a full body look with minimal build time.

3. F-15 MK2 - Like the SU-37, the F-15 brings the American version of air superiority to score and fold building. 

2. F-22 by Steve Shumate - This design is usually #1, and we have no doubt it will keep pushing for top of the heap. Scale design and thrust vectoring and you can get a laser cut kit means the F-22 is a winner every time at the flying field. 

1. Hotspot - The Hot Spot is in the TOP spot! One of the newer designs on Parkjets, the Hot Spot is a funjet spinoff that has a large delta wing and easy to set up controls. Check out the design and get to building. 

That wraps up another Top 10 for Parkjets. Check back in a few weeks, with the awesome YF-23 uploaded at the beginning of Feburary, we think we might have another strong contender for the top slot. Now, get to downloading!

TOP 10 PLANS - DECEMBER

After recovering from a rather rowdy New Year's celebration, it's time to get posted the Top 10 plans for the last month in 2013. December proved to be a month were some oldies but goodies made a return to the Top 10 and some new entries posted some strong showings as well.  Let's get started, here we go, the last Top 10 of 2013!

10. F-14 by Steve Shumate: In prior years, the F-14 was by the most popular Parkjet ever posted to our site. The swing wings are just too awesome. And the plans showed a bit of a comeback in December. With accessories like a clear canopy and pilots available (and kits too) from 6mmFlyRC, the F-14 has tons of support out there. 

9. Cargo Twin by Jamie Rothwell: The Cargo Twin is quickly becoming a regular in the Top 10. And it's not even a jet! Simple designs, a broad wings and twin motors make it a great alternative for folks looking to pull a cargo plane at the park.

8. Hydro: This design continues to hover and float as one of the most popular plans on Parkjets. Part boat, part slow flyer, the Hydro fits a unique place in Parkjet design. 

7. SU-37 by Steve Shumate: The Terminator or Super Flanker is one of the best looking designs of all time and Steve Shumate's design captures its beautiful curves and striking profile with precision. Twin thrust vectoring, clear canopies available, and awesome performance make it an obvious choice for a winter project. 

6. Mermaid by Marcel du Plessis: The Mermaid is built to live in the water, but it can take off from land as well. With the motor mounted high, and broad wings, the Mermaid is stable and easy to fly off the ground or water. 

5. F-35 by RCCal: The F-35 is a great first plane. Some even use it as a trainer. The Large wings and large control surfaces make it a perfect parkflyer. The simple profile design makes it easy to build in just a few hours. 

4. SU-37 V2 by Jamie Rothwell: The Rothwell designed SU-37 is a great compromise between true scale and fast assembly. The score and fold method lets the builder get a great looking plane without some of the complications of a traditional box and former techniques.  

3. F-15 V2 by Jamie Rothwell: Like it's Russian counter-part, the F-15 utilizes score and fold techniques that get you up in the air quickly.  The Eagle has has been a stable performer at the park for years and this design is a welcome edition.

2. SAF-14 by Eduardo Flores: The SAF-14 is a fictional plane to be sure, but it looks like it could roll off the assembly line at any point. Borrowing design cues from the F-35, SU-37 and F-22, the SAF-14 is an EDF performer. 

1. F-22 by Steve Shumate: The F-22, except for a brief moment this year, has remained on top of the heap. As far as scale designs go, it is pretty impressive, considering it's made out of foam. Oh sure, the fiberglass models out there are more scale, but we are talking about depron. The gentle curves, the thrust vectoring, the plain nastiness of the Raptor make it a winner month after month.

That wraps up another fantastic year of great designs and free downloads.  As we move onto 2014, we will post more plans and let's see what ends up in the Top 10 month after month.  Happy New Year everyone!

TOP 10 PLANS - NOVEMBER

We just checked in on the stats from last month and we have some shake up in the most popular downloads on Parkjets. We never know what will be popular, and have some theories about why plans bounce around a little. But really, we have no idea. One thing we do know is that Jamie Rothwell designs are very popular! Let's get to the list.

10. SU-37 by Jamie Rothwell: A great example of a score and fold design with great looks that will get you up in the air in no time. The SU-37 is an excellent platform for parkjets, and this design is standing the test of time.

9. Cargo Twin by Jamie Rothwell: We don't have many non-jet designs, but the Cargo Twin proves maybe we need a little more variety. A simple design that gives you your fix for a twin engined cargo plane.

8. SU-37 by Steve Shumate: This design bounces in and out of the Top 10, but it does represent one of the most scale designs out there. Most of the time people can't believe it's made out of foam. Twin thrust vectoring and available clear canopies from 6mmFlyRC make it a great winter project.

7. Eurofighter by Jamie Rothwell: Another Jamie Rothwell design! The Eurofighter is one of the basic designs that every parkjet pilot needs to try out at least once, it's one of our all time favorites. Great big wings and simple control set up make it a super easy flyer.

6. F-35 by RC Cal: The Lightening II continues to be popular on parkjets. Large wings, twin tail and a modern design make it an easy choice for anyone wanting a little variety in their fleet.

5. Mermaid by Marcel du Plessis: The Mermaid is one of the few water capable designs on the site. Add that to a proven designer and you get a great performing plane with versatility.

4. Hydro: Part plane part boat, the Hydro continues to captivate builders out there wanting a totally unique experience.

3. SU-37 v2 by Jamie Rothwell: This plan can be converted to the SU-35 and features some refinements to the original design featured above. A great update to a great design.

