Cleetus livery, a USB-C sim radio and a RealFlight key. Does the special edition earn its premium, or just its decals? Here’s what’s in the box, what isn’t, and who should buy it.
Quick Verdict
The HobbyZone Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m Cleetus McFarland RTF Basic (HBZ32001SE) is no gimmick, but it isn’t a free upgrade either. The yellow livery covers a familiar Carbon Cub S 2 package: an installed brushless power system, a Spektrum flight controller with SAFE, and a DXS transmitter. On top of that, you get two training extras the standard RTF Basic doesn’t list, a RealFlight Trainer Edition key and a spare propeller. Paint is only part of what you pay for.
The ideal buyer is a first-time U.S. pilot who owns no simulator and no Spektrum radio, has a Windows PC, and has access to an open field.
Decisive caveats:
- The flight battery and charger cost extra.
- The taildragger gear means you steer the takeoff roll with the tailwheel and rudder.
- Horizon’s manual recommends a 6–8-minute flight timer.
- At 1,285 grams with the recommended 2200mAh pack, the plane must be FAA-registered, and you must pass TRUST.
Wrong buyer? If you already own a Spektrum transmitter and RealFlight, compare the standard RTF Basic or the Cleetus BNF Basic. If you’ll learn at a club, Horizon itself points club flyers toward the Apprentice STS. Still comparing the wider field? Start with our roundup of the best RC planes.
As of October 2026, we could not find an independent flight review of the Cleetus edition that measured endurance, handling or durability. Read on to see where the evidence holds and where it stops.
Brief Overview
What It Is
The Carbon Cub S 2 Cleetus edition is a 1.3m EPO-foam scale trainer modeled on the CubCrafters Carbon Cub. “RTF Basic” means the transmitter comes in the box, but the flight battery and charger do not. According to the Cleetus McFarland storefront, the edition ties to McFarland’s own full-scale Carbon Cub and to a 2009 video of him flying a HobbyZone Super Cub on floats.
Who It’s For
This edition is for absolute beginners, returning pilots, and car-culture fans who come to the hobby through Cleetus’s channel. Self-taught flyers can use the simulator first. Even so, Horizon’s manual still recommends help from a qualified instructor for first flights. For more starting points, see our guide to the best RC planes for beginners.
Features That Solve Real Problems
- SAFE with three modes plus Panic Recovery.
- Beginner mode limits pitch and bank and self-levels the plane.
- Intermediate mode allows more pitch and bank freedom and drops self-leveling above 50 feet. Below that height, it reverts to Beginner mode.
- Experienced mode removes the limits.
- Panic Recovery gives you a bail-out button, but it needs altitude to recover from inverted flight, and it can’t avoid obstacles.
- USB-C DXS plus a RealFlight Trainer Edition key. The partner storefront says the DXS connects directly to a Windows 10/11 PC. That lets you rehearse stick inputs, and your crashes, on screen before you fly the real airplane.
- Tundra tires, a steerable tailwheel and an optional float set (HBZ7390). The gear is designed for pavement, grass and gravel. Water flying comes later: Horizon’s float page advises against water flying for beginners.
AT A GLANCE
Model: Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m Cleetus McFarland Special Edition RTF Basic (HBZ32001SE)
Manufacturer: HobbyZone (Horizon Hobby)
Wingspan: 51 in. (1300mm)
Length: 34 in. (865mm)
Flying weight: 1,285g (2.8 lb) with a 2200mAh pack; 1,075g (2.4 lb) without a battery
Pilot skill level: Level 1 (Horizon rating)
Time to assemble: under 1 hour, per retailer spec tables (not independently timed)
Power req’d: 3S 11.1V LiPo with an EC3 or IC3 connector (2200mAh recommended; product page lists 1300–2200mAh, manual says at least 2200mAh), plus a LiPo charger
Radio: Spektrum DXS (included); flaps need a computer radio with elevator-compensation mixing
Price: Check current price
▶ Ready to compare offers? Check today’s price and availability on Amazon, and confirm that the listing says HBZ32001SE before you order. At press time, Horizon listed the SE on backorder with a December 2026 estimate, so check stock before you plan a first-flight date. Budget for a 3S battery and charger as well. Neither is in the box.
