RC Sport Flyer Oct/Nov/Dec 2015 (Vol-20-05) by RC Flyer News

RC Airplanes | Gliders | Helicopters

ANDREW JESKY POCKETS THE DOUGH!

OCT/NOV/DEC 2015

TUCSON SHOOTOUT 2015 13 PHOTO-FILLED PAGES

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Building for Competition Castle Giant-Scale Rally F3B Worlds Report How to Setup GPS

FREESTYLE PILOT, GABRIEL ALTUZ, WINS BIG $$$ USA & CANADA $6.49

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TABLE OF CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS

10 LEADING EDGE 12 HOT PRODUCTS 82 ADS INDEX 83 MYSTERY PLANE GABRIELLE ALTUZ FINISHES THE SHOOTOUT ‘15 WITH A 1ST PLACE FINISH IN FREESTYLE. HERE HE IS SHOWN MAKING A DEAD-ENGINE, INVERTEDPASS LANDING AS A CROWD PLEASER TO END THE WEEKEND.

EVENTS

AEROBATIC SHOOTOUT ‘15

WE SHOW YOU THE AIRPLANES AND PILOTS AT THIS HUGE EVENT. Wil Byers 6

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

F3B WORLD CHAMPS GET AN INSIDE LOOK AT COMPETITION GLIDERS/FLYERS. Dave Olson

CASTLE GIANTSCALE FLY-IN CHECK OUT THIS VENUE TO LEARN WHY IT KEEPS GROWING. Rick Maida twitter.com/rcsportflyer

OCT/NOV/DEC 2015

REVIEWS BNF 64 ADAGIO BASIC GLIDER DISCOVER WHY THIS LITTLE ELECTRICPOWERED GLIDER DELIVERS SOARING AND AEROBATICS. Christian Belleau

70 V-VENTURE HOTT FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN LEARN TO FLY RC WITH THIS PUSHER-POWERED 3-CHANNEL FOAMY. Wil Byers

FURY EDF 74 FJ-2 JET WE SHOW YOU HOW THIS MODEL WILL LET YOU EXPERIENCE THE FEELING OF PILOTING A FIGHTER. Wil Byers

BUILD

PLAN

40 COVERINGS, PART II

46 55-PERCENT GILES 202

SEE THE TIPS AND TRICKS OF HOW TO PUT ON COVERING SO IT STAYS TIGHT . Jeff Troy

THIS GIANT-SCALE MODEL IS DESIGNED FOR AERBOTICS AND 3D FUN. Wendel Hosteller

HOW TO FOR 50 BUILDING COMPETITION GET THE INSIDE SCOOP ON HOW TO DOCUMENT YOUR SCALE MODEL. Tom Wolf rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

3-VIEW UP A 56 SETTING GPS SYSTEM LEARN HOW EASY IT IS TO SET UP A GPS SYSTEM AND THE INFO IT PROVIDES. Karl-Heinz Käufer

-100 60 LCHECK OUT O

THIS HISTORIC, GERMAN, WOODEN, CONTEST-WINNNGV, AEROBATIC GLIDER. Hans-Jürgen Fischer RC-SF.COM

EDITOR IN CHIEF Wil Byers wil@rc-sf.com ASSISTANT EDITORS James T Baker Doris Chen Louie Scribner Asa Clinton PRODUCTION Zhe Meng mengzhe@kionapublishing.com PHOTOGRAPHY Wil Byers Bess Byers GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Zhe Meng Shi Yuang WEBMASTER CONTACT Chang Liang OFFICE MANAGER Sue Wharton support@kionapublishing.com OFFICE ASSISTANT Terra Woodford CIRCULATION Christian Wells MARKETING Wil Byers ads@rc-sf.com

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CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Christian Belleau, Rob Caso, Gene Cope, Mike Hoffmeister, Richard Kuns, David Phelps, Steve Rojecki, Jeff Troy, Robert Vest, James VanWinkle, Tom Wolfe RC Sport Flyer (ISSN: 1941-3467) is published monthly for $29.95 per year in the USA by Kiona Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 4250, W. Richland, WA 99353-4004. Periodicals postage paid at Richland, WA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER Send address changes to RC Sport Flyer, P.O. Box 4250, W. Richland, WA 99353-4004. OFFICE (509) 627-3200 HOURS Mo–Th 8-4 Closed Fri, Sun & Mon

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CONTRIBUTIONS: Articles and photographs are welcome, but cannot be considered unless guaranteed exclusive. When requested we will endeavor to return all materials in good condition if accompanied by return postage. RC Sport Flyer assumes no responsibility for loss of or damage to editorial contributions received. Any material accepted is subject to possible revision at the discretion of the publisher. Publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of content. Opinions of contributing authors do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. RC Sport Flyer will retain author’s rights, title to and interest in the editorial contributions as described above in both print and electronic media unless prior arrangement has been made in writing. Payment for editorial materials will be made at our current rate. Submission of editorial material to RC Sport Flyer expresses a warranty by the author that such material is in no way an infringement upon the rights of others. The contents of this magazine may not be reprinted traditionally or electronically without permission of the publisher.

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LEADING EDGE

WIL BYERS

atching pilots compete for a $100,000 purse at Desert Aircraft’s Tucson Aerobatic Shootout 2015 this past October was amazing! It underscored for me that the best RC pilots in the world are competitors. It also drove home that the camaraderie and dedication within RC is especially keen in competitions. Again, it was most impressive watching pilots turn in flight after flight seeking to deliver their best performances. This month we’ve dedicated a good portion of the issue to those RCers that compete or enter fun-fly events. As I’ve said before, events are the fabric that glues this hobby together. Events energize, invigorate, and stimulate builders and pilots to deliver their best airplanes and performances at the airfield. Without question, competitions are what make pilots demand the best hardware and software. Competitors needs are what motivate the RC industry to keep pushing the outside of the envelope to create better products. This incentive benefits everyone in this hobby from beginner to expert — I’ve seen it time and again during my 39-plus years in RC. Further, RC competitions and fun fly events are where new friends are made and old ones renewed. I cannot underscore this enough; i.e., this year, I attended an aerotow event. Many of my long-time friends attended and a few new faces too. Besides getting some superb soaring, it was a joy to meet with the pilots. I learned about their gliders and sailplanes, saw new radio systems and the support gear, heard some tales, and got to take photos for my digital archives. When the event was over and everyone had gone home, my good friend, Don Bailey, and I sat on the grass for quite a while and reflected on the weekend’s activities. Neither of us were eager to go home! We had enjoyed it such that we wanted weekend to linger. Without a doubt the company of the modelers was much of the reason we had attended, with the soaring being the bonus. While I’m not an International Miniature Aircraft Club (IMAC) pilot, I saw the same camaraderie in those that were competing for a piece of the Shootout’s purse. You could

see the pilots wanted to take home the dough, but there was a genuine friendship between all, even during the heat of the competition, with only points separating the top positions. I’m, therefore, pleased that RC Sport Flyer magazine can bring you a 13-page, photo-filled report on the competition. Note too, we’ll be putting many more photos on our rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com pages for your perusal. So, we hope you enjoy the magazine spreads, as well as the tumblr posts. We know you’ll see some very impressive machines and piloting. SCALE BUILDING This month we continue the Building for Scale Competitions series, with Tom’s installment that covers validating plans or a kit with respect to the documentation, identification of redesign requirements, and determining the required servo torque for each control function. This has been an excellent series — one that will give you the tools you’ll need to create a contest-winning airplane, or just one that turns heads at the airfield. GPS If you’ve been wondering how to set up a Global Positioning System (GPS) in your model airplane, glider, or helicopter we’ve included an excellent article. It details how to use the PowerBox Systems GPS, but is certainly applicable to any GPS system you’ll want to incorporate into your model’s telemetry. You’ll definitely want to give this one a read. GILES 202 PLAN With our feature article being the Shootout, we thought it most appropriate to include Wendell Hostetler’s fifty-fivepercent-scale plan of the Giles 202 in the issue. It is a plan you can ogle over to understand what it takes to build a large-scale aerobatics airplane. It may even inspire some of you to build one for your 2016 competition season airplane, incorporating your preferences of course.

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE Finally, I want you to know we are working hard to get back on schedule while at the same time upgrading our online store. It is not easy with our limited staff! Please hang in there with us because we have superb content in the queue.

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Sponsored Events Where: Weaver’s Airfield, Othello, WA Information: weaversrcairfield.com

Aerotow Season Opener 2016 When: April 8 – 10 Time: Friday & Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Type: For gliders and sailplanes of any size that will be towed to altitude for soaring. Awards: Longest flight, 1-hour, and 30-minute flights, plus best aerobatic routine. Event Director: Wil Byers — wil@rc-sf.com Entry Fee: $30

Big-Air Aerotow 2016 When: June 24 – 26 Time: Friday & Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. Type: For gliders and sailplanes of any size that will be towed to altitude for soaring. Awards: Longest flight, 1-hour, and 30-minute flights, informal GPS racing Event Director: Wil Byers – wil@rc-sf.com Entry Fee: $30

Cubs n’ Cousins 2016 When: August 20 – 22 Time: Saturday & Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m Type: For all Cub, cousin types and variants; i.e. anything that looks similar to a Cub. Award Plagues: Pilots’ Choice Scale, Judges’ Choice Scale, Best Scale Pilot Event Director: Cain Lopez – bobcat2nov@msn.com Entry Fee: $30

Washington Warbirds 2016 When: August 25 – 27 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday Type: All warbird aircraft from WWI to present day Award Plagues: Pilots’ Choice Scale, Judges’ Choice Scale, Best Scale Pilot Event Director: Wil Byers – wil@rc-sf.com, Assistant: Cain Lopez – bobcat2nov@msn.com Entry Fee: $30

* Check the website for updates and additional information.

EVENT

TUCSON SHOOTOUT 2015 WORLDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BEST PILOTS COMPETE FOR $100,000! BY WIL BYERS

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Gernot Bruckmann flies his IMAC Freestyle airplane the length of the runway on knifeedge during his competition round. The model is a Krill Extra 300SC. rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

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DESERT AIRCRAFT TUCSON SHOOTOUT 2015

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he Tucson Aerobatic Shootout is the premiere International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) contest. It is where the best of the best IMAC airplane pilots go to face competitors they will likely not meet any other time of the year. The Shootout is also where they can go to earn cold hard cash for besting their competition. It is, therefore, no surprise to see superlative IMAC sequences flown at the Shootout. It is also the reason aerobatics pilots are drawn from around the world to this biannual event. The Shootout is an Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) sanctioned event (#15-1921). It is always held in Tucson, Arizona, with the primary sponsor being the Desert Aircraft Corporation — the manufacture of the esteemed, performance-built DA engines. The 2015 event was October 14 thru 18 in Marana, Arizona, at the

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

Tucson International Modelplex Park Association airfield — about 18 miles from the hotel strip in Marana. This year’s event drew competitors from Austria, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the USA. They were the preeminent IMAC pilots, no doubt about it. FORMATS The Shootout is not just an IMAC contest. It is two contests rolled into one. The first contest is for IMAC sequences, which was comprised of five classes: Sportsman, Intermediate, Advanced, Unlimited, and Invitational. The Invitational class is what the “big dogs” come to the Shootout to fly. The contest is conducted under the AMA’s RC Scale Aerobatics rules 2015–2016, with exceptions and clarifications as outlined by the contest director — this year’s

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Andrew Jesky’s Extra is powered by a Desert Aircraft four-cylinder DA-200 twostroke engine that turns a carbon fiber propeller.

Gernot finished the Freestyle part of the competition in second place. He was flying a Krill Aircraft Extra 330SC. His model use a PowerBox system for power management.

Andrew is shown here in total concentration flying his stick airplane as a way to memorize the sequences for his IMAC flights.

Gernot’s Freestyle airplane is powered by a DA engine on tuned pipes and turning a carbon fiber propeller. The model is 41-percent scale.

Kevin Young is Andrew’s caller and has been for a number of years. A good caller is important to the success of the pilot’s flight performances.

Gernot is known for flying extremely smooth patterns and sequences in his Freestyle performances, which are extremely well choreographed.

Gernot Bruckmann came from Austria to compete in the Shootout. He uses a Jeti DC-16 transmitter in its mode four configuration for control.

Gabriel Altuz took first place in the Shootout’s Freestyle. He puts on an excellent routine that shows daring and yet total control of the airplane.

Gernot finished in second place flying his Krill made Xtra 330LX airplane, which is powered by a DA-200 engine and fitted with Hitec servos for control.

Here Gabriel is pleasing the crowd with a dead-engine, inverted landing pass, where the model is righted just before he puts the model’s wheels on the pavement.

David Moser finished the Shootout in third place flying his Dalton Aircraft Extra 300. The model is powered by DA and it uses Spektrum radio gear.