2. F-15 v2 by Jamie Rothwell: Another Rothwell design, this one of the mainstay of the U.S. fleet, the F-15. This design is a score and fold with easy assembly and good performance.

1. F-22 by Steve Shumate: Back at #1 after a few months bouncing around, the Steve Shumate designed F-22 Raptor is an excellent example of taking foam construction to another level. Thrust vectoring and smooth lines make this a winner all day long.

TOP 10 PLANS - AUGUST

We know we are running way, way behind this month in updating the site. What can we say, things got busy. But we did pull the data and have the list for the new Top 10 plans on Parkjets. Now, the last few months have been interesting with some new #1 plans, and this month, we have some shake ups a well. Here we go.

10. F-15 by Jamie Rothwell: This model is his first version of the F-15 and it is proving to be very popular still, even with and updated version available. The Eagle is a great looking model and is suited for parkjet type flight. The large delta wing, twin vertical stabs, and large control surfaces make it a great addition to any fleet.

9. SU-31 by Tomas Hellberg: This traditional tractor set up of an old warbird style profile flyer stays popular for its rock solid design and great documentation. If you want to be up and flying in a few hours, give the SU-31 a shot.

8. Mirage F1 by Marcel du Plessis: It's no wonder this design is popular. Just look at it! The stunning lines and simple build principles have this one sitting in our fleet. Get yours ready today.

7. Cargo Twin by Jamie Rothwell: Have to be honest, this one is out of the blue. But hey, the Cargo Twin design is unique and for those looking for something totally different than your average fighter jet, it's easy to see why the Cargo Twin was a popular download.

6. F-35 by RC Cal: One of the most popular designs out for cruising around your local flying field. The F-35 has all the right ingredients, including large control surfaces, large wings, and great flight envelope. You add that to the fact that it's the newest jet on the the block and you have yourself one popular design.

5. Mermaid by Marcel du Plessis: The Mermaid is perfect for summer flying. It's perfectly suited to fly off of long grass, calm water or just about anything in between. Based on an actual plane, the Mermaid is scale, easy to build and loves to get a little wet.

4. Eurofighter by Jamie Rothwell: The Eurofighter EDF is an excellent flyer and a perfect platform for modification and stable flying.  The large delta wing, simple controls and easy construction make this Eurofighter a popular choice.

3. SU-37 by Jamie Rothwell: This is is the updated version, featuring plans that allow you to convert your design to and SU-37 if needed.  Great looks, easy build, what's not to like?

2. F-22 by Steve Shumate: The F-22 Raptor has been at the top for so long, it's weird saying its the #2 most popular download on Parkjets.  But the Raptor is amazing.  Thrust vectoring, scale looks in a foamy, accessories and kits available from vendors, the F-22 is one of the best designs ever. 

1. F-15 by Jamie Rothwell: This new addition to the site, like the SU-37 at number 3, is an updated design of a classic air superiorty fighter. Using a score and fold method for building up a semi-scale model is no problem if you are crunched for time.  Hey, it's a great platform for parkflying too, the F-15 is a great place to start if you are looking at a proven model.  

TOP 10 PLANS - JULY 2013

The heat of the summer is here. This is usually the time of year we see a bit of a drop in traffic and activity, as many builders are out flying and crashing their winter projects. But, we still have a Top 10 List for July and we have some new members of the Top 10 club, a new #1 and more. Let's go!

10. SU-37 MK1 by Jamie Rothwell: This is the first design of the SU-37 and it remains popular. Featuring score and fold design, semi-scale looks and good performance, the SU-37 MK1 is a great parkjet for the fleet.

9. Hydro: The Hydro keeps its place as a long-standing member of the Top 10 list. It's part boat, part flyer. Capable of EDF or prop, the Hydro will raise eyebrows at the local pond or park.

8. F-35 by RCCal: The F-35 is a profile style flyer with excellent lines and simple tabbed construction for a quick build. Available by kit from 6mmFlyRC.com or for the more hands on builders, straight from the files. Large delta wings and large control surfaces make it a great choice for a beginner.

7. SU-31 by Tomas Hellberg: The SU-31 is a nice change of pace for many builders on Parkjets. The SU-31 has simple clean lines, simple build principles, and the prop is in the front! An old war bird that should be on your short list to build. 

6. Mirage F1 by Marcel du Plessis: The Mirage has the look of a lawn dart and can really move across the park at impressive speeds. Mr. Marcel knows how to design great flying machines, his Mirage F1 design is no exception. Looking for speed? The Mirage F1 should be in your hanger.

5. Eurofighter by Jamie Rothwell: Mr. Rothwell's second design on the Top 10, the Eurofighter has a lot to like with its simple build proceedures, good documentation, wide range of power options and great performance. 

4. F-242 Spiker by Sean Correia: The Spiker might be fictional but the performance is real. Mr. Correia's designs are all unique, with graceful curves and extreme angles. We love the looks and only three other designs best its downloads this month. 

3. Mermaid by Marcel du Plessis: The Mermaid is actually modeled after a real airplane and Mr. Marcel does a great job capturing the lines of the original. A full fuse design that is at home taking off on long grass or water or hand tossed, the Mermaid just looks nice, and glides through the air so so easy. 

2. SU-37 MK2 by Jamie Rothwell: The number of downloads was just EIGHT less than the #1 download last month, making this a virtual tie, but our past champion lost a little ground in July. The SU-37 MK2 design is much improved and offers the SU-35 variant in the same file. A great parkjet with excellent documentation.

