HobbyZone Delta Ray RTF Airplane Safe Technology Vehicle

After seeing some experienced hobbyists flying at a local park, my kid wanted an RC plane. Of course, he wanted the fancy ones he saw the folks at the park flying. But I knew that any plane I bought would be destroyed within 10 minutes (or less) of his first flight. (I tried to steer him towards toy RC planes, but he was smart enough to know the difference. He wanted a "real" one, not a toy.)So, I began my search for a quality plane that wouldn't cost me hundreds of dollars and could withstand my kid's break-everything-he-touches nature. This plane fits the bill.Like most men he hates reading the instructions, and he just wanted to fly it right out of the box. He didn't bother to notice the three different experience settings (beginner, intermediate and expert) that adjust the range of motion to ensure safe flight. He didn't bother to read up on the "SAFE" technology button that would automatically right the plane if the pilot loses control. When I advised him of these neat features, he said what all teenagers do: "Dad, I'm THIRTEEN! I KNOW what I'm DOING, GAWHD!" (I figured this was a good time for a Dad lesson. I kept quiet as he easily paired the plane to the transmitter.) As he took off, I could see it heading in the direction of the trees, and I tried to tell him to steer clear. I wasn't worried about the crash (because I already accepted that he was going to crash it.) But I WAS worried about how well this plane would survive. I at least wanted him to get more than one flight out of it!Just as I predicted, my son crashed this thing on his first flight, less than 15 seconds after taking off. I wasn't upset, because I knew it was going to happen. BAM! Right into the trees. It fell to the ground, and my son darted off after it. I saw how hard it hit, and assumed it was done for (and my son would learn his lesson.)Not so. The plane was fine. It's made of foam, yet sturdy enough to take a hit.My son brought it back to me with a sad, sheepish look on his face, waiting for me to say "I told you so.""Is it broke, Dad?" he asked.In pleasant shock, I replied: "Uh, NO, son. It's fine! Wanna try again?" (His smile returned.)This time, he was willing to listen and read the manual/instructions. Armed with new knowledge, he took to the sky. He had MUCH more fun in beginner mode (where the plane stays level and controllable,) and when he figured out how to use the SAFE button, he had more confidence.He still had a few more crashes. But some glue and tape fixes it right up, and it keeps on flying. I'm glad I bought this one. I had assumed my money was wasted, with the only benefit being to teach my son a lesson about patience. Instead, I now feel I spent good money teaching him how to fly RC planes with the help of this one's features.Warning: For some reason, the battery charger that comes with this is a CAR charger only. The battery takes an hour to charge, and if you use the charger provided, you'll be sitting in your car doing it. (Thus the 4-stars instead of 5 for this review.) If you want to charge your batteries in a wall socket (like most human beings,) you'll need to buy an adapter. (We bought one online for less than $20.) Otherwise, it comes with everything you need to fly, including batteries for the transmitter/remote. You may want to buy extra batteries so you're not waiting to recharge.If you're a first-timer, this is the one you want. Trust me.

I have about 6 flights of the Delta Ray in now and I am pretty impressed. The "panic mode" (otherwise known as the "Oh, Crap" button) does all it claims. You need to remember its there though. I did get carried away once in the experienced mode, forgot the button, and crashed quite spectacularly. I wouldn't expect any plane to survive that impact, but after about 15 minutes and most of a bottle of foam safe CA glue, I was back in the air again.I have only had to use the button a few times since then and it has done its job. More often though, I take off in beginner or intermediate modes, get up to a safe height, and then switch off the protection for some more fun.My only quibble is that in Beginner mode, the turning radius is huge, so a large field is necessary, but that is easily solved by switching to intermediate mode for at least part of the time. Switching between modes is accomplished with an easily accessed toggle switch in the upper left corner of the transmitter. I find I switch between modes fairly often during each flight without even looking at the switch. Its a great way to learn more advanced skills while having the safety net of safer modes and the panic button if you get into real trouble.Being a Christmas present, of course I have been flying out in the snow. I recommend leaving off the landing gear and hand launching if snow landings are planned. The nose gear could get caught in the snow and break the mount out of the foam, (hypothetically of course) but a bit more glue and off you go again though. I'm thinking of making skis. Really fluffy slow might get scooped into the motor cowling.In the as shipped configuration, stunts like loops and rolls can be accomplished in the experienced mode, but are pretty sloppy even with the rate switch set to high. I moved the clevis for each of the control surfaces (elevons) to the lowest hole in the control arm, and the other end of the push rod to the middle hole of the servo arm. Control is a bit touchy now, but rolls are very respectable for a plane that can be flown by a beginner. All of the SAFE features are completely unaffected by the modification.So go out and buy this plane. As long as you have room to turn in beginner mode, and don't forget the panic button, you won't be disappointed. Get an extra battery and bring a timer to the field. Fly for about 6 minutes then land before the low voltage cut-off warning (the engines pulse but continue to work). Draining LiPo batteries will shorten their lifetime. You will probably want to get a battery charger that can be plugged in inside. The one that comes with the plane can only be plugged into the 12 volt socket in your car.

