Hobbyzone Carbon Cub S2 1.3m Cleetus McFarland Special Edition, BNF Basic
HobbyZone® created the Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m Cleetus McFarland Special Edition by building on the success of the best-selling Carbon Cub S 2 and taking cues from Cleetus McFarland’s full-scale CubCrafters Carbon Cub. This exclusive SAFE® technology-equipped model is one of the most versatile, capable, and easiest-to-fly RC airplanes with scale looks to match.
The HobbyZone® Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m Cleetus McFarland Special Edition combines the best-selling Carbon Cub S 2 with the iconic trim scheme of Cleetus McFarland's full-scale CubCrafters Carbon Cub. McFarland is a popular YouTuber, and one of the first videos he posted showed him flying a HobbyZone Super Cub on floats in 2009. He has since purchased numerous HobbyZone Carbon Cub models for himself and others to fly! Equipped with Horizon Hobby's exclusive and innovative SAFE® technology, this scale reproduction makes it possible for almost anyone to learn to fly successfully. The durable EPO airframe is equipped with an efficient brushless motor along with a telemetry-capable ESC, plus a factory-installed flight controller, receiver, and servos. The taildragger landing gear with oversized “tundra” style tires and a steerable tailwheel makes it possible to take off from and land on a wide variety of surfaces, from pavement to grass and even gravel. Or, optional floats (sold separately) can be installed for takeoffs from and landings on water. Best of all, the option to add SAFE Plus® GPS-enabled technology and the Landing Assist Sensor (LAS) makes learning to fly even easier than ever before. So even if you've never flown a Radio Controlled (RC) aircraft before, the Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m Cleetus McFarland Special Edition is the most versatile, capable, and easiest-to-fly scale RC airplane yet!
LEARN TO FLY SUCCESSFULLY
Welcome to the exciting world of RC (Radio Controlled) flight! If you've ever dreamed of taking to the skies, Horizon Hobby has you covered. We are committed to engineering aircraft that you can learn to fly with successfully even if you've never flown RC before. Every HobbyZone® aircraft we offer features industry-leading design and technology developed by experts to keep you in control and learning at your own pace so you can turn your dreams of flight into a reality!
The HobbyZone® Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m Cleetus McFarland Special Edition is based on the best-selling Carbon Cub S 2 model and is inspired by Cleetus McFarland's full-scale CubCrafters Carbon Cub. McFarland is an American YouTuber and one of the first videos he ever posted shows him flying a HobbyZone Super Cub on floats in 2009. Since then, he's confident he's personally purchased more Carbon Cub 1.3m models for himself and for family and friends to learn and fly with than anyone else! This Special Edition is equipped with exclusive SAFE® (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology that helps to prevent overcontrol, loss of orientation, and crashes so nearly everyone can learn to fly successfully. Beginner, Intermediate, and Experienced modes allow you to choose the level of stability and control you need, or are ready to try, at the flip of a switch. You can instantly return to steady flight using Panic Recovery with the push of a button in any flight mode. Oversized “tundra” tires make it possible to take off from and land on a variety of surfaces including thick grass, gravel paths, dirt trails, and smooth pavement, or you can install the optional floats to fly from water—which adds to its unmatched versatility and capabilities.
The Carbon Cub S 2 is equipped with a 30-amp telemetry-capable ESC that provides a variety of real-time power system-related telemetry data including motor RPM, current, battery voltage, and more to compatible Spektrum™ AirWare™ equipped transmitters, and even approximate flight battery power remaining via multiple LEDs on the DXS transmitter included with the RTF Basic version. You also have the option to easily upgrade to SAFE Plus GPS-enabled technology that offers features such as AutoLand and Virtual Fence, along with the option to install the Landing Assist Sensor (LAS) that automatically "flares" for smoother landings, to make learning to fly—and to land safely—easier than ever!
The Ready-To-Fly (RTF) Basic version includes everything needed to fly in one box except for a battery and charger so it's a perfect choice for first-time to experienced pilots looking for maximum convenience and value. It allows you to choose a convenient and money-saving Spektrum Powerstage bundle or the separate battery and charger you prefer. A Bind-N-Fly (BNF) Basic version is also available for pilots who want to use their favorite Spektrum transmitter along with batteries and chargers they may already own. And for both versions, the powerful and efficient brushless power system including a telemetry-capable ESC, flight controller, receiver, and servos, are all factory-installed in the durable EPO airframe that assembles quickly and easily without the need for glue or special tools.