1. F-22 by Steve Shumate: Back in the top spot in July is the F-22 Raptor. The F-22 is a complex build with results that will have everyone wondering how foam can be so scale. Full fuse, thrust vectoring, EDF capable, and available by kit (6mmFlyRC), the F-22 is the definition of a parkjet.

We want to take a few lines to thank all the great designers out there and remind everyone to donate to the designer directly right on the plans page. That helps keep the plans coming. Keep flying and keep the nose out of the dirt!

TOP 10 PLANS - JUNE

It's that time folks.  Last month, we had a new king of parkjets, the SU-37 (updated version) by Jamie Rothwell. It knocked off the long-time king, the Steve Shumate designed F-22 Raptor.  Can the Russian beauty hold back the Raptor? Let's find out!

10. F-22 by Tomas Hellberg - The F-22 is one of the best designs on Parkjets.com.  This version features simple constucture, tabbed thrust vectoring and tabbed construction. A very versitile airframe and good looks makes this a great place to start.

9. F-35 by RCCal - The F-35 keeps on being popular. We figure the modern looks, plus the awesome performance for slow and fast flight make this design a winner. 

8. SU-31 by Tomas Hellberg - The SU-31 is not your traditional parkJET. Rather, a throw back to the time of warbirds and props. Like all of his designs, the SU-31 is simple to build and provides a great amount of smiles for the buck.

7. Mirage F1 by Marcel du Plessis - The F1 has to be one of the better looking parkjets in the air. The sharp nose, the rounded intakes, the large vertical stab.  Oh, and all that means it hauls rear too.  

6. SU-37 by Steve Shumate - The Terminator, the Super Flanker, whatever you want to call it, the SU-37 by Steve Shumate is one impressive design. One of the most scale designs on Parkjets, the SU-37 features twin thrust vectoring, twin motors, and great looks. And don't forget, you can skip cutting out the 80 parts by ordering a pre-cut kit from 6mmFlyRC.

5. Hydro - The Hydro keeps on trucking. A unique blend of a parkflyer and a boat. What else can be said?

4. Eurofighter by Jamie Rothwell - The Eurofighter has broad delta wings, cannards, and a simple design. That all adds up to a great platform for modification, motors, power supplies and anything else you can throw at it. This design is a full fuse version with simple score and fold method construction. 

3. Mermaid by Marcel du Plessis - The Mermaid, an unusual plane for Parkjets, but a great design. Featuring the ability to take off from grass or water or be hand launched, the Mermaid looks great in the air and performs well. One thing is for sure, you will have a unique plane with a Mermaid in your fleet.

2. F-22 by Steve Shumate - The F-22 has been on top for a long time, and now it's two months at #2. The Raptor is a scale build, with some complex building techniques, but the results are just awesome. Add in performance and you have a great parkjet that will wow the crowd everytime.

1. SU-37 by Jamie Rothwell - The SU-37 retains its top spot! This design has a full fuse, but simple construction notes. The plans also allow for modification to an SU-35, making this a 2 for 1 download. Performance is excellent and you can't go wrong with the most popular download in Parkjets!

Okay, that wraps up the Top 10 Free plans on Parkjets.com. As always, if you have plans you want posted, give us a shout and we will get them up in no time!

TOP 10 PLANS - MAY 2013

Folks, for the first time in a year, we have a new #1 plan downloaded on parkjets since we started keeping track just about a year ago. Honestly, we never thought it would happen. But it has. 

For those of you new to the site, you might not know that every month, we break down the most popular plans and let you check them out, so you can get a jump start on some popular plans. After all, the popular plans are popular for a reason. They have good documentation, excellent flying capabilities, and look good too. 

Well, let's check out the most popular downloads for May 2013 and see who is king of the mountain!

10. SU-37 by Steve Shumate: The SU-37 by Steve Shumate is a monster of a parkjet. Not in size or anything, but it's just one of the most impressive parkjets you can build. It features dual thrust vectoring, smooth lines and great flying abilities. Not an easy build, but for the patient, it will be the crown jewel of your fleet. Oh, and you can short-cut the whole building time by getting a kit straight from 6mmFlyRC.

9. F-22 by Tomas Hellberg: Did you see our interview with Mr. Hellberg? If you did, you would know that his F-22 is one of the best, simplist, easy to build parkjets out there. His design features tabbed construction and a simple thrust vectoring that can flip the airframe on a dime. A mid motored raptor that will put a grin on your face.

8. Mirage F1 by Marcel du Plessis: This is a new design to the free plans catalog, but we have to say, its one of the best looking. The Mirage has great lines and even captures the rounded intakes of the real thing. 

7. SU-31 by Tomas Hellberg: The SU-31 is a throw back aircraft with the motor on the front. We know, its weird. But this is a nice alternative to all those typical warbirds you see out there. Tomas Hellberg has taken his simple tabbed construction and put it to good use here. 

6. F-35 by RC Cal: The F-35 takes a lot of cues from the F-22 above and puts the lines of the U.S. Air Force's newest plane into foam. It has a mid motor mount, large wings, simple tabbed thrust vectoring, and a size that fits into any car. 

5. Hydro: This design has remained popular for over a year. The Hydro is a hybrid plane/boat that can wow the crowd at just about any small park. 

4. Eurofighter by Jamie Rothwell: This design is super popular and keeps moving up the charts. Is it the EDF capability? It is the simple score and fold design that gives the Eurofighter a full fuse with little fuss? This design is a winner.

