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 - 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 - 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 - 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.