Gabriel flies a PAU Edge 540 in Freestyle. It is powered by a DA-120 engine on mufflers, with a carbon propeller. His transmitter is a Futaba.

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DESERT AIRCRAFT TUCSON SHOOTOUT 2015

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RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

director was Steve Richardson from Australia. For the contest, Sportsman through Unlimited competitors were required to fly the 2015 IMAC Known Sequences on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday and Saturday a Known (Known B) sequence was prepared specifically for the Shootout. The Invitational competitors were required to fly Known and Unknown sequences that were prepared for the Shootout. The Known Sequences were published August 01, 2015, with Unknown sequences being drawn from the IMAC Unknown Catalogues, and they conformed to the Aresti System sequence construction rules. Note the pilots practice the Known sequences in advance of the contest, however, the Unknown sequences are given to the pilots the evening prior to when they must be flown. The second part of the Shootout is the Four-Minute Freestyle. Pilots

have the option of either competing in Freestyle or not. In this part of the competition the pilots must also adhere to the 2015–2016 AMA RC Scale Aerobatics judging criteria. For Freestyle, a flight starts when the aircraft’s wheels leave the runway, and the four-minute freestyle sequence will commence when the caller gives a signal to the official time keeper. The pilot/caller teams use standard signals to start the pilot’s music and start time. Once the start music begins, the pilot then commences with their Freestyle sequences, which must flow to the music and prove to the 10 scoring judges that the competitors routine is well choreographed and flown. This part of the competition is most impressive to watch, as well as sometimes the most daring by the pilots, which can result in aircraft contact with the ground. However, no portion of the aircraft may touch the

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Will J Berninger was flying this DA200-powered Tundra Extra 300. Will’s transmitter and radio gear is a Futaba FASST system from Great Planes.

This shot is of Nicolas Detry’s Krill Extra 330SC making a knife-edge pass during the Freestyle competition. Nicolas and his father traveled from France.

Werner Kohlberger was flying a Krill Xtra 330LX. His model also uses a DA engine for power, and it is turning a carbon fiber propeller.

Nicolas’ airplane is powered by a DA engine that turns a Falcon carbon fiber propeller. Control of the airplane’s surfaces is by JR radio.

Will Berninger’s wife is an integral part of his team and his success over the years. As we watched her provide help, we realized she is the modeler’s ideal wife.

Bryant Mack and his caller are shown here readying his Extra 300 airplane for his round of competition. Bryant put on some superb flights in IMAC.

The Tucson International Modelplex Park is a superb site for the biannual Shootout in that it has lots of covered areas, a great runway, and normally good weather.

Frazer Briggs packed up his homebuilt Extra 300 and came to the Shootout from New Zealand. Frazer’s model is powered by a DA-200 engine.

Jase Dussia was flying this Extreme Flight airplane in Freestyle. It is powered by a DA engine. The color scheme on this model looks great in the air.

Bryant Mack’s PAU Extra 300 is captured getting down low and slow for the crowd during his Freestyle performances — lots of great action from this pilot.

The contest director for the Shootout, Steve Richardson, traveled from Australia to provide guidance for the contest, which draws competitors from around the world.

Here Bryant is making a dead-stick approach to landing. It is impressive to watch these young pilots really pushing their airplanes to the limit.

John Schroder is a huge advocate for IMAC competitions. He hosts an IMAC Summer School each year at his Clover Creek airfield to tutor young pilots.

Seventeen-year-old Bryant Mack was flying a Performance Aircraft Unlimited (PAU) Extra 300, which is powered by a DA-120 engine.

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DESERT AIRCRAFT TUCSON SHOOTOUT 2015

ground during the flight, except the wheels during landing.

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RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

COMPETITION While there is much camaraderie amongst the competitors, the competition is definitely fierce. Pilots must know their aircraft, the sequences, and how to pilot their aircraft in varying environmental conditions. What you see at the Shootout’s IMAC sequences portion of the contest is the competitors often in total concentration, memorizing the sequences by way of little stick airplanes they hold and use to simulate their aircrafts’ flights. You can see them going over and over their flights’ sequences such that they do not forget a roll, loop, line direction, etc. Then too, they must visualize their airplane flying in the varying environmental conditions.

The 2015 contest was plagued by some extremely challenging wind conditions as well as rain on Thursday and Friday. It was even quite windy on Saturday, however, you would not have known it by watching the airplanes of the pilots that topped the score board. I was impressed by the pilots’ abilities to maintain straight up and down lines. It was impressive to see the quality of the maneuvers they were flying, where the wind was trying to force their model out of the flight box and distort their figures. As the results show, Andrew Jesky bested the competition such that by the end of Saturday’s competition he was substantially in the lead. The Freestyle part of Shootout is about entertaining the crowd as well as impressing the judges. As such, the competitors go into a different mode of flying their airplanes. They

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Spencer Nordquist uses a PAU Extra 300SP as his competition machine and in the Freestyle. It is powered by a DA-120 engine on stock mufflers.

Matt Stringer was flying a Krill Extra 300SC for his competition airplane. It is obviously Desert Aircraft powered. The colors really let it show up in the sky.

This is another PAU airplane that was flown in Freestyle. Notice the rudder deflection as it is transitioning in knifeedge flight.

Here Matt is hovering his DA-200-powered airplane. The model uses Futaba radio gear for its controls, with power management as well.

Arron Garle made the trip from Australia to compete in the Shootout. He was flying this Comp-ARF Yak 55, which is powered by a DA engine.

Spencer Nordquist is sponsored by Futaba. This is a young pilot that has a bright career ahead of him. It really shows in his flying and attitude.

The quality of the craftsmanship put into the competitors’ IMAC airplanes is one of the keys to their success. Here you see the cowl of a Krill Extra 300SC.

Werner Kohlberger was flying this Krill Extra 330SC as his Freestyle airplane. The model uses a ZDZ engine for power, and Werner uses a Futaba transmitter.

Airflow in and around the cylinder heads of the engine is extremely important in keeping them running cool — some cowls are baffled as well.

Almost all the Freestyle airplanes are fitted with a smoke system as a way to enhance the performance’s visuals for the judges and the crowd...

This shows the level of detail applied to some of the models used for IMAC. This airplane was detailed by Tony Russo and flown by Mark Leseberg Jr.

Tony explained that much of the detailing on Mark’s models was done by hand. Notice that even the airplane spinner was detailed to match the airplane’s scheme.

Kal Reifsnyder was flying a nicely detailed PAU Extra 300 in Freestyle. The model is DA powered and radio gear is by Spektrum and Horizon Hobby.

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DESERT AIRCRAFT TUCSON SHOOTOUT 2015

demonstrate how well they can fly their airplanes through their choreographed sequences, while at the same time impressing the crowd with their sometimes daring, low-tothe-ground maneuvers, which the crowd loves to see. Often the crowd will cheer loudly as the competitor’s airplane pushes limits. By all accounts, Freestyle is fun to watch because it underscores the pilots’ abilities to fly

their models to music, as well as the joy they get flying giant-scale RC. MAKE PLANS If you have yet to attend the Shootout and you love IMAC airplanes, you must mark you calendar for 2017’s event. Until then, you can learn more by going to the IMAC website mini-iac.org.

Gabriel, Spencer, and Bryant put on a little hover demonstration at the end of the Shootout to show what formation flying can and should look like.

Kim Quenette really pushed his Hangar 9 Sukhoi to the limit during a Freestyle demonstration, which was not for points. It ended badly for the model.

David Moser helps Matt Stringer memorize his IMAC sequences before it was his turn to fly a round. It truly takes teamwork to get to the winner’s circle.

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

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Nicolas Pinzon finished the IMAC Invitational in fifth place flying a Carden Extra 300 that is DA-200 powered. Nicolas is using a Spektrum transmitter.

SlimLine was showing their new Airbase Station, which is designed to hold just about any size model. It hangs on the wall too for quick and easy storage.

JR had a booth at the Shootout and was showing their new JR 28X transmitter, which is very ergonomic and packed with programming power.

Tony Russoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s little guy is shown trying out the new 28X transmitter system. Tony is starting him young as a way to guarantee a flying buddy.

This is the JR XG14E flown by Frazer Briggs. Notice that many of the international pilots were flying with radio trays as a way to stabilize their controls.

This is the way to put a fitting end to Tucson Aerobatic Shootout 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; three airplanes hovering against a picture perfect cloud-filled blue sky!

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DESERT AIRCRAFT TUCSON SHOOTOUT 2015

wind direction

Fig 2

8.5.15.2 9.1.2.3 9.10.7.3 9.4.5.3 9.1.5.2

22 8 17 8 4

Fig 3

8.8.8.2 9.1.1.5 9.1.5.3 9.1.5.3 9.1.1.1 9.4.1.4

20 14 6 6 6 15

Fig 4

8.8.6.4 9.1.5.1 9.1.5.4 9.10.1.8 9.1.5.3 9.9.5.4

22 2 8 26 6 11

Fig 5

1.1.7.2 9.1.1.3 9.4.1.3

12 10 12

Fig 6

1.3.12.3 9.1.5.3 9.8.5.2 9.1.2.3 9.10.2.7 9.1.5.3 9.9.5.3

25 6 7 8 21 6 11

Fig 7

8.6.10.1 9.2.1.8 9.10.3.2

12 21 13

Fig 8

7.8.22.1 9.1.3.2

18 4

Fig 9

8.6.8.2 9.1.3.3 9.1.3.1 9.1.3.8 9.2.5.4

13 6 2 12 9

3/4

1/4

3x4

3/4

3x4

1/4 3/4

1/4

3/4

1/4

3/4 4x8

3/4

1/4

10 Fig 10

20 15 4 6 4

13 11 4 16 6 19 15 13 6 12 20

3x4 6x8

8.8.4.2 9.4.1.2 9.1.1.6 Fig 1 9.10.5.6 9.1.5.2 9.9.1.5 9.4.1.3

3/4

22 9 15 16 4 17 12

Fig 2

1.1.11.4 10 9.8.4.3 11 9.9.4.3 11

Fig 3

1.3.12.2 9.4.1.4 9.1.4.3 9.10.4.5 9.4.1.5

26 15 6 15 18

Fig 4

8.8.8.4 9.1.5.5 9.2.1.4 9.1.1.3 9.1.5.1

25 9 13 10 2

Fig 5

8.6.6.2 9.1.3.4 9.1.5.3 9.1.5.3

15 8 6 6

7.5.7.1 15 9.8.3.4 15 9.10.4.5 15 9.1.4.3 6 9.1.3.4 8 9.4.3.2 5

Fig 7

7.4.9.3 9.1.3.2 9.1.3.4 9.2.3.4

11 4 8 9

Fig 8

1.2.15.3 19 9.2.5.4 9 9.10.2.5 17 9.1.2.3 8

Fig 9

7.2.2.4 9.4.3.3 9.4.3.3 9.8.3.3 9.9.3.3

7 8 8 11 11

5.2.1.2 9.1.1.2 9.9.1.5 9.2.5.6

23 8 17 12

Fig 6

Fig 10

1/4

7.4.8.3 9.4.3.4 9.2.3.4 9.8.3.2

13 11 9 7

1.2.13.3 9.11.1.5 Fig 10 9.10.5.3 9.1.2.5 9.9.2.3

20 4 13 11 13

1/4

Invitational

3/4 1/4 1/4

2x4

Fig 1

1.2.15.4 9.12.1.7 9.1.5.3 9.10.7.4 9.4.2.2

19 5 6 17 7

Fig 2

8.6.6.3 9.1.3.1 9.1.3.5 9.4.1.4

15 2 9 15

Fig 3

7.4.13.4 9.1.3.4 9.1.3.2 9.9.3.4 9.1.3.4

12 8 4 11 8

Fig 4

7.4.8.4 9.2.3.4 9.1.3.4 9.4.3.2

12 9 8 5

Fig 5

1.3.12.4 9.1.5.1 9.10.5.3 9.9.2.5 9.1.2.3 9.1.5.3 9.1.5.2

21 2 13 15 8 6 4

Fig 6

1.1.7.2 9.4.1.2 9.4.1.2

12 9 9

Fig 7

8.5.23.3 9.8.5.3 9.10.2.3 9.4.2.3

17 11 15 10

Fig 8

1.3.9.3 9.2.5.6 9.8.2.2 9.4.2.2 9.4.5.4

22 12 9 7 11

Fig 9

8.10.2.1 9.9.3.5 9.4.3.3 9.8.1.3 9.1.1.2

18 13 8 15 8

Fig 10

8.8.6.4 9.1.5.1 9.1.5.3 9.10.1.5 9.1.1.2 9.9.5.7

22 2 6 20 8 16

2x4

3/4

1/4

3/4

6x8

2x4

1/4

3/4

3x4

3/4 3x4

4x8

10 8

3x4

3x2

2x4

1/4 3/4

1/4

3/4

1/4

6x8

3/4

3x2

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

3/4

6x8

Total K = 555

2x4

wind direction

.1.

