Home  Site map  Search

HobbyZone RC airplanes

For getting started in rc flying, HobbyZone rc airplanes make it pretty easy and they have been designed for exactly that.

Developed and distributed by Illinois based Horizon Hobby, North America's largest radio control product marketer, the HobbyZone range of electric rc airplanes includes a variety of 2 and 3 channel models that span 3 'zones' of complexity, so you can buy and fly to suit your needs.

Most HobbyZone rc airplanes have a similar appearance and follow an Aerobird and Firebird naming pattern, with all models having a distinctive boom tail and pod fuselage, with either high or mid wing, and 'V' tail.
The electric motor faces rearwards, being mounted at the back of the pod. You can see this characteristic design in the Firebird Phantom, below:

HobbyZone Firebird Phantom

HobbyZone Anti-Crash Technology

Some of the planes, such as the Firebird Phantom above, come equipped with HobbyZone's trademark Anti-Crash Technology (ACT), which is a great feature to have when you're learning to fly!

RC airplane electronic stabilizing systems aren't uncommon, and the ACT works in the same way - small sensors are mounted in the fuselage and they 'read' the position of the horizon by judging light levels between ground and sky. If the airplane's attitude becomes adversely unbalanced, the sensors talk to the receiver and make the necessary adjustments to keep the plane at a better attitude.

While never 100% foolproof, such systems generally work well and HobbyZone's ACT is one of the most effective, having the capability to pull the plane out of a nose dive and return it to level flight.
Of course, the ACT sensors can be turned off at any time to permit more daring flying when you've built up some confidence.


X-Port modules

The X-Port moduleBesides the Anti-Crash Technology, some of the HobbyZone rc airplanes also feature X-Port technology, a smart plug-in feature that lets you enjoy some aerial fun.

The electronic modules clip to the underside of the pod on X-Port enabled models and currently there are 3 available; the Sonic Combat Module, the Night Flight Module and the Aerial Drop Module.
The Sonic Combat Module lets you engage in aerial combat with a friend - fire when in position and a sonic signal is emitted from your module that will disable your friend's airplane motor for a few seconds! The Night Flight Module illuminates the airplane making it easily visible against the night sky, and the Aerial Drop Module lets you drop small items from the plane while in flight, either attached to a parachute or not!


The HobbyZone RC airplanes

Shown below are some of the most popular HobbyZone planes. All are currently available from Red Rocket Hobby Shop...


HobbyZone Firebird Scout

Firebird Scout
About the most basic model, 2 channel very straightforward to fly. Features Smart-Trak stabilizing technology, but not ACT or X-Port.




HobbyZone Firebird Phantom

Firebird Phantom
3 channel low-cost model with Anti-Crash Technology, a nice step up from a 1 or 2 channel electric airplane.




HobbyZone Firebird Freedom

Firebird Freedom
Larger 3 channel mid-wing plane with Anti-Crash Technology and X-Port enabled.




HobbyZone Aerobird Challenger

Aerobird Challenger
3 channel high wing with Flight-Trak stabilizing system and X-Port enabled. One of the earlier planes but still popular.




HobbyZone Super Cub

Super Cub
A step away from the usual HobbyZone style, this is a good scale electric airplane with ACT. 3 channel, this is an excellent step up for those looking to fly scale models.




And for something completely different...

HobbyZone Millenium PTU

Millennium PTU
This little chap is a real novelty product, micro-helicopter based for flying around your living room. Comes with 2.4 GHz radio for interference-free flying. When are full-size PTUs going to become a reality, that's what I want to know...




HobbyZone rc airplanes are indeed an excellent choice for anyone looking to get into the hobby of radio control flying. These planes make it very easy to do so, and the One Box Purchase motto says it all - even the transmitter batteries are included, as is an instructional DVD or CD ROM to help get you airborne quicker.
Assembly time of the planes is typically around 15 minutes, so you can be up and flying in no time at all. Spare parts for HobbyZone planes are widely available, an important factor to bear in mind!

The HobbyZone airplanes shown above are available from Red Rocket Hobby Shop.


Related pages

ParkZone rc airplanes.