Bind
-N-Fly
by Greg
Gimlick
The author’s BNF helicopter
fleet grows every time he
sees a new one in the store.
The author’s two BNF fixed-wing models
from ParkZone came in great carrying
boxes. The range of these aircraft
includes beginner and expert interests.
Horizon Hobby’s convenience
concept for safer RC modeling
April 2010 37
ELECTRIC FLIGHT AND 2.4 GHz
spread spectrum radios have burst onto the
marketplace in the last couple of years,
and Horizon Hobby has been on the
cutting edge with its E-flite, ParkZone, and
HobbyZone products. Add its Spektrum
and JR brands of DSM2 spread spectrum
technology, and 2.4 GHz has quickly
become the standard in many locations
across the country among the park flyer
crowd.
Any location with sufficient room
becomes a flying field, and there are no
frequency concerns, as there were in “the
good ol’ days.”
What is Bind-N-Fly (BNF)? If you’re
familiar with 2.4 GHz radios, you probably
know that a radio must be “bound” to a
receiver before you fly. That assigns a
particular Global Unit Identity (GUID) to
the receiver, which takes commands only
from the transmitter with that GUID. It’s
simple; you bind and then fly.
This new way of marketing a product
allows the user to walk out of the hobby
shop with an airplane or helicopter that is
complete with motor, ESC, gyro, servos,
receiver, and, in most cases, a battery and
charger. You merely bind it to your
transmitter and fly. There is also the RTF
system, which comes with a small but
sufficient transmitter for park flying.
The beauty of the BNF setup is that
several small models can bind to the one
small transmitter included with the RTF
system. This is simple, inexpensive, and,
more important, it works great!
All BNF models will work with the
more versatile Spektrum and JR
transmitters that use the DSM2 spread
spectrum technology.
What We Had: Until Horizon released its
BNF systems, an aeromodeler was
required to buy a model and then match it
with his or her radio gear. Installation and
finding tiny receivers and servos for small
park flyers was sometimes difficult and
costly.
Early offerings of diminutive aircraft
that included motors and controllers were
often poorly matched. Many early
“complete systems” used underpowered
setups. If they came with a radio, it
worked only with that particular system. If
you bought several park flyers, you were
required to carry several transmitters.
What Happened? Horizon took the bit in
its teeth and let its electric-flight experts
design well-matched systems. The flight
and engineering crews there decided to
stress performance and let the marketing
take care of itself. This was, quite
possibly, a stroke of genius.
What We Have: The BNF line of
products ranges from micro-sized
helicopters and airplanes to larger-scale
04sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 2/23/10 9:17 AM Page 37
38 MODEL AVIATION
Photos by the author
Above: The Ember 2’s tiny receiver with
integrated ESC and linear servos can be
removed and installed in another project
when the opportunity presents itself.
Left: The Ember 2 is a very light indoor
flyer and benefits from having a customfitted
box in which to store and carry it. A
BNF model typically includes a flight
battery and charger.
How tough is the E-flite Blade mCX 300? The author broke
its tailboom off and shifted the battery aft to make up for
the CG shift, and it still flew great.
The Sukhoi begs to knife-edge, but not in
the shop. The author shows the semiscale
model’s size using his hand as a reference.
The Sukhoi isn’t much bigger than the Spektrum DX7, but it flies like a big model. A
popular modification is to exchange the stock propeller for a GWS 5043.
aircraft. You can have a small coaxial helicopter to help you get
over your fear of helicopters and then transition to the E-flite
Blade mSR: a single-rotor, active-tail-rotor helicopter, complete
with gyro, batteries, charger, etc.
Airplanes are available with wingspans of roughly 44 inches,
so there are not all tiny models. The offerings range from a 39-
inch-span, molded-foam P-51 or 44-inch-span T-28D down to a
16-inch-span Sukhoi Su-26m that weighs a scant 1.1 ounces.
And you know that new, cool designs will be released.
Indoor and outdoor flying are covered, assuming that you
mind the field’s conditions. These models aren’t made for much
wind.