3. Mermaid by Marcel du Plessis: A water plane that keeps the prop up and the plane flying off the water or grass. A simple design by one of the best designers out there. The Mermaid with a little work can be one of the most unique planes at the park. 

2. F-22 by Steve Shumate: The F-22 has been the king of Parkjets for the better part of since forever. The scale design, thrust vectoring, and great performance has kept it at the top of the list. And you can get clear canopies or a whole laser cut kit from our sponsor if you don't feel like cutting out the 70+ pieces yourself.

1. The SU-37 by Jamie Rothwell: This new modified design by Jamie Rothwell has the score and fold method he has perfected along with better performance than his first design. At 80% of the first design, plus some improvements, coupled with the ability to turn it into an SU-35, this design rocketed to the top of the list. Let's see if it stays that way!

Remember you can pick up a lot of these designs from 6mmFlyRC.com. The kits they provide are laser cut and some of them include things like clear canopies and other hardware to give you a more polished kit. 

TOP 10 PLANS - MARCH

Every month, for nearly a year, we have been logging the most popular plans on Parkjets on a monthly basis. Its time to look at last month, and see what the list has in order. Here we go!

10. Cutlass by SDParkflyers - The Cutlass has come to Parkjets and its found a great little spot. The Cutlass is a great beginner plane, featuring broad delta wings and moderate speed. A great Parkjet!

9. SU-31 by Tomas Hellberg - The SU-31 is a traditional "warbird" profile style tractor motor flyer.  Not many builders will go with an old school SU-31, so when you build yours, you can be sure it won't be sitting among others at the flying field. 

8. F-15 by Jamie Rothwell - The F-15 by Jamie Rothwell remains popular for a lot of reasons. Ease of construction, semi-scale looks, great performance and good documentation are just a few. If you want a stable flyer, give the F-15 a try.

7. SU-37 by Jamie Rothwell - You might want a little different airframe.  But you want to get it up in the air quickly. This plan might just fit the bill. 

6. F-35 by RC Cal - The F-35 continues to be a popular download.  A simple profile construction method coupled with the fact that it's the newest plane for the U.S. and you have a good start.  

5. Eurofighter by Jamie Rothwell - Mr. Rothwell comes in with his 3rd design in the top 10 for March and you can pretty much guess the reasons why its popular. The Eurofighter is a great platform for parkjets, large delta wings and big control surfaces.

4. Hydro - This design couples a boat and an airplane. Take it on the water or the air.  Your choice.

3. Mirage by Marcel du Plessis - The Mirage is quickly becoming very popular. A simple profile design with a few twists, like curved intakes that give the Mirage enough scale for nearly every pilot.  

2. Mermaid by Marcel du Plessis - The Mermaid is based on the real thing, although not many have heard of it. A plane that flies off grass or water and looks good in the process. This plan has been so popular it nearly knocked off the King of Parkjets....

1. F-22 by Steve Shumate - It's been over a year and the F-22 can't get knocked off its perch as King of Parkjets. Unbelievable scale, thrust vectoring and custom canopies from 6mmFlyRC make it a winner.  

Stay tuned for next month, and be sure to visit our sponsors (6mmflyrc.com).  

TOP 10 PLANS - FEBRUARY

It's hard to believe its already spring time.  Hopefully you had a chance to get your winter projects finished and are preparing to get them up and flying soon. 

And since it's the beginning of the month, it's also time to let you know what plans are the most popular on Parkjets.  Let's get started.

10. T-28 Trojan: The T-28 Trojan is a new plan to Parkjets and is already gaining popularity.  A traditional tractor set up, military style, plus 3D capabilities and you have a winner.  

9. SuperSlo28: Like the T-28, the SuperSlo 28 is from SDParkflyers.com and is primarily designed for 3D flying but is perfectly at home motoring around the park.  A great simple design means you can get up and running right away. 

8. SU-31: A great design by Tomas Hellberg, the SU-31 is a tractor set up, but has some great stylings.  Simple profile warbirds are common.  The SU-31 is not.  Want something a little different, this one might work well for you. 

7. SU-37 by Jamie Rothwell: Like most of Mr. Rothwell's designs, his score and fold method means you get a semi-scale full fuselage with minimim effort.  And the SU-37 is a great looking plane too, with large wing surfaces, you will get a nice flyer.  

6. F-35 by RC Cal: The F-35 might be one of the most perfect parkjet designs.  Large wings, big control surfaces and great modern looks.  Pair this with a standard motor and yours will get up and flying in no time (unlike the real thing). 

5. Hydro: This boat/airplane combo is still popular after all these years.  If you are looking for something a little different, check out the Hydro, available in EDF too!

4. Cutlass: The Cutlass is SDParkflyer's third entry onto this list and is fits nicely into the Parkjet free plans catalog.  Slick lines, big wings and fast performace make the Cutlass a winner. 

3. Eurofighter by Jamie Rothwell: Score and fold, paint and fly.  The Eurofigher by Jamie Rothwell is an excellent flyer.  There is a reason its popular. 

2. F-15 by Jamie Rothwell: There is a reason his models are sticking on the Top 10 list.  The F-15 is an iconic airplane that has been a staple of the U.S. fleet for decades.  If you want to add an F-15 to your fleet, consider this design. 

1. F-22 by Steve Shumate: Holding off the competition again, the F-22 is still on the top of the pile, dominating all comers.  Super scale thrust vectoring all wrapped up in a design that is just awesome to look at in the air.

