HobbyZone Champ Anniversary Special Edition 515mm BNF Basic Review: The Legend Is Back, but Read This Before You Buy

A legendary micro trainer returns with SAFE Select self-leveling and a sub-250g airframe, but the BNF Basic box leaves out the radio, battery and charger. Here’s who should buy it, and who shouldn’t.

The HobbyZone Champ Anniversary Special Edition 515mm BNF Basic (HBZ04950) brings back one of the best-known ultra-micro trainers in the hobby and adds modern Spektrum stabilization. The real question for most buyers isn’t whether the Champ can fly. It’s whether this particular package fits the equipment you own, the air you fly in, and the skills you want to build. No named, exact-version flight review of this BNF Basic turned up in our research, so this review weighs Horizon’s manual and listings, distributor literature and FAA rules rather than test-pilot reports.

Quick Verdict

The BNF Basic Champ makes the most sense for one buyer: a pilot who already owns a compatible Spektrum DSMX/DSM2 transmitter and flies in calm conditions. For that pilot, it’s a tidy package. The airframe is factory-assembled, it weighs a documented 1.9 oz (53g) with the recommended battery, and its Spektrum flight controller offers SAFE Select bank and pitch limits with self-leveling.

The catch is in the name. “Bind-N-Fly Basic” means you still need a 4+ channel Spektrum radio, a 1S 150–210mAh LiPo with a JST PH 1.25 ultra-micro connector, and a compatible charger. If you own none of that, we’d steer you toward the Ready-to-Fly (RTF) version, HBZ04900, which bundles all three.

Two more qualifications matter. The Champ flies on throttle, rudder and elevator only (no ailerons), and Horizon’s manual specifies 0–5 mph winds. Also, Horizon Hobby now lists both the BNF Basic and the RTF as discontinued on its U.S. site, so confirm exactly what a seller is shipping and whether it’s still in stock.

Still weighing options? Our roundup of the best RC planes puts the Champ in context. Before you buy, read our warning about the 4-channel radio catch below. It can decide whether your transmitter is enough.

Brief Overview

What it is

The Champ Anniversary Special Edition is a commemorative re-release of the HobbyZone Champ, a trainer that Horizon says has helped hundreds of thousands of pilots learn to fly. The anniversary branding marks the Champ’s 15th, HobbyZone’s 25th and Horizon Hobby’s 40th anniversaries.

The big change under the foam is the Spektrum SPMA3183, a single board that combines the receiver, electronic speed controller (ESC) and flight controller. It runs both SAFE Select and AS3X stabilization. A coreless motor in a geared drive (HBZ-3069) turns a 130 × 70mm E-flite propeller (EFL9051). The airframe is expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam.

Who it’s for

• Spektrum owners who want a factory-built micro trainer or a calm-evening practice plane.
• Beginners who have already committed to a Spektrum radio they plan to keep for future Bind-N-Fly (BNF) aircraft.
• Mentors and parents looking for a small, stabilized airplane for a new pilot, provided the radio setup is right. Horizon recommends the Champ for ages 14 and up and says children should fly only under direct adult supervision.

If you’re starting from zero, compare it against our picks for the best RC planes for beginners before deciding.

Cool features

1. Two levels of electronic help. The Champ Anniversary manual describes SAFE Select (Beginner), which limits bank and pitch angles and levels the wings when you center the sticks. With SAFE Select off, AS3X (Expert) stays active to smooth the airplane’s response, without angle limits or self-leveling.
2. A featherweight airframe. At 1.9 oz (53g) with the recommended battery, the Champ sits far below the FAA’s 250g registration threshold for recreational flying. That exemption carries conditions, which we cover in the FAQ.
3. A cataloged parts list. Horizon lists replacement wing, fuselage, tail, landing gear, gearbox, motor, shaft and pushrods by part number.

SPECS AT A GLANCE

Already fly Spektrum? Check current pricing and availability for the Champ Anniversary BNF Basic, and make sure the listing is the HBZ04950 BNF Basic, not the RTF.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Factory-assembled airframe. Distributor Logic RC’s launch fact sheet describes the Champ as fully factory-assembled, with motor, receiver/ESC and servos installed.
• SAFE Select guardrails. Bank and pitch limits plus self-leveling target the classic beginner overcontrol problem.
• Sub-250g recreational status. No FAA registration is required for recreational flying at the documented weight. The free TRUST test still applies.
• Documented spares. The parts list identifies every major component, and the gearbox without motor (HBZ4929) is listed for both the Champ and the UM T-28.