If you’re thinking you’ll get bored with park flying, try the
little Sukhoi. It will knife-edge with the best of them. Want it to
torque roll? No problem.
Depending on the aircraft’s size and requirements, these
BNF systems include a variety of readily available DSM or
DSM2 receivers. My Sukhoi uses a Spektrum AR6400 receiver
with linear servos and integrated ESC for the brushed motor.
04sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 2/23/10 9:18 AM Page 38April 2010 39
Available separately, the Spektrum
AR6400 receiver incorporates two
linear servos along with two plugs
for additional servos. It also
includes the integrated ESC for
throttle.
David Payne demonstrates the new ParkZone BNF P-51 at the 2009 Southeast
Electric Flight Festival. Now available, the model offers four-channel control
and easily a 10-minute flight.
This is exactly the type of receiver I wish I
had years ago, when I was trying to
scratch-build indoor models.
My larger Blade CX3 helicopter uses a
standard Spektrum AR6100e receiver.
Everything is available off the shelf and is
replaceable.
Marketing Genius or Marketing
Madness? I fall into the category of fliers
who think it’s genius. The only downside
is that if you’re tempted by impulse
buying, you might get into trouble at
home.
I walked into Hayes Hobby House in
Fayetteville, North Carolina, last
Christmas and saw my first BNF Blade
mCX. Allen Hayes was flying it and
offered me the sticks—one sold. I handed
it to my buddy, and he was sold. He
handed it to his friend, and Allen was
ringing up three sales.
I couldn’t believe I could purchase a
complete system that flew this well and
worked with my Spektrum DX7
transmitter—for less than $100. Allen was
excited too; he told us about other BNF
products that were soon to be released.
The line has expanded tenfold since then,
and there is more on the “horizon.”
As a shop owner, he was excited not
only because it was clear that these
products would sell, but also because he
could feel good about selling them. Allen
knew that they worked well and that he
wouldn’t be giving refunds and soothing
upset customers who were disappointed
by underpowered setups.
The boxes in which the BNF systems
are sold are designed so they can be used
for travel cases, to protect the models. I
toss a few in the motor-home storage
compartments, and I don’t have to worry
about my airplanes and helicopters being
damaged on the road.
Soapbox: I’ve heard old-time modelers at
my club say that BNF is the “ruination of
our hobby.” I beg to differ.
People don’t build as often as they
used to, whether they truly lack the time
or they use that as a handy excuse. Our
hobby is constantly changing, and we
must change with it. The indoor market is
growing, and these systems are popping
up in indoor models that people are
building from scratch.
Although a BNF model might be
trashed from crashing or too much hangar
rash, the matching radio has real
components that can easily be transferred
to a new model. At the last indoor meet I
attended, I saw several young fliers who
had experimented with designs using the
“guts” from Ember 2s that they had
broken.
This kind of equipment makes
experimenting with indoor flyers much
easier. And it’s undoubtedly cheaper than
assembling systems from separate pieces.
I think that the BNF systems are going
to help our hobby grow. Parents can buy
their children reliable systems off of the
shelf and know that they will work. Kids
of all ages can expand their fleet by
adding more BNF products and not have
to carry more than one transmitter, The
BNF line appeals to members of the
instant-gratification group too, because they
can simply walk out the door and go fly.
I’m still a builder, but I admit that I do
love being tempted by these products
when I go into the hobby shop. I can’t
wait to see what comes next. Anything
that brings more people into model
aviation is a good thing!
It’s time to go out to the park and grab
a quick flight or two. MA
Greg Gimlick
[email protected]
Sources:
Bind-N-Fly:
Horizon Hobby
(800) 338-4639
www.bindnfly.com
JR
(800) 338-4639
www.jrradios.com
Spektrum RC
(800) 338-4639
www.spektrumrc.com
E-flite
(800) 338-4639
www.e-fliterc.com
ParkZone
(800) 338-4639
www.parkzone.com
HobbyZone
(800) 338-4639
www.hobbyzonesports.com
04sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 2/23/10 9:19 AM Page 39
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/04
Page Numbers: 37,38,39
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/04
Page Numbers: 37,38,39
Bind
-N-Fly
by Greg
Gimlick
The author’s BNF helicopter
fleet grows every time he
sees a new one in the store.
