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14SG DELIVERS TELEMETRY PLUS GREAT RANGE PG 46

Worldâ€™s Most In-Depth RC Aircraft Magazine

500 3D BNF HELI GETS YOU TO

A NEW LEVEL IN PERFORMANCE.

1/3-Scale ASK-18 Glider Build Series, Part I

SEE HOW!

See Why the New Flame Wheel F550 Multi-Rotor Will Put You in the Action! LEARN HOW TO

MAKE SCALE PILOTS THE EASY WAY TELEMETRY SYSTEMS Like

MAY 2013

USA & CANADA $6.49

RC-SF.COM

DEPARTMENTS

BUILD

HOW TO

10 12 80 81

LEADING EDGE HOT PRODUCTS ADVERTISER INDEX MYSTERY AIRPLANE

PG 74

Discover why the Blade 500 3D BNF Basic makes a good pick for transition to flying 3D helis.

ASK-18 BUILD PART I Learn how to build a scale glider from scratch, starting with plans and some wood. By Gene Cope

WEATHERING Follow these tricks and you’ll make your model look like the real thing. By Anthony Richards

WILLIAM BROTHERS PILOT UPGRADES Give your model’s pilot a quick and easy upgrade using these building tips. By Rob Caso

AEROBATICS PART 2 We tell you what airplanes make good 3D and Extreme aerobatic machines that you’ll want. By Daniel Holman

PG 52 PG 56

The DX18 telemetry is easy to use and displays data in realtime.

RC SPORT FLYER — MAY 2013

See how the Hitec RCD Aurora 9 telemetry will work in your model airplanes.

MAY 2013

REVIEWS

FLYZONE ACRO-WOT Right out of the box this little indoor flyer delivers tons of fun. See why you need one. By Anthony Richards

DJI FLAME WHEEL F550 This hexa-copter takes you to the next level in multi-rotor performance and control. By RC Staff

PG 68 A new hexa-copter you can program to fly hands off!

PG 30

BLADE 500 3D BNF BASIC Read this review to see why the new Blade 500 is a great choice for transitioning to 3D heli flying. By Wil Byers

PG 60

Built from the ground up the new DC-16 has lots of telemetry features.

PG 46 Take a first look at the new Futaba 14SG w/ telemetry.

PG 18 Part I of ASK-18 scale glider build shows you how to build from plans and wood. RC-SF.COM

Aeroworks 30-CC Ultimate 20-300 ARF-QB

AeroWorks 4903 Nome Street Denver, CO 80239 Phone: 303-371-4222 aero-works.net

ased on the 150-cc Ultimate 20-300 designed by Jason Noll, the new 30-cc Ultimate 20-300 is sure to impress even the most demanding pilot. Designed for both precision and 3D-style flying, the 30-cc Ultimate 20-300 is sure to outperform any other Ultimate on the market, with minimal mixing and aileron differential required to achieve perfect flight. The compact size the 30-cc Ultimate offers is perfect for transportation, allowing it to be left fully assembled when transported in a normalsize truck! If a smaller transportation option is required, the wings and stabs can be easily removed for a truly compact footprint. The 30cc Ultimate is a true QB offering high-quality, lightweight construction and the fastest build

Captron HeliCommand Hush Kit

• Complete and detailed instruction manual on CD • Painted and premounted 7075 aluminum landing gear • Complete high-quality SAE hardware package included • Adjustable pushrods with centering nut • One-piece wing design increases strength and speeds assembly • Preinstalled center cabane • 6061 T-6 anodized aluminum stab tube • Professionally covered in UltraCote™ with extra covering provided for repairs • Prehinged from factory • One-servo wing

powered helicopters. Esprit Model 1240 Clearmont St NE, Unit 12 Palm Bay, FL 32905 Phone: 321-729-4287 espritmodel.com

he HeliCommand Hush Kit is a great addition to protect your HeliCommand. Made of integrated foam, this ultraacoustic suppression hood can save your HeliCommand stabilization system from functioning incorrectly when used in turbine-

time possible. With the Ultimate’s unbeatable stability and precision flight characteristics, it is certain to please both the beginner as well as the advanced competitor. The Ultimate was designed from the ground up to be a topperforming aircraft. Generous control surfaces and an awesome power-to-weight ratio make this a plane you’ll want to fly every visit to the field!

RC SPORT FLYER — MAY 2013

Price: $37.50

Specifications Wingspan

60 in.

Wing Area

1320 in.2

Length

69 in. (Rudder to Front of Cowl) 71.5 in. (Rudder to Front of Spinner)

Cowl Width

9.5 in.