5x4

3/4

Total K = 569

1/4

3/4

1/4

3x4

3/4

1/4

3/4

1/4

3/4

4x8

3/4

20 11 15 10 19 15

8 85

Enter Pilot's Name

3/4

2.3.3.1

7.8.5.2 9.2.2.4 9.9.7.4 Fig 6 9.4.2.3 9.10.7.5 9.8.3.4

1/4 8.4.13.2 9.1.2.5 Fig 7 9.1.2.1 9.9.4.7 9.1.4.3 8.8.2.1 9.4.1.4 9.9.5.5 Fig 8 9.1.5.3 9.4.1.3 9.10.1.5

2x4

Fig 5

3/4

.1.

wind direction

1/4

25 6 4 21 10 8 11

3/4 1/4

Total K = 535

Invitational

1.3.12.3 9.1.5.3 9.1.5.2 Fig 4 9.10.2.7 9.4.2.3 9.1.5.4 9.9.5.3

3/4

3x4

1/4

1.2.9.2 9.9.2.5 9.1.2.1 9.1.5.3 9.1.5.2

12 15

1/4

Fig 9

1/4

3/4

3/4 2

3/4

1.1.7.2 9.4.1.4

3/4

8.10.2.3 19 9.4.3.4 11 Fig 2 9.1.5.1 2 9.10.5.6 16 Fig 3

3x4

7 8

1/4

7.4.10.4 13 9.2.3.6 12 9.1.3.4 8 9.4.3.2 5 9.1.3.4 8

Fig 1

3x2

3/4

3/4 4x2

2x4

Enter Pilot's Name

3/4 2x4

1/4

4 Enter Pilot's Name

Fig 1

.1.

16 11 5 8 15 2

wind direction

.1.

2 8.6.7.1 9.4.3.4 9.4.3.2 9.1.3.4 9.10.5.5 9.1.5.1

Invitational

Enter Pilot's Name

Invitational

1/4

3x4

Total K = 521

twitter.com/rcsportflyer

wind direction

1/4 3x4

3/4

Fig 1

8.5.21.4 9.12.1.5 9.4.5.3 9.8.2.3 9.9.2.3

16 6 8 13 13

Fig 2

8.5.15.3 9.10.4.5 9.1.4.3 9.8.1.4

21 15 6 19

Fig 3

8.8.5.3 9.4.5.2 9.10.5.6 9.1.1.3 9.4.1.3 9.1.5.4 9.1.5.4

23 5 16 10 12 8 8

Fig 4

8.10.2.2 9.8.3.4 9.10.3.4 9.4.1.5

20 15 13 18

Fig 5

1.1.7.3 9.4.5.2 9.4.5.2

11 5 5

5.2.1.2 9.10.1.6 9.2.5.4 9.1.5.2

23 22 9 4

Fig 7

2.3.6.2

Fig 8

7.5.8.1 9.4.3.6 9.9.4.5 9.1.4.3 9.4.3.3 9.1.3.1

20 15 13 6 8 2

1/4

6x8 2x4

3/4 5

3x4 5x4

3/4

2x4

Fig 6

2x4 4

.1.

wind direction

3x4

Enter Pilot's Name

.1. 3

Invitational

Enter Pilot's Name

Invitational

3/4

1/4

Fig 1

7.4.1.3 9.1.3.4 9.1.3.4

14 8 8

Fig 2

1.2.3.3 9.9.4.8 9.1.4.2 9.1.1.3 9.4.1.3

15 17 4 10 12

Fig 3

7.4.5.3 9.1.4.8 9.1.2.3 9.10.2.5

19 12 8 17

Fig 4

7.2.1.3 9.1.3.4 9.1.3.4 9.10.3.7 9.1.3.3

8 8 8 18 6

Fig 5

8.5.15.2 9.8.2.2 9.10.2.4 9.4.5.3 9.1.5.2

22 9 15 8 4

Fig 6

8.8.7.2 9.1.1.3 9.1.1.4 9.2.5.4 9.1.5.1 9.9.1.5 9.1.1.2

21 10 12 9 2 17 8

Fig 7

8.10.1.3 9.4.3.4 9.1.5.1 9.9.5.5

18 11 2 13

Fig 8

5.4.1.1 9.1.2.4 9.4.1.2 9.8.5.2 9.9.4.4

19 10 9 7 11

Fig 9

7.3.1.1 9.4.2.4 9.8.2.4

16 13 17

Fig 10

1.3.12.4 9.12.1.5 9.1.5.3 9.1.2.3 9.10.2.5 9.4.5.3 9.1.5.2

21 6 6 8 17 8 4

3/4

3/4 3x4

3/4

4x8

1/4

Fig 9

7.2.1.4 9.1.3.4 9.8.3.1 9.10.3.3

6 8 3 13

Fig 10

8.6.2.1 9.9.1.8 9.4.3.4 9.10.8.6

12 23 11 19

1/4

3x4

1/4 3/4 6x4

3/4

3x4 3x4

3x4

Fig 1

7.4.8.3 9.4.3.3 9.4.3.3 9.8.3.2

13 8 8 7

Fig 2

8.5.21.3 9.4.5.4 9.1.2.3 9.1.2.3

18 11 8 8

Fig 3

1.3.10.4 9.12.1.7 9.1.5.3 9.4.2.3 9.10.7.5 9.1.5.2 9.1.5.3

22 5 6 10 19 4 6

Fig 4

8.4.4.1 9.1.1.2 9.4.1.3 9.1.5.3 9.1.5.2

16 8 12 6 4

Fig 5

5.2.1.4 9.10.1.6 9.1.5.1 9.8.5.2

22 22 2 7

3/4 3/4

1/4

3/4

3x4 3/4 4

Enter Pilot's Name

4x8

3/4

Invitational

wind direction

.1.

Total K = 545

Invitational 2

3/4

1/4

3x4

4x8

1/4

3/4

8 10

Fig 1

7.5.8.4 9.4.3.2 9.4.3.4 9.8.2.2 9.2.2.4 9.10.3.5 9.4.3.3

20 5 11 9 11 15 8

Fig 2

5.2.1.3 9.9.1.4 9.10.1.4 9.2.5.6

18 15 17 12

Fig 3

1.3.11.2 9.8.1.3 9.1.1.3 9.1.4.1 9.9.4.7 9.4.1.3 9.1.1.2

27 15 10 2 16 12 8

Fig 4

8.8.4.3 9.1.5.1 9.1.5.4 9.2.1.4 9.1.1.1 9.1.5.4 9.1.5.3

21 2 8 13 6 8 6

wind direction

2x4

.1.

4x8

1/4

E Enter Pilot's Name

Total K = 541

2x8

2x4

1/4

3x4

1/4 1/4 64

3/4

3x4

6x8

3x2

1/4

3/4

3/4 3

3x2 1/4

4x8

1/4

3/4

1/4

3x4

2 3/4

3x4

2x4

1/4

3/4 Fig 8

Fig 9

Fig 10

8.4.20.1 9.4.2.2 9.2.2.4 9.9.4.5 9.1.4.3

16 7 11 13 6

8.8.8.2 9.1.1.1 9.9.1.7 9.2.5.4 9.4.1.3 9.10.1.5

20 6 21 9 12 20

8.6.4.4 9.4.5.2 9.1.5.2 9.10.3.7 9.4.3.3

15 5 4 18 8

Fig 6

1.3.8.1 9.1.2.2 9.2.2.4 9.1.5.1 9.1.5.3 9.2.2.6

20 6 11 2 6 14

Fig 7

7.5.1.3 9.2.3.4 9.9.7.5 9.4.2.3 9.8.3.3 9.10.3.3

16 9 17 10 11 13

6x8 10

2x4

3/4 3x4

Total K = 578

rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

1/4

2 3x4

3/4

3x4 1.2.9.1 9.9.7.4 9.1.2.4 9.1.5.3 9.10.5.3

15 15 10 6 13

Fig 6

1.2.15.1 9.4.1.4 9.10.4.5 9.1.4.3

17 15 15 6

Fig 7

7.2.2.2 9.4.3.3 9.4.3.3 9.1.3.6

9 8 8 10

Fig 8

7.8.19.4 9.1.3.2

24 4

Fig 9

7.4.11.3 9.1.3.4 9.1.3.3 9.1.3.3 9.2.3.4

11 8 6 6 9

Fig 10

7.5.1.4 9.8.3.4 9.1.2.2 9.10.2.6 9.10.3.5 9.4.3.5

16 15 6 19 15 13

3/4

Fig 5

1/4 9

3/4

3/4 10

3/4

1/4 5x4

Total K = 594

RC-SF.COM

DESERT AIRCRAFT TUCSON SHOOTOUT 2015

Sportsman

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Pilot Franz Kogler Jim McCall John Grabow Jaques Telles Paul Bohartd Mike Briggs Michael Triebe

Final Score 4971.53 4920.11 4717.47 4599.21 4216.49 3658.25 3654.46

Known Round 1 986.75 966.88 thrown=955.5 1000.00 thrown=866.6 thrown=692.4 847.95

Known Round 2 984.77 1000.00 971.45 994.64 945.15 860.70 834.57

Known Round 3 thrown=944.5 962.57 1000.00 thrown=936.8 967.70 749.27 923.43

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Pilot Alex Dreiling Howard Pilcher Mike Marcellin Jacob Campbell Randy Wegner Dave Hargrove Brent Bullen Jason Neves Bill Evans

Final Score 4961.46 4896.34 4820.00 4778.07 4681.86 4591.62 4540.58 4484.08 4402.38

Known Round 1 1000.00 thrown=987.1 989.69 939.77 958.90 thrown=882.9 909.12 971.79 861.50

Known Round 2 992.72 thrown=949.6 thrown=919.5 981.15 954.56 888.66 961.27 1000.00 977.57

Known Round 3 976.17 1000.00 945.97 thrown=939.1 thrown=888.4 911.78 thrown=834.9 898.93 758.05

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Pilot Santiago Perez Kal Reifsnyder Kyle Dahl Kim Quenette Craig Guest Rusty Fried Jorge Berra

Final Score 5000.00 4913.32 4472.22 4458.55 3728.21 3035.84 3023.24

Known Round 1 thrown=983.3 1000.00 thrown=834.4 911.88 832.35 785.49 708.20

Known Round 2 1000.00 thrown=947.5 937.70 877.67 822.10 834.83 613.73

Known Round 3 thrown=987.6 1000.00 905.29 965.64 855.59 806.49 539.03

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Pilot Spencer Nordquist Bryant Mack Andrew Taylor Mark Easton Stephen Greig Bill Adams Josh Bayes Curtis Pilcher Daren Khun Toshitito Watanobe

Final Score 5000.00 4835.81 4741.12 4641.24 4576.31 4449.41 4341.53 4271.90 3929.24 3830.96

Known Round 1 1000.00 979.44 thrown=934.3 thrown=865.9 thrown=909.4 thrown=934.4 907.13 873.13 788.57 816.26

Known Round 2 thrown=974.9 thrown=969.6 942.68 937.88 thrown=856.2 1000.00 909.18 866.10 909.84 844.30

Known Round 3 1000.00 992.39 970.46 918.84 911.98 974.42 903.15 929.27 816.96 880.08

Known Round 4 thrown=935.7 thrown=928.4 thrown=869.8 thrown=910.5 950.91 1000.00 thrown=894.0 thrown=654.0 thrown=685.7 thrown=755.8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Pilot Andrew Jesky Gernot Bruckmann David Moser Kurt Koelling Nicolas Pinzon Frazer Briggs Matt Stringer Jason Shulman Nicolas Detry Will Berninger Aaron Garle Werner Kohlberger

Final Score 5991.53 5925.34 5903.71 5865.19 5725.43 5630.20 5593.12 5575.78 5418.45 5302.23 5293.80 4845.02

Known Round 1 1000.00 959.98 969.46 935.63 942.26 937.49 thrown=877.9 907.64 877.39 925.14 thrown=875.2 805.80

Known Round 2 1000.00 thrown=952.4 thrown=949.3 thrown=902.3 thrown=870.4 thrown=921.1 thrown=776.9 thrown=893.2 thrown=849.2 868.19 thrown=874.4 thrown=693.4

Known Round 3 thrown=975.6 1000.00 thrown=934.7 thrown=911.1 thrown=877.4 958.22 894.70 992.48 thrown=811.8 thrown=851.8 910.80 thrown=784.5

