RCSLOT Radio Control Blog

For the everyday RC pilot, the concept of a Plug-n-Play (PNP)  model might not catch your attention – unless you just crashed. And tomorrow is the big end of the year RC club fun-fly that you were really looking forward to showing off. Well, Hangar 9 PNP airplanes are here to help save the day.

You might be asking yourself, what is the big deal? There are many ARF’s available that a person can assemble and have flying in little time. Well, a Hangar 9 PNP is more than just an ARF with servos. Everything comes to you right in the box and already installed. The engine and fuel tank are in place as well as the servos, linkages, and the mess of other small, time consuming things you would normally have to do yourself to finish an ARF plane. All you need to do is plug the servos into a receiver from the radio system you already own and presto, the radio installation is complete. All the control linkages are adjusted to the correct lengths so you can bolt on the wing and tail to complete the model for flight – no extra setup time required.

Another question you may be, well, if I am going to let someone do the work for me, why not just get an RTF plane? For some modelers, that may be the way to go, but most RTF’s come with a radio that is usually not as full featured as the one you already own. Plus, why pay for another radio you do not need when all that is required to use the one you have is to plug in a receiver? Either way you look at it, the PNP model is significantly more complete in every way than an ARF and more advantageous than some RTF’s because you get to use a more sophisticated radio.

Saving money, time, and equipment is a big perk when going to a PNP model. There are large savings over having to purchase new servos, battery, and switch to complete an ARF model, and you get top-quality parts in a Hangar 9 Plug-n-Play model that is already installed and setup to fly. Using your own transmitter and receiver helps keep costs low, and you will not end up with any extra radio equipment.

An important consideration that might make a PNP model a better choice than an ARF is how much building room you have available. When the workbench is the kitchen table, Plug-N-Play is a great way to go and very appealing. Many people simply do not have space to build an ARF model, but a Plug-n-Play can be finished in your lap while sitting around a table.

So what are some of the popular PNP models available?  Here’s a few:

¼-Scale J-3 Cub PNP: A scale lover’s dream coupled with a Zenoah 20cc engine.

Pulse XT 40 PNP: A super-flying airplane; great on any Sunday at the field.

Piper J-3 Cub 40 PNP Common size; excellent price point.

Twist 40 PNP: Common size; great fun fly airplane for crazy 3D aerobatics.

Tribute 36 PNP: The true fun fly model.

With any of these quality aircraft, you will still make it to th fun-fly and even have time for breakfast. Plug-N-Play is here to get hobbyists in the air quickly and easily. But, it is also here for the vast number of modelers that just do not have a place or space to build airplanes. If you can put a nut on a screw and tighten it, you have all the skills necessary.

Checkout all the Radio Control Airplanes available through RCSLOT.