Weight

12–13 lb

Engine

30–35 cc

Radio

6 channel minimum

Price

$499.95

• Large control surfaces, double-beveled for maximum throw • Premounted fiberglass cowl, wheel pants and tinted canopy • Preinstalled and fuel-proofed engine box • Laser-cut, engine-mounting templates provided • 8 to 10 hours assembly time

HOT PRODUCTS

SR Pro Micro XL- Camera Gimbal System

Atlanta Hobby 6110 Parkway North Drive Cumming, GA 30041 Phone: 678-513-4450 atlantahobby.com

he new SR Pro Micro “XL” Stabilized Gimbal/ Landing Gear System is now available. This system was born out of the SR Micro Pro Gimbal—the perfect solution for the DJI 450 and 550, and can be easily fitted to many other multi-rotor copters that want to carry larger cameras such as the Soney NEX5 or NEX7. The unit is manufactured in the USA with the highest-quality aircraft components available, while still maintaining a lightweight yet incredibly strong design. The SR Pro Micro “XL” Stabilized Gimbal weighs in at only 526 grams. Built from lightweight but

strong 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum, carbon fiber skids, and rails. It also incorporates space-age polymers, genuine Teflon bushings, and Titanium screws, which all work together for the best in aerial photo and video. The built-in battery balance system helps dial in the perfect balance of your multi rotor for longer flight times as well as less wear and tear on its motors. The extreme ease and functionality is due to the direct-drive, two-axis servo control (two Hitec HS-5245 digital servos are included), producing fluid and smooth dynamic video footage. A unique vibration dampener system is also available as

Stock #

Futaba S.Bus2 Servos

Futaba 3002 N Apollo Dr, Ste. 1 Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-398-0007 futaba-rc.com

oday’s pilot demands more, and these S.Bus2 servos deliver more! They can handle up to 2S LiPo power, making them ideal for powering functions on large-scale airplanes and competition helis. There is a wide array of S.Bus2 servos to choose from— including some with ultra-high torque ratings of 514 oz-in. S.Bus2 servos are the innovative way to unleash a flight system’s full potential! • These servos can handle up to 2S LiPo packs—the popular choice for powering larger aircraft

an optional upgrade. Finished in stealth-black electrostatic thermal powdercoat for a non-scratch super tough finish, the end product look is amazing.

Description

Price

FUTM0125

S3172SV Glider SBus2 HV programmable servo

$54.99

FUTM0133

S9170SV Air SBus2 HV programmable servo

$119.99

FUTM0135

BLS171SV SBus2 HV HT programmable MG servo

$149.99

FUTM0136

BLS172SV SBus2 HV UHT programmable MC servo

$219.99

FUTM0138

BLS174SV SBus2 HV HT programmable aileron servo

$149.99

FUTM0139

BLS175SV SBus2 HV HT programmable MG MC servo

$169.99

FUTM0141

BLS177SV SBus2 HV UHT programmable MC servo

$239.99

FUTM0145

BLS272SV SBus2 HV HS programmable servo

$169.99

• All are programmable and can be used in S.Bus as well as S.Bus2 applications • BLS servos feature brushless motors • S3172SV is ideal for gliders and smaller aircraft • All are dual, ball-bearing supported

RC-SF.COM

By Gene Cope

ASK-18 BUILD PART 1 A DECADE OF PLANNING THAT PAYS OFF IN GREAT GLIDES

My ASK-18 sits next to a fullscale Cessna 150 at the Richland, Washington airport for a size comparison.

A few hundred hours of scratch building are rewarded with this shot of my 1/3-scale ASK-18 in flight over the Horse Heaven Hills.

1 The rudder’s center plate is marked for hinge and control horn locations, along with the rudder post template.

RC SPORT FLYER — MAY 2013

ASK-18 BUILD PART 1

n the early 2000s I purchased a Rosenthal 1/3-scale ASK-18 fiberglass fuselage, canopy and wing rod as a starting point for a scratch-building project. The parts collected dust in my workshop for several years before I gathered the documentation for the wings, rudder and stabilizer. It was just one of those projects that kept getting put on the back burner. Then too, I had to decide how I would build the flying surfacesâ€”foam core or open structure, built up. It took time to gather my thoughts and make the final decision to start the project. Earlier I had assembled a Flair Ka8b. In reviewing its instructions and plans, I decided to build my ASK-18 in a similar fashion. So, a plan of action was put into place in the early stages of the project. Subsequently, the wing, horizontal

2 A 1-1/2-in.-diameter cut-off wheel was used to cut slots for the 1/16-in.-diameter music wire hinge pins.

stabilizer and rudder were then drafted to size in a solid modeling program and converted to a format acceptable to a CNC machine. A friend then cut the wing parts out

of 3/32-in. plywood on his machine. The washout, wing dihedral and construction tabs were designed into the wing ribs before they were cut. The center plates for the rudder,

4 After the rudder is notched and the hinge pin in position, the control horn is positioned and marked for future assembly.

The leading edge of the rudder was made from two 3/8- x 1-in. balsa laminated and cut to the vertical fin profile.

6 Hinge notches are cut into the rudder leading edge before being glued to the 1/16-in. rudder center plate. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @RCSPORTFLYER

The rudder half is shown complete with ribs. Note the notch for the control horn to be placed on the lower hinge center. RC-SF.COM

BY Rob Caso

WILLIAM BROTHERS PILOTS HOW TO GIVE YOUR PILOTS A LIFELIKE LOOK

e’ve all seen the bug-eyed, scared-out-of-his-mind Williams Brothers (WB) pilot stuck on a balsa plate in a cockpit. With their somewhat comical “thousand yard” stare, WB pilots have accrued their share of derision,

although perhaps undeservedly. With a little effort, a WB pilot can be made to look the part by making a few simple adjustments and additions. I needed a crew for my recent 33-in., 1/15-scale Dauntless refinish, and there are not many small-scale

pilots available. On top of this, what I needed was more than just a bust, since a lot of the crew can be seen in the Dauntless’s greenhouse. Since the WB pilots are a rather truncated representation of the human figure, having only the very

Sanding blocks and grits of various grades, razor saws and a long blade knife are what is needed to work the foam.

