Yes, standard procedure with hobby items is to go straight to the distributor when you have warranty issues. That should be clearly stated right in the instructions, in fact. Some hobby shops may handle warranty issues as a courtesy to their customers, but they are generally instructed by their distributors to direct all warranty issues straight to the distributor.

It's really better that way. First, you cut out the middle man and an extra week to the resolution (they may not have time to get to it right away; they have a shop to run, and other customers to care for, after all). Second, you're not forcing the hobby shop to spend what little profit they made from selling you the plane to send it back and have it repaired or replaced (you want the shop to stay open, right?).