The Horizon ParkZone Micro Cessna RTF RC electric model has been on the market for over a year. By now it has been well covered in the various hobby publications and forums. More recently a second airplane was added to this product line, namely the Citabria. Both of these planes use the identical power and RC systems. Even more recently, two more micro indoor aircraft have been added to this same line, the EMBER and the VAPOR. Those new aircraft will separately be reported by SA Editor, Frank Granelli in the near future.

Both airplanes, meet all the aircraft requirements of the Academy of Model Aeronautics’ (AMA) Park Pilot Program. They weigh less than 2 pounds (the Program’s upper weight limit) and have a level top speed under 60 mph (the Program’s upper speed limit). For complete Park Pilot aircraft details, follow this link.

The AMA Park Pilot Program offers non-AMA members the opportunity to become AMA members at a much reduced cost. Park Pilot membership includes a great magazine “Park Pilot”, $500,000 personal liability insurance, $2.5 million liability insurance for the flying field or indoor site owner (see insurance details) and membership in the world’s largest sport aviation association – the AMA. For complete information and details about Park Pilot membership, just click here.  

Having a reputation for being a “detail” person, I’m going to get into all aspects of the Cessna and Citabria. The first will cover the aircraft, their specifications, what you get in the kit box, how long to get ready for the trip to the flying “field” and most important how hard or easy were these airplanes to fly.

But after all that, I decided to remove one of the power/RC systems and get into all the details of how one might use this new micro equipment in other aircraft, once the Cessna or Citabria is retired from active service. Since both aircraft are supplied completely assembled, very few people really know what’s inside the fuselage. Stay tuned!

Both micro aircraft arrive ready-to-fly (RTF) in a foam shipping box.

Photo 1

As you can see the entire airplane is factory assembled with the motor, RC system and all the controls in place.

Photo 2

The wings are permanently attached to the fuselage. Included in the same box is the RC transmitter operating on the 2.4 GHz band with spread spectrum modulation. The necessary batteries for the transmitter, charger and aircraft are supplied as well. So when you first open the kit box it will take less than an hour to read the instructions, remove the airplane, install several batteries, charge another battery and go right out to fly. The Citabria is setup basically the same way as the Cessna.

Photo 3          Photo 4

Although both airplanes have the same power system, the Citabria is slightly larger in size and in weight. I’ll supply the details in a moment.

Both airplanes are provided with a display stand that also serves as a charger for the Li-Poly aircraft (on-board) battery. The 2.4 GHz RC three-channel transmitter is included as well as 8 AA size alkaline non-rechargeable battery cells. So you will not need to buy anything extra.

Photo 5          Photo 6

The Cessna weighs exactly 17.7 grams as shown on my digital scale. That is equivalent to 0.624 ounce; less than 3/4 of an ounce.

Photo 6A

You will note that considerable detail to scale is presented on this model. In other words, there is no question that it is a Cessna 210 Centurion aircraft. Wingspan is 15 inches and the wing area is 34.2 square inches. Wing loading is a very light 1.69 oz./sq. ft. Overall length is 13 inches.

Photo 7           Photo 8

You will note that the Cessna has a scale-like tri-cycle landing gear (two main wheels and a nose wheel). The radio system provides three-channel control of the rudder, elevator and motor throttle. Each channel is fully proportional with the rudder and elevator using tiny feedback style motor driven servos. The power system consists of a 6 mm diameter brushed motor that looks similar to the popular 7 mm pager type motors.

It is geared at close to 4 to 1 while the propeller has a 3.7-inch diameter with a 2.3-inch pitch. The receiver is actually a “block” or what some call a “brick” configuration. In other words, on one PC board is the receiver, the two servos and a built-in brushed motor electronic speed controller (ESC) with a Battery Eliminator Circuit (BEC). Using this type configuration eliminates a lot of the wiring which normally adds weight and complexity to tiny aircraft. There are only two wires exiting from the “Block” to the electric motor and two more that go to the tiny single cell 70 mAh Li-Poly battery. The entire power/RC system weighs only 9 grams (part of the 17.7 gram total airplane weight)

The companion Citabria uses the same power and RC system, but is slightly larger in size with a 50 square inch wing and a total weight of 21.2 grams. This yields a wing loading of 2.15 oz/sq. ft. The stand is actually the charger for the on-board Li-Poly battery.

Photo 9

This next photos of the Citabria being held, gives you an idea as to the very small size of these models.

Photo 10

The Citabria, being a tail dragger, does not have a nose wheel, as does the Cessna. But it does have this steerable tail wheel.

Photo 10A         Photo 11

This photo shows both the Cessna at the right and the Citabria, both sitting on their display stands. The Citabria is slightly larger is size and weight.

Photo 12

The transmitter supplied with either aircraft operates on a new, very high frequency band (2.4 GHz) and on Spread Spectrum modulation system. In the past three years, this band and modulation has become extremely popular for our RC hobby. Each RC manufacturer has their own series of digital codes and then the transmitters all have their own discrete code.

That means that no two transmitters can theoretically interfere with one another even within the same brand (manufacturer). When you go to a flying field, or just fly at a schoolyard or gym, you will no longer need a frequency pin nor will you have to be concerned that you could interfere with another flyer. This is the way of the future for our sport.

Each 2.4 GHz RC receiver must be “bound” to a transmitter. This means that the receiver must be “tuned” to the signal and digital code of the companion transmitter. Horizon performs this “Binding” process at the factory for your convenience. The instruction manual tells you how to do the binding if it ever becomes necessary in the future.

For example, if you purchase a second receiver for another airplane, you would have to bind it to your existing transmitter. Occasionally, a receiver will have to be “re-bound” to a transmitter, much like “re-booting” a PC.