Cons

• Incomplete out of the box. You supply the radio, battery and charger.
• No ailerons, calm air only. Horizon’s wind guidance is 0–5 mph.
• In-flight mode switching needs more than four channels. The manual assigns the SAFE Select switch to an open channel from 5 through 9.
• Crash damage isn’t covered by Horizon’s limited warranty.

The Real Cost of “Bind-N-Fly Basic”: What’s Missing From the Box

According to the Horizon Hobby product page, the HBZ04950 box contains the airplane with its coreless motor, Spektrum receiver/ESC and two-servo control unit installed, plus the manual. Everything else is on you:

• Transmitter: a 4+ channel Spektrum DSMX/DSM2 radio. Horizon lists the DXS (SPMR1010) and DX6e (SPMR6655) as optional.
• Flight battery: the recommended Spektrum 3.7V 150mAh 1S 50C LiPo (SPMX1501S50) with JST PH1.25 connector. A 210mAh pack (SPMX2101S50) is listed as optional. Don’t assume a battery with a similar-looking plug will fit.
• Charger: the E-flite 1S USB LiPo charger (EFLC1008), or the optional Spektrum S44 four-port (SPMXC1040) or S63 USB (SPMXC1060).

By contrast, the RTF version (HBZ04900) comes with a Spektrum MLP4DSM transmitter, four AA batteries for it, a 150mAh 1S LiPo and an E-flite 1S USB charger.

Our advice: list what you already own, price everything you’d still have to buy, then compare that total against the complete RTF package.

⚠️ WARNING: The 4-channel transmitter catch
A 4-channel Spektrum radio meets the minimum requirement to fly the Champ. But the manual assigns the SAFE Select/AS3X toggle to a switch on an open channel from 5 through 9, so a conventional 4-channel radio can’t switch modes in flight. The manual also says SAFE Select is enabled or disabled during binding, yet it doesn’t clearly lay out the full enable/disable and switch-assignment steps. If mode switching matters to you, confirm the exact procedure with Horizon Hobby and verify the active mode on the bench before every flight.

Expected Experience with the HobbyZone Champ Anniversary Special Edition 515mm BNF Basic

Assembly and radio setup: minutes, not evenings

With a factory-assembled airframe, your workload shifts to the transmitter. The manual includes setup tables for Spektrum DX, NX and iX radios. Expect to:

1. Create a new airplane model.
2. Set dual rates and expo. The starting values are 100% with 10% expo (high) and 70% with 5% expo (low).
3. Set throttle cut.
4. Bind, choosing whether SAFE Select is on.
5. Rebind after setup so the receiver stores your failsafe positions.

Don’t set rates below 50%; the manual warns that AS3X won’t work properly. Specified control throws are 5mm up/down on high rate and 3mm up/down on low rate for the elevator, and 6mm left/right on high rate and 4mm left/right on low rate for the rudder.

The pre-flight ritual beginners must not skip

• Initialize carefully. Throttle low, trims centered, transmitter on, then connect the battery and hold the airplane still, out of the wind, for five seconds.
• Check the CG. It should sit 30mm (±2mm) behind the wing’s leading edge at the fuselage, checked upright with the battery installed but disconnected. Start with the battery about ½ in. (13mm) behind the compartment’s foremost position.
• Run both tests. Confirm elevator and rudder move the right way. Then advance the throttle above 25%, lower it, and check that the surfaces react correctly when you move the airplane. If they don’t, don’t fly.
• Range check using your transmitter’s instructions.

First flights: launch, handling and landing

For a ground takeoff, the manual calls for facing into the wind, low rates, and gradually adding throttle to between half and three-quarters while steering with rudder. For hand launches, it recommends a helper so you can focus on the sticks; the launch diagram shows full throttle.