The RTF Basic version also includes a “full” copy of the RealFlight Trainer Edition RC flight simulator that runs on a wide variety of PCs (Personal Computers) from low-cost laptops to “gaming” desktops running Windows® 10 or 11. This simulator features many of the most popular Horizon Hobby trainer airplanes and helicopters, including the Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m, along with built-in Virtual Flight Instructor lessons. It also includes additional features including nearly two dozen “Next Step After a Trainer” aircraft and variants plus 4 flying sites/fields that are unlockable reward content after you fly the trainer models for just 2–4 hours. Other added features include a fresh and modern user interface that's even easier and more intuitive to use, multiplayer options so you can train and fly with others online, the option to turn on wind, unlock float flying, and more! This helps new pilots learn to fly successfully by practicing on a desktop PC at home or on a laptop just about anywhere else. Simply use a USB-C cable to connect the updated and upgraded DXS controller/transmitter to a compatible USB port on your computer to fly!
And the fun doesn't stop after you learn how to fly! In the Experienced Mode, the Carbon Cub S 2 is capable of performing aerobatic maneuvers including loops, rolls, inverted (upside down) flight, and more. You can even use the same DXS transmitter that's included with the RTF Basic version, along with the same battery and charger you use for the Carbon Cub, to fly a variety of BNF Basic version “Next Step” aircraft including the E-flite® T-28 Trojan 1.1m, the Valiant 1.3m and others!
More info about Cleetus McFarland
Cleetus McFarland is an American YouTuber who loves anything with an engine! Fast cars are his main priority, but like many, RC airplanes are his favorite hobby! One of his first YouTube videos dates back to 2009, which showed him flying a HobbyZone Super Cub on floats. Fast forward to 2025 and he owns a full-scale Cub. This airplane is a scale replica of Cleetus' Carbon Cub for anyone to enjoy worldwide!
Skill Level 1 – No Experience Required
Skill Level 1 “trainer” aircraft are perfect for beginners and first-time RC (Radio Controlled) pilots because no prior experience is required to fly them! After you successfully learn to fly the Carbon Cub S 2, you can move up to a larger and more capable trainer or a “Skill Level 2 – Next Step After A Trainer” model.
Bind-N-Fly Basic Completion Level Advantage
Already own a Spektrum™ transmitter? Bind-N-Fly (BNF) aircraft make getting into the air quickly and with the best control experience possible easier than ever. They come out of the box with the power system, servos and a Spektrum 2.4GHz receiver installed so all you need to do is bind the receiver to a compatible transmitter, finish any final assembly, and fly (transmitter, battery and charger sold separately)!
Telemetry Capable
The Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m Cleetus McFarland Special Edition features a telemetry-capable ESC that delivers real-time power system-related telemetry data to compatible transmitters. This includes approximate flight battery power remaining via multiple LEDs and audible alerts from the DXS transmitter included with the RTF Basic version. It will also provide motor RPM, current, overall battery voltage, and more to Spektrum AirWare™ equipped transmitters (including the DX6e and 8e, DX6 G2/G3 and 8 G2, the DX9, the NX6, 8 and 10, the iX12, iX20, and others) while you fly.
Durable Design
Construction with advanced EPO material delivers a lightweight yet durable airframe tough enough to handle everyday flying punishment without getting bent out of shape. And in the unfortunate event you damage any airframe parts or components and can't repair them with a variety of compatible glues and/or tapes, a full line of replacement parts is readily available.
Easy Assembly
The Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m Cleetus McFarland Special Edition arrives mostly factory-assembled with the power system, servos, flight controller, and receiver installed. All you need to do is finish some quick and easy final assembly without using glue or special tools, and you'll be ready to fly in less time than it takes to charge a battery!
Versatile Gear Options
Thick grass, gravel paths, and dirt trails; you can fly from these and many other surfaces that are impossible for most models of this size to handle. The robust landing gear uses oversized tires to absorb the bumps of rough surfaces and ensure excellent prop clearance. You can install the optional float set (HBZ7390, sold separately) using the included hardware in just a few minutes, allowing you to fly from lakes and ponds.
Optional Flaps
Functional flaps allow improved slow-speed handling and shorter takeoffs and landings. This feature requires a 7+ channel computer transmitter, a flap servo, and a servo extension (all sold separately).
Panic Recovery
If you lose control of the airplane in the Intermediate or Experienced flight modes, simply press the Panic Recovery button or switch to Beginner Mode and release the control sticks. SAFE technology will automatically return the airplane to level flight.