Pros & Cons
HITS
- Three SAFE modes plus Panic Recovery let you add freedom as your skills grow, on the same airframe.
- The bundled RealFlight key and simulator-capable DXS let you practice before you risk foam.
- Experienced mode opens loops, rolls and inverted flight, according to the partner’s description.
- Tundra tires, the steerable tailwheel, and optional floats, GPS and Landing Assist Sensor modules leave room to expand.
- Replacement components carry published part numbers, from the 9×6 propeller to the 30A ESC.
MISSES
- Battery and charger are not included.
- Flaps need an extra servo plus a different radio. Horizon’s manual says the DXS lacks the elevator-compensation mixing flaps need.
- The simulator requires a Windows PC. No native Mac support is documented.
- Dealbreaker check: SAFE limits overcontrol, but it isn’t crash insurance. Panic Recovery needs altitude and won’t steer around trees.
Value Check: How It Stacks Up Against Its Rivals
The SE vs. standard math. Horizon’s standard Carbon Cub S 2 RTF Basic (HBZ320001) also includes a DXS and the same installed electronics. Its contents list shows no simulator key and no spare prop. The premium therefore buys the RealFlight key, the spare prop and the livery. The partner storefront also describes the SE’s DXS as an updated USB-C unit. If you don’t own a simulator, those extras carry real training value. If you already fly RealFlight, they mostly duplicate what you have. Compare same-day, same-seller totals before you decide.
One caution: the current AeroScout S 2 RTF Basic (HBZ380002) bundles RealFlight too, so simulation is not unique to the Cleetus edition.
| Cleetus SE RTF Basic | Standard Carbon Cub RTF Basic | E-flite Apprentice STS RTF Basic | AeroScout S 2 RTF Basic | |
| Model number | HBZ32001SE | HBZ320001 | EFL370001 | HBZ380002 |
| Size class | 1.3m | 1.3m | 1.5m | 1.1m |
| Battery req’d | 3S 2200mAh (manual); 1300–2200mAh (product page) | 3S 1300–2200mAh | 3S 3200–4000mAh | 3S 1300–2200mAh |
| Simulator included? | Yes | Not listed | Not listed | Yes |
| Horizon’s suggested site | Open grass fields, public parks | Open grass fields, public parks | Local club | Local club |
| Best for | Sim-less beginners who want this look | Buyers who don’t need the SE extras | Instructor or club training | A sim-equipped alternative |
| Key trade-off | Battery and charger extra | No sim key listed | Larger, different packs | Smaller airframe |
| Check price | Check price | Horizon listing | Horizon listing | Horizon listing |
Bottom line per rival:
- Apprentice STS: Horizon pitches it at club flyers, and it runs on bigger 3200–4000mAh packs.
- AeroScout S 2: Horizon also aims it at club settings, and it now matches the Cub’s simulator inclusion.
- Carbon Cub: The Cub’s case rests on scale looks, rough-field gear and the step-up to aerobatics.
TRUE COST TO FIRST FLIGHT
- The plane.
- A 3S LiPo and charger. One option is Spektrum’s Smart Powerstage Air Bundle (SPMXPSA200). It pairs an S120 USB-C charger with a 2200mAh 3S Smart G2 LiPo. Check what power source the charger needs.
- FAA registration and TRUST completion.
- A Remote ID arrangement.
- A Windows PC for the simulator.
- Optional extras: the GPS module (SPMA3173), the Landing Assist Sensor (SPMA3180), floats (HBZ7390), and a flap servo (SPMSA382) with extension (SPMA3052), plus a radio that can mix flaps.
Expected Experience with HobbyZone Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m Cleetus McFarland RTF Basic
Your best guide here is the SE instruction manual.