Ok so I first made the mistake of buying the BNF model thinking I got a bargain. Well BNF means Bind N Fly which means you have to have the transmitter control for it. RTF means Ready To Fly so it comes with the transmitter. The listing of the BNF does not specify what that means and for a beginner who would know? Anyway the BNF is $30 less but they sell the transmitter for $69! so not a real savings!Ok so this plane is GREAT! Flying with a 12 year old and he can fly fine. We had other RTF planes already that were beginner so we had some experience. I would recommend getting a trainer simulator and practice on the computer a bit and you will be fine.This plane controls well in beginner mode and the panic button works as specified. It flys better in moderate breeze than the other planes we have (Super Cub mini, Champ, P51). I am not sure if we had not flown a plane if we would have been ok, but we crashed all the others until they were destroyed and we flew this one almost an hour with only minor damage (I hit a bush on landing).Battery life seems pretty good. Not sure how long the battery will have a long life, but first charge was good.I like this plane better than any other we have tried. It is a bit more expensive but I think it will be worth it.

Excellent product and great flyer..

Der Zusammenbau ist kinderleicht, Heckflosse und Finnen werden per doppelseitigem und klarsicht Klebeband befestigt. Alles sitzt sehr fest. Das Fahrwerk sollte man als Anfänger erst einmal nicht montieren und den Flieger auf dem Bauch landen. Wenn man sich an die Bedienungsanleitung hält (die hier auch mal ihren Namen wert ist), klappt der erste Flug sehr gut. Mein 9jähriger Sohn hatte keine Probleme, bei fast null Wind, den Flieger im Anfänger Modus sicher zu fliegen und auch zu landen. Die Safetechnologie funktioniert super, lässt man den rechten Steuerknüppel los, geht der Flieger sofort in einen steigenden horizontal Flug über, ein Absturz lässt sich nur mit Gewalt provozieren. Und wenn eine stärkere Böe den Flieger doch einmal in eine kritische Fluglage bringen sollte, einfach den Panik Button drücken und, bei genügend Höhe, ist alles wieder gut. Nach 2x 10 Minuten fliegen (Ersatzakku mitbestellen), wurden wir dann übermütig und haben die Fernbedienung in den Advance Modus geschaltet. Der Flieger reagiert jetzt schneller und mit stärkeren Ausschlägen und wir konnten den Panik Button ausgiebig testen. Zur Landung sind wir dann wieder zurück in den Anfänger Modus. Man sollte auch beachten: der Flieger wiegt nur 500gr, das heisst, er ist sehr anfällig für Windböen. Bei starkem Wind ist er sehr schnell abgetrieben und ausserhalb der Ferbedienungsreichweite.Ein Hinweis: das mitgelieferte Ladegerät für den Akku ist nur ein 12V Netzteil, sprich man braucht einen 230V Adapter oder gleich ein besseres LiPo Ladegeräte. (habe mir das iMAX B6 Mini mit Steckernetzteil, hier bei Amazon gekauft)

Habe ein Einsteigermodell gesucht und mit dem Delta Ray gefunden. Der macht einfach nur Spass auch nachdem er mehrmals hart den Boden "geküsst" hat. Mittlerweile habe ich ihn viermal kleben müssen und die Nase ist ziemlich krumm, aber andere Fluggeräte hätten es bei weitem nicht so lange durchgehalten. Auch das Flugverhalten macht einen riesen Spass. Werde mir noch einen kaufen ;-)

Echt für Anfänger und Profis geeignetMacht echt Spaß das TeilHabe mir sofort einen 2 Akku bestellt um länger Spaß zu haben ca 2x 15 minGerne wieder

Ich dachte, dass der Flieger im Anfänger Mode fast uncrashbar ist und habe mir wenig sorgen gemacht. Dann habe ich mich allerdings in eine Situation befördert, wo ich das Gefühl hatte, dass der Anfänger Modus mich davon abhält stark genug gegenzusteuern. Vor lauter Schreck hab ich beim "Oh crap" switch daneben gegriffen und habe einen üblen Crash hingelegt. Das Modell ist fast in der Mitte durchgebrochen! Die Nase war komplett weg, kurz vor dem "Motherboard".Mit Tape und Zahnstochern zur Schienung konnte ich das Teil noch einmal flicken aber es ist schon sehr mitgenommen.Auf jeden Fall ein cooles Teil aber ich würde erstmal Trockenübungen mit dem "oh crap" switch machen, damit man vor Schreck nicht daneben greift. Das hat mich nach dem ersten Crash mehrmals gerettet...