The author’s two BNF fixed-wing models
from ParkZone came in great carrying
boxes. The range of these aircraft
includes beginner and expert interests.
Horizon Hobby’s convenience
concept for safer RC modeling
April 2010 37
ELECTRIC FLIGHT AND 2.4 GHz
spread spectrum radios have burst onto the
marketplace in the last couple of years,
and Horizon Hobby has been on the
cutting edge with its E-flite, ParkZone, and
HobbyZone products. Add its Spektrum
and JR brands of DSM2 spread spectrum
technology, and 2.4 GHz has quickly
become the standard in many locations
across the country among the park flyer
crowd.
Any location with sufficient room
becomes a flying field, and there are no
frequency concerns, as there were in “the
good ol’ days.”
What is Bind-N-Fly (BNF)? If you’re
familiar with 2.4 GHz radios, you probably
know that a radio must be “bound” to a
receiver before you fly. That assigns a
particular Global Unit Identity (GUID) to
the receiver, which takes commands only
from the transmitter with that GUID. It’s
simple; you bind and then fly.
This new way of marketing a product
allows the user to walk out of the hobby
shop with an airplane or helicopter that is
complete with motor, ESC, gyro, servos,
receiver, and, in most cases, a battery and
charger. You merely bind it to your
transmitter and fly. There is also the RTF
system, which comes with a small but
sufficient transmitter for park flying.
The beauty of the BNF setup is that
several small models can bind to the one
small transmitter included with the RTF
system. This is simple, inexpensive, and,
more important, it works great!
All BNF models will work with the
more versatile Spektrum and JR
transmitters that use the DSM2 spread
spectrum technology.
What We Had: Until Horizon released its
BNF systems, an aeromodeler was
required to buy a model and then match it
with his or her radio gear. Installation and
finding tiny receivers and servos for small
park flyers was sometimes difficult and
costly.
Early offerings of diminutive aircraft
that included motors and controllers were
often poorly matched. Many early
“complete systems” used underpowered
setups. If they came with a radio, it
worked only with that particular system. If
you bought several park flyers, you were
required to carry several transmitters.
What Happened? Horizon took the bit in
its teeth and let its electric-flight experts
design well-matched systems. The flight
and engineering crews there decided to
stress performance and let the marketing
take care of itself. This was, quite
possibly, a stroke of genius.
What We Have: The BNF line of
products ranges from micro-sized
helicopters and airplanes to larger-scale
04sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 2/23/10 9:17 AM Page 37
38 MODEL AVIATION
Photos by the author
Above: The Ember 2’s tiny receiver with
integrated ESC and linear servos can be
removed and installed in another project
when the opportunity presents itself.
Left: The Ember 2 is a very light indoor
flyer and benefits from having a customfitted
box in which to store and carry it. A
BNF model typically includes a flight
battery and charger.
How tough is the E-flite Blade mCX 300? The author broke
its tailboom off and shifted the battery aft to make up for
the CG shift, and it still flew great.
The Sukhoi begs to knife-edge, but not in
the shop. The author shows the semiscale
model’s size using his hand as a reference.
The Sukhoi isn’t much bigger than the Spektrum DX7, but it flies like a big model. A
popular modification is to exchange the stock propeller for a GWS 5043.
aircraft. You can have a small coaxial helicopter to help you get
over your fear of helicopters and then transition to the E-flite
Blade mSR: a single-rotor, active-tail-rotor helicopter, complete
with gyro, batteries, charger, etc.
Airplanes are available with wingspans of roughly 44 inches,
so there are not all tiny models. The offerings range from a 39-
inch-span, molded-foam P-51 or 44-inch-span T-28D down to a
16-inch-span Sukhoi Su-26m that weighs a scant 1.1 ounces.
And you know that new, cool designs will be released.
Indoor and outdoor flying are covered, assuming that you
mind the field’s conditions. These models aren’t made for much
wind.
