Ptero (tér-o); N; Greek: wing; feather

Marston PteroWorks is the creation of a former engineering student turned graphic designer, who makes a living teaching printing and graphic design. I have been designing and building radio controlled electric aircraft for about ten years.

Design Philosophy

My design philosophy centers on creating unique looking, structurally sound aircraft that exhibit very good flight characteristics. Meeting all three of those goals is an artistic and engineering challenge.

I prefer to design and build with wood because of the look it creates. Foam planes are fun and easy and repairable and disposable. But wood is in a different class. It has an amazing natural strength and an inherent beauty. Very few man made creations can rival the strength to weight ratio of humble Balsa wood, and none can match its organic beauty. Nothing is as elegant and structurally beautiful as a well designed wood airframe. Wood has a soul.

CNC Laser Cutting

I have recently acquired a CNC laser cutter so I can do all wood cutting in-house. Please inquire if you have any custom short run laser cutting needs. Material: most wood and plastics up to 1/4" thick can be cut and etched, size: 12" x 24" maximum.

ARFs - vs - home building

I have found over the years that the most rewarding and satisfying RC projects I've worked on have been ones I built myself. A bond is created between the airframe and its owner during the creation process. This is less likely to happen with an ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) or RTF (Ready To Fly) airframe.

Why buy a product assembled in China by poorly compensated laborers, when you can build it yourself, take pride in your work and enjoy the experience?

Build it yourself and take pride in your creation!

Radio controlled flight is a visual hobby. The pilot stands on the ground and stares intensely at the plane for the entire duration of the flight. Why not fly something interesting looking?