TOP 10 - JANUARY 2013

To kick off the new year, it's time to take a look at what people downloaded on Parkjets.com. We have been maintaining the Top 10 list now for the better part of 9 months and there have been many new plans to crack the list, some stay, while some fall off to an old classic.  

Before we really get started, we want to thank everyone for an incredible January 2013. Parkjets received over over 30,000 visitors who looked at 239,000 pages on Parkjets! That's the biggest traffic month yet! So thank you.  

Alright, let's get to the top 10 plans for the month of January 2013!

10. F-14 by Steve Shumate: The F-14 has been on parkjets.com from nearly the beginning, and all told is probably still the leader all-time in downloads.  But recently, the Tomcat has taken a backseat to other plans on Parkjets.  To kick off the new year, this tried and true plan that features swing wings (and available kit from 6mmFlyRC) killer looks, and great flight characteristics makes the Top 10 list.  Other plans might well be shaking in their PDF files.  

9. SU-37 by Jamie Rothwell: The SU-37 is a great design that features a score and fold method of construction. By cutting only halfway throught the foam, you can simply fold this aircraft into a semi-scale looking RC plane. It cuts down on construction time while staying away from the simple profile look that so many other designs lean on.  Give the SU-37 a good look if you want to go Russian.  

8. T-50 PAK-FA by Denis CyberD: The T-50 is a plan that puts together some of the blended looks of the newest Russian 5th generation fighter, the T-50 PAK-FA.  This design is a simple profile style but keeps the looks of the T-50 while cutting down on building material and build time.  With a large diamond shaped wing, the T-50 is a stable flyer and perfect for park flying.  

7. SU-31 by Tomas Hellberg: The SU-31 is not your traditional parkjet, because well, it's missing the "jet" part. But when Tomas Hellberg puts together a design, you know it will be good.  The SU-31 is a warbird style park flyer with the prop in the front!  The easy design and good (unique) looks should make this warbird fly onto your shortlist of build projects.

6. Eurofighter by Jamie Rothwell: A large delta wing, canards, and large control surfaces make just about any Eurofighter an excellent choice for park flying.  But Jamie Rothwell took his score and fold method and applied it to this great frame, you know the result will be good.  We think the Eurofighter is just about the most perfect design for flying around a park or field, and this design is a good one.  

5. Hydro: The Hydro, the F-14 by Steve Shumate has been on Parkjets a long time and still continues to be very popular. The Hydro looks like a boat, moves like a boat and can take off of the water like a duck. Some modelers have even strapped on an EDF on this thing and it performs.  If you want something to take to your local pond, the Hydro might just fit the profile. 

4. F-14 by MDC: The second F-14 on the list! This model is no less complex than Steve Shumate's design, featuring swing wings, but does it with a profile design.  It's a great blend of scale and ease of construction. This model will impress at the flying field. 

3. Firefly by Dennis Schmalzel: Perhaps THE MOST UNIQUE looking design on the site, the Firefly is not a jet or warbird but a profile design that faithfully reproduces the "Serenity" craft from the popular show, "Firefly." We can't even describe it.  Just check it out for yourself.  

2. F-15 by Jamie Rothwell: Jamie Rothwell must be doing something right, the F-15 is his third design on the Top 10 list this month. The F-15 has large delta wings and a classic look that will please any modeler.  

1. F-22 by Steve Shumate: No one can knock off the F-22. The Raptor is the king of Parkjets for the last year and 2013 looks to be no different. Incredible scale? Check. Available kit? Check. Thrust vectoring? Check. Impecable plans? Check. What else can you say? Nothing.

That's it folks for Top 10 list for downloads on Parkjets.  Stay tuned, we will be adding more plans this month and looking to lock down some more interviews. And of course, we are working on some other projects at your request.

Want to stay up to date on all things Parkjets? Easy, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Twitter!  

TOP 10 PLANS - DECEMBER

Every month, we have been posting the Top 10 list of the most popular plans on Parkjets.  So now its time for December 2012!  So how do we determine the most popular downloads?  Simple, we analyze the intenet traffic and rank the plans based on popular plans for the month.  

So let's not waste any time, after all, its nearly 2013.  Here we go:

10. F-35 by RC Cal - The F-35 has been on and off the list, depending on the month and this month it creeps on the list at number 10.  As a park flyer, the F-35 is excellent.  You won't find a better flyer.  The thust vectoring tabs on the control surfaces give it incredible performace and the large wings give it great stability.  Pair it with a good motor and you have an excellent recipe for a great parkjet.

F-35 by RC Cal

9. SU-37 by Jamie Rothwell - The SU-37 is flat out one of the best looking RC airplanes out there.  And Jamie Rothwell's design incorporates some unique features.  First, his designs really try to marry the simple build techniques with the more time consuming box frame techniques pioneered by Steve Shumate.  WIth Jamie's score and fold method, the builder has a simple build, with the full fuse look of a more time consuming build.  Win win.  

8. Eurofigher by Jamie Rothwell - The Eurofigher incorporates the same score and fold method as the SU-37.  Its a great platform overall, with broad delta wings large control surfaces, the Eurofighter is a winner for any builder.

Eurofighter by Jamie Rothwell

7. F/A-241 Shrike by Sean Correia - This is a very unique looking platform but with its curved leading edges and canards, the F/A-241 is an easy flyer and a park flyer that you won't see anywhere else.  

6. F-14 by MDC - The F-14 might be retired from service, but the F-14 designed by MDC is a main stay on the Top 10 list.  And its no wonder, it has swing wings, profile design, and scale all to offer the builder.  It contains a lot of pieces, but the end result is stunning.