Known Round 4 thrown=992.3 thrown=959.9 991.57 975.34 1000.00 941.72 922.44 991.92 958.87 thrown=820.8 883.46 865.45

Known Round 5 1000.00 991.29 975.61 994.63 947.28 thrown=924.9 956.30 thrown=879.8 894.47 866.07 888.53 815.78

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Pilot Gabrielle Altuz Gernot Bruckmann Jase Dussia Spencer Nordquist Andrew Taylor Bryant Mack Werner Kohlberger Nicolas Detry Kyle Dahl Matt Stringer Kal Reifsnyder Kim Quenette

Final Score 3000.00 2954.71 2898.72 2889.20 2791.53 2778.37 2669.56 2632.63 2554.85 2482.24 2466.46 2363.75

Fre/1 thrown=1,000.0 thrown=967.3 thrown=924.5 thrown=841.7 963.77 thrown=844.0 882.14 939.50 thrown=781.3 873.57 815.00 859.68

Fre/3 thrown=995.1 1000.00 thrown=911.4 942.11 thrown=825.1 thrown=804.0 904.63 851.53 848.08 792.08 846.63 thrown=696.2

Fre/4 1000.00 970.28 973.26 948.20 906.06 940.68 882.79 thrown=839.3 852.71 thrown=0.0 thrown=0.0 740.51

Fre/5 1000.00 984.43 955.57 thrown=935.1 921.69 927.68 thrown=829.7 thrown=0.0 854.06 816.60 804.84 thrown=0.0

Freestyle Fre/2 1000.00 thrown=947.0 969.89 998.89 thrown=862.2 910.01 thrown=843.3 841.60 thrown=790.9 thrown=767.2 thrown=703.3 763.56

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

Known Round 4 thrown=978.5 thrown=893.9 1000.00 985.69 thrown=909.9 770.34 thrown=635.8

Intermediate

Known Round 4 thrown=937.2 1000.00 932.05 939.28 963.15 974.17 931.59 thrown=859.2 thrown=750.6

Advanced

Known Round 4 1000.00 thrown=932.3 thrown=886.4 thrown=812.4 thrown=767.1 thrown=673.2 thrown=532.8

Unlimited

Known Round 5 1000.00 thrown=0.0 thrown=970.9 thrown=838.2 934.56

Known Round 5 thrown=908.4 1000.00 thrown=850.1 thrown=837.1 thrown=871.8

Known Round 5 1000.00 972.41 916.29 thrown=846.8 thrown=658.6

Known Round 5 1000.00 984.00 944.32 943.32 914.31

Invitational

Unknown Round 1 1000.00 thrown=961.6 829.18 thrown=596.1 684.24 680.16 665.25

Unknown Round 2 1000.00 990.66 916.84 744.05 684.84 597.77 383.25

Unknown Round 3 thrown=908.8 1000.00 thrown=392.8 874.84

Unknown Round 1 992.58 1000.00 985.16 960.07 912.28 916.73 898.77 842.07 805.25

Unknown Round 2 thrown=876.3 896.34 967.14 957.79 892.97 900.28 839.84 771.30 1000.00

Unknown Round 3 1000.00 thrown=521.4 thrown=952.8 thrown=860.6 thrown=850.1

Unknown Round 1 1000.00 940.91 thrown=766.0 thrown=525.2 thrown=499.0 304.52 446.62

Unknown Round 2 thrown=933.3 1000.00 862.37 818.63 616.76 304.51 715.65

Unknown Round 3 1000.00 thrown=913.3 850.57 884.72 601.41

Unknown Round 1 1000.00 879.98 thrown=842.6 883.92 876.73 781.91 736.44 874.39 811.58 765.49

Unknown Round 2 thrown=971.2 1000.00 902.21 957.28 922.37 693.07 885.63 729.02 602.30 524.83

Unknown Round 3 1000.00 thrown=816.2 981.46 thrown=817.7 thrown=842.5

Unknown Round 1 996.11 thrown=944.1 1000.00 975.06 thrown=912.8 913.73 thrown=911.7 901.36 thrown=776.6 893.45 thrown=841.2 thrown=434.6

Unknown Round 2 1000.00 thrown=933.1 thrown=923.5 984.54 938.29 915.88 926.69 882.46 922.37 877.96 916.62 728.47

Unknown Round 3 995.42 1000.00 993.92 thrown=942.7 thrown=880.5 thrown=811.0 970.65 thrown=827.2 938.13 871.42 844.44 791.81

Finals Cut

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BUILD

IRON-ON COVERINGS, PART II SUPER SPORTSTER 60 WING

BY JEFF TROY

hree of my four prime directives for model covering were explained in the first of my film-covering installments (February 2015 RC Sport Flyer). They are: 1) don’t make a seam; change the color, 2) it’s not about shrink; it’s about stretch, and 3) the “Four Corners” application method. In review, changing colors is the smartest way to disguise a seam because no one is going to recognize the joined area as a seam. To the eye, it’s merely the line where the color changes. Stretch is what keeps iron-on coverings tight long after they are applied. Shrink has its place, of

1 40

course, but not in excess. If covering is loosely applied and you rely on a heat gun or iron to shrink it tight, there’s a good chance that the heat of the sun will warm the once-baggy material and cause it to relax, bringing back a percentage of the sags and bags you thought were gone for good. My Four Corners method is the key element behind drum-tight covering, and that is where the previous article left you: with Top Flite Platinum MonoKote® on the underside of my Great Planes® Super Sportster 60 (SS60) wing. My fourth directive, the “Divide by Half” (DBH) perimeter-sealing

Top Flite Metallic Platinum MonoKote now covers the underside of the Super Sportster 60’s wing. Sealing and trimming the perimeter come next, followed by shrinking, then covering the upper surface. RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

method, will be explained and demonstrated here, followed by the partial application of the top covering colors. The DBH method ensures sealed perimeters without gathers or creases. It’s a simple technique to use, and it works well. I’ll start you off with the bottom of the SS60 wing, where so far, only the four corners of the covering have been pulled tight and tacked down to the model’s wing structure. Starting with the covering over the leading edge (LE), visually estimate the distance between the tip and the root of the film. To simplify the lesson,

Estimate the center point of the covering at the trailing edge (TE), cut that distance in half, then pull the covering tight and tack it to the TE right there.

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Continue the Divide-by-Half exercise by repeatedly dividing the each of the progressive halves in half, then pulling and tacking until the full length of the covering is sealed (LE shown).

Heat the covering so it becomes pliable, pulling out any wrinkles and stretching it tightly over the wingtip. The best insurance for a smooth wingtip is experience. You’ll get there from here.

Use a heat gun to remove any remaining wrinkles after the wingtip covering is sealed. Keep the gun moving in a rapid, circular motion to prevent burning through the covering.

Wingtips aren’t so hard to do if you remember to keep the material warm and pliable while holding onto that mental picture of covering your model with thin rubber instead of film.

I’ll call it 24 inches. Now estimate the center of that length (12 in.), then grab the edge of the covering at that point and pull the material snugly around the LE. Touch the iron to the covering to tack that area to the LE. The covering is now tacked to the LE at the 0-, 12-, and 24-in. marks. The next step is to divide each of the two halves by half, which means that you will now pull and tack the material down at the 6- and 18-in. positions. Do you see where this is going? Again, you will divide the halves by half, pulling and tacking at the 3-, 9-, 15-, and 21-in. positions. Continue to divide the halves by half until the entire length of the covering is tacked down to the LE. If you had started at one end of the LE and pushed the iron along its length until you reached the opposite end of the LE, you would have ended up rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

with a fairly large gather of material at the opposite end. The DBH method eliminates any chance of that. With the LE sealed, turn your attention toward the root and the trailing edge (TE). Repeat the DBH procedure, always pulling the material snugly past the TE before touching it with the iron. This is simply a continuation of the stretch principle, which ensures that you will never iron down a baggy portion of covering. Just pretend the MonoKote you’re applying is made of thin rubber— imagine the compounds used in balloons or a Playtex® glove—instead of polyester film, and you’ll do a great job. Thinking about covering a model in thin rubber is one thing, but getting polyester film to behave like thin rubber is quite another matter, especially when your intention is

to wrap it around deep, compound curves like the wingtip of the SS60. Although it seems impossible, it really isn’t difficult at all, and you can do it with the basic covering tools that most experienced modelers have readily at hand. All you need are a good iron and heat gun, and if you don’t mind spending just a few extra dollars, get yourself a Top Flite® Hot Glove from Hobbico. Polyester films such as MonoKote, ToughLon, UltraCote®, and others can be made to mimic thin rubber, and the trick to making that happen is heat. You don’t need excessive heat because excessive heat can demolish the composition of the substrate (film) and cause irreparable damage, but if you apply just the right level of heat, polyester films can be made to soften and relax, so you can pull and stretch them around curves as if they RC-SF.COM

BUILD

IRON-ON COVERINGS, PART II

Slice the material at 45 degrees at the inside corners of the aileron recesses. Doing this lets you fold the film into the corners and under the aileron torque rods.

I showed you this sketch in the last installment so you would understand where my color scheme was going. You’ve been reminded, so follow along and I’ll take you there.

were made of thin rubber. With that in mind, it is time to take a shot at that wingtip. Put on your Hot Glove to prevent the heat gun from burning your fingers, grab a handful of overhanging covering at the center of the wingtip (DBH), and pull it past the end of the wingtip while applying heat from the gun. As you begin to feel the material soften and become pliable, continue pulling and wrapping the material around the tip. Now DBH again, and repeat the heat/pull/wrap exercise between the center of the tip and the TE. DBH a time or two and that should take care of the rearward portion of the wingtip. The section between the center and the LE of the wingtip is more difficult to wrap because it is so much deeper than the rearward section, although the experience you gained

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

So how do you hold a straightedge steady to trim away the covering along the perimeter of the wing? You don’t. The LE and TE are straightedges, so use them.

Cut a piece of white covering to cover your sketched area. Use the Four Corners and Divide by Half methods to apply and seal it. Shrink only at the root.

from doing the rear section will help you through it. DBH once more, this time in the center of the forward portion of the tip, and once again, heat, pull, and wrap the material over the tip. As you move toward the LE, you will notice that wrinkles are beginning to form because the material being pulled and wrapped is beginning to gather near the LE. You will probably have to repeatedly heat and gently lift the MonoKote where the gathering begins, and stretch the lifted material smooth as you reapply the heat gun and pull it smoothly around the forward section and the LE. Covering wingtips with this technique takes a lot of practice, but once you have it down, you’ll be able to cover a wing panel and a wingtip using only one piece of covering without a seam. Like any of

the hundreds of individual procedures used in better aeromodeling, the best of all your available tools will always be experience. Keep after those wingtips, and you’ll get there. After the covering is wrapped round the wingtip with all of the major wrinkles pulled out, you can use the heat gun to remove any remaining wrinkles and complete the shrinking process. It’s extremely important to keep the gun moving to prevent burning through the covering. Use a circular motion while moving the gun back and forth over the area being shrunk. If you hold the gun in one place without this circular/back and forth motion, you could easily burn a hole in the material. I’ve done it, and it’s extremely frustrating. The Platinum MonoKote is now sealed around the underside of the SS60 wing, but the excess material twitter.com/rcsportflyer

At the outboard end of the covering, iron a small portion of the film over and onto the side of the rib to prevent it from pulling away when shrinking.

Here, the white MonoKote is firmly attached, but only the root portion has been tightened with the gun. Shrinking will conclude after all of the remaining colors have been applied.

Cut a piece of the second color to cover the area dictated by your sketch. For my SS60, it’s Circus Pink. Use a straightedge to cut the inboard joining edge.

