Plug n' Play RC airplanes (PNP™)
What are Plug n' Play rc airplanes? Well, in short, they are a cross between RTF (Ready To Fly) and ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) airplanes and are a relatively new breed of model airplane.
It's important to note, however, that although the term plug n' play is used as a very generic term, in this context the names 'Plug N Play' and 'PNP' are both trademarks registered to Illinois-based manufacturers/distributors Horizon Hobby.
So what are they? Well, when you buy an RTF rc airplane everything comes with it in the purchase, including the radio control gear to fly it. When you buy an ARF rc airplane, you need to buy the radio gear separately. A Plug n' Play airplane has some of the radio gear but is missing the transmitter, receiver and motor battery pack. In other words, the airplane comes fully assembled just like an RTF model and includes the motor, ESC and servos. This just leaves you to plug in your favorite rx and fly your plane with your favorite tx!
And because all standard receiver sockets and servo connectors are universal, any radio gear can be used. If there are compatibility issues, they will be pointed out in the instruction manual.
Plug n' Play rc airplanes are the perfect answer for modelers who want to buy and fly more than one RTF rc airplane, but don't want to have a separate transmitter for each one; this makes perfect sense of course.
Browse a some PNP planes here.
Plug n' Play manufacturers
At the time of writing this page there's not a huge choice of mass-produced Plug n' Play rc airplanes on the market, but as time goes by more manufacturers are sure to offer PNP models. Current brands offering PNP airplanes include ParkZone and Hanger 9, two very popular choices for many rc modelers.
A small handful of PNP rc airplanes are shown below, illustrating the increasing choice available...
Apprentice
Excellent value RTF high winger trainer from E-flite.
Ascent
Brushless motor powered electric glider from E-flite.
Stryker F-27C
Developed from the successful F-27B Stryker fast park flyer, from ParkZone.
Typhoon 2
Electric 3D aerobatic performer from ParkZone.
Twist
46 size aerobatic airplane from Hanger 9.
Browse a selection of Plug N Play rc airplanes here.
Related pages
RTF rc airplanes - what to expect from a Ready To Fly airplane.
ARF rc airplanes - Almost Ready To Fly airplanes explained.
Electric rc airplanes - a general overview of this sector of rc flying.
