ParkZone was a brand of an intermediate level, radio-controlled electric model aircraft.
It was produced and distributed by an American hobby manufacturer Horizon Hobby, based in Champaign, Illinois, United States. The name of the aircraft is taken from the term park flyer, which denotes a relatively small and unobtrusive model that can be flown in a park.
The ParkZone lineup included various scale aircraft models, such as the P-51D Mustang, F4F Wildcat, F4U Corsair, and Spitfire, as well as several non-scale sport aircraft.
The ParkZone aircraft and other park flyers use lithium polymer batteries because they have higher energy density, lighter weight, and longer lifespan compared to other types of batteries. These batteries are a popular choice for portable electronic devices, including radio-controlled aircraft, and can provide the power needed to run the aircraft's motor while allowing for longer flight times and more agile maneuvers due to their light weight. They are also ideal for the limited space available in RC aircraft due to their high energy density.
HobbyTown USA is a leading franchise retailer of hobby and remote control products in the United States. In 2005, they named ParkZone as the "Hobby Company of the Year", recognizing their innovative and high-quality radio-controlled aircraft. This was a significant achievement for ParkZone as it solidified their position as a top player in the RC aircraft industry and helped to boost their sales and reputation among hobbyists. The award also highlighted the importance of lithium polymer batteries in RC aircraft and their role in improving performance and flight time.
ParkZone offered a purchasing option called "Bind N' Fly" or "BNF", which included everything needed to fly the aircraft, except the radio transmitter. This feature allowed owners of Spektrum brand transmitters to link or 'bind' their transmitter to the aircraft, eliminating the need to purchase an additional transmitter or receiver crystal.
On September 1, 2009, during a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium, an unknown pilot was flying a ParkZone Sukhoi Su-26m ultra-micro indoor/outdoor model. The plane was unintentionally flown onto the field, delaying the game's top of the sixth inning. The plane eventually crashed near the Diamondbacks' dugout, causing Diamondbacks utility infielder Augie Ojeda to pick it up and destroy it to allow play to resume. The incident highlighted the potential dangers of flying model aircraft in public areas and the need for responsible hobbyist practices to prevent accidents and disruptions.
The model lineup included the Sukhoi SU-29MM, Sport Cub, Artizan, Fw-190 A-8, T-28 Trojan, Radian, and Radian Pro. In addition, there was an Ultra-Microline consisting of an ultra micro Icon A-5, P-5D Mustang, T-28 Trojan, Night Vapor and the Ember 2. The "Ultra-Microline" is a series of small-sized radio-controlled aircraft made by ParkZone, with a wingspan of 15-20 cm and a weight of just a few grams. They are designed for indoor flying or flying in small outdoor areas due to their small and light design. Several of these models have highly detailed scale features, removable landing gear, three or four-channel operation and various aftermarket add-ons and upgrades.
ParkZone discontinued several of their aircraft models, including the Typhoon 3D sport plane, Super Decathlon, Bf-109, Fw-190, Cessna 210, Citabria, Etomic Vapor slow flyer, and Slo-V slow flyer due to various reasons. Some of these models were discontinued because they had reached the end of their production cycle, and newer models with better features and technology had replaced them. Other models were discontinued due to low sales or the availability of parts. ParkZone may have also discontinued some of these models to focus on producing more popular and profitable models in their lineup.