Align the joining edge of the trim covering with the inboard edge of the cap strip. Use the Four Corners method to attach. I started with the inboard trailing edge.

has not been trimmed away. We all like straight lines in our wing coverings, and we can’t bear the sight of wavy lines on the edges of our coverings. This opens the dilemma of how to get a straightedge close enough to the structure so the covering edges can be trimmed neatly. Well, it’s not really a dilemma at all, because there’s no need for an additional straightedge when you already have two of them. That’s right, you have the LE and TE of the SS60 wing are straightedges, so all you have to do is use them to guide your cuts. Here’s how: Use the iron to ensure the covering has been wrapped around past the centerline of the LE along the entire wingspan. Hold onto one end of the overhanging excess and insert the tip of a No. 11 hobby blade through the covering, resting the flat of the blade against rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

the LE. Hold the hobby knife at an angle so the blade cannot dig into the soft balsa LE, pull snugly on the overhanging covering, and draw the blade along the LE as if it were a straightedge — it is a straightedge! Do your best to keep the blade moving, and never relax your grip on the overhanging covering. The result will be a beautiful, straight cut, just as clean as anything you could have made on a flat table with a metal straightedge. Now repeat the procedure for the trailing edge. Bear in mind the TE has considerable depth inside the aileron recesses, so try holding the blade at an angle that lets you slice the material slightly past the centerline of the TE. You might get a little wave along these wide edges until you get more familiar with the cutting angles, but it won’t be long before you’re

making long, straight cuts like a pro. At the start of the first covering installment, I ironed small lengths of covering at the inside corners of the aileron recesses. This next step will show you why that was done. I use the No. 11 blade to slice the overhanging bottom covering at a 45-degree angle at the tip end of the aileron recess. Then I fold the covering over and seal it down. The 45-degree cut causes a triangular opening in the folded covering, but the previously ironed strip covers what would otherwise have been bare balsa underneath. It is simple, effective, and something you must always remember to do before applying the model’s wing covering. Trim the TE covering near the aileron torque rod so the covering can be pulled around and under the wire torque rod. Trim the excess leaving RC-SF.COM

BUILD

IRON-ON COVERINGS, PART II

The inboard leading edge is next. So, you must pull the covering snugly and tack it down to a small portion of the LE. Now tack the outboard corner at its leading edge.

Tacking down the outboard corner at the trailing edge completes the Four Corners method for the first trim color. Again, you can see how this method consistently delivers tight coverings.

Use the Divide by Half method to seal the perimeter of the trim color. Start with the inboard edge to prevent separation at the seam — now merely a color change.

Use the iron, not the heat gun, to shrink the inboard portion of the trim color. Shrinking outboard could distort the outboard rib before the next mating color is applied.

just enough material to let the tip of the iron seal it to the wood. Then move on to trimming the excess away from the wingtip. You already know how to use the LE and TE as straightedges, and apart from it’s not being a straight line, trimming around the curved tip is really no different. Just use the shape of the tip to guide the blade, always pulling the starting end of the material tight and maintaining an angle on the knife to prevent it from digging into the wood. After the excess MonoKote has been trimmed around every inch of the wing’s perimeter, use the iron to seal it down tight. Use a finger to feel for any puckers that might remain, and if you find them, seal them. Now you can use the iron or heat gun to shrink the underside covering. If you choose the gun, remember to always keep it moving in a circular motion

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

as you work. Blowing holes through your covering at this point is positively unacceptable. Going back to my color scheme sketch, I’m now ready to cover the upper surface of the wing with white MonoKote from the center to the third bay, and one of three colors over each succeeding pair of bays. Outboard of the white film, the next two bays will get Circus Pink, the following two get Dove Gray, and the final two bays and the wingtip get Sly Blue. Cut a piece of white covering that is large enough to cover the sketched area with at least a 3-in. overhang all around. There’s no need to trim the root edge if you cut it straight now, before attaching the covering. Use the Four Corners method to attach the MonoKote, starting with the TE at the root, then pulling and tacking the LE at the outboard end, then tack

the root at the LE, and finally, the TE at the outboard end. Make slits in the covering to allow it to sit flat around the servo mounting rails, then seal the root edge using the DBH technique. Use the DBH method to seal the edge of the covering over rib and cap strip, then repeat it for the LE and TE. Wrap the covering around the LE and TE so it overlaps the underside covering by at least 1/8-in., but don’t trim the excess material away. Moving to the outboard rib, slit the covering so it can fold over the cap strip and rib, then seal it to the side of the rib. If you like, you can shrink the inboard section of the white covering now, but don’t shrink the last bay; you don’t want that last rib to bend. With the white covering attached, you can begin adding the outboard trim colors, beginning with the Circus Pink over the next two bays. Cut the twitter.com/rcsportflyer

SOURCES

Coverite, Dynaflite Great Planes P.O. Box 9021 Champaign, IL 61821 Phone: 800-637-7660 Greatplanes.com

Once again, iron the outboard edge of the trim color over the cap strip and onto the side of the outboard rib. The next installment will complete covering the wing.

material slightly oversize, making sure the edge that covers the cap strip, and overlaps the white, is perfectly straight. Apply the pink film with the Four Corners method, but this time the first two corners should be at the LE and TE of the overlap to ensure a straight color change line (we used to call this a seam). Use the DBH technique to seal the color change line first, preventing any distortion

rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

of the line. Then slit the covering at the outboard rib location, and seal it down to the cap strip and rib, just as you did for the outboard edge of the white covering. With the color line sealed tight, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as good a time to shrink the remaining portion of the white MonoKote. Your choice of the iron or heat gun is fine here. Either tool handles this nicely, although you will have greater

control over directing the heat if you use the iron. If you like, you can also shrink the first of the two bays of pink MonoKote, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shrink the outboard bay or trim away any overhanging along the LE and TE until the gray and blue panels have been applied and sealed. Those colors will be applied in the next installment, in which I will complete the multicolor MonoKote film application on the wings of my Great Planes Super Sportster 60. If you are enjoying my series, please consider having back issues on hand for reference. Back issues may be ordered from the publisher, and subscriptions to the magazine are available at $29.95 for 12 issues.

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PLAN

55-PERCENT SCALE GILES 202 A BIG, BEAUTIFUL IMAC CAPABLE MONOPLANE DRAWINGS BY WENDELL HOSTETLER

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

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In a 1999 airshow, pilot Wayne Handley broke the world’s record for consecutive flat spins in a Giles G-202, performing 78 spins. A Giles 202 crashed on Friday, August 28, 2015, during practice for an air show at Stewart International Airport near New Windsor, New York, which is about 60 miles north of New York City. A bystander’s photos show the tail separating from the aircraft as the pilot was in an ascending maneuver. Sadly, the pilot was killed.

SPECIFICATIONS

he full-scale Giles G-202 is an unlimited-level airplane that was designed by Richard Giles for aerobatics. It is a monoplane of carbon fiber composite construction. The airplane was manufactured by AkroTech Aviation, which was located Troutdale, Oregon. The tandem, two-seater design was an evolution of the singleseater Giles G-200 airplane. The G-202 was produced and sold as kit airplane by AkroTech, which was subsequently modified slightly by Avions Mudry to become a CAP 222.

Crew : one or two pilots Length : 19 ft 4 in. (5.89 m) Wingspan : 22 ft (6.71 m) Height : 5 ft 7 in. (1.70 m) Empty weight : 992 lb (450-500 kg) Max. takeoff : 1600 lb - cruise (726 kg) weight 1200 lb - aerobatics (540 kg) Powerplant : Lycoming AEIO-360-A1E, 235 hp VNE : 220 Kts Cruise speed : 140 Kts Stall speed : 58 Kts Fuel capacity : 58 gal G-loads : +/- 10 g Roll rate : >400°/sec

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55-PERCENT SCALE GILES 202

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

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HOW TO

BUILDING SCALE FOR COMPETITION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; PART III PLANNING AND A CAREFUL REVIEW WILL ENSURE AN ACCURACY BY TOM WOLF

n the previous installment in this series, we discussed the importance of having a good documentation package, how to gather the necessary information and why the documentation should be assembled prior to starting work. This installment will cover validating the plans or kit with respect to the documentation, identification of any redesign required, and determining the required servo torque for each control function. It will also reinforce the importance of having your projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s documentation prior to starting the build. The goal at every step is to do what is necessary to ensure the finished airplane matches

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

the documentation in every respect. VALIDATION OF PLANS If you are using plans or a kit for your scale project, you should always check the plans against the documentation that you have collected. It is not unusual that there are outline errors or non-scale features even in cases where the plans are bought from a well-known source. In the case of my L-19 Bird Dog project, I bought plans, a fiberglass cowl and a set of aluminum landing gear from a nationally recognized source. Nonetheless, I spent several days going over the plans and comparing them to the photographs

and three-view drawings that comprise my documentation data set. The goal of this effort is to identify and correct any scale deviations that are structural in nature, since these types of problems cannot be easily fixed once the airplane is built. It is not uncommon that cosmetic scale details, such as access panels, vents, rivets, doors, hinges, etc are not detailed on the plans and must be added by the builder for the ultimate scale competition aircraft. So do not be alarmed if those items are not shown on the plans. To ensure a validation effort is comprehensive, I break down the effort into steps. I examine only one twitter.com/rcsportflyer

The landing gear per this set of plans is almost twice as wide as it should be where it enters the fuselage. Unfortunately, I bought the aluminum landing gear shown without knowing this problem existed.

portion of the airplane at a time. For this project I started with the fuselage side view and worked my way from the nose to the tail, looking at only one area at a time. The first thing I noticed was that the landing gear, as drawn, was grossly out of scale; so badly so the error is obvious without having to resort to measuring parts. As can be seen in the accompanying photographs, the L-19’s landing gear leg where it enters the fuselage is five and three quarter inches wide, which at one-quarter scale is one and sevensixteenths inches. The plans and the landing gear I bought are two and one-half inches wide at this point. The lower end of the landing gear (down by the wheel) is similarly out of scale. So right off the bat, I need to redesign the landing gear and have a new set fabricated. I will discuss this redesign in the next section of this article. The next obvious error I noticed was that the lower part of the rudder, the aft part of the fuselage, and the tail wheel structure are completely non-scale. The plans show the lower part of the rudder coming down to very close to the bottom of the fuselage and the leading edge of the ruder being in the same plane as the stabilizer hinge. As can be seen in the photograph of the full-size L-19 (and

is similarly shown in the three-views), the tail wheel strut comes out of the back lower portion of the fuselage and the rudder is recessed from the lower part of the fuselage to provide clearance for the tail wheel strut. Clearly, redesign of the rudder and the lower rear of the fuselage are required to bring these areas into scale. The following is a summary, in checklist form, of the validation effort for this set of plans. SIDE VIEW • Cowl outline and placement: Okay • Fuselage length, height and outline: Okay • Landing gear Size: Incorrect width; 2.5 in. vs 1.43 in. • Wind screen and window size and placement: Okay • Vertical stabilizer outline and size: Okay • Rudder outline : Incorrect shape for bottom portion • Rudder leading edge and hinges: Not scale and not located properly • Tail wheel gear: Incorrect mounting location and configuration FRONT VIEW • Fuselage outline: Okay • Landing gear profile: Okay

• Cowl cooling air openings: Incorrect size and location • Cowl oil cooler scoop: Okay • Cowl carburetor scoop: Incorrect size, 0.5-in. too short in vertical dimension TOP VIEW • Fuselage outline: Top rear cabin between formers 4 and 5 incorrect • Window size and location: Okay • Horizontal stabilizer outline: Okay • Elevator leading edge and hinges: Not scale • Wing span and chord: Okay • Wing outline: Root at joint with fuselage is incorrect. See the comment for the fuselage outline and the accompanying photos • Aileron size and shape: Oversize, chord too wide • Aileron leading edge and hinging: Incorrect configuration, not scale • Flap size and shape: Oversize, chord too wide As can be seen from the list above, there are quite a number of issues that must be corrected, all of which would be very difficult, if not impossible, to fix after construction was complete. This is a perfect example of why it is a poor idea to blindly build to a set of unverified plans for a project intended

Measurements of the full-scale L-19 landing gear are shown in the photos above. These measurements will be used to redesign the gear for my L-19 scale competition project. rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

RC-SF.COM

HOW TO

BUILDING A SCALE FOR COMPETITION – PART III

Even a casual comparison between the plans and a photograph of the full-scale L-19 highlights the large deviation from scale in the tail wheel strut and the lower part of the rudder — redesign required.

for scale competition. LANDING GEAR REDESIGN The scale landing gear for the L-19 is quite narrow and not very thick. Making sure the landing gear is adequate for the anticipated landing loads is important. In order to do that, some simple stress calculations are required. A sketch of the redesigned landing gear is included in this article. The bending stress on the landing gear will be greatest where it enters the fuselage. The equation that defines the stress is as follows: Stress=Mc/I Where M is the bending moment in inch-pounds, c is the dimension from the neutral axis to the outer surface (or in this case, half the thickness of the gear leg), and I is the moment of inertia. I=WT3/12 for a rectangular section, where W is the width of the part and T is the thickness. Assuming that the airplane will weigh 35 pounds maximum, and putting the entire load on one wheel (worst case one-wheel touchdown): M=Weight x L = 35 lb x 6.75 inches = 236 in.-lb To get a design baseline, we will

The fiberglass cowl purchased with the plans has scale deviations associated with the cooling openings and the carburetor and oil cooler scoop. The cooling openings have been relocated to the scale configuration, but the carburetor scoop (the lowermost opening) is 0.5-in. short in the vertical dimension.

first calculate the stress and design margin for the original aluminum landing gear: I=2.50 x .193/12 = .00143 in4 Stress = (236 in.-lb) x (.085 in.) / .00143 in.4 = 14027 psi For aluminum with a yield strength of 35,000 psi, the original landing gear is good for a maximum landing vertical acceleration of 2.5 g (one wheel touchdown). Running the same calculations for the scale landing gear results in the following: I=1.43 x .1563/12 = .000452 in4 Stress = (236 in-lb) x (.078 in) / .000452 in4 = 40725 psi For 4130 steel heat treated to

100,000 psi, the maximum landing load is 2.5 g, so the relative structural integrity of the two landing gear designs is equivalent. The other concern is weight, considering I am changing the gear material from aluminum to steel. I put the aluminum landing gear on my postal scale, and found that it weighs 16.5 ounces. Calculating the volume of the new design and multiplying by the density (steel: 0.28 lb/in.3) yields a weight of 22.3 ounces for the scale landing gear. This is not an objectionable difference, given it is the only feasible alternative if a scale configuration is required. SERVO TORQUE REQUIREMENTS

The measurement I took of the full-scale airplane’s cooling scoop, for the left side of the cowl, are shown in these two photographs

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

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The oil cooler scoopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dimensions are shown here. As it turns out the opening in the fiberglass cowl is to scale for this opening. The carburetor scoop dimensions are shown here. Unfortunately, when these are scaled to one quarter, it reveals the opening in the fiberglass cowl is undersize by 0.5 inch in the vertical direction.

