A one-page cut list for the 30-inch, 3-channel beginner plane, built to real measured dimensions. It's a dimensioned cut guide (not a 1:1 plotter file) — print at any size and cut to the numbers.
Last reviewed: July 2026
Material: 20″ × 30″ paper-faced foam board, 3/16″ (≈5 mm) thick — about two sheets. Configuration: 3-channel (rudder, elevator, throttle). Tools: hobby knife, steel ruler, hot glue.
The wing span, fuselage length, and tail sizes are the plane's measured dimensions; the chord, spar, dihedral, and fuselage section are proportioned to match and to build cleanly from these sheets. The one number to fine-tune on your build is the CG — set it with wing and battery position (see below).
| Part | Dimension | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 30″ | One piece, folded airfoil |
| Chord (front-to-back) | 8″ | Constant along the span (aspect ratio ≈ 3.8) |
| Wing blank (flat) | ≈ 16–17″ × 30″ | Bottom skin + top skin that folds over the leading edge — from one full sheet |
| Spar | ~1″ folded strip · full 30″ span | Scored-and-folded foam glued to itself; sits ~¼–⅓ of the chord back, under the airfoil's high point |
| Leading-edge fold | Along the front edge | Bevel the 45° edges so the top skin folds over the spar cleanly |
| Dihedral | Relief-cut ~10″ out each side · raise each tip ~1½–2″ | Both tips equal — this is what self-levels a rudder/elevator plane |
| Part | Dimension | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 30″ | Simple folded box |
| Cross-section | ≈ 2½″ wide × 2½″ tall | Score, fold to 90°, hot-glue square. Fuselage strip ≈ 10–11″ × 30″ from the second sheet |
| Tail cut | 45° off the rear | Sheds tail weight, seats the tail |
| Motor mount | Nose / front firewall | Motor + ESC at the very front to balance the tail |
| Wing seat | Leading edge ≈ 9″ back from the nose | Starting point — slide the wing to set CG |
| Skewers (wing hold-down) | 2 × bamboo | One just ahead of the wing, one just behind; rubber bands over the top |
| Battery bay | Under the wing, toward the nose | Slide fore/aft to fine-tune CG; strap it down tight |
| Part | Dimension | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal stabilizer + elevator | 5″ × 12″ | Elevator = the hinged rear ~1½–2″, full 12″ span |
| Vertical fin + rudder | 8″ tall × 5″ wide | Rudder = the hinged rear ~1½–2″; glue the fin vertical & straight |
| Hinges | Rear of each surface | Leave paper on one side as a living hinge, or tape both sides |
| Control horns | On the hinge line | One per moving surface, aligned with the servo arm |
| Item | Starting value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Center of gravity (CG) | 2¼–2½″ back from the wing's leading edge | ≈ 28–31% of the 8″ chord; balance level or slightly nose-down. The one value to fine-tune on your build |
| Elevator throw | ≈ ½″ up / ½″ down | At the widest point of the surface |
| Rudder throw | ≈ ¾″ each way | |
| Expo | 20–30% | Softens center-stick so small corrections stay small |
| Servos | 2 × 9g | Rudder + elevator; pushrods to the control horns |
| Power | 2212-class ~1400Kv · 30A ESC · 3S 1300–1500mAh · 8×4 / 9×6 prop | See the shopping list |
Cut a couple of inches long where you can and trim to fit — foam board is cheap and forgiving. Full build order, wiring, transmitter setup, preflight, and first-flight tips are in the complete guide.
