Big Fun in Small Airframes...

The purchase of an aircraft is a daunting undertaking—particularly in an era characterized by $250,000 kit aircraft and $80-million Gulfstreams. Individuals drawn to flight but disinclined or insufficiently monied to burn their cash in conflagrations of AVGAS or Jet-A are encouraged to visit the website or SUN ‘n FUN exhibits of Horizon Hobby, a retailer specializing in remote controlled (RC) aircraft.

From slick, modern fighter jets and helicopters to warbirds and vintage biplanes, Horizon Hobby’s inventory is comprehensive and intelligently curated. Terrestrially and literally-minded types will enjoy delving into Horizon Hobby’s selection of RC cars, boats, and model railroads.

Among the RC aircraft stocked by Horizon Hobby are a number of large models constructed of space-age foam—the selfsame insulating polyolefin foam used on America’s Space Shuttles. The low-cost, shock-absorbing material stands up to the beatings dished out by novice RC pilots, yet retains structural integrity conducive to the design and construction of model aircraft with wingspans well over seventy-inches, fuselage lengths over fifty-inches, and weights as high as ten-pounds (including batteries). The run-time of such contraptions can exceed twenty-minutes, but varies as a function of flying style; e.g., aggressive aerobatics drain battery power more quickly than leisurely cruising.

Many models offered by Horizon Hobby feature components the likes of vortex generators and leading-edge slats, which enhance the performance of RC aircraft just as they do that of airliners, military jets, and modern STOL aircraft. Controllable range of most RC aircraft is approximately one mile. The rule of thumb is basically if you can see it, you can control it.

Though RC aircraft appeal to all ages, Horizon Hobby’s customer demographics is primarily between 40-70 years of age. Nevertheless, the construction and flight of miniature flying machines is a multi-generational undertaking. Many fathers and sons share a love of RC vehicles, and bond by dint of such for the duration of their lives.

The cost of admission to the RC aircraft hobby starts at about $260 and rises with model size, sophistication, and completion level (ready-to-fly, bind-n-fly, almost ready-to-fly, plug-n-play). After the fashion of their full-size counterparts, some RC aircraft—such as STOL models—do well on rough terrain, whereas others, particularly jets, perform best from hard surfaces.

As with real aircraft, operational cost and complexity is determined largely by powerplant type. Electric-powered RC models require little maintenance—aside from patching up damaged foam with duct-tape. What’s more, battery swaps are a quick business, most often allowing pilots of electric-powered RC aircraft to be back in the air in as little as twenty-minutes.

Horizon Hobby also offers larger RC aircraft made of wood and fiberglass, which are powered, primarily, by gasoline engines. Many such engines can be run on a specialized nitro-methane fuel which formerly cost $10-$15-per-gallon. Today, however, owing to Biden era economic and energy policies, the cost of subject fuel exceeds $50-per-gallon.

RC aircraft can easily be kitted out with First Person View (FPV) video recorders such as the popular Gopro family of cameras. Many a profitable YouTube channel has been founded on the eye-in-the-sky principle—just as many successful cases have been prosecuted against RC enthusiasts unable to curb their voyeuristic proclivities.

Parties interested in learning more about Horizon Hobby and RC aircraft are invited to visit the company’s SUN ‘n FUN exhibit at N-033 and N-042.

FMI: www.horizonhobby.com