The ParkZone Ember
Mini rc airplanes have come a long way in recent years and the RTF ParkZone Ember could well represent a new era of radio control flying.
The Ember is a lightweight mini electric RTF airplane, a model that launches a new range from ParkZone called the Etomic range.
With a wingspan of just 16 inches, the Ember is perfectly suited to indoor flying; a school hall or gymnasium, or even a large basement or room, would provide ample airspace for this airplane.
Sold completely RTF, the radio gear supplied in the box is the latest 2.4GHz spread spectrum digital technology that ensures interference-free flying. And in true ParkZone tradition even the transmitter batteries are supplied, meaning that you don't have to buy anything extra to get the Ember airborne!
The radio gear is 3 channel, giving fully proportional digital control to motor speed, elevator and rudder. This allows some simple aerobatic maneuvers to be executed... if you have enough airspace! On that note, although the ParkZone Ember is suited to an indoor flying environment, it can be flown safely outdoors so long as there is no wind blowing.
To aid in weight reduction, rudder and elevator movement is controlled by a pair of feedback potentiometers powered by super lightweight micro servo motors. Meanwhile, the lithium polymer flight battery pack is about the size of a Flash memory stick, and a 30 minute charge gives the Ember flight times of around 15 minutes.
For charging the battery, aside from the included single-cell charger, an option is this 4 Port charger. It's an excellent idea if you have multiple cells and will charge four of the tiny Ember cells at the same time - that's a lot of flying!
If you already own a 'DSM2' compatible transmitter, an option with the Ember is to purchase the Bind-N-Fly version. At around just $90, this is an excellent value RTF mini rc airplane indeed! Ember-compatible transmitters include the Spektrum DX5e, DX6i, DX7, DX7se, JR X9303 and 12X, and of course Spektrum module-equipped FM transmitters.
Just a few years ago, an electric RTF mini airplane like this was mere fantasy. Things are certainly changing fast and ParkZone is leading the way in affordable radio control flying for the masses. The RTF Ember gives anyone a chance to try their hand at radio control flying, while keeping things as simple as possible. Airplanes like these are great news for the hobby!
ParkZone Ember features & specs
These include...
- Wing span: 16" (411mm)
- Length: 13-1/2" (345mm)
- Flying weight: 0.6 oz (18g)
- Radio: 2.4GHz 3 channel to rudder, elevator & motor, fully proportional
- Motor battery: 3.7V 70mAh lithium polymer
- Flying time: approx 15 mins
- Charge time: approx 20 mins
See the ParkZone Ember RTF in more detail.
See the Ember Bind-N-Fly (BNF).
Do you own or have experience with an Ember? If so, let us know about it here!
Related pages
ParkZone RC airplanes - an overview of the 'One Box Purchase' RTF airplanes.
Electric rc airplanes - a general overview of electric planes, plus examples.
Indoor rc airplanes - a look at this growing sector of rc flying.
PZ Vapor - the Ember's lighter cousin.