Before I begin building a new airplane, I like to establish what servos I am going to use for each control surface. In that way, I can design and install the appropriate mounts for each servo during the build process, which can be much easier than trying to shoe-horn something in after construction is complete. To that end, I like to use the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) servo torque requirement equation that can be found in the large aircraft certification The upper rear portion of the cabin is incorrect on the plans. Note that the flap root parallels the window frame in the photograph of the full-scale L-19, while the plans show a very different configuration. Correcting this error will require a significant redesign of the rear cabin, the flap and the rear portion of the wing root.

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RC-SF.COM

HOW TO

BUILDING A SCALE FOR COMPETITION – PART III

The redesigned scale landing gear will be fabricated out of 4130 steel per this sketch’s dimensions.

the minimum requirement specified to ensure plenty of performance margin. SUMMARY Pre-build planning, plan validation, and related activities are somewhat tedious but are crucial to a successful scale competition project. If you do not find the problems with the plans or kit prior to building the airplane, the judges will certainly find the issues when you begin competing. Time spent in this phase will reap dividends during static judging. Now that we have completed this task, what is next? Time to start cutting wood! The next installment in this series will cover the initial phase of the build of the L-19 Bird Dog. documents. The equation that is used to establish the minimum torque required for each control surface is as follows: Tmin = [A x (chord x span) x (chord/3) ] x (servo arm / control arm) Where: A = Maneuver Factor A= 1.25 for non-aerobatic flight A=1.5 for mild aerobatics including loops, rolls, spins, inverted flight A=3.0 for unlimited aerobatics (See AMA guidelines for factors associated with turbine powered flight) Chord = average chord of control surface Span = total span of control surface Servo arm = distance from center of servo shaft to control linkage attach Control arm = distance from hinge line to the control linkage attach point The results of applying this equation to the L-19’s control surfaces are given in the accompanying table. Armed with the minimum servo torque values, suitable servos can be selected and bought for each application. I typically go for a servo that provides approximately 1.5 times

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

Servo Torque Requirements for ¼ Scale L-19 Bird Dog CONTROL Avg Chord SURFACE ELEVATOR 4.0 RUDDER 5.0 AILERON 2.8 FLAP 4.5

Span

Servo Arm

Control Arm

33.0 14.5 27.8 19.0

0.6 0.6 0.6 0.8

1.0 0.8 0.8 1.8

Reqd min Torque, in-lb 164 150 87 82

The primary dimensions required for the landing gear stress calculation are shown in this table and figure. twitter.com/rcsportflyer

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POWERBOX SYSTEMS GPS II SENSOR MAXIMUM PRECISION BY DIPL. ING. KARL-HEINZ KĂ&#x201E;UFER

ne of the many advantages of modern 2.4-GHz radio systems is that data can be transmitted to the ground from the model via the downlink channel, thereby keeping the pilot informed of important flight parameters. Many pilots particularly appreciate the ability to monitor the modelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

altitude and speed, and its distance from the takeoff point. These data are generated by a GPS sensor. Various systems have been introduced, including some which only work with a particular radio control system, and others which can be configured in such a way they can operate in conjunction with a wide range of twitter.com/rcsportflyer

The set contains a patch-lead, a Y-lead and a self-adhesive pad in addition to the sensor itself.

looks like this.

radio equipment. An example of the latter, non-specific type is the GPS II, which has been introduced to the market by the German company PowerBox Systems. For quite a while the firm’s range of products included a GPS sensor, but this was a third-party item. This sensor was required for use with the iGyro in order to supply the speed data which the intelligent gyro needed to respond to particular situations; i.e., gusts of wind — with the appropriate corrective control surface travels, which vary according to the aircraft’s current speed. However, for some time now PowerBox Systems has been producing the GPSII sensor. The in-house unit is higher in quality, and its potential range of applications is wider. ULTRA-MODERN AERIAL TECHNOLOGY The new GPS sensor is fitted with a special GPS aerial of the type rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

A plastic cover protects the GPS II Sensor’s helical aerial, which on the inside …

Opening the Sensor reveals the neat workmanship.

known as a helical antenna. The aerial body is located under a protective dome on one side, which takes the form of a cylindrical plastic cap. The aerial is spiral in form, and was developed specially for radio traffic involving satellites. Helical antennas feature circular polarization, i.e., they pick up and amplify signals from both polarization planes, and this improves the strength of the received signal. The helical antenna, used in conjunction with a high-quality preamplifier and the latest generation of GPS receiver, produces excellent security of reception even under difficult conditions — as can arise in a constantly moving model aircraft. The net result is the sensor is suitable for use in all flight situations without reservation, even when the model is constantly changing directions at high speed. SETTING UP REQUIRED As already described, the GPS

II can be operated in conjunction with several radio control systems: it supports the telemetry systems of Futaba (FASSTest), Multiplex (M-Link), Graupner (HoTT), Jeti (EX) and JR (DMSS). The sensor must be programmed to match the system in use, to ensure it shares the appropriate telemetry protocol. By default the unit is configured for use with the PowerBox iGyro and/or the M-Link telemetry system, and has to be re-programmed if the owner wishes to employ it in connection with another system. This process requires a PowerBox USB Interface together with the Y-lead supplied in the set; the operating instructions contain all the information required for the procedure. The owner downloads the free Terminal program and associated instructions from the PowerBox Systems website, and installs it on a PC or laptop. I found the software installation and subsequent RC-SF.COM

HOW TO

POWERBOX SYSTEMS GPS II SENSOR

The GPS II Sensor’s good reception characteristics make it easy to accommodate in the model. In our case it was mounted directly on the receiver using the self-adhesive pad. The unit can be positioned more or less anywhere in the model.

configuration of the sensor were completed without any problems. Once you have defined the telemetry system you intend to use, it is then possible to exploit various set-up facilities such as alarms, addresses, and the display of further parameters, depending on the facilities provided by that system. These options are described in detail in the instructions. The GPS II Sensor can also be finetuned to suit a particular application by selecting accurate speed measurement or accurate positional data. The first option is the factory default setting, and provides highly accurate measurement of threedimensional speed. However, if your priority is great accuracy of measured positional data, then you should select the second option; in this case the model’s speed is recorded at a slightly slower rate.

port. In essence that completes the set-up procedure, although it is also necessary to consider the specific procedures of the radio control system you are using, to ensure the data can be displayed correctly. The GPS sensor is not fitted with

a buffer battery; this ensures the unit is completely maintenance-free in use. For this reason the device does not store the last set of satellite data, and the values must therefore be defined again every time the system is switched on. This process can take 30 seconds, but in practice this does not represent a problem, as the preparation time for a model aircraft is generally much longer than that in any case. The initialization process must be completed before the model is flown: its state of readiness is indicated by the integral yellow LED, which glows constantly when the unit ready. The LED also provides information about the sensor’s status, known as the ‘GPS-FIX’: it expects to pick up signals from six GPS satellites in total, and evaluates those signals. If

PLUG-AND-PLAY The set contains the GPS II, operating instructions in English and German, a patch-lead for connecting the unit to the receiver, a self-adhesive pad for secure mounting in the model, and a Y-lead, which is required for the programming process. The patch-lead is used to connect the sensor to the receiver’s telemetry

PowerBox Terminal is the configuration program for the unit, and is used to adjust its parameters under menu control.

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

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The model’s speed, current range, and altitude can be read off on the screen.

UPDATE FACILITY The PowerBox GPS sensor can be updated at any time in order to keep up with the latest technical developments. If an improved version of the system’s firmware is produced, it can be downloaded from the website and loaded into the sensor’s processor by means of the USB adapter mentioned earlier. Once again, this procedure is described in detail in the operating instructions. INSTALLATION Since a helical antenna is employed, the sensor can be installed in any position in the aircraft. The only requirement is that there should be no shielding materials in the vicinity, as large areas of carbon fibre or metal have an adverse effect on reception. Mounting the unit in the model is easy, not least because the instructions state the connecting lead can safely be up to two meters long. This simply means there is always likely to be a suitable location for the sensor in virtually any model. For our flight testing we used an Extra 300 from Extreme Flight: this is a 50-size electric-powered fixed-wing model aircraft equipped with a Graupner® GR-32 HoTT receiver. The sensor was mounted directly on top of the receiver using the self-adhesive pad supplied, and connected to the telemetry port. To test the system the model aircraft must be set up outdoors in order to ensure optimum GPS reception. Once the receiving system was switched on, the HoTT rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

transmitter — in this case an MC-32 — immediately detected it as a GPS module. The sensor records the model’s speed data and its current altitude, together with its distance from the take-off point. It also calculates the associated geo-coordinates. Via the downlink channel these data are transmitted back to the transmitter, where the information is displayed on-screen, or announced in the form of speech output. If a Graupner HoTT radio control system is used, the data are saved to an SD card, and can be analyzed later on a PC or laptop. During our initial checks everything functioned faultlessly: if we altered the position of the model — by moving it further away and higher up — this always resulted in a corresponding change on the display. This was clear evidence the system was accurate enough to detect and display even quite small changes. We could now be confident the system was ready for the subsequent test flights. FLIGHT TESTING To cut a long story short: during all our test-flights the GPS II Sensor from PowerBox Systems satisfied our expectations in full. All the displays, and also the speech output which was possible with the HoTT system, were absolutely credible. As pilots we felt

SPECIFICATIONS

the LED is flashing, this indicates the sensor is still searching for satellites. As soon as the LED glows constantly, the unit has established an effective connection.

The current geometric position is also displayed.

fully informed at all times, and were sometimes quite amazed how far away the model was, and how high it was flying at any particular moment. It is all too easy to misjudge these factors: we all tend to underestimate how far away the model is, and perhaps to overestimate its altitude. But there’s no longer any excuse for this: if we use the GPS II, we always have access to accurate data and precise values. SUMMARY The GPS II Sensor made by the PowerBox Systems company is capable of cooperating successfully with several makes of radio control system, and its performance won us over completely. The modern hardware and software are a true reflection of the latest state of technology, and ensure the product is extremely practical for model flying. Everything is built very accurately and to professional standards. During our test procedure every feature worked to our satisfaction, so it is not in the least difficult to recommend the unit to any pilot who appreciates the information provided by GPS telemetry.

Supported RC systems : HoTT (Graupner), M-Link (Multiplex), FASSTest (Futaba), Jeti EX, JR DMSS Operating voltage : 4.0 – 9.0 V Current drain, power-on : Max 60 mA Temperature range : -30° to +75°C Dimensions : 58 x 18 x 17 mm Weight : ≈14 grams

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3-VIEW

LO-100 DRAWINGS BY HANS-JÜRGEN FISCHER

A Schnitt X-X (Maßstab x 2)

Rumpfverstärkung

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

lfred Vogt designed and built the Lo-100 glider in 1952. Its maiden flight was done at Klippeneck Mountain in BadenWürttemberg, Germany. Alfred was a dedicated designer who spent his life in the work of aircraft construction. Interestingly, he designed and built his first glider, the Lo-105 in 1935 with his brother Lothar. Then following WWII, Alfred supervised the design and construction of the Standard-Austria S while at the Schempp-Hirth factory in Kirchheim/Teck. The Lo-100 was designed as an aerobatic glider. It would be the only glider certified for unlimited aerobatics for about twenty years in Germany. Alfred’s Lo-100 glider sports a wingspan of only ten meters, so it is not a large glider, but rather one that earned the respect of aerobatics pilots the world over. The Sudetenland engineer’s glider became the pinnacle of glider aerobatics performance. Pilots such as Albert Falderbaum, Gerhard Pawolka, Herbert Tilling, and others performed their aerobatics routines at airshows everywhere in the little Lo-100. twitter.com/rcsportflyer

rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

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LO-100

Only about fifty Lo100 aircraft were built. Some are still flying. During the opening ceremonies of the 1981 World Gliding Championships at Paderborn, Lo-100s were flown in formation for a beautiful performance for the audience.