Assembly and Setup
Retailer spec tables list assembly at under an hour with no glue. You’ll still need PH0 and PH1 Phillips screwdrivers. The RTF radio comes factory-bound, so rebinding isn’t an automatic first step. Set the CG 62–68mm (about 2.4–2.7 in.) behind the wing-root leading edge, with your battery installed. Then follow these steps:
- Check that the linkages move freely.
- Check the control directions.
- Do a range check.
TIP: Balance with the exact pack you’ll fly. Battery position is your adjustment tool.
Radio and SAFE Modes
Learn the mode switch and Panic Recovery before your first flight. The DXS’s battery LEDs read telemetry from the ESC. They show approximate remaining charge, not a minutes countdown.
Takeoffs, Landings and Ground Handling
As a taildragger, the Cub needs steering input during the takeoff roll. The manual advises taking off into the wind and using small heading corrections. The optional Landing Assist Sensor provides automatic flare assistance in Beginner and Intermediate modes only. The manufacturer says it works best on grass. Dark surfaces and water can confuse its optical readings, and it doesn’t add AutoLand by itself.
In the Air
- Stability: Beginner mode limits pitch and bank and self-levels the airplane.
- Tracking: We found no independent tracking test.
- Aerobatics: According to the partner storefront, Experienced mode allows loops, rolls and inverted flight.
- Glide and stall: We found no measured glide or stall data for this edition.
Fly to the manual’s 6–8-minute timer until you know your packs.
Durability and Repairs
EPO foam and published part numbers make repairs easier to plan. Before you order parts, confirm that they’re in stock and that the damage is actually repairable.
WARNING: At 1,285 grams (2.8 lb) ready to fly, the Cub is no backyard toy. Fly it only on an open, legal site.
Where the HobbyZone Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m Cleetus McFarland RTF Basic Really Shines
Confidence before cost. You fly the simulator with the same transmitter that flies the airplane, so your thumbs learn on screen first. Simulator crashes cost nothing. Ron Gaynor’s Model Aviation account of the NGMA program describes simulator practice combined with instructor and buddy-box training. That is the pairing we’d recommend.
Room to progress. The mode switch lets the airplane change with you, from self-leveling classroom flights to unrestricted sport flying. Move up when you can fly the current mode well, not just because the switch allows it.
Field freedom. Tundra tires and an optional float set give a growing pilot more places to fly. First, make sure you have a legal site.
The Cleetus factor, kept honest. If you’re a fan, the livery is a fine reason to choose this Cub from a shortlist that already fits your needs.
🛩️ HobbyZone Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m Cleetus McFarland RTF Basic (HBZ32001SE)
✔ USB-C DXS transmitter and RealFlight Trainer Edition key included
✔ SAFE with three flight modes plus Panic Recovery
✔ Tundra tires and steerable tailwheel
Check price on Amazon →
Battery and charger required, sold separately.
Who Should Buy It
Buy it if you are:
- A beginner with no simulator, no Spektrum radio and access to a Windows PC.
- A Cleetus fan who wants a capable trainer rather than a shelf piece.
- A pilot with access to an open grass field.
- Someone who wants one airplane from first flight to basic aerobatics.
Skip it, or choose an alternative, if you:
- Already own a Spektrum transmitter and RealFlight. Consider the standard RTF Basic or the Cleetus BNF Basic (HBZ320051SE), which needs your own transmitter.
- Will train at a club. Ask your instructor first; Horizon positions the Apprentice STS for club flying.
- Want a simulator bundle in a smaller airframe. Look at the AeroScout S 2.
- Want flaps without buying another radio.
- Need a verified long flight time. We found no independent endurance test for this edition.
FAQ
Q: Is the HobbyZone Carbon Cub S 2 Cleetus McFarland edition a good first RC plane if I’ve never flown anything before?
A: The Cleetus Carbon Cub is a reasonable first plane when its equipment, your field and your training plan line up.
- Practice on the included simulator first.
- Start in Beginner mode.
- Line up a qualified instructor for your first flights, as Horizon recommends.
Q: What exactly do I need to buy on top of the Carbon Cub S 2 Cleetus McFarland RTF Basic before I can fly it?