F-14 by MDC

5. SU-31 by Tomas Hellberg - The SU-31 isn't even a real jet, but a throwback to piston driven aircraft.  And this design is as simple as it gets.  The great thing, depending on the set up, the SU-31 can be a 3D plane, park flyer or just a nice cruiser around the flying field.  And with it being designed by Tomas Hellberg, you know its done right.

4. T-50 PAK-FA by Denis CyberD - The T-50 represents the newest 5th generation fighter from the Russians. Like most Russian jets, the lines are beautiful, the paint schemes are unique and the performace is excellent.  The T-50 here is a simple profile design with some scale details built in.  

T-50 PAK-FA

3. F-15 by Jamie Rothwell - With three plans in the Top 10, Jamie Rothwell's designs are becoming very popular. Like the Eurofigher and SU-37, the score and fold method is utilzed and the result is excellent.  The Eagle has been a main stay in the U.S. Air Force for decades and this one should be added to your fleet.

2. Hydro - The Hydro is one of those designs that keeps moving up and down the Top 10 list every month.  The Hydro doubles as a plane and a park flyer all in one.  The video is practically viral at this point, and the downloads of the plans keep coming.  

1. F-22 by Steve Shumate - The F-22 has been #1 every month we have been keeping track, and for good reason.  The F-22 features some of the most scale lines of any foam RC airplane out there.  With the ability to add a clear canopy from 6mmFlyRC, decals by download, and plenty of paint possibilities, the F-22 is by far the most popular plan on Parkjets.  You want a scale foam airplane?  The F-22 is a good place to begin and end. 

F-22 by Steve ShumateThat's it folks, the Top 10 list for December 2012.  If you are a new builder out there, take a look at the Top 10 lists, they are a great place to start to decide what RC airplane plan you want to try first.  But take your time, Parkjets.com has over 115 different plans to explore.  

TOP 10 PLANS - NOVEMBER

Like every month, when the first of the month rolls around, we take a look at the most popular plans that visitors to parkjets have looked at and downloaded. It gives news visitors a good idea about what others are doing and a good place to start exploring. Without wasting too much time, let's see where the most popular free RC airplane plans reside on parkjets for the month of November.

10. F-35 by RC Cal: The F-35 by RC Cal has a lot to like if you are just getting into building your own RC airplanes but also has a lot to like if you are a seasoned builder and pilot.  First off, the design is simple and easy to cut out and assemble.  Second, 6mmFlyRC offers a pre-cut kit if you want to skip the whole tracing and cutting phase. Third, the F-35 offers a great mix of stability and jet like performance due to its large wing area.  If you want an easy build that will perform great, give the F-35 a shot.

 9. SU-37 by Steve Shumate: They call it "The Terminator" for a reason.  This model is a beast.  With twin engines, thrust vectoring, and really great scale features, you can't go wrong.  This is not a real complicated build, but it does contain a lot of pieces in the plans, so have your exacto knife ready (or pick up a kit from 6mmFlyRC). When its all said and done, the SU-37 is one of the most impressive parkjet designs out there, on this site or any others.  

8. F/A 241 by Sean Correia: The fictional F/A-241 is a the newest addition to Parkjets but proved to be a popular download in November.  Based loosely on the Macross epic, the F/A-241 is a unique and nimble flyer.  Want something different at the flying field?  Go with the Shirke, no one else will have it.  

7. SU-37 by Jamie Rothwell: The SU-37 by Jamie Rothwell is the second SU-37 on the list this month but there is a good reason why; the SU-37 is an excellent platform for parkjets!  This design is a little simplier than Steve Shumate's version, but performs well and goes together quickly. 

6. SU-31 by Tomas Hellberg: Maybe you are wanting a little profile plane with a prop on the front.  Okay, check out the SU-31 by Tomas Hellberg.  You can't go wrong.  A simple scale design and large control surfaces mean you will have no problem building and flying this park flyer. 

5. Eurofighter by Jamie Rothwell: The Eurofighter, along with the F-35, F-22, and SU-37 is just one heck of a platform to start with in terms of designing a park flyer.  So you know with a design from Jamie Rothwell, the Eurofighter will not dissapoint.  

4. F-14 by MDC: This design is well proven as hundreds of folks have documented their builds.  And why not, the F-14 by MDC has great scale lines but does a nice job of balancing scale with ease of construction.  And with working swing wings, this design will keep you the talk of the flying field.  

3. Hydro: This design continues to be popular.  The Hydro combines the concept of a racing boat and a small parkjet into one.  Imagine taking out your RC toy and putting on the duck pond at your local park and puttering around.  Suddenly you slam on the trottle and your boat takes off and does a little circle around and lands again safely on the water.  That's what you get with the Hydro.

2. F-15 by Jamie Rothwell: The F-15 by Jamie Rothwell has been challenging the top spot since it arrived on Parkjets a few months ago and November was no different.  Like the other designs by Jamie Rothwell, the F-15 balances ease of construction with scale lines into an excellent weekend project.

 

1. F-22 by Steve Shumate: The F-22 by Steve Shumate remains the undisputed King of Parkjets.  This design one of the toughest builds you will have but the results are like no other.  If you want to skip cutting out all the plans, go with a kit, or brave the whole process solo.  Once you are finished, you will have a parkjet that will absolutely wow the crowd.  

That's it folks, another month, another Top 10 list and another bookmark for downloading some of the best parkjet designs on the internet.  