To trim, fly level at half throttle, make small trim corrections, then leave the sticks alone for three seconds so the receiver learns the trim. Land into a light wind, easing off power around four feet up and flaring gently with the wings level. Avoid sharp turns after touchdown, or the wingtips can scrape.

In AS3X mode, Horizon’s marketing says basic aerobatics such as loops and stall turns are possible.

Flight time and the wind ceiling

Horizon publishes no measured flight time. The manual tells you to set a five-minute timer for your first flight on the 150mAh pack and adjust from there. Flying just above half throttle stretches the time compared with constant full throttle. When the motor starts pulsing, that’s low-voltage cutoff (LVC): land immediately. Repeatedly flying to LVC damages the pack.

The manual estimates about 30 minutes to charge a fully discharged 150mAh pack on the EFLC1008. Charge only while attended, and never charge a damaged or swollen pack. Store packs at roughly half charge.

On wind, the guidance is 0–5 mph (0–8 km/h). The troubleshooting table repeatedly suggests waiting for a calmer day.

Crashes, repairs and durability

The landing gear pulls out of its mount and pushes back in. Propeller and shaft service is more involved. You may need hemostats to grip the shaft, or a hobby knife to open the fuselage tape seams, then retape afterward. Snug the nylon nut, but don’t overtighten the spur gear; the manual warns that causes gearbox binding and reduced performance. Always disconnect the flight battery first.

For foam repairs, stick with foam-safe adhesives or clear tape. After any hard landing, check that the receiver is still secure and in its original orientation. Remember that crash damage isn’t a warranty claim.

Where sources disagree

• Mode names: The BNF manual says “SAFE Select (Beginner)” and “AS3X (Expert)”; Logic RC’s fact sheet uses Beginner and Experienced. Same system, different labels.
• Power-up behavior: One manual passage says the airplane defaults to SAFE after every power cycle, while another describes an always-AS3X setup when SAFE Select is off. Don’t assume SAFE is active; verify it.
• AS3X activation: The manual says stabilization turns off after one second at zero throttle with no motion, but elsewhere says AS3X stays active until you disconnect the battery.
• Dimensions: Some retail listings show 516mm span and 363mm length; the manual says 515mm and 365mm.
• Repair adhesives: The manual says repairs can be made with virtually any adhesive, such as hot glue or epoxy, while Horizon’s product copy specifies foam-safe CA, Foam 2 Foam, epoxy and other foam-friendly adhesives. We’d follow the narrower foam-safe list.
• Setup tables: They include aileron references on this aileron-free airplane, and the iX table repeats an “Aileron” label where another table says “Rudder.”

How It Stacks Up: Champ vs. the Alternatives

• Choose the Champ RTF if you own no radio, battery or charger and can still find one in stock.
• Choose the Sport Cub S 2 if you have a 6+ channel radio and want ailerons plus more flight modes in a micro package.
• Choose the Apprentice STOL S if you want ailerons, brushless power and a bigger 700mm airframe, and you’re ready for a 2S battery system. Its listed weight is 157g with the recommended pack. Check stock first; availability varies.

Where the HobbyZone Champ Anniversary Special Edition 515mm BNF Basic Really Shines

The Champ’s strongest suit is how little stands between the box and the flight line for a Spektrum owner. There’s no airframe to build, and the control throws are specified in the manual rather than left to guesswork.

SAFE Select’s angle limits and self-leveling give a new pilot a safety net while learning to coordinate throttle, rudder and elevator, skills that carry over to bigger trainers. With SAFE Select off, AS3X turns the same airplane into a calm-evening sport flier for experienced hands.

The Champ is also refreshingly portable. Its 20.3-inch span and 1.9 oz weight suit the yards, parks and sports fields Logic RC describes, though local rules and the FAA’s operating rules still decide where you can fly. And because the BNF version uses your own Spektrum radio, that transmitter keeps working for you long after the Champ.

🛒 HobbyZone Champ Anniversary Special Edition 515mm BNF Basic with SAFE (HBZ04950)
A factory-assembled, 53g three-channel trainer with SAFE Select self-leveling and AS3X stabilization.
See today’s price
Radio, battery and charger sold separately.