If you’re thinking you’ll get bored with park flying, try the
little Sukhoi. It will knife-edge with the best of them. Want it to
torque roll? No problem.
Depending on the aircraft’s size and requirements, these
BNF systems include a variety of readily available DSM or
DSM2 receivers. My Sukhoi uses a Spektrum AR6400 receiver
with linear servos and integrated ESC for the brushed motor.
04sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 2/23/10 9:18 AM Page 38April 2010 39
Available separately, the Spektrum
AR6400 receiver incorporates two
linear servos along with two plugs
for additional servos. It also
includes the integrated ESC for
throttle.
David Payne demonstrates the new ParkZone BNF P-51 at the 2009 Southeast
Electric Flight Festival. Now available, the model offers four-channel control
and easily a 10-minute flight.
This is exactly the type of receiver I wish I
had years ago, when I was trying to
scratch-build indoor models.
My larger Blade CX3 helicopter uses a
standard Spektrum AR6100e receiver.
Everything is available off the shelf and is
replaceable.
Marketing Genius or Marketing
Madness? I fall into the category of fliers
who think it’s genius. The only downside
is that if you’re tempted by impulse
buying, you might get into trouble at
home.
I walked into Hayes Hobby House in
Fayetteville, North Carolina, last
Christmas and saw my first BNF Blade
mCX. Allen Hayes was flying it and
offered me the sticks—one sold. I handed
it to my buddy, and he was sold. He
handed it to his friend, and Allen was
ringing up three sales.
I couldn’t believe I could purchase a
complete system that flew this well and
worked with my Spektrum DX7
transmitter—for less than $100. Allen was
excited too; he told us about other BNF
products that were soon to be released.
The line has expanded tenfold since then,
and there is more on the “horizon.”
As a shop owner, he was excited not
only because it was clear that these
products would sell, but also because he
could feel good about selling them. Allen
knew that they worked well and that he
wouldn’t be giving refunds and soothing
upset customers who were disappointed
by underpowered setups.
The boxes in which the BNF systems
are sold are designed so they can be used
for travel cases, to protect the models. I
toss a few in the motor-home storage
compartments, and I don’t have to worry
about my airplanes and helicopters being
damaged on the road.
Soapbox: I’ve heard old-time modelers at
my club say that BNF is the “ruination of
our hobby.” I beg to differ.
People don’t build as often as they
used to, whether they truly lack the time
or they use that as a handy excuse. Our
hobby is constantly changing, and we
must change with it. The indoor market is
growing, and these systems are popping
up in indoor models that people are
building from scratch.
Although a BNF model might be
trashed from crashing or too much hangar
rash, the matching radio has real
components that can easily be transferred
to a new model. At the last indoor meet I
attended, I saw several young fliers who
had experimented with designs using the
“guts” from Ember 2s that they had
broken.
This kind of equipment makes
experimenting with indoor flyers much
easier. And it’s undoubtedly cheaper than
assembling systems from separate pieces.
I think that the BNF systems are going
to help our hobby grow. Parents can buy
their children reliable systems off of the
shelf and know that they will work. Kids
of all ages can expand their fleet by
adding more BNF products and not have
to carry more than one transmitter, The
BNF line appeals to members of the
instant-gratification group too, because they
can simply walk out the door and go fly.
I’m still a builder, but I admit that I do
love being tempted by these products
when I go into the hobby shop. I can’t
wait to see what comes next. Anything
that brings more people into model
aviation is a good thing!
It’s time to go out to the park and grab
a quick flight or two. MA
Greg Gimlick
[email protected]
Sources:
Bind-N-Fly:
Horizon Hobby
(800) 338-4639
www.bindnfly.com
JR
(800) 338-4639
www.jrradios.com
Spektrum RC
(800) 338-4639
www.spektrumrc.com
E-flite
(800) 338-4639
www.e-fliterc.com
ParkZone
(800) 338-4639
www.parkzone.com
HobbyZone
(800) 338-4639
www.hobbyzonesports.com
04sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 2/23/10 9:19 AM Page 39
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/04
Page Numbers: 37,38,39
Bind
-N-Fly
by Greg
Gimlick
The author’s BNF helicopter
fleet grows every time he
sees a new one in the store.
