Customer Reviews

Parkzone Radian PNP

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are looking for a beginner plane to learn how to fly this is most definately a trainer plane. This is the most simple plane to fly that I purchased it just for the ease of assembly and to get airborne quickly. I love this plane and use it as my travel plane since it's quick and easy to assemble as well as durable. I've crashed a couple of times and have only lost the nut of the propeller, but nothing is broken. AWESOME!! is all I can say

Ease of flying:

It pretty much flies itself, honestly. If it's at altitude, let of of the control and it will more-or-less level itself off and just glide. I started with almost no flight experience at all, and after my first weekend I am 100% confident in this.

Durability:

Could I give it 10 stars for this? The first day I had my radian, I let my room-mate fly it and he ran it full power straight into the ground. It broke into about 5 pieces. 10 minutes later we were back in the air flying again, I just glued it back together and it flies like a boss.

After that, I was teaching a little kid to fly it, and the same thing happened. Again, about 10 minutes later, we were back in the air. Just a bit of styrofoam glue and it's as good as the day it came out of the box (although the fuselage is about 1cm shorter than where it started [and a bit bent]).

The *third* time it got flown directly into the ground was my fault. I was trying to land it in a highly-trafficked area (stupid), and on too small of a spot (stupid). I tried to drop altitude too quickly, and could pull out of my dive. It hit a patch of grass and cracked...again.

This time, it didn't even take glue, I literally just taped it back together with orange duct tape...and it still flies without *any* problem.

The bottom line is that this is an absolutely awesome airplane. If you're looking for something to buy, this is definitely it.

Cons:

There really aren't many. I don't like the way that the wings go together...it feels like they're going to come apart mid-flight. I use a bit of tape on them for insurance, which hasn't failed me yet.

I also don't like the way that the horizontal stabilizer attaches to the frame...it's flimsy. Duct-tape to the rescue there again. Actually, the way it attaches is kindof dangerous...I was flying mine out by a lake and lost almost all elevator control. It was because the tail had come loose. Luckily I managed to land it (a testament to how well this flies), but scared the crap out of the rowers that were underneath of it (sorry!).

Also: it's made of foam. Signs of wear are definitely showing on mine (which is to be expected given how much I've beaten the thing up).

The Radian is a great first or second sailplane for any R/C pilot. Since it's only a three channel R/E/T model even a complete novice can fly the Radian. Make sure you have a nice big landing zone - it's very floaty and pinpoint landings will take some practice! The z-foam construction is durable and the plane is easy to break down and throw into the car for lunchtime or after-work flying. A couple of 1300mAh lipos will keep you up in the air for an hour even in weak thermal conditions. The tail seems like it could use some reinforcement and the quick connects for the control horns seem a little flimsy, but these are minor nitpicks and can be easily fixed. Many Parkzone planes come in two versions - a "Ready to Fly" (RTF) version that comes with everything you need, and a "Plug & Play" (PNP) version for pilots who already have their own radio gear and suitable batteries. Make sure you order the right one.

The Radian was recommended to me at my flying club, and it turned out to be a surprisingly fun and effective electric sailplane. It's almost too easy to achieve long duration flights, since it's very floaty and the powerful motor/battery combo can get you out of poor air anytime. Compared to hand launch, hi-starts or winches, having the launch system built right into the sailplane is a huge advantage at the field. However, being an aerospace engineer, I just had to modify the Radian wing. The basic 2-meter model has a blunt trailing edge which is cut off at about 1/4 of an inch high. I glued some balsa trailing edge stock pieces with foam-safe CA along most of the way out to the wing tips. After sanding the balsa flush with the airfoil, I covered it with iron-on mylar just past the joint, so the trailing edge is strong and waterproof. This improved the efficiency of the airfoil, added stiffness to the foam wing and increased the wing area by about 30 square inches. I can't quantify the performance improvement exactly, but it seemed easier to keep it up for 45 minutes during my last flight. I've also lightly sprayed some spots of dark paint on the bottom of the white wing for better visibility. I'd recommend the Radian as a fun, durable model for learning how to soar or just for the pure joy of soaring on a sunny day.

The Radian PNP is an excellent first model for new RC Pilots! It is very stable, easy to fly, and the foam construction is easy and quick to repair.

This is the easiest RC airplane possible and yet it has great potential for doing some amazing things. It is possible to search for updrafts and soar for a long time on one battery. Its a great thing for learning about the thermal and slope updrafts surounding us. Great fun and educational.

The Radian was recommended by another club member. We now have 5 at our field. PNP is truly a 2 hour job. Of course I am anal & I spent 4 hours making minor modifications, I enjoy the construction process as much as flying. The control horn keepers need to be replaced with DuBro Mini E/Z connectors #845. The thread on the supplied keepers is so small that it can be twisted off. Also, check the nut & screws on the prop assembly. Use lock tite on the prop nut. My spinner assembly came off on the first flight. When setting up your radio & testing the motor I highly recommend removing the prop. If your throttle control is reversed this plane can torque itself right off of the work bench & even draw blood. You know how I know. This is truly a great flying motor glider. I found a thermal on my 2nd flight. This plane is not designed for running into things & is not recommended as a first plane. I have not had to make any modifications since my 2nd flight. This is not a toy, it is a real miniature airplane.
Educational value? Unless you count learning how to find thermals then it has no educational value.
Flying R/C airplanes is a great hobby & can last a lifetime.

If your prop is not a 7.5_1 then you have the original design prop. A free replacement is available from Park Zone.
Go to Park Zone - Park Flyers - Select Radian PNP - Support (Amazon deleted the actual link)

The PNP Radian is a great powered sailplane. Hand launch and 30-40 minute flights without even knowing what a thermal looks like yet. Just soaring into the wind, gliding, and motoring back up to altitude. 6 batteries through it, 3 1/2 hours of great fun. Minor dings and scrapes repaired with CA glue and packing tape. Dissasembles and assembles in seconds for easy transport in trunk or back seat. Pure SIMPLE fun. much simpler than the Pro upgraded model

It was my understanding this product came with everything. It did not. It was merely a replacement plane. I ended up buying the battery (which was bad, and via an Amazon provider with no refund), the receiver (which ended up costing $260). All in all I ended up spending over $500 for something I thought would cost $250. Then, to make matters worse, I ended up taking this to the local hobby store and the guy there F-ed up the plane trying to fix it. Wham! Another $100. By the time I got ready to fly it, my wife had set something on the tail fin and broke that. Another $50. Still hasn't ever flown after over $600.

My STRONGEST advice is: Go to the guys at the local Hobby Shop. They will sell you what you need and help you in ways that will be worth a thousand times more than the $10 I had hoped to save.

Once again, do not buy this on Amazon unless you are a professional. Amateurs like me get burned often.