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130 of 133 found the following review helpful:
 great starter RC planeAug 01, 2010
By Reader
This is a beginner's RC plane. It was designed specifically for that purpose. I bought it for my son, who is new to RC.
It came with a defective engine, so I contaced the manufacturer and they told me to send it back. I did. They fixed it - no hassles, just good solid customer service.
Once it was fixed, it flew like a dream. This is the most forgiving, easy trainer imaginable. First, check out the manufacturer's website and watch the few brief instructional videos. They are quite a help. The plane practically flies itself, controls are easy to handle with a low res setting for true beginners. The plane is so light that as long as you fly in a park over grass, you will probably sustain little if any crash damage.
Of course, being that light makes it suitable for only the lightest of wind. In a light breeze you can fly this into the wind and hold it virtually motionless. Also, it is three channel - throttle, rudder and elevator. No alerons, but that is perfect for a simple trainer. Also, this is such a small, light slow plane that it can be flown in smaller parks where a full size RC would not be suitable.
The battery is small but easily accessible, and lasts a good ten minutes if not flown at full throttle. This is quite simply, a great little plane.
117 of 120 found the following review helpful:
Great Beginner - Hard to DestroyJul 12, 2010
By Snowboardag
"nelson2220"
First things first - I have last flown an RC plane roughly 8 years ago. At that time, I would call myself a rookie at best and someone that flew a gas powered indestructible plane, so I do have limited experience (enough to get myself in trouble).
I bought this plane for 5 reasons:
1. I wanted a plane I didn't need to work on / build - don't have time, just want to fly something
2. My friend had 2 RTF planes and told me how great they are - he had the P-51 Mustang and the J-3 Cub.
3. I wanted something that would help bring me back into it
4. I did NOT want to spend a lot of money
5. Based on the recommendation of the guy at the local hobby shop - he recommended this Champ over the P-51 or J-3 Cub (and it was cheaper than both, so it was an easy sell for me).
Today was my first day flying it (and I did not practice using the a computer game), I just jumped at the joystick:
1. Battery charged for 15 minutes.
2. Read a little of the instructions (not much)
3. Took it out to the driveway and played around with just the ground control (steering, acceleration, etc.).
4. Took it to the school by my house (you want it open on he first few flights to get down the plane).
This plane is AWESOME. In the first day, this is what I have done with it:
1. Took off from a track with a football field in the center
2. Landed it in the grass a number of times (it wasn't smooth landings and flipped over, but didn't hurt it).
3. I nose dived the thing into the grass once (on accident) - didn't hurt it.
4. I got it caught in a tree (yes, I tried it close to home after I got confident and got it stuck). Pulled it down with a rope, caught it, did NOT hurt it.
It's a blast. I would highly recommend this plane. It's cheap and out for a good time. If you are a beginner, start it out and get it 50 feet off the ground, if you mess up, just decrease acceleration and lay off the controls, it will correct itself and you'll be good.
Now, the few disadvantages:
1. The thing is extremely sensitive to wind (just because it's all foam). Be cautious getting it up too high or you're fighting the wind outdoors.
2. No ailerons - I didn't realize this till I got home, but you have accelerator, elevator, and rudder, that's it (but this is what makes it so simple to control too).
3. Charge on the battery is only 10 minutes or so (recommend having a couple extra batteries on you for extended fun).
4. It won't do a loop (I've tried and it just stalls). The instructions tell you that, but I saw it after I tried, easy to recover from the stall if you're high enough. I have not tried to get it upside down yet, maybe my task for the next flight :)
5. Be ready to trim trim trim. My plane came out of the box wanting to climb so much. I am still messing with the controls after 3 re-charges, but I would prefer it climb and fight that, than the dive.
45 of 47 found the following review helpful:
Absolute best decision if you're looking to get into the hobby.Aug 20, 2010
By SZAA
"Lover of All Things Written"
I've owned two different RC planes before buying the Champ (to include the Commander II). This thing is the most fun I've had with a "toy" in so long. It doesn't take long before you can truly become a pilot. Manuevering is quick and responsive. You can gain altitude quickly so be careful on a windy day...you may lose it! One of the best parts about owning the champ is that once you get moderately proficient at flying you can fly in some pretty tight spaces. Being that it is a micro plane, it will take some damage too.
So far I have modified the wheels with some bigger soft wheels to help landings in rough terrain or gravel...and it was easy. Just pop the wheel retainers off and switch them out.
No matter if you are an RC hobby enthusiast or new to it all...you will not be disappointed by this purchase.