TOP 10 PLANS - OCTOBER

With October closing out with some massive storms and the winter build season upon us, it's time again to check out what RC Hobbyists from all across the globe are downloading and building.  This month's top 10 list of the most downloaded free RC airplane plans features a lot of familiar faces.  Let's get started.

10. The F4F Wildcat by Jamie Rothwell.  The Wildcat, since we posted it on Parkjets, has become one of the most popular downloads on the site.  And we would like to note that it's not really a parkjet at all, but rather a really great simple design of a great war bird from decades ago.  Still, the Wildcat is an excellent build and excellent design that you will find easy to fly and easy to assemble.

9. The F-14 by MDC.  The F-14 design has been popular on Parkjets from the beginning.  The Steve Shumate designed plane really broke the ground and when the F-14 was retired from service, it really boosted downloads.  The MDC F-14, with its simpler profile build design, along with keeping the ability to swing the wings keeps it a popular download on parkjets.  It will challenge you with cutting out all the depron pieces, and it will challenge you RC building skills, but it will be well worth it.  Give it a shot.

8. The Hydro.  The Hydro offers a lot of fun for folks looking to venture into boats but still want to incorporate flight into their weekend hobby activities.  The Hydro combines the look and feel of a racing boat with the ability to lift off the water and fly around.  It remains a popular download and is downloaded from all across the globe.

7. The SU-37 by Steve Shumate.  Did you see our interview with Mr. Shumate?  That's a shameless plug.  But if you pull out the SU-37 from your car or truck at the flying field, you won't feel any shame.  Just a steady gathering of gawkers, looking at the best example of simple design and complicated finishing touches like dual thrust vectoring.  Throw on a custom formed canopy from 6mmFlyRC and you will have one sweet looking build.  And it will fly great too.  The SU-37 is a very stable RC airplane.

6. F-35 by RC Cal. We have said this many times, but the F-35 is one of the best design platforms for a typical RC parkjet.  The large delta wings, the large control surfaces on the tail make it very easy to throw around.  So we have the F-35 by RC Cal at the #6 spot.  Simple design, very easy to put together, very easy to fly.  What more do you want in an parkjet?

5. SU-31 by Tomas Hellberg.  The SU-31 is an excellent, elligant, and easy to build design, and you would expect nothing less from the designer, Tomas Hellberg.  The SU-31 is a great park flyer or 3D flyer and with a few modifications, you can strap just about any motor you have laying around on the front of it.

4. SU-37 by Jamie Rothwell.  The SU-37 by Jamie Rothwell is a hybrid (in terms of ease of construction and scaleness) between the more complicated builds like the Steve Shumate SU-37 and the Tomas Hellberg SU-37.  The Rothwell design incorporates a unique score and fold method to give the full fuse look without all the hastle.  And the SU-37 is an excellent platform for park flying, so this design is a great option for those wanting a full fuse look, but don't want to spend a lot of time building.  

3. F-15 by Jamie Rothwell. The F-15 is pretty similar to the SU-37, except that it is of course an American fighter.  But the same easy construction techniques and same great scale looks apply to the F-15.  The F-15 is a great performing parkjet and is a stable flyer.

2. Eurofighter by Jamie Rothwell.  The Eurofighter by Jamie Rothwell is a great addition to any fleet.  The general platform of the Eurofighter makes it a great parkflyer, large wings, big vertical stabilizer and good wing loading make it a perfect way to get your power gear up in the air.  Give the Eurofighter a try.

 
1. F-22 by Steve Shumate.  The undisputed king of Parkjets, the F-22 by Steve Shumate.  The plans are some of the more complicated to build, but once you finish it off, you will have a tremendously scale RC park flyer.  The F-22 features thrust vectoring and excellent scale lines.  You won't believe you can achieve a look with just depron foam, time and effort.  But you can.  The F-22 stays on top another month!

Next month we will see how things shake out.  We added four new plans to the Free Plans catalog and plan on adding about four more free RC airplane plans in November.  That will bring our total close to 120 totally free plane plans!  Thank you to everyone for your continued support!

TOP 10 PLANS - SEPTEMBER

With summer quickly coming to a close and the winter build projects beginning to take shape, it's that time of the month to look back and see what plans have been the most popular in the month of September.  For the new builder out there, sometimes it can help to see what other builders are tackling to help narrow down the pool of over 100 free plans on parkjets.com  Let's get to it!

10.  Alpha Jet by Jamie Rothwell - The Alpha Jet has been a popular plan since the day we posted it.  It is a design like no other, totally unique and totally not a real life airplane.  But that is why it is so popular.  The Alpha Jet is simple to build and is an excellent performer at the flying field (last month rank: 7).

Alpha Jet

9. SU-37 by Steve Shumate - The SU-37 is probably the best example of a Steve Shumate designed parkjet. Beautiful lines, excellent scale and  with something extra thrown in like twin thrust vectoring makes the SU-37 a beast at the flying field.  Additionally, with support and extras from the folks at 6mmFlyRC, you can really dress it up right with a clear canopy or just opt for the laser cut kit (last month rank: 9).

8. F-14 by MDC - A perfect blend of scale, movable wings and all, and simple construction techniques make the F-14 a top plan every month.  If you want a build that will challenge you but cause a stir at the flying field, build it. Simple as that (last month rank: 8).

F-14 by MDC

7. Eurofighter by Jamie Rothwell - A newcomer to the top 10 list, the Eurofighter by Jamie Rothwell is an excellently designed EDF model of a very popular design platform.  The Eurofighter offers a broad wing span and plenty of wing loading, so you can put just about any combo of power gear inside.  The Jamie Rothwell design features some thrust vectoring tabs that provide plenty of aerobatics (last month rank: N/A).