I sanded each half of the pilot figure on sandpaper affixed to a piece of glass. Liquid plastic cement is used to join the halves.

I primed the figure and sanded the joint. Then I primed my model’s pilot again.

Here I epoxied the torso to the bust and rounded all the corners as needed to bring it into shape.

RC SPORT FLYER — MAY 2013

WILLIAM BROTHERS PILOTS

The front view shows the space left for the upper arms, which you’ll add in a few more steps.

top of the shoulders and a head, I often modify these figures by adding a partial or full torso, using foam as the medium. For this build I was not going for ultra scale precision; what I needed was something in the cockpit that was reasonably correct and in proportion to the aircraft. A plus here is that Navy pilots wore a yellow “Mae West” life jacket over their flight suits—this would cover any imperfections in the bust. Note that the 1/12-scale WB pilot is really closer to 1/15, so keep this in mind when recruiting pilot figures.

Attach the legs and apply a filler coat. Be careful with the angle of the legs to the torso.

A single block of foam cut to the right length and width was used for the legs. I rarely model the lower legs, as they’re typically not seen.

As with all cockpit details, the most important thing to do is to get the proportions correct. For this, I simply took measurements of myself and divided by 15. Leaving a little room at the shoulders for the arms, I first cut a torso from blue insulation foam and epoxied it to the bust. While foam-safe CA can be used, I like epoxy, as its setting time provides a good grip on the foam. Next, I rounded the torso everywhere except where the legs would go. I then cut a block of foam in the proper proportion and shaped the legs (only to the knees)—hacking out both on the same block of foam. I found that 100-grit sandpaper works the best for rough shaping; anything

more aggressive will result in chunks of foam being removed. Watching the angles, I glued the legs to the torso and then fine-sanded it all to remove corners and ridges and to blend the foam with the bust—humans don’t have corners! I brushed on a filler mix of vinyl Spackle and Polycrylic Satin water-based varnish over all the foam areas and sanded it in when dry. I wound up making some adjustments with the sandpaper after seeing everything in one color and reapplied the filler mix to these areas. The arms are probably the toughest part to get right. For the upper forearm, I used oversized blocks of foam that were correct in length down to the elbow and

The upper arms are modeled with rough-cut blocks of foam the correct length to elbows.

RC-SF.COM

BY Anthony Richards

WEATHERING MAKE A TERRIFIC WWI WARBIRD LOOK EVEN BETTER

recently built an E-flite® Albatros D.Va 25e almostready-to-fly (ARF) model. This airplane exhibits exceptional scale fidelity to outline, with very good detailing. The finishing touches, such as the scale cockpit gauges and pilot seat, windshield, flying wires strung between the wings and exposed mock Mercedes engine between two wooden Spandau machine gun replicas, make this model nearly identical to that of the full-scale Albatros. For most modelers, this level of scale detailing is above and beyond their standards, but some prefer that their aircraft appear as if it had just returned from a flight over No Man’s Land. 30

RC SPORT FLYER — MAY 2013

The overall scale appearance of your E-flite® Albatros D.Va 25e will double with these added details. The work is worth the payout.

From tip to tail you will be adding little details and bits of weathering. You can clearly see the dusted weathering along the wing spars from this angle.

WEATHERING

Laid out here are the tools and materials you will need for the job. You can find these at your local hobby and craft stores.

For a credible resource on warbird detailing, you cannot go wrong with a Squadron/Signal or Osprey Publishing book.

While completing a build article on the Albatros for this magazine, I was inspired by a two-part video series on how to weather the aircraft. It was done by John Redman and is found on Horizon Hobby’s product page. I took some pointers from the video and some of my artistic and aviation background knowledge to put together this how-to article. To start my weathering project, I ordered the Osprey Publishing book Jasta 18: The Red Noses. I also purchased a book from Squadron/ Signal Publications’ Albatros Fighters In Action. I wanted them to give me more information on the aircraft and the unit that it was flown in during the War. The Osprey book proved to be extremely helpful in detailing and weathering, while the Squadron/Signal

book provided plenty of photographs and a good-sized sketch of where the panel lines were located on the D.Va’s fuselage. Then the only thing I needed was to gather supplies for the project.

NEEDED TO COMPLETE

• Spray paint Model Master 3-oz Lusterless lacquer • Paint bottles Model Master Rust/chrome/ leather/flat black, 1/2 oz • Material 12 color soft pastel pack • Glue Pacer® Formula 560 canopy • Tools Monoject 412 syringe, precision glue tip, masking tape, pencil

I’ve finished applying fresh strips of canopy glue to the upper wing with my syringe and am beginning to add more to the next spar down. Once dry, they will look like fabric stitches.