Who Should Buy It (and Who Should Skip It)

Buy it if you are…

• A Spektrum transmitter owner who wants a factory-built trainer or a second practice plane.
• A beginner who has already budgeted for a Spektrum radio you’ll use with future BNF aircraft.
• A mentor or parent introducing someone to flying, as long as you verify the active flight mode before each flight.
• A small-field flier who mostly flies in calm conditions.

Skip it (or pick an alternative) if you are…

• A first-timer with no radio, battery or charger. Look at the RTF version, if a seller still has one.
• A pilot who wants ailerons and true 4-channel training from day one. Consider the Sport Cub S 2 or Apprentice STOL S.
• Someone who often flies in breezy conditions. The Champ’s documented wind guidance tops out at 5 mph.
• A buyer who needs a guaranteed supply from Horizon’s U.S. store, where the BNF Basic is listed as discontinued.

FAQ

Q: Is the HobbyZone Champ Anniversary Special Edition 515mm BNF Basic a good first RC plane if I’ve never flown before?

A: The Champ Anniversary BNF Basic can be a sensible first plane if you already own a compatible Spektrum radio and have calm air and a safe place to fly.

• SAFE Select limits bank and pitch and levels the wings when you center the sticks.
• Horizon rates it Level 1.
• If you own no equipment, the RTF version is the more complete starting point, if a seller still has one in stock.

Q: What exactly do I need to buy to fly the Champ Anniversary BNF Basic?

A: To fly the Champ Anniversary BNF Basic, you need three items: a transmitter, a flight battery and a charger.

1. A 4+ channel Spektrum DSMX/DSM2 transmitter.
2. A 1S 3.7V 150–210mAh LiPo with JST PH 1.25 connector (recommended: SPMX1501S50).
3. A compatible 1S LiPo charger (listed: EFLC1008).

Q: How do I bind my Spektrum transmitter to the Champ Anniversary BNF Basic step by step?

A: Binding the Champ Anniversary BNF Basic follows Horizon’s six-step general BNF procedure.

1. Disconnect the flight battery.
2. Turn the transmitter off with switches at position 0.
3. Connect the aircraft battery and wait for the controller LED to flash after about five seconds.
4. Hold the transmitter’s bind control while powering it on.
5. Release after two to three seconds.
6. Disconnect the aircraft battery and turn off the transmitter.

The manual says SAFE Select is enabled or disabled during binding, but it doesn’t clearly spell out those steps. Confirm the procedure with Horizon, and rebind after radio setup to store failsafe positions.

Q: How long can I fly the Champ Anniversary Special Edition on one battery?

A: Horizon gives no measured flight time for the Champ Anniversary Special Edition; its manual sets a five-minute starting timer on the 150mAh pack.

• Adjust the timer after your first flight.
• Flying just above half throttle extends time.
• Land immediately when the motor pulses (low-voltage cutoff).
• A 210mAh pack is listed as optional, with no published endurance figure.

Q: Do I need to register the HobbyZone Champ Anniversary Special Edition with the FAA?

A: The HobbyZone Champ Anniversary Special Edition doesn’t need FAA registration when flown for recreation at its documented 53g weight.

• The FAA registration exemption covers aircraft under 250g flown under the recreational exception.
• Remote ID applies to aircraft that must be, or are, registered.
• You must pass the free Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and carry proof.
• FAA recreational rules still apply: visual line of sight, yield to other aircraft, follow a community-based organization’s safety guidelines, stay at or below 400 ft in Class G airspace, and get authorization in controlled airspace.

Q: Should I buy the Champ Anniversary BNF Basic or the RTF version?

A: Choose between the Champ Anniversary BNF Basic and RTF based on the equipment you already own.

• Own a compatible Spektrum radio, battery and charger? The BNF Basic avoids duplicate gear.
• Own nothing? The RTF includes the MLP4DSM transmitter, battery and charger, but Horizon lists it as discontinued, so confirm stock first.
• Either way, compare the complete delivered cost, not just the airplane.

Q: How windy is too windy to fly the Champ Anniversary Special Edition?

A: The Champ Anniversary Special Edition manual specifies flying in 0–5 mph winds.

• Launch and land into the wind.
• If the airplane struggles with excessive or gusty wind, the troubleshooting guide’s fix is a calmer day.