The StarFlux Balsa Wood RC Airplane Kit makes it run to build a remote-controlled balsa wood airplane

By Dustin Darnell

Many of us remember flying balsa wood airplanes (powered by rubber bands) as a kid. Inventor, entrepreneur and part-time aviator Shai Goitein has created the ultimate remote control airplane: the US$79.99StarFlux Balsa Wood RC Airplane Kit powered by the PowerUp 4.0. 

The StarFlux provides a hands-on building and flying experience powered by the cutting-edge PowerUp 4.0 smartphone-controlled module. Crafted from lightweight, durable balsa wood, this kit lets you build, customize, and fly your very own RC airplane right from your phone. POWERUP New STARFLUX DIY Balsa Wood RC Airplane Kit – Build & Fly Smartphone Controlled Plane 4.0

Paper

The kit included a few pieces of paper to build a paper airplane.  The paper airplane was extremely easy to make. The included app has a video with step-by-step instructions to make sure it is folded just right. After attaching the RC module to the paper plane, we were off. We had hours of enjoyment from the paper RC plane. Some small tweaks to the plane allow for some fun flight customization. The app is used to control the flight and is very easy to use with intuitive controls that allow you to watch the plane rather than looking at a phone.  After many crashes, the RC module is still working perfectly.

Balsa

This was a fun project to build the balsa airplane. A few steps were somewhat difficult, but overall it was an enjoyable build.  However, the balsa airplane would not fly.  After many attempts, it would always crash immediately. After it broke a few times and was repaired, we abandoned the balsa airplane and flew the paper plane.

Apple World Today rating (out of 5 stars): ★★★★★ on the paper plane;

★on the balsa wood plane;

★★★★ overall (but avoid the balsa version)