You can see the mock wood texture from my painting of the APC propeller as the light shines across it. Long, single-stroke brushes are the trick behind the effective illusion.

Strips of half-round and circle-cut sheet styrene add cover and vent details to the nose of the Albatros. Buttons of canopy glue and some weathering complete the cowl.

RC-SF.COM

BY Daniel Holman

AEROBATICS PART 2

PICKING THE PERFECT AEROBATIC AIRPLANE

3D Hobby Shop® 57-in. Extra 330SC

kay, who has done their homework and been practicing on the simulator? In the first part of this aerobatics series we went through the importance of using a good simulator and some of the beneficial techniques that help lay a solid foundation for your aerobatic piloting. Learning to precisely control the airplane and put it right where you want it, when you want it, is not something that comes overnight. Now that you have begun working toward that on the simulator, it’s time to get you out to the airfield with a high-end, quality aerobatic airplane that will aid you on your journey of learning to fly all types of aerobatics. Choosing the right airplane for your needs is a very crucial part of this process because it can make a huge difference in your progress. With today’s technology, there are many excellent airframe and equipment manufacturers, but care still must be taken in the quest to find your perfect airplane. Over the past nine years, I have flown a little bit of everything and have experience 36

RC SPORT FLYER — MAY 2013

with all of the major and most of the minor airframe manufacturers. I will help point you in the right direction for this next exciting step!

3D Hobby Shop 87-in. Extra 300SHP

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

In this issue, I will present you with a list of my favorite airplanes in different size categories, but first I want to go over the “Why” factor.

AEROBATICS PART 2 The airplanes in the following list aren’t there because I like the way they look or how they fly for their manufacturer, or because I want to see more of them at the airfield. Rather, I selected them for their excellent flight performance and their ability to perform 3D, IMAC and extreme aerobatics (XA) with precision and class. Extra, Edge, MXS, Cap, Laser, Raven, Yak, Sukhoi … They’re all the same, right? No. I’ve heard from many guys that all aerobatic airplanes look the same, but that’s like saying that all Formula 1 cars look the same. First, there are many qualities that they all must retain to perform well in all types of aerobatics. While there are some biplanes that perform very well in these three types of aerobatics such as the Hangar 9® 100-cc Beast, I will focus on monoplanes because they really have the edge, especially in precision aerobatics. Extras, Edges, Yaks and Sukhois are the most common airframes in competition aerobatics for many reasons and will be my focus for now. Apart from the differences in the cowlings, the overall layout of the airplanes looks similar, but here are the predominant aerodynamic differences: The Extra, Yak and Sukhoi all feature a symmetrical airfoil on the Extreme Flight® 60-in. Extra 300 EXP

DW Foamies 40-in. Extra 300 wing, and the wing has a tapered leading edge. The Edge 540’s wing has a fully symmetrical airfoil as well, but it has a perfectly straight leading edge. The tapered leading edge of the Extra, Yak and Sukhoi lends itself more to precision and extreme aerobatics because the taper allows the pilot to stall one wing before the other. A well-designed airplane will stall straight forward without dropping a wing, but the tapered leading edge allows the pilot to choose which wing he wants to stall

such as in a snap roll or precision spin. Because of this, these airplanes are better choices for precision aerobatics. The straight leading edge of the Edge 540’s wing lends itself to 3D aerobatics and is extremely stable in all attitudes. The fact that both wings always want to stall together is somewhat of a hinderance in precision aerobatics but can be helpful in some 3D maneuvers. The tail moment is another factor that should be considered when selecting the airframe. This is the distance from the wing’s center of pressure to that of the horizontal stabilizer’s. The longer this is, the easier it will be to draw perfectly straight lines, while a shorter tail moment will produce more control authority in pitch and yaw. In general, the Extra 300 has the longest tail moment, but almost all modern remote control aerobatic airframes are stretched slightly to yield smoother and more precise flight characteristics, while the control surfaces have been enlarged to produce the insane control authority that is required in 3D and XA aerobatics. The best aerobatic airplanes are almost as long as their wingspan. All of these airplanes have a different wing placement, each lending itself to different maneuvers better than others. The Edge’s wing RC-SF.COM

BY Anthony Richards

14SG

ENJOY TELEMETRY AND STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY AFFORDABLY

henever the latest and greatest technology is released, you can expect to pay a pretty penny to get in on the action. In the RC industry, telemetry modules and supporting receivers are the new hot items for the RC pilot. High-end transmitters like the Futaba® 18MZ support telemetry and many features that keep the price above the average RC consumer’s

budget. The new Futaba 14SG transmitter, however, incorporates the professional-level pilot features into an ergonomic transmitter case, and does so at a very affordable price.

PACKAGE CONTENTS

The Futaba 14SG 14-channel digital 2.4-GHz transmitter ships in a durable box that encases the radio

in protective styrofoam—two thick foam packaging halves. The package includes a well-written manual that explains everything you’ll need to know about this new radio system. The 14SG comes with a 6-V 1800mAh nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack, a 12-V AC charger, a R7008SB receiver, a switch harness, a LiFe spacer, a neck strap and an adjustment tool.

