Hey All,

I think this is my 3rd post! I have been into R/C since I was 14 and flew for about 10 years or so. I took a 15 year break and now I'm back! This is a great website and I have learned alot from many people. I've got another question for everyone.

I've been reading about the new "plug-n-play" concept from hangar 9. I bought a pluse xt and loved it. I say loved it because after 15 minutes of flying (did refuel during that time) the engine quit low over trees and I destroyed it. So I just bought another one and should have it up next weekend. I saw on horizon hobby a pulse xt pnp (plug-n-play) and thought "well it's about time!" What a great concept. I think we all could say that we don't have a whole lot of time to spend putting these things together, we would rather spend that time flying. I have noticed that there is not a very wide range of choices when it comes to this new concept.

My question is: Does anyone know the direction this new concept is going? When do you think they will start to have more planes to choose from? Will this become a major category like RTF and ARF?

What does eveyone think??

Thanks

Quantum

It is a good concept and I think we will see more planes in the future. The problem I see with it is that you have no choice on your components. A good example is your Pulse. I too have a Pulse but I chose to put an O.S. .46 in it and man...what a difference from the Evolution .46! The O.S. blows it away in all areas ( I have an Evo .46 in another plane) and I just plane like picking my own stuff. To each their own I suppose and the complete PNP package is a really good deal as far as cost goes.

I agree with you. Sometimes you want to put your own stuff in it. I also got the OS .46 for my new Pulse and I am glad to hear you like it!! Thats cool, I am looking forward to it. I think as long as they put in good radio equipment, servos and such and then you can get the engine you want when you get it, that's the way I would like to see it. I know there are some hard core guys out there that like to tweek every part of the plane. That's cool too. I just don't have the time. I would rather fly, but that's just me. I hope they have a wider range of pnp planes out there. I guess the other option is to buy a used plane or one that someone has built and now is selling. But I still love the idea of PNP, maybe minus the engine

PNP, is good for those people who just lack the time to put an ARF or kit together. It's really not that new of a concept. It's just now reaching people with pockets that arn't very deep. People have been paying builders to put thier stuff together for a very long time.

PNP will introduce or re-introduce people to the hobby and get them flying. After they go to a field a few times they will see all the other planes, engines and equipment being used and they will find the time to build too

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They are good for folks that lack the time OR INTEREST to assemble an ARF.

There have been times in my life when I really enjoyed building. I've even designed, built and flown models that came from my own brain. Then there have been times when I have been busy doing other things, but still wanted to keep my hand in at flying, but would have paid handsome money to have a model that I could buy that was ready to go. I learned to fly R/C on two RTF Testor Skyhawk plastic and foam .049 powered single channel models in 1969. I was working full time and playing three nights a week in a bar band. I simply didn't have the time to build. But those two Skyhawks got the job done and taught me how to fly, without me building a single thing. Keep in mind that this was in 1969!

Sometimes I'll go through a phase of just having to create my own model and flying them. Other times, the Plug-N-Play concept would be absolutely perfect for the situation that I am in at the moment.

Notice that the two leading model suppliers in the country offer PNP models with their housebrand engines only, these days, IIRC. That is how they keep the price down and profits up.

Frankly, it isn't much work to pull their engine and to replace it with an OS, then sell their housebrand engine here on RCU. I doubt you will ever see the PNP models coming equipped with an OS, or other name brand engine. But I have been wrong before.

That's a great point Artisan about the engine. I think they put decent radio equipment in the planes. I am sure some people might want the "best servos there are". Sometime, frankly, I feel that way too. But I think your are right. Its not that bad to pull the engine and put your own in. There are plenty of ways to sell your "old engine". I still think the PNP concept is interesting. If they do it with larger planes that would be great in my opinion. Yes there are builders out there and I am using one now on my first pulse (god rest her soul :-) and now on the second one. Turn around time is fairly quick on the pulse, but when you get into the larger planes like the Miss America or the 27% extra (which I will fly at some point!!) it takes quite a while to have them built. I think it is really cool that people want to tinker, tweek and build their own planes. I wish I had the time, I am sure I will at some point. Just a very busy time in my life.

Quantum

I personally think it`s a terrific concept, for all the reasons mentioned. I have an Avistar Select with which I replaced the 40LA with a 46FX. I think replacing an engine is no big deal. It`ll be interesting to see what else comes in the PNP concept. Anybody care to speculate as to what the first warbird will be??

And really there is nothing wrong with Evolution engines. I have to a .40 in my arrow trainer and a .61 that i bought because i like the .40 so much. I have since bought a plane with a new OS .46 AX on it and i did notice a signicant change in power with the OS obviously being stronger but i have had such good luck with my Evolutions that i would not hesitate to buy another even knowing that an OS would be stronger. Just my 2c.

Flyboy76