The author’s two BNF fixed-wing models
from ParkZone came in great carrying
boxes. The range of these aircraft
includes beginner and expert interests.
Horizon Hobby’s convenience
concept for safer RC modeling
April 2010 37
ELECTRIC FLIGHT AND 2.4 GHz
spread spectrum radios have burst onto the
marketplace in the last couple of years,
and Horizon Hobby has been on the
cutting edge with its E-flite, ParkZone, and
HobbyZone products. Add its Spektrum
and JR brands of DSM2 spread spectrum
technology, and 2.4 GHz has quickly
become the standard in many locations
across the country among the park flyer
crowd.
Any location with sufficient room
becomes a flying field, and there are no
frequency concerns, as there were in “the
good ol’ days.”
What is Bind-N-Fly (BNF)? If you’re
familiar with 2.4 GHz radios, you probably
know that a radio must be “bound” to a
receiver before you fly. That assigns a
particular Global Unit Identity (GUID) to
the receiver, which takes commands only
from the transmitter with that GUID. It’s
simple; you bind and then fly.
This new way of marketing a product
allows the user to walk out of the hobby
shop with an airplane or helicopter that is
complete with motor, ESC, gyro, servos,
receiver, and, in most cases, a battery and
charger. You merely bind it to your
transmitter and fly. There is also the RTF
system, which comes with a small but
sufficient transmitter for park flying.
The beauty of the BNF setup is that
several small models can bind to the one
small transmitter included with the RTF
system. This is simple, inexpensive, and,
more important, it works great!
All BNF models will work with the
more versatile Spektrum and JR
transmitters that use the DSM2 spread
spectrum technology.
What We Had: Until Horizon released its
BNF systems, an aeromodeler was
required to buy a model and then match it
with his or her radio gear. Installation and
finding tiny receivers and servos for small
park flyers was sometimes difficult and
costly.
Early offerings of diminutive aircraft
that included motors and controllers were
often poorly matched. Many early
“complete systems” used underpowered
setups. If they came with a radio, it
worked only with that particular system. If
you bought several park flyers, you were
required to carry several transmitters.
What Happened? Horizon took the bit in
its teeth and let its electric-flight experts
design well-matched systems. The flight
and engineering crews there decided to
stress performance and let the marketing
take care of itself. This was, quite
possibly, a stroke of genius.
What We Have: The BNF line of
products ranges from micro-sized
helicopters and airplanes to larger-scale
04sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 2/23/10 9:17 AM Page 37
38 MODEL AVIATION
Photos by the author
Above: The Ember 2’s tiny receiver with
integrated ESC and linear servos can be
removed and installed in another project
when the opportunity presents itself.
Left: The Ember 2 is a very light indoor
flyer and benefits from having a customfitted
box in which to store and carry it. A
BNF model typically includes a flight
battery and charger.
How tough is the E-flite Blade mCX 300? The author broke
its tailboom off and shifted the battery aft to make up for
the CG shift, and it still flew great.
The Sukhoi begs to knife-edge, but not in
the shop. The author shows the semiscale
model’s size using his hand as a reference.
The Sukhoi isn’t much bigger than the Spektrum DX7, but it flies like a big model. A
popular modification is to exchange the stock propeller for a GWS 5043.
aircraft. You can have a small coaxial helicopter to help you get
over your fear of helicopters and then transition to the E-flite
Blade mSR: a single-rotor, active-tail-rotor helicopter, complete
with gyro, batteries, charger, etc.
Airplanes are available with wingspans of roughly 44 inches,
so there are not all tiny models. The offerings range from a 39-
inch-span, molded-foam P-51 or 44-inch-span T-28D down to a
16-inch-span Sukhoi Su-26m that weighs a scant 1.1 ounces.
And you know that new, cool designs will be released.
Indoor and outdoor flying are covered, assuming that you
mind the field’s conditions. These models aren’t made for much
wind.