14 of 15 found the following review helpful:
This should be your first RC PlaneOct 24, 2010
By kkrome25
"kkrome25"
First of all, for the beginner, I HIGHLY recommend you start your training with a simulator, like the Realflight Basic, or the Realflight G5 and G5.5 by Great Planes. Get on the simulator for 5 weeks' worth of getting used to flying away and towards you, to get used to left & right, up & down at all orientations, and **landing** You will crash on the simulator hundreds of times, maybe more. Better on the simulator rather than on the real plane, which would be a total loss!
If you are aching to try a real plane, first get a Parkzone Vapor before getting the Hobbyzone Champ. The Vapor will get you flying inside the house! Outside, the Vapor will fly, but with ZERO wind. Another plane you can get before the Champ is the Ember 2. The Ember 2 will get any beginner flying; and endure lots of crashes without any damage. After simulator training and flying the Vapor or the Ember, you should be ready for the Hobbyzone Champ.
Now for the review:
Prior to the Ember 2 or the Vapor, this plane should be your first rc trainer plane. It's very light, fragile but tough. It is not recommended for anyone under 14 years of age, because it's really not a toy. It's a very serious model airplane for the beginning radio control pilot. Make sure the wind is no more than 3 mph. Wait another day if it is. Summer is the best for low or no wind.
The Champ handles just like the planes on the simulator in your pc, so it will not be any surprise after simulator training. Fun to fly, even for the experts who fly high-performance, 100 mph+ rc planes, I've seen several of them pick up a Hobbyzone Champ at the hobbyshop like it was Christmas! The appeal for the experts is that this plane reminds them of their first planes, which were mostly Piper Cubs and Cessna trainers. The Champ will climb easily to several hundred feet if you let it, so make sure you fly at a field the size of a soccer pitch. And make sure the wind is 3 mph or less, or it will get blown down, out of control and crash. The speed of the Champ is surprisingly fast for the beginner, so once in the air, keep the throttle at 50%. Half throttle will keep it at level flight. If not, adjust the trim on the transmitter. Hand launching, make sure the throttle is all out at 100%, and aim the plane 3 to 5 degrees above level; just a gentle push is needed. Ground take-offs should be towards the wind, and never with the wind coming from the side of the plane, or it will turn over and crash. Landing the plane, decrease the throttle and watch the plane so it does not dive steeply. If it does, pull back the stick gently to level it. As you near the ground, keep decreasing the throttle and try to land as level as you can. The plane will land "dead stick" without any power, but make sure the stick is pulled back enough, but don't stall. Any questions from beginners, please email me. Good luck and Merry Christmas all year long =)
13 of 14 found the following review helpful:
A Joy to FlyOct 02, 2010
By Z8
Also see: [...]
I own a lot of RC airplanes and consider myself an advanced flier - this little Champ is hands down the easiest flying RC plane I've ever flown, and quite possibly my most fun airplane. If you need to learn or teach yourself, this is the best choice. Forgiving, self-correcting, flys hands-off til the battery dies 100% of the time, 15 minute flight times, happily putts along at 3-5mph at 45% power, very strong construction (for a micro). The plane is so light and relatively strong that as you stay over grass (and don't smack a tree or lamp post) it is virtually impossible to damage. You can easily go hands off and let it plop itself down on a typical grass lawn with no damage.
I give it 10 stars on a scale of 1 to 5, and I am a hard grader.
The Champ flies in a culdesac with a little practice and without drama. Once trimmed up, it floats along easily at very slow air speeds, or you can gun it into a loop. A beginner could easily self-learn RC flying without additional help (through an veteran would really help to get it trimmed it up) given a little perseverance and dead calm winds. Flying in a big gym or hall would be ideal.
The best thing about this plane is the build quality, which is a step above most micros. The wing is thin foam, but it is much more solid that other ultra micro wings (those not used to the junk commonly sold might find that hard to believe), and it has a true molded airfoil cross-section instead of the simple flat sheeting used on more cheaply built models like the 4-Site and the Beast. The fuselage is more robust than most micros, and the wheels are a little bigger and wider with a nicely steerable tail wheel. Next best thing is the low price. I wish they sold it for even less as a BNF, the last thing I need is another radio.
The included battery is fantastic. It is rated at 150 mAH but is about 40% larger than a Turnigy 160 mAh and it lasts about twice as long. Good for 10-15 minute flights, depending on your power setting. It easily flies, actually it flies best, at about 35-40% throttle. Buy a few more batteries anyway, you'll want to fly while charging.
This is a GREAT plane to bind to a better radio and buddy box with the kids in the neighborhood. What a great time to be alive!
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