A: The Cleetus RTF Basic needs a compatible flight battery and charger before it can fly.
- Battery: a 3S 11.1V LiPo with an EC3 or IC3 connector. Start with 2200mAh: the SE manual says a substitute pack must be at least 2200mAh, though Horizon’s product page lists 1300–2200mAh.
- Charger: a compatible LiPo charger.
- Paperwork: FAA registration, TRUST completion and a Remote ID plan.
- Don’t confuse this package with the discontinued Carbon Cub S 2 RTF (HBZ32000), which did include a battery and charger.
Q: What’s the real difference between the Cleetus McFarland edition and the regular Carbon Cub S 2, and is it worth the extra money?
A: The Cleetus edition adds a RealFlight key, a spare prop and the livery to the standard Carbon Cub S 2 RTF Basic.
- The extras are worth the premium if you’d otherwise buy a simulator.
- They aren’t worth it if you already own RealFlight.
- Compare current totals from the same seller.
Q: Do I need to register the Carbon Cub S 2 with the FAA and take a test before flying it in the U.S.?
A: Yes, recreational Carbon Cub pilots need FAA registration and TRUST completion.
- FAA registration applies to aircraft over 0.55 lb (250g). Recreational registration covers all of your aircraft for three years. Mark the registration number on the outside of the plane, and carry proof of registration when you fly.
- FAA recreational rules require you to carry your TRUST certificate, keep the plane in visual line of sight, yield to other aircraft, get authorization before entering controlled airspace, and stay at or below 400 ft in Class G airspace.
- Remote ID means either a broadcast module or flying inside a FRIA. SAFE’s GPS assistance doesn’t count.
- Check current FAA rules before you fly.
Q: How long will the Carbon Cub S 2 Cleetus McFarland stay in the air on one battery, and should I pick a 1300 or 2200mAh pack?
A: Carbon Cub flight time with each pack size hasn’t been measured independently.
- Horizon’s manual recommends a 6–8-minute timer as a starting point.
- Retailer tables list 5 to 15+ minutes, but that figure hasn’t been verified.
- Horizon’s sources disagree on the low end. The product page lists 3S 1300–2200mAh packs, but the SE manual says a substitute pack must be at least 2200mAh and close to the recommended Spektrum 2200mAh pack in size and weight. Start with a 2200mAh pack, and re-check the CG every time you change packs.
Q: Where can I legally and safely fly a plane this size, and is a backyard or small park enough?
A: A Carbon Cub flying site needs open space, permission and airspace compliance, so most backyards don’t qualify.
- Horizon’s manual calls for at least 1,300 feet (400 m) of clear space in all directions, free of trees, buildings, cars, power lines, people and pets.
- In a FAA-Recognized Identification Area, both you and the plane must stay inside its boundaries.
- The AMA added a FRIA filter to its club finder. Confirm each field’s current status before you go.
Q: What should I do if my Carbon Cub S 2 keeps swerving or bouncing on takeoff and landing?
A: Repeated swerving or bouncing on a Carbon Cub calls for a setup and technique check before your next flight.
- Stop flying.
- Re-verify the CG, control directions and free linkages.
- Roll the plane forward by hand on a smooth surface and adjust rudder trim until it tracks straight, as the manual’s control direction test describes. If it bounces on landing, add a little throttle and ease it back down, or go around.
- Review the manual’s procedure: take off into the wind with small corrections.
- Ask a qualified instructor to inspect the plane and your runway surface.
- If the problem persists, contact Horizon support.
Key Takeaways
- The Cleetus edition is the familiar Carbon Cub S 2 package. The premium buys a RealFlight key, a spare prop and the livery.
- It fits best for beginners who don’t own a simulator or a Spektrum radio.
- Budget for a battery, charger, FAA registration, TRUST and a Remote ID plan. Flaps cost extra.
- Plan for taildragger ground handling and the manual’s 6–8-minute starting timer. If you’ll learn at a club, Horizon points you to the Apprentice STS or AeroScout S 2.