Optional Landing Assist Sensor for Smoother Landings
The Spektrum Landing Assist Sensor (LAS) is easy to install and provides automatic “flare” control to help inexperienced pilots “grease” landings by minimizing or eliminating bouncing (works over many/most surfaces and offers optimum performance when flying over/landing in grass).
Easily Upgrade to SAFE® Plus GPS-Enabled Technology
With quick and easy installation of the optional Spektrum GPS Module, you can add next-level autonomous guidance features that make it even easier to learn to fly. With SAFE Plus added, you get:
Autoland
Activated by simply holding down a button, the advanced AutoLand function puts the airplane on a stabilized approach to land on its own near the GPS initialization point. You can even provide some directional guidance to avoid obstacles or adjust the approach while letting the system do the rest to execute a safe landing. As your skills progress and you gain more confidence, you can take over more of the control inputs, eventually learning to land without any assistance from the automated system.
Holding Pattern
This beneficial SAFE Plus-exclusive feature essentially allows you to “pause” the flight by putting the airplane into a GPS-guided holding pattern. When you activate the system with a quick button press, the aircraft automatically returns to a position above the GPS initialization point and circles until you cancel the command with another quick press. It's a great way to safely hand the controls off to a friend or regain visual contact if you ever lose sight of the model.
Virtual Fence
It's easy to accidentally let an RC airplane fly too far away, but with Virtual Fence, worry no more. It creates an invisible boundary that the airplane won't fly past. When the aircraft reaches this boundary, it will automatically turn around and fly back toward the GPS initialization point. Then, it will “wag” the wings to let you know when you have control again.
Learn to Fly Successfully with SAFE® Technology
If this is your first RC airplane, Horizon Hobby-exclusive SAFE (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology prevents over-control and crashing while also offering multiple flight modes to deliver more control and capabilities as your skills progress:
Beginner Mode
In this flight mode, the airplane has pitch and bank angle limits to prevent over-control, resulting in a loss of orientation and crashes. When the control sticks are released, the aircraft automatically returns to level flight on its own, allowing you to relax and enjoy just 'steering' the airplane through the sky. This flight mode also makes it easier to take off and land.
Intermediate Mode
This flight mode allows more freedom in pitch and bank but still prevents significant over-control, and the airplane does not return to level flight on its own. This enables you to make tighter turns and to climb and descend faster as your skills advance.
Experienced Mode
In Experienced Mode, there are no pitch or bank angle limits, so you have complete control! You can even fly inverted (upside down) and perform aerobatic maneuvers, including loops, rolls, and more.
Special Edition version of the popular Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m inspired by Cleetus McFarland's full-scale Carbon Cub that includes several exclusive and value-adding features:
- Decals/markings replicating McFarland's full-scale aircraft plus a collectible box
- A spare propeller
Features
- The most capable, versatile, and easiest-to-fly scale trainer, based on the iconic Carbon Cub from CubCrafters
- Equipped with exclusive SAFE® technology that helps prevent crashes and makes it easy to learn how to fly
- Beginner, Intermediate, and Experienced flight modes you can easily change between at the flip of a switch
- Panic Recovery mode at the push of a button to prevent loss of control and crashes
- Easily upgrade to SAFE Plus GPS-enabled technology to add AutoLand, Virtual Fence, and Holding Pattern features
- Optional and easy-to-install Landing Assist Sensor (LAS) available for smoother landings
- Use a 3S 1300mAh battery for great performance overall, or a 3S 2200mAh battery for more flight time (sold separately)
- Ready for use with your compatible Spektrum DSMX®/DSM2® equipped transmitter, battery and charger (sold separately)
- Optional functional flaps for improved slow speed handling and shorter takeoffs/landings (requires a 7+ channel computer transmitter plus a flap servo and servo extension; sold separately)
- Factory-installed servos, Spektrum flight controller, and serial receiver
- Powerful and efficient brushless power system including a 30A telemetry-capable ESC
- Capable of aerobatic maneuvers, including loops, rolls, and upside down (inverted) flight
- Robust landing gear with oversized tires for operation from a variety of surfaces
- Quick and easy assembly—no glue or special tools required
- Durable EPO construction that's tough yet lightweight
- Optional floats are available for flying from water
- Full line of replacement/spare parts available
- Practice flying this aircraft in the RealFlight® RC flight simulator (included with the RTF Basic version and sold separately for the BNF Basic version)
Requires
- (1) Full-range 6–7+ channel Spektrum DSMX®/DSM2® compatible transmitter
- (1) 3S 11.1V 1300–2200mAh LiPo battery with EC3™ or IC3® connector
- (1) Compatible LiPo charger