If you’re thinking you’ll get bored with park flying, try the
little Sukhoi. It will knife-edge with the best of them. Want it to
torque roll? No problem.
Depending on the aircraft’s size and requirements, these
BNF systems include a variety of readily available DSM or
DSM2 receivers. My Sukhoi uses a Spektrum AR6400 receiver
with linear servos and integrated ESC for the brushed motor.
04sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 2/23/10 9:18 AM Page 38April 2010 39
Available separately, the Spektrum
AR6400 receiver incorporates two
linear servos along with two plugs
for additional servos. It also
includes the integrated ESC for
throttle.
David Payne demonstrates the new ParkZone BNF P-51 at the 2009 Southeast
Electric Flight Festival. Now available, the model offers four-channel control
and easily a 10-minute flight.
This is exactly the type of receiver I wish I
had years ago, when I was trying to
scratch-build indoor models.
My larger Blade CX3 helicopter uses a
standard Spektrum AR6100e receiver.
Everything is available off the shelf and is
replaceable.
Marketing Genius or Marketing
Madness? I fall into the category of fliers
who think it’s genius. The only downside
is that if you’re tempted by impulse
buying, you might get into trouble at
home.
I walked into Hayes Hobby House in
Fayetteville, North Carolina, last
Christmas and saw my first BNF Blade
mCX. Allen Hayes was flying it and
offered me the sticks—one sold. I handed
it to my buddy, and he was sold. He
handed it to his friend, and Allen was
ringing up three sales.
I couldn’t believe I could purchase a
complete system that flew this well and
worked with my Spektrum DX7
transmitter—for less than $100. Allen was
excited too; he told us about other BNF
products that were soon to be released.
The line has expanded tenfold since then,
and there is more on the “horizon.”
As a shop owner, he was excited not
only because it was clear that these
products would sell, but also because he
could feel good about selling them. Allen
knew that they worked well and that he
wouldn’t be giving refunds and soothing
upset customers who were disappointed
by underpowered setups.
The boxes in which the BNF systems
are sold are designed so they can be used
for travel cases, to protect the models. I
toss a few in the motor-home storage
compartments, and I don’t have to worry
about my airplanes and helicopters being
damaged on the road.
Soapbox: I’ve heard old-time modelers at
my club say that BNF is the “ruination of
our hobby.” I beg to differ.
People don’t build as often as they
used to, whether they truly lack the time
or they use that as a handy excuse. Our
hobby is constantly changing, and we
must change with it. The indoor market is
growing, and these systems are popping
up in indoor models that people are
building from scratch.
Although a BNF model might be
trashed from crashing or too much hangar
rash, the matching radio has real
components that can easily be transferred
to a new model. At the last indoor meet I
attended, I saw several young fliers who
had experimented with designs using the
“guts” from Ember 2s that they had
broken.
This kind of equipment makes
experimenting with indoor flyers much
easier. And it’s undoubtedly cheaper than
assembling systems from separate pieces.
I think that the BNF systems are going
to help our hobby grow. Parents can buy
their children reliable systems off of the
shelf and know that they will work. Kids
of all ages can expand their fleet by
adding more BNF products and not have
to carry more than one transmitter, The
BNF line appeals to members of the
instant-gratification group too, because they
can simply walk out the door and go fly.
I’m still a builder, but I admit that I do
love being tempted by these products
when I go into the hobby shop. I can’t
wait to see what comes next. Anything
that brings more people into model
aviation is a good thing!
It’s time to go out to the park and grab
a quick flight or two. MA
Greg Gimlick
[email protected]
Sources:
Bind-N-Fly:
Horizon Hobby
(800) 338-4639
www.bindnfly.com
JR
(800) 338-4639
www.jrradios.com
Spektrum RC
(800) 338-4639
www.spektrumrc.com
E-flite
(800) 338-4639
www.e-fliterc.com
ParkZone
(800) 338-4639
www.parkzone.com
HobbyZone
(800) 338-4639
www.hobbyzonesports.com
04sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 2/23/10 9:19 AM Page 39
