Plug-N-Play™ RC airplanes (PNP)
What are Plug-N-Play rc airplanes? Well, in short, they can be classed as a 'hybrid' category somewhere between RTF (Ready To Fly) and ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) airplanes.
Although the term plug and play is used as a very generic term for many different products these days, in this context the names 'Plug-N-Play' and 'PNP' are trademarks registered to Illinois-based rc product distributors Horizon Hobby.
So what does Plug-N-Play mean?... 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 and motor (, ESC & battery pack if electric) separately to install yourself.
A Plug-N-Play airplane has the motor, ESC if electric, and some of the radio gear installed but is missing the transmitter, receiver and motor battery pack (& charger). In other words, the airplane comes 99% assembled just like an RTF model but you need to supply your own transmitter, receiver and battery pack.
And because most receiver slots and servo connectors are standardized with the 'Futaba/JR/Hitech' system, almost any radio gear can be used. If there are compatibility issues, they will be pointed out in the instruction manual and you'll more than likely be able to buy an adaptor lead somewhere.
Above, a Plug-N-Play plane is identical to an RTF one from the outside
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 but is only realistically possible if your transmitter has multi-model memory. Fortunately almost all modern Tx's do.
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, compared to RTF and ARF ones, but they are becoming more widely available. ParkZone, E-flite and Hanger 9 are the principle brands offering PNP airplanes.
A handful of such planes are shown below, illustrating the choice available...
See the above Plug-N-Play rc airplanes (and more) here.
Something to note is that Plug-N-Play planes aren't, of course, restricted to MHz frequency users. Although the ever increasingly popular Bind-N-Fly rc aircraft are strictly for 2.4GHz users, a PNP one can be fitted with a 2.4GHz receiver without any problem, so bear that in mind if you can't find a BNF plane to suit your needs!
Related pages
Bind-N-Fly rc aircraft - an overview of BNF planes and helis.
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.