THE TRANSMITTER

The 14SG is designed to fit perfectly in any pilot’s hands. Weighing in at just 32 oz, it is lightweight yet very well balanced. The switches are extremely well placed, so you will not be searching for them as you fly your model. This transmitter supports FASSTest, FASST and S-FHSS 2.4-GHz systems for versatility with newer and older model receivers. The sticks are comfortably positioned and travel to their limits without requiring you to overextend your fingers. Their lengths are also adjustable. Your hands fit well against the soft rubber grips on both sides of the transmitter too. The front face of the transmitter is clean and organized. The neck strap’s connection is located right at the center of gravity (CG) for the transmitter and just below the power slider on/off switch. A 3- x 1.75-in., 128 x 64 resolution backlit LCD screen resides at the bottom of the face. A touch-sensitive pad to the right of the screen is used for programming, while a pair of silver buttons sits on either side of the transmitter. The left button is the Home/Exit button, while the right is the User Menu/Servo Monitor (U.Menu/Mon.) menu button. A pair The attractive Futaba 14SG features plenty of toggles in a clean and organized layout that gives you comfort and versatility.

RC SPORT FLYER — MAY 2013

FUTABA® 14SG of digital trim switches borders each stick as well. At the top are two volume dials for the two alarms. Built into the top of the 14SG are four switches, two on either side— two long throw and two short throw. On the front right corner are a pair of three-position switches, while on the top are a three-position switch and a momentary two-position switch. On the front left corner are the same two switches mirrored from the right, while on top are a three-position and two-position switch. Each switch is easily reached and toggled. Behind the top is the metal handle. It is sturdily mounted to the transmitter and far enough for an easy grip. On the backsides of both corners are sliders (potentiometers). Both are easily actuated and well placed. A headphone port is near the bottom of the transmitter, and the trainer port is in the center. On the left side of the transmitter near the bottom is the charging port for the NiMH battery. The battery compartment is on the bottom of the transmitter. The slot for the SD card can also be found there. SD cards can be used for external model memory and software updates to the transmitter. The touchpad and program dial are really easy to use too. Just be careful to make sure that when you’re using it, you aren’t resting your finger against the body of the transmitter. The contact could make it difficult for the pad to read your inputs. It is, however, super easy to use when navigating the menus and programming values into the transmitter’s memory. However, that is just scratching the surface of this transmitter’s capabilities. If you really want to be impressed, you will want to know what it can do inside. What makes the 14SG a winner is the repackaging of the technologies debuted in the 18MZ, with many now built into a transmitter that is much friendlier to your wallet. Specifically, telemetry comes as a huge feature of this system.

TELEMETRY

Using the S.Bus2 system and FASSTest technology, you can take FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @RCSPORTFLYER

The 14SG arrives packaged with its accessories safely resting in formed pockets surrounded by the styrofoam insert that protects it during shipping.

A series of three 3-position switches, a two-position switch, rotary dial, digital trim tabs, a control stick and the Home/Exit button occupy the left of the transmitter.

Three 3-position switches, a two-position hesitation switch, rotary dial, gimbal stick, digital trim tabs, menu button and touchpad occupy the right side.

RC-SF.COM

BY Anthony Richards

AURORA 9 TELEMETRY GET REALTIME INFLIGHT DATA WITH AN AURORA 9 AND A HITEC® TELEMETRY SYSTEM

The HiTec Aurora 9 is one of the best transmitters available on the market today and features a terrific telemetry system.

e’ve talked about the Hitec RCD Aurora 9 transmitter and some of the many sophisticated features it has built into its memory and circuitry. The Aurora 9 incorporates modern-day, very, very large-scale integration (VVLSI) circuit technologies and computer-aided design to optimize pilot control over the aircraft as well as to enhance the comfort of transmitter operation. It is a system that employs Adaptive Frequency Hobby Spread Spectrum (AFHSS), for superior range and control. If you look even deeper into the Aurora 9’s capabilities, you’ll

The HiTec telemetry sensors are joined to a sensor station which is then connected to the receiver through one of the open channels and the data port.

discover that it provides an incredible telemetry system that is both one-of-a-kind and very impressive.

THE AURORA 9 TELEMETRY

The Hitec Telemetry

RC SPORT FLYER — MAY 2013

System is made up a series of sensors that are connected to an on-board sensor station (HTS-SS), which interfaces with the radio’s receiver. The sensors have dedicated ports on the sensor station, which means you can either use some or all—you make the decisions as to what data you want to get from your airplane. The sensors include those that can monitor fuel level, temperatures from -40 to 200 degrees Celsius, revolutions per minute (optics or magnets), and a global positioning system (GPS) that measures altitude, speed and position (longitude/ latitude).