SPECIFICATIONS

3-VIEW

Crew : One Wingspan : 32 ft 10 in. (10 m) Length : 20 ft 2 in. (6.15 m) Wing area : 117 ft2 (10.9 m2) Aspect ratio : 9.2 Airfoil : Clark Y Empty weight : 331 lb (150 kg) Max takeoff : 584 lb (265 kg) normal weight 540.1 lb (245 kg) aerobatics Wing loading : 5.0 lb/ft² (24.3 kg/m²) normal 4.98 lb/ft² (24.3 kg/m²) aerobatics VNE : 118 mph (103 kn) normal 180.2 mph (156.6 kn) aerobatics Aerotow speed : 93.2 mph (81.0 kn) normal 139.8 mph (121.5 kn) aerobatics Winch launch max : 77.7 mph (67.5 kn) normal 87.0 mph (75.6 kn) aerobatics Sink rate : 160 ft/min (0.8 m/s) @ 38.9 kn Lift-to-drag : 25 @ 52.8 mph (45.9 kn)

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

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REVIEW

ADAGIO™ 280 BNF BASIC WITH AS3X® TECHNOLOGY A SEXY, SLEEK, AFFORDABLE SOARER YOU’LL LOVE TO FLY BY CHRISTIAN BELLEAU

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

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The Adagio has a very sexy, sleek look to its design, which makes it stand out from every other model in the air.

-flite’s Adagio™ 280 limited motor run (LMR) glider is an electric-powered park flyer. It has been designed to let you enjoy soaring from just about any small field or park. The model features a sleek, high-aspect ratio wing that marries to a sexy, attractive, and low-drag

fuselage. The model’s BL280 motor comes installed, with a folding propeller that fairs to the fuselage when the motor is stopped for soaring or gliding. The wing is fitted with ailerons and flaps, so you can optimize the wing’s configuration for either cruise or thermal soaring. The Adagio 280 glider features

Notice that the model’s wings are reinforced with carbon tube spars on the bottom. They make the glider surprisingly strong.

E-flite’s advanced AS3X (Artificial Stabilization - 3-axis) technology. AS3X helps the model maintain smooth, pilot-friendly flight by compensating for such things as P-factor and turbulence. What AS3X does well is make the Adagio feel like you are flying a much larger airplane. As an E-flite Bind-N-Fly® Basic

From tip to tail, this Adagio has a very attractive design that delivers good soaring at an affordable price. rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

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REVIEW

E-FLITE ADAGIO™ 280 BNF BASIC WITH AS3X® TECHNOLOGY

model, it had me excited to give it a try because it is quick and easy to assemble and because it is electric motor powered. You’ll just bind it to a Spektrum five-channel-plus DSM2®/ DSMX® transmitter and it is ready to fly from a slope, a field or from a paved airstrip. Your model comes nearly ready to fly. You need to attach the wings, add the battery, bind the Rx and it will be ready to fly.

FEATURES • Easy, quick assembly • Carbon fiber reinforced, Z-Foam™ construction • Two-piece, removable plug-in wing

• AS3X® system gives great radio reception • BL280, 1260 Kv direct-drive outrunner motor • High-speed digital servos • Spektrum™ Nanolite receiver • High-efficiency folding propeller • 5-channel control, with flaps • Vibrant, easy-to-see color scheme

I used the Spektrum DX6 transmitter with an AR610 receiver for control of my Adagio. It works very well.

The E-flite BL280 1260 Kv electric motor makes plenty of power to get the model to soaring altitude in a hurry.

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

NEEDED • Spektrum DX6 DSM2/DSMX transmitter • 11.1-volt 3S 450-mAh LiPo flight battery • Prophet Precept 80W AC/DC Charger

Notice that the model incorporates a landing and tail wheel, so you can land it on the slope, at a field, or on a paved strip. twitter.com/rcsportflyer

SOARING Soaring the model is about as easy as it gets. You’ll need to charge the 11.1-volt 3S 450-mAh battery pack, bind a Spektrum radio to the receiver, do a minimum amount of programming to configure the wing’s controls, elevator, rudder, and motor. Then it is just a matter of hitting the “gas” and climbing the model to soaring altitude. Once at altitude the challenge is going to be finding a thermal or lift to sustain the model’s flight time. I found it has very responsive to control inputs, which made the searching easy. Also, the the propeller fairs to the fuselage well when the motor is stopped, so the drag on the glider is reduced to a minimum. It indicates lift well, but don’t expect this model to fly like a competition thermal duration machine. Rather, it flies like a 56-in. wingspan sport soarer, but with plenty of power up front for multiple climbs to altitude. Where the Adagio really shines is how maneuverable it is. My first flights with the model were at the slope. I was able to log about an hour on this model before this review. So, I can tell you that its roll rate is quite good, pitch stability it nice, and the rudder works superb to coordinate the turns with the ailerons. I have my model set up with about five degrees of reflex on the ailerons and flaps for adding a bit of speed to range out. And the flaps come down about 45 degrees for the landing approaches. The model will loop nicely. The carbon-tube-spar reinforcing means you can pull pretty hard on the up rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

This is how your Adagio will come out of its kit box. You won’t have to spend much time to get it ready to fly.

elevator without too much worry with respect to breaking a wing. The down elevator control is quite good, so I think it would do an outside loop, but I’ve not tried one yet. It rolls too! However, it kind of runs out of speed towards the end of the roll — add motor power though and you’ll have solved that problem. Inverted flight is okay, but you’ll find you’ll be holding about 20 percent down elevator control to maintain level flight. What is fun is being able to push the throttle up and fly this model like a little racer. It climbs and turns well, and just plain grooves for you. I found it fun to pull the model up at a 45-degree angle, hit the power and do some rolls as the model was

The model’s color scheme is quite striking on the ground and in the air, which makes it truly easy to see at high altitude.

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REVIEW

E-FLITE ADAGIO™ 280 BNF BASIC WITH AS3X® TECHNOLOGY

climbing. Then at the top of the climb leveling out for a bit of thermal searching. SYNOPSIS I would recommend the Adagio 280 BNF Basic with AS3X to anyone wanting a glider that is quick and easy

to assemble, affordable, and most of all fun to fly. I’ve had a number of flights with model, including from a small park near my home. This little model is just enjoyable to pilot. It also gets a lot of looks from my friends at

the airfield because of its sexy, good looks. Finally, it fits in my small hangar without much trouble. Get one. You’ll be glad you did.

The Adagio’s color scheme is striking from just about any angle. It makes the model very easy to see in flight, even at high altitudes.

The E-flite 280-size motor makes plenty of power for this 56-in. wingspan model. It gives a very likeable, sporty performance.

ASSEMBLY The most difficult part of assembling the Adagio is opening the shipping box that you’ll get from the UPS driver. Other than that you’ll simply plug the wings onto the carbon fiber joiner rod, attach the the horizonal stabilizer with a bit of foam safe CA, and adjust the control linkages. You’ll need to bind a DSM2/DSMX transmitter to the AR610 receiver, but that will not take more than about five minutes. You’ll need to program the radio for ailerons, flaps, elevator, rudder, and throttle control. You can do

a basic setup, or you can do as I have so that you can reflex the controls for cruise, and drop the flaps for landing. You may even want to interconnect the flaps with the ailerons to make this model really deliver a super roll rate. I’m using the Dynamite Prophet Percept charger for the model’s LiPo charges. This is a compact charger that you can power from either 120 VAC or 12 VDC. It is an excellent unit, and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a powerful, affordable bench/field charger. It will not disappoint you.

SPECIFICATIONS

Wingspan : 56.0 in. (1420 mm) Length : 29.9 in. (760 mm) Wing Area : 242 in.2 (15.6 dm2) Weight : 12.5 oz (356 g) Motor : 280-size outrunner 1260 Kv ESC : 10 amp

DISTRIBUTOR

Battery : 11.1-volt 3S 450-mAh LiPo

Servos : Micro

Horizon Hobby 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 Horizonhobby.com

Flaps : Yes Construction : Foam, carbon Assembly time : ≤One hour

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

Price : $179.99 (EFL6550)

The Dynamite Prophet Precept AC/DC powered charger works well for charging this model’s battery, and others in your hangar. twitter.com/rcsportflyer

Favored For

Flight Make Your MoMent to FlY Hassle-Free.

Ultimate ®

with aS3X ® technology BNF (eFl10850) to find the e-flite airPlane that’s right for you, Visit your faVorite hobby shoP

night Visionaire BNF BaSiC (eFl7150)

Viking Model 12 280 BNF BaSiC (eFl6650)

P-47d thunderbolt BNF BaSiC (eFl6850)

P-51d Mustang BNF BaSiC (eFl6750)

rare bear BNF BaSiC (eFl1250)

The per f ec t momen t t o f l y is some t hing special and hav ing an E-f li t e ® airplane can help make t he experience fun. That’s because E-flite products are developed right here in the United States by RC pilots who crave a great flight. So they carefully scrutinize every detail and flight characteristic. The right airfoil matters, the right CG matters, and so on, which is why when you press the bind button on your Spektrum™ transmitter everything comes to life in harmony. Make the moment you choose to grab a flight one you’ll want to repeat over and again.

VISIT

CLICK

CALL

Your Local Retailer

horizonhobby.com

1.800.338.4639

SERIOUS FUN. SERIOUS FUN.®®

©2015 Horizon Hobby, LLC. AS3X, E-flite,DSM2, UMX,DSMX, AS3X, SAFE, VisionAire, andthe theHorizon Horizon Hobby are trademarks or registered of Horizon Hobby, LLC.trademark The Spektrum trademark is used with permission of ©2014 Horizon Hobby, LLC. E-flite, Bind-N-Fly, the BNF logo,Serious Serious Fun Fun and Hobby logologo are trademarks or registered trademarkstrademarks of Horizon Hobby, LLC. The Spektrum is used with permission of Bachmann Industries, Inc. Bachmann Inc.from MODEL 12® is a45260 registered trademark used by permission of Jim Kimball Enterprises, Inc. The Viking Model 12 trim scheme is by stylist Mirco Pecorari of Aircraft Studio Design. All other trademarks, Actual product Industries, may vary slightly photos shown. service marks and logos are property of their respective owners. 49386.1

REVIEW

V-VENTURE HOTT GLIDER RTF TAKE A VENTURE TO THE LIMIT BY WIL BYERS

It is a pusher-powered, limited motor run (LMR) glider that will let any pilot discover the fun to soaring and gliding.

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

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There are many pluses to this little model. It uses pusher propeller power, a V-tail system, and it has ailerons, rudder, and motor control.

he V-Venture is an easy-to-fly beginner’s type model. It has good flight performance and handling. The model comes as preassembled airplane that is controlled by a three-channels: ailerons, elevator, and motor. It can be configured to use an optional spoilerons configuration for precision landings. The motor is pylon mounted, so landing the model on grass or even pavement is not a problem — no propeller damage with this model. The model’s battery is easy to access, hidden neatly under the foam canopy. The V-Venture is easy to hand launch. It delivers good climb performance, so you can get it to soaring altitude in no time. Then you’ll rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

simply shutdown the motor to use the energy stored in thermals to soar the V-Venture for as along as you like. The V-Venture comes equipped with high-quality Graupner engineered and manufactured components. It comes in a Ready to Fly (RTF) version and Almost Ready to Fly (ARF) version. The RTF version is telemetry ready, so you can select from a wide range of sensors and modules, which will give you realtime knowledge of what is happening with your model. Your V-Venture comes with a bright red, black, and white color scheme that makes it easy to see at high altitudes — the wings and V-tail are white on their bottoms.

FEATURES • Designed for beginner to advanced pilots • Lightweight, durable foam construction • Optimized airfoil design • Two aileron servos for “crow” braking • Brushless outrunner pusher type motor • Low-drag, pylon motor mount • Carbon fiber wing tube • V-tail system • Aerobatic flight possible INCLUDES • V-Venture Airframe • Graupner mz-10 telemetry ready radio RC-SF.COM

REVIEW

GRAUPNER V-VENTURE HOTT GLIDER RTF

The V-Venture RTF kit is very complete. You get the model, transmitter, battery pack, charger, and AC adapter.

The V-Venture sports a 53.15-in. wingspan and is 33.46 in. long. The wing uses an HQ 3.0/12 airfoil, which is good for soaring.

