I get asked by many people and local club members for my recommendations for a good RC trainer aircraft. I’ve obviously had some favorites over the years. But every once in a while something new will come along that catches my attention. This is one of those cases and it involves a Ready-To-Fly (RTF), electric powered trainer aircraft sold by Horizon Hobby under their Hobbyzone brand label. The specific aircraft is their new Mini-Super Cub (catalog number HBZ4800).

The Mini-Super Cub meets all the aircraft requirements of the Academy of Model Aeronautics’ (AMA) Park Pilot Program. The aircraft weighs less than 2 pounds (the Program’s upper weight limit) and has 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 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. 

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Horizon advertisements state that with this design, you can “Teach Yourself to Fly”. The reason for this claim is that the Mini-Super Cub features a special control system referred to as ACT or Anti-Crash Technology. This is a self-stabilizing control system that can prevent a rank beginner from crashing the aircraft during the learning process. I’ll talk more about this shortly.

One of the things I wanted to mention up front is that this very sophisticated RC trainer aircraft can be purchased complete, ready to fly, for just $99.99.

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Everything is included; there is absolutely nothing else to buy. No tools are necessary, no cements are necessary. You can literally be out flying this model aircraft in just the time it takes to view a supplied training DVD, read the manual and charge the single aircraft battery.

WHAT YOU GET:

When you open the well-protected kit box you will be surprised to see a model aircraft that has been totally built for you.

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Before doing anything, play the supplied DVD titled, “Learn to Fly” and read the excellent instruction manual (49 pages but easy reading!). The wing is one piece and fully assembled. The tail surfaces are installed on the fuselage. Even the electric motor is mounted to the firewall and enclosed with a vacuum-form plastic cowl. The entire radio system is installed along with all the control linkages.

THE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE

The entire aircraft structure in made from molded Z-foam. Z-foam is a specialized hybrid designed for durability. Any adhesive can be used to repair Z-foam should that become necessary.  

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This is the way the two major components come out of the box.The wing and tailpieces are also made from Z-foam. The surfaces come with factory-applied decals that add a degree of “Piper Cub” scale realism. The rudder and elevator control surfaces are already hinged. These controls are hooked up from the servo output arms to the control horns on the surfaces. The only thing you have to do is insert the main landing into a slot on the bottom/forward side of the fuselage and slide the tail wheel assembly into a slot at the rear.

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As already indicated, no tools or cement are necessary.

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The wing is attached to the top of the fuselage with a total of six supplied rubber bands.