HITEC® AURORA 9 TELEMETRY The data is displayed on the transmitter’s easy-to-read, 5.1-inchwide, backlit touch screen. This means it is easy to see the telemetry data and easy to navigate the menus. Simply touch the wrench icon to access the System Menu, select Sensors, and select the data sensors your airplane has been fitted to carry. If you’re looking for all the data at once, you can touch “Cockpit” under the Sensors menu and have nearly all of the information displayed in real time and on one screen. In the Battery menu a low-voltage warning can be set to alert you as to when the battery in an electricpowered airplane is running low. As the manual recommends, LiPo batteries should not be allowed to drain below three volts per cell, and the warning should be set accordingly—just above three volts for a single-cell battery, above six volts for a two-cell pack, and so on. Having that data available, and warning(s) set can save the model’s battery pack, or even your airplane, should the pack’s voltage fall too low for proper control. You’ll be interested to know that the Temperature menu let’s you monitor up to four sensors at once. The names for each sensor can be renamed to respective functions, such

as “ESC” for the speed controller and “MOTOR” for..., well, you get the picture. In the center of the menu is a display that reads the maximum, average and minimum for a particular sensor you select. Don’t fret if the unused sensor items are all reading -40; that’s the default value for any unplugged temperature sensor. The RPM menu allows for two rpm sensors to be named and monitored. When using an optic sensor, the menu allows the pilot to choose how many blades are on the propeller. You’ll want to select “Prop-M” for the magnetic sensor. The GPS menu features all of the specific data for the latitude and longitude position, speed, altitude, date and time, which are displayed in real time. Adjustments to the time, date, unit of measure (metric or imperial), and whether the altitude is gauged as absolute (above ground level) or relative (above sea level) can be made by touching the Setting icon in the lower-right corner. All of this data can be found in the Cockpit menu as well. In fact, the Cockpit menu is where the fuel level data is displayed. Cockpit has everything! The Cockpit menu is just one option. There is a second screen option—and my favorite feature

about the Hitec Telemetry System— that allows for all of the telemetry data to be displayed in real time, with the option to record it and then replay it later. Using the HPP-22 PC interface device, your computer monitor can become a digital cockpit for your aircraft, with a neatly arranged window full of gauges. They display all of the live data you get from your airplane’s sensors. The device connects to any standard USB port and uses an S-connector cable to bridge the HPP-22’s P1 port to the Spectra 2.4-GHz module on the Aurora 9 transmitter. Once the interface device is connected to the computer and transmitter, you will turn on the Aurora 9 and power up the aircraft. Then the magic happens. You can even re-arrange the gauges on the screen to the configuration you want for the data displays. I’ve not seen another transmitter and telemetry system do that. If that isn’t enough to excite you about this telemetry system, Hitec has arranged for the Aurora 9, Spectra 2.4-GHz module, Optima receivers, and the telemetry systems to accept updates as they become available. Thus newer versions of the firmware can be installed to update your model’s telemetry systems, which is nice because the systems

Under the System menu you will find the Sensor menu where you can view your model’s installed sensors and their telemetry data.

The Sensor menu will automatically be populated with the connected and active sensors. The firmware must be version 1.07 or better to see this.

The GPS sensor screen shows the model’s latitude, longitude, altitude and airspeed. GPS racing is now an option.

The rpm sensors screen shows the rotations per minute and can be adjusted for the number of blades on the propeller.

RC-SF.COM

BY Anthony Richards

DX18 TELEMETRY REAL INFLIGHT FEEDBACK FROM YOUR AIRCRAFT VIA 2.4 GHZ

e have covered the advanced features that make the Spektrum® DX18 transmitter the top of its brand in terms of performance and ergonomics. Complimenting the DX18’s ease of use and design is its support of the Spektrum new telemetry suite. With a Spektrum telemetry module and the DX18 transmitter, you can now unlock your aircraft’s potential by way of real inair flight data, which will let you enjoy your piloting experience and make your aircraft safer to fly.

TELEMETRY

Spektrum’s telemetry system is comprised of a telemetry module that interfaces with their range of sensors. There are two models of the telemetry module that work with the DX18 transmitter. The first is the TM1100 DSMX Fly-By module. It is compact and designed for use in park flyers and small models. Because of this, the TM1100 does not support the X-Bus telemetry sensors. The second is the TM1000 Full-Range module that can be placed in larger aircraft, where internal space is available to use Spektrum’s full sensor suite. Spektrum currently offers voltage sensors for EC3, Deans, JST, servo and flight packs. They also have sensors for temperature, airspeed, 40-G and 8-G-force, altimeter, rpm and brushless rpm, JetCat turbine and current sensors. Note that you will use a data lead to connect the telemetry module to the Spektrum receiver’s data port. The module can then send the necessary sensor signals to the DX18 56

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The Spektrum® DX18 is a spectacular transmitter that is made even more so when utilizing its telemetric capabilities and paired with Spektrum’s sensor suite.

by way of the 2.4-GHz bidirectional signal. Accessing the DX18’s telemetry menu is extremely easy. You just open the transmitter’s Function menu and navigate to the Telemetry menu, which is near the bottom of the Function list. The Telemetry menu allows you to see which sensors you have enabled and displayed on your menu screen. There are 12 entries

you can program—you’ll have the option for them to remain empty or stream telemetry data from an installed sensor. To edit an entry, select it and use the roller to scroll through the different sensor options until you reach the sensor type you want. Then select it by clicking a second time. This will bring up the sensor’s value options to program, if the data screen for that sensor is active or inhibited. You’ll also be able to set the minimum and maximum values and whether the alarm for them is active or inhibited. Once the sensors are programmed and assigned in the