• • • • • • • •

1 DES281BB servo - elevator 2 DES261BB servo - ailerons 260Z 7.4-volt brushless motor Graupner 18-amp brushless ESC GR-12L 6-channel Rx 2S 2200-mAh LiPo battery LiPo battery balancer and charger Graupner 6 x 3 SLOWFLY propeller

GLIDING Whether you are a beginner or intermediate pilot you will like the way this model flies in either slope or thermal lift. Graupner has done an excellent job of building a model that

is well balanced and tuned for the beginner to intermediate pilots. I found the model has good power-to-weight ratio, aileron and pitch control, as well soaring performance. In fact, on its first flight I caught a thermal and was able to soar the model to a very good height before I needed to put the nose down and penetrate back to the landing zone. While penetration is good, you’ll not want to fly it too far downwind because it is not a high-aspect ratio glider, so it tends to lose altitude during

As you can see, the propeller is up and out of harms way, so handlaunching the model is safe and easy.

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

You’ll find the V-Venture has plenty of power for multiple authortive climbs to soaring altitude. twitter.com/rcsportflyer

there is excellent contrast between the top of the model and bottom. That helped me stay oriented with the model as I was soaring it to altitude, and when it was downwind. Finally, I really like the pusherpropeller power because it makes landing the model a synch. You just pull the power back and glide the model in for a belly landing. SYNOPSIS At a price of just $231.34 this model is a buy! Check it out, you get the electric-powered glider, a Graupner mz-10 telemetry ready transmitter, a 6-channel receiver, the

Here you get a good look at how the motor is mounted in its pylon, which directs the propeller’s blast over the V-tail. rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

servos, the 260Z motor, an 18-amp ESC, a 2S 2000-mAh LiPo battery pack, a 6x3 Slowfly type propeller and the a LiPo battery charger. I just don’t think you’ll find a better buy in a model that will give you this much fun. My advice is to buy one and go have a ton of fun.

Functions : V-tail, ailerons, throttle Wingspan : 53.15 in. (1350 mm) Length : 33.46 in (860 mm) Weight : 19.4 oz (550 g) Surface area : 414 in.² (26.7 dm²) Wing loading : 7.2 oz/ft ² (20.6 g/dm²) V-tail area : 77 in.² (5.0 dm²)

DISTRIBUTOR

penetration runs. That said, this is very good glider for those pilots transitioning from a model with rudder and elevator control to one with ailerons and elevator, plus power. You’ll discover the ailerons are quite responsive, so you may want to use a dual rate on them if you are a first-timer with respect to aileron control. To underscore the aileron control, I was able to roll the model after gaining a bit of speed and then leveling the model’s flight path. However, you’ll find that the HQ 3.0/12 airfoil is not optimized for inverted flight, but rather for soaring. So, don’t expect the glider to give you unlimited aerobatic performance. It will, however, roll and loop, which I think is quite good for a model of this design. I found that its color scheme makes it super easy to see, even at high altitude. I especially like that

You’ll discover this little glider has good roll and pitch control thanks to ailerons and a good V-tail design.

SPECIFICATIONS

This model has a low profile fuselage so it has good penetration against the wind and for ranging out in search of lift.

OPENHOBBY 3245 University Ave, Suite 1520 San Diego, CA 92104 Phone: 855-5RCisHoTT Openhobby.com

Wing area : 336 in.² (21.7 dm²) V-tail section : NACA 009 Airfoil : HQ 3.0/12 Price : $231.34 (#9910.RTF)

We found the controls of the V-Venture to be well coordinated, which made it a very pleasant model to fly. RC-SF.COM

REVIEW

Tara Woodford is showing off the great lines of the Fury. The model is electric powered and uses a 4S 3200-mAh LiPo battery pack.

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

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FJ-2 FURY DUCTED FAN AS3X® MAKES IT STABLE. EDF MAKES IT FAST! BY WIL BYERS

he North American FJ-2/3 Fury aircraft were a series of sweptwing, carrier-capable fighters designed for the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The FJ-2 were the result of an effort to remake the United States Air Force’s F-86 Sabre into a carrier-capable aircraft. The FJ-2 had folding wings, and a longer nose gear strut, which was designed to increase the jet’s angle of attack for launch, and a longer oleo made to withstand the abuses of aircraft carrier type landings. Although sharing a U.S. Navy’s designation with its distant predecessor, the straight-winged North American FJ-1 Fury, the FJ-2/3 were completely different aircraft. The FJ-2 was also one of a few aircraft used to evaluate the first steam catapult system on a U.S. Navy aircraft-carrier. E-flite’s FJ-2 is designed as a scale airplane that gives you the realism and flight experience of flying the carrier-based airplane. It is an almostready-to-fly (ARF) model that anybody can assemble in about 30 minutes or less. What caught my attention from the minute the ARF’s box was opened, was the high quality of the parts, the level of detail included in the foam moldings, including drop tanks, and

the exceptional level of accuracy in the paint scheme. It was just a model I wanted to assemble and fly. FEATURES • Easy to complete assembly • AS3X® technology built in • Durable, lightweight Z-Foam™ airframe construction • Authentic outline and scale details • Spektrum™ AS3X® AR636A DSMX® 6-channel receiver, installed • Powerful 70-mm EDF unit with a 15-size, 3700-Kv brushless motor

• 60-amp 14.8-volt brushless ESC installed • Scale inlet ducting appearance • Six micro servos for ailerons, elevator, rudder, and nose-wheel steering • Clear canopy, cockpit details, and pilot figure included • Removable fixed landing gear • Removable drop tanks NEEDED • 4-channel-plus DSM2®/DSMX compatible aircraft transmitter

Almost everything you need to start flying this little jet comes in the kit box. You will need a 4S LiPo battery, charger, and transmitter. rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

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REVIEW

E-FLITE FJ-2 FURY DUCTED FAN

Notice how the nose gear sets the model’s angle of attack high for those carrier-type takeoffs from either pavement or close-mowed grass.

The color scheme of the FJ-2 is very well done and accurate to scale. It makes the model extremely easy to see in flight too.

The FJ-2 is going to use up a bit of runway before it takes off, so plan your model’s runway position before pushing the throttle forward.

• High-power 4S 14.8-volt 3200mAh Li-Po battery • AC or DC 4S LiPo battery charger IN FLIGHT Push the throttle forward on the E-flite FJ-2 Fury and you’ll be in for an impressive takeoff roll. You’ll discover that the model accellerates nicely, and will get into the air in about 100 yards. I do not recommend forcing this model off the runway. Rathery, you should let it get to a good flying speed and then simply pull back on the elevator, with full power applied. Once in the air you can back off on the throttle some and enjoy the handling of this AS3X-equipped airplane. I found it to be extremely stable, yet it gave me the feeling that I was in control rather than the

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

Check out the inlet ducting on the FJ-2. It is large enough to let the electric ducted fan suck all the air it needs to power this model nicely.

autopilot doing all the work for me. In fact, even on the first flight I felt I could pretty much relax on the controls and enjoy the fun to flying the model for some fast passes down the runway. The model has enough elevator, rudder, and aileron control that rolls are easy to perform. With a bit of speed built, the model will fly through loops without any hesitation whatsoever. I did not fly it inverted, but if the rolls are any indication, the airplane will easily handle inverted flight as well. What I found most enjoyable about this model was how much speed it gets from its 69-mm ducted fan. I’ve heard other modelers have upgraded the model with a bigger motor and fan, but honestly, I think

the model does quite well with the stock system. I would not recommend spending the money for the upgrade, unless of course you have the need to one-up the guys at the airfield. SYNOPSIS You can read the hype on this model from other sources, but you’ll not be getting it from a guy like me who believes in truth, justice, and the American way. The bottom line on the E-flite FJ-2 Fury EDF model is that it is an affordable solution for the modeler that wants to fly jets, but does not want to drop $10 grand on a turbinepowered airplane. Even so, this model is quite a joy to fly and delivers good jet-like performance on the BL-15, 3700 Kv twitter.com/rcsportflyer

The drop tanks and the landing gear are removable, so you can hand-launch the model to get a little more airspeed out of it.

From front to back the FJ-2 Fury has all around good looks and scale detailing. AS3X makes it quite easy to fly as well.

As you can see, the model looks as good in the air as it does sitting on the tarmack. I like how easy it is to fly and to land.

Here Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m turning the FJ-2 onto its final approach. Note that it will get into ground effect so you must set up for a nice long landing.

I test flew my model at an airfield that is 4,100 ASL and had no problems with getting enough power for good flight performance. rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

RC-SF.COM

REVIEW

E-FLITE FJ-2 FURY DUCTED FAN

DISTRIBUTOR

motor that is married to a 60-amp speed controller and a 4S, 2000-mAh LiPo battery pack. I was impressed by the ease of assembly, the quality of the parts, the finish detail, and most importantly by how it flies. It will be staying in my hangar for quite some time to come because it fills a niche.

Horizon Hobby 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 Horizonhobby.com

Assembly of the FJ-2 Fury could not be easier. The factory has done all the difficult work that might otherwise challenge you. You’ll need to attach the wing to the fuselage. Fasten the main gear and nose wheel to the fuselage. You must adjust the nosewheels’ stearing such that the model will run straight when power is applied. You’ll also need to adjust the control linkages such that all control surfaces are at their neutral positions when the transmitter’s controls are centered and the trims are positioned as required. I recommend you check the control throws as well. Once the 4S LiPo battery pack is charge you should test run the electric ducted fan to make sure it is working

properly as well. Finally, you’ll want to check the models center of gravity position to assertain that it’s set as per the position noted in the assembly manual. I also recomend you mark the battery’s position on its tray in the fuselage for future reference at the airfield. Then strap the battery into its respective position with the hook-n-loop material. Lastly, you’ll want to mount the drop tanks, which will give the airplane that finished look. That is about all there is to readying your FJ-2 for flight. I do recommend a couple of extra battery packs though because you’re going to like flying this model.

SPECIFICATIONS

The model is impressively fast. It is not for the beginner pilot, but an intermediate pilot will have no trouble flying this model, especially with AS3X helping out.

SYNOPSIS

Material : Z-Foam Wingspan : 36.75 in. (933 mm) Length : 38.75 in. (984 mm) Wing Area : 304 in.2 (19.6 dm2) Flying Weight : 3.3 lb (1.49 kg) Motor Size : BL15, 3700 Kv EDF Size : 69 mm Battery : 4S 3200-mAh LiPo Radio : 5-channel Servos : 13 gram EWS : 60-amp (installed) Flaps : No Retracts : No Price : $299.99 (EFL7250)

With a winspan of 36.75 inches, the model is nicely sized. Assembled, it will fit in pretty much any automobile.

RC SPORT FLYER . OCT, NOV, DEC 15

All around, the E-flite FJ-2 Fury is a well done EDF model. It will deliver jet-like performance for you at an affordable price! twitter.com/rcsportflyer

BY PILOTS

FOR PILOTS E-flite® airplanes offer more than just a great flight. That’s because every E-flite airplane is developed by passionate RC pilots like you who crave the best flight experience possible for each design. So they carefully scrutinize every detail and flight characteristic to provide you the best possible aircraft, flight after flight.

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©2015 Horizon LLC.AS3X, E-flite, AS3X, theBind-N-Fly, SAFE logo, Serious Funthe andHorizon the Horizon Hobby logo are trademarks registered trademarks Horizon Hobby,trademark LLC. TheisSpektrum trademark used with permission ©2014 Horizon Hobby,Hobby, LLC. E-flite, DSM2, DSMX, the VisionAire, BNF logo, Serious Fun and Hobby logo are trademarks or registered or trademarks of Horizon Hobby,ofLLC. The Spektrum used with permission of isBachmann Industries, Inc. of Bachmann Inc. photos MODEL 12®45260 is a registered trademark used by permission of Jim Kimball Enterprises, Inc. The Viking Model 12 trim scheme is by stylist Mirco Pecorari of Aircraft Studio Design. Rare Bear and the Actual product may Industries, vary slightly from shown. Rare Bear trim scheme are trademarks of Lewis Racing, LLC and are used with permission by Horizon Hobby, LLC. All other trademarks, service marks and logos are property of their respective owners. 49386

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The DX18 Stealth Edition does just about anything but blend in. For starters, it gives you a powerful combination of features that includes three model types, servo balancing and sequencing, voice alerts, 250-model memory, 16 programmable mixes, telemetry and more. To this it adds a distinctive black finish and exclusive extras like a Stealth Edition aluminum carrying case and neck strap. An AR9020 receiver and an SD card pre-loaded with popular Horizon Hobby model setups are also included. Go to spektrumrc.com r i g h t n o w fo r c o m p l e te details and to find a Spektrum retailer near you.

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