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| - The brand was introduced in March, 2004 as a logical next step to the the company's simpler HobbyZone® brand of electric model aircraft. Most HobbyZone planes are two-channel control, that is, two separate and discrete radio channels operating throttle and rudder. Most of these models were designed for first-time flyers and/or those transitioning from two-channel surface vehicles, specifically radio controlled cars and boats. ParkZone scale aircraft are constructed of lightweight foam with a polymer outer skin and styrene plastic bracing surrounding the radio equipment inside the fuselage. The Typhoon is manufactured from a special high-density foam with no outer skin, the Stryker flying wing is of one-piece molded foam construction and the Slo-V "slow flyer" has a carbon fiber "stick" fuselage with foam wings and V-tail. The Slo-V is capable of being flown in a large indoor area. Most ParkZone aircraft are operated with three discrete channels, the third being used for up-and-down pitch. The fully aerobatic Typhoon adds a fourth channel for aileron control. These third and fourth dimensions of operation are difficult for first-time flyers and, as such, the brand is not recommended for beginning hobbyists without first enlisting the aid of an experienced R/C pilot. The addition of pitch control makes the models more responsive. In turn, the chance of a crash is far more likely. ParkZone models (or any flying model) which do not use ailerons to assist in steering will dip the nose with resulting loss of altitude if a small amount of "up elevator" isn't added. To avoid these problems, the aircraft's on-board radio system compensates with a small amount of up elevator with the application of the rudder. The amount of elevator throw is just enough to keep the plane smooth in the turns. Some up elevator is still required. On most models, the feature is easily disabled at the transmitter once the intermediate pilot becomes accustomed to steering with both rudder and elevator. On the "J-3 Cub," the feature is disabled with the removal of a small jumper on the radio receiver. The instruction manual shows the location of the jumper. High- and low-rate control surface throws are switchable at the transmitter on all but the J-3. Like their HobbyZone brethren, ParkZone aircraft are sold as a total, pre-assembled package. Everything, including batteries for the transmitter, are included. All that is necessary is the attachment of the wing and landing gear, installation of the transmitter batteries and charging of the model's on-board nickel metal hydride battery pack. Unlike the HobbyZone models which employ Horizon Hobby's proprietary radio equipment, ParkZone aircraft can be retrofitted with standard radio control equipment from virtually any manufacturer. In addition, the radio equipment can be replaced or repaired independent of the fuselage and vice versa. A damaged fuselage or radio receiver on a HobbyZone aircraft once meant replacement as a unit of the blow-molded plastic main fuselage, pre-assembled radio receiver, servos, tail boom and electric motor. Consumer requests have led to the availability of bare fuselages in the HobbyZone line. Replacement parts for both lines of aircraft are readily available at most hobby shops, mail-order hobby suppliers and Horizon Hobby itself. The "Super Decathlon," the "P-51D Mustang," the "Typhoon" and the "Focke-Wulf 190," ParkZone's newest models, feature radio equipment that can be transferred to other park flyers including delta wing and v-tail aircraft. The P-51D Mustang, Typhoon and Focke-Wulf 190 also have the ability to operate on lithium polymer batteries. US-based hobby retail chain HobbyTown USA of Lincoln, Nebraska named ParkZone as its "2005 Hobby Company of the Year." That same company named the F-27 Stryker as "2005 Airplane of the Year."
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