6. Hydro - The Hydro is probably one of the most popular designs in Parkjets.com history.  The boat and flying capability is strangely alluring, leading to plenty of downloads.  Want a unique project, give the Hydro a good look (last month rank: 3).

5. SU-31 by Tomas Hellberg - The SU-31 is a new comer to Parkjets.com and isn't even a "jet" in the traditional sense.  But when Tomas Hellberg designs something, we instantly knew it would be popular. A simple profile tractor driven prop fighter.  Simple graphics like a cockpit art and you have yourself a fast weekend project that flies great and looks great (last month rank: N/A).

SU-31

4. F-35 by RC Cal - The F-35 remains popular.  Simple profile design, scale looks in the air, and excellent performance.  Give yourself a few hours on a Saturday and you can knock it out (last month rank: 4).

3. F4F Wildcat by Jamie Rothwell - The Wildcat is a pretty new design to Parkjets.com and is one of the few non jets we have in the catalog.  But Jamie Rothwell's design is simple and scale, using a score and fold method, he faithfully recreates many of the features of this WWII warbird (last month rank: 6). 

F4F Wildcat

2. F-15 by Jamie Rothwell - The F-15 debuted a few months ago and almost knocked off the long standing king of parkjets.  This month it was close again and for good reason.  The F-15 features a simple scale design that is a nice blend of scale (full fuse) and simple profile builds.  It all leads to a great looking model with excellent flight characteristics (last month rank: 2)

1. F-22 by Steve Shumate - The undisputed king of Parkjets.com comes through again.  The F-22 is by far one of the best looking models out of foam out there.  A little heat gun and some serious build skill is required, but if you want a 3 month project for the cold winter, the F-22 should be at the top of your list.  And with great accessories like clear canopies and decals from 6mmFlyRC, you have plenty of options to spice up your F-22 (last month rank: 1). 

F-22 by Steve Shumate

TOP 10 PLANS - AUGUST

Another month, another Top 10 list.  This month we have quite a few changes from July and a new comer almost dethroned the most popular Steve Shumate plan on the site.  With three plans in August that were not on the list in July, August shaped up nicely. Let's not waste time, or words and get to the most popular RC airplane plans on the site. 

10. F-22 by Tomas Hellberg: The F-22 is a great design and always very popular.  It ducks in and out of the top 10 list but if you haven't built it yet, you should.  The documentation and plans are top notch, with an assembly manual by 6mmFlyRC to go along with it.  Some builders have even strapped on an EDF fan in place of the mid-mounted prop.  Give it a shot. (July Rank: NR)

Tomas Hellberg F-22

9. SU-37 by Steve Shumate: The SU-37 is an awesome parkjet.  Twin thrust vectoring and scale dimensions are just part of the package.  We talked a little bit about it in out Steve Shumate interview, and the plans and build manual are excellent.  There is no shortage of video and pictures too.  Need a winter project?  The depron SU-37 should be at the top of your list. (July Rank: NR)

Steve Shumate SU-37

8. F-14 by MDC: Want a simple RC build with swing wings?  The F-14 designed by MDC is a great option. Featuring swing wings and a semi-profile design, the all depron build is something that every hobbyist should give a try. The plans are excellent and well traveled, so you know they are ready for you to have a smooth build. (July Rank: #4)

7. Alpha Jet by Jamie Rothwell: The Alpha Jet is very unique.  You want something at the field that doesn't look like or perform like any other RC model out there?  Give the Alpha Jet a shot.  Dual wings, no carbon and a few servos and you have yourself one great performing parkflyer. (July Rank: #7)

6. F4F Wildcat by Jamie Rothwell: The Wildcat is a little different kind of plane.  We actually debated putting it up. Because its not a jet.  But it was a jet for its day.  The Wildcat by Jamie Rothwell is an excellent, simple design that allows for simple construction with good scale looks.  The F4F lets you go back in time a little and have a classic warbird in your fleet. (July Rank: NR)

Jamie Rothwell F4F Wildcat

5. Ultimate: The Ultimate is another plane that isn't exactly a jet either, but it remains popular.  The Ultimate is a 3D bi-plane that has been with parkjets with a long time.  Check it out. (July Rank: #6)

4. F-35 by RC Cal: The F-35 remains popular and for good reason.  The platform is an excellent one for floating around a small area.  And it's new airplane for the U.S. Airforce.  The F-35 features some simple thrust vectoring tabs so you can flip on a dime and the profile design let's you put it together in a few hours. (July Rank: #5)

3. Hydro: The Hydro remains popular. And its not a jet either.  That's 3 of the Top 10 that aren't even jets.  The Hydro combines a boat and a plane and its all fun.  Give it a shot. (July Rank: #2)

2. F-15 by Jamie Rothwell: The F-15 by Jamie Rothwell is an excellent example of balancing scale design with simple builds.  The F-15 has a score and fold techique for the nose but can still be built with a single sheet of depron foam.  Want something a little different? Go with the F-15.  (July Rank: #3)

Jamie Rothwell F-15

1. F-22 by Steve Shumate: The F-22 remains the number one plan on parkjets.  The super scale design is a marvel of engineering, especially since the whole thing is made out of depron.  With construction guides, accessories from 6mmFlyRC, its very well supported by the community. (July Rank: #1)

Steve Shumate F-22