SPEKTRUMÂŽ DX18 TELEMETRY Telemetry menu, you will return to the main menu screen. There you will use the rolling selector to navigate between the different sensor screens. Accessing these screens will let you customize them from the Telemetry menu under Settings. There you can select whether you wish for the data to be displayed automatically, or by way of the roller in place of the main menu screen or have them inhibited. You can also change the units of measurement between US standard or metric values. The first telemetry screen that gets displayed on the DX18 will be for detailed information for engine/ motor rpm, voltage and temperature sensors. On the left of the screen are the data readouts for these three sensors. On the right is the voltage for the receiver pack. If a sensor is not installed or enabled, a series of dashes will appear in place of the data. You will also see that the digital trim tabs do not disappear when

Here the voltage, rpm, temperature, altimeter, airspeed and G-force sensors are hooked up into the AR7010 receiver while the STi mobile module is installed to an iPhone.

The TM1100 Fly-By Telemetry Module is seen here installed to the AR7010 receiver. The TM1100 is more compact to allow telemetry sensors to be installed in smaller models.

The main screen of the DX18 can either be scrolled from or disabled to show the multiple sensor screens when using the telemetry feature.

The main telemetry screen displays the voltage, rpm, and temperature data from the installed sensors as well as the receiver pack voltage.

You can see the RPM values changing as we test the telemetry signal. Notice that when data is not provided, the values will either be left at zero or dashed out.

A secondary telemetry screen shows just the data from the voltage, rpm and temperature sensors in larger font for easier reading while flying.

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BY Wil Byers

DC-16 TELEMETRY GET AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE AND POSITIONING WITH THIS SYSTEM

he state-of-the-art JETI model DC-16 is a powerful, intelligent and user-friendly transmitter. As you may recall the basic system was reviewed in our December transmitter issue. Its high technology approach to features and design gives RC pilots more control over their airplanes, helicopters and gliders than ever. One of the things that makes this radio stand out from the others is its telemetry systems and the way it displays this information to the pilot/copilot. Moreover, Jeti is adding new programming features and sensors almost monthly, which means you get added value when you buy this new high-end RC system.

DC-16 TELEMETRY

JETI’s telemetry system is comprised of a number of easy-toinstall sensors and data processing modules. JETI reworked a number of their original products to make them deliver state-of-the-art functions in their unique 2.4-GHz radios and receivers technology. This new series of Duplex products are labeled with “EX,” and they greatly improve on JETI’s original Duplex 60

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models. The new line of EX receivers supports telemetry with bidirectional communications between them and the JETI transmitter. To use these new sensors with a JETI radio is easy. To connect a sensor to an EX receiver you simply connect the triple core cable into the Ext. port on the receiver. If you have multiple sensors, you can connect a Jeti Expander E4 EX module to the receiver. It will let you expand the number of available sensor ports in

Make sure the Jeti Duplex DC-16 transmitter is updated with the latest firmware to access the telemetry features and more.

your aircraft’s control system. This gives you the ability to run four sensors simultaneously with only one receiver. Note too, that you can daisy-chain the sensor modules until you have the number of sensors in your aircraft that you desire. The DC-16 also features builtin telemetric data processing for

JETI DC-16 TELEMETRY Jeti provides a terrific array of different sensors to include a variometer, GPS, voltage, current, airspeed, Lithium battery voltage sensors and extender.

intuitive display and recording of the data from both Duplex and Duplex EX systems. The main display desktop, the largest part of the screen, is made to show all of the telemetry data you’ve defined that you’ll need to see, and the different alarms you’ve set. In the status bar above it there is a solid, square icon that, when visible, indicates when the telemetry data is being recorded. The DC-16 can also record the telemetry data to its internal SD memory card, which can then be replayed later on a PC. You can use a USB cable between the DC-16 and your computer too. When used, you can then view telemetry data on the computer’s screen (a laptop) for the airplane you’re flying, or store the data for analysis later. The data is stored on the DC-16 under the Log directory file as .log files. When downloaded to the computer, the log files are viewed using JETI’s FlightMonitor software. Each log has a date stamp that reads year/month/day. Telemetry recording can be set up under the Other Model Options submenu that resides under the Advanced Properties programming menu, accessible from the Main Menu. You can set up a switch, knob, or stick to enable and disable telemetry recording too. You do so by selecting the Start-logging switch option. Unlike most other telemetry-supporting transmitters, because it is designed into the DC-16, there isn’t a real main telemetry setting menu. There are instead submenus for different functions that have Here you can see the MU3 voltage, MVario telemetry-supported variometer, MUI 75 current, and MULIi 6S voltage options that can be set sensors plugged into the expander that runs into the R9 receiver. within them. The only real FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @RCSPORTFLYER

The remaining MGPS GPS and MSpeed airspeed sensors are plugged into the expander. Center is the USB adaptor that allows the GPS unit to upload data to the computer. RC-SF.COM

BY Anthony Richards

MINI VAPOR BNF A PERFECT INDOOR FLYER FOR JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE

one. I’d flown the Vapor, but the new micro Mini Vapor looked like a model that would be super fun to fly.

THE BOX

he original Parkzone® Vapor is a well-known and well-flown slow flyer that is perfect for the indoors. At just about any indoor fly-in, you’re bound to find one of these ultramicro, ultra-lightweight aircraft flying about and giving its pilot hours of enjoyment. Following the Night Vapor—a Vapor with LED lighting attached—is the new Mini Vapor. When I saw this little model on the shelf of the hobby shop in my town, I just had to have

The box the Mini Vapor comes in not only protects it well during shipping but also doubles as an excellent carrying case.

Inside, the Mini Vapor and its LiPo battery and charger are safely packaged and protected by the strong styrofoam insert.

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The Parkzone Mini Vapor® comes in a small, attractive box that doubles as a carrying case. Inside, your Mini Vapor fits snugly between the styrofoam insert and two styrofoam braces that are locked down with tape. Along with the airplane comes a single-cell 3.7-volt 30-mAh LiPo battery, charger and four AA batteries to power the charger. The Vapor is trimmed in a translucent red-and-yellow design with some areas of transparent covering. The covering is a lightweight PET film overtop the composite plastic and carbon fiber wing structure. The fuselage is a small carbon fiber tube with a 3-in-1 receiver/servo/electronic speed controller (ESC) board sitting atop its center. The Mini Vapor is powered by an 1S coreless brushed motor that turns a 125 x 39-mm propeller. All together, this aircraft makes for a very lightweight and slow indoor flyer.

The ParkZone Mini Vapor BNF comes with an assembled Mini Vapor, a single-cell LiPo battery pack and a one-cell LiPo charger with four AA batteries.

PARKZONE® MINI VAPOR BNF

WHAT YOU GET

• Airframe Fuselage, empennage, wings • Motor 1S coreless brushed • Propeller 125 x 39 mm • Receiver 3-in-1 Rx/Servo/ESC • Battery E-flite 1S 3.7-volt 30mAh LiPo

NEEDED TO COMPLETE

The two wire pushrods that control the elevator and rudder can be adjusted by pinching or widening the U-shape with a pair of needle-nose pliers.

The 3-in-1 receiver/ESC and servo board is mounted under the wing atop the fuselage spar. Be careful of the fragile antenna on the back.

• Transmitter Spektrum 2.4-GHz DSMX/DSM2

IN FLIGHT

Let me start by saying I had a lot of fun flying this little model. I was able to take it off from our office floor in just over a foot, and it lifted off the carpet with ease. Because the tail skid is static, be careful to line up your takeoff straight in the direction you want the airplane to launch because you won’t be able to correct it much on the takeoff roll. In the air it is so lightweight that it feels like you’re flying a feather. In our office, it was able to glide from one end to the other at just under half throttle. It handles extremely well at slow airspeeds, just as it should. But its coreless motor has plenty of power to get the Mini Vapor moving pretty fast. Thankfully the large rudder can turn it around pretty quick, allowing you to be able to dodge obstacles or coworkers. I would warn you though, because of its small size and light weight, the Mini Vapor will react to even the slightest breeze generated by an open air vent or a person walking past it. This aircraft is no aerobatic performer. It is excellent in flying wide, slow circuits with just rudder and elevator. However, if you yank back on the elevator and pitch the nose nearly 90-degrees vertical, you can apply full power and hang it on its nose for a fair amount of time, using the rudder to keep it from

The coreless motor and 125 x 39-mm propeller give the Mini Vapor more than enough power to soar and speed through the air.

The 1S 3.7-volt 30-mAh LiPo battery mounts to the airframe in front of the control board but can be repositioned to shift the aircraft’s CG.

Thanks to its powerful motor and high angle of incidence in the wing, the Mini Vapor can execute high alpha maneuvers with ease. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @RCSPORTFLYER

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BY RCSF Staff

DJI HOBBY FLAME WHEEL F550 PRO AN IMPRESSIVE HEXACOPTER WITH PLENTY OF POWER FOR PAYLOAD

oday, drones are appearing just about everywhere, and in many different roles—including being just plain fun to fly. Fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being used as hurricane hunters, geomagnetic surveyors, military

combatants and more. Multi-rotor aircraft are conducting low-profile surveillance and commercial aerial photography as well. The recent emergence of drone use has come after a boom in developments in aerospace technology and

information, and this is just the beginning. However, hobbyists have been flying “drones” for decades, albeit for recreation and private use. Multirotors are new to the industry and have adapted well to the simple The DJI Flame Wheel F550 Pro Receiver Ready is from Atlanta Hobby. It is an enormous amount of fun and has plenty of power too!

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DJI HOBBY FLAME WHEEL F550 PRO need to fly that most public consumers have. A few months ago, DJI Hobby introduced a very capable performing hexacopter to the RC enthusiasts. It is an impressive machine that RC Sport Flyer will be flying this upcoming season, to get photos and video of airplanes all over the country. It promises to be lots of fun to fly too.

THE MODEL

The six Twister 450 brushless motors provide plenty

of lift and power, while the Naza-M autopilot unit The DJI Hobby and GPS maintain stability at all altitudes. Flame Wheel F550 Pro Receiver Ready hexacopter is a sporty six-armed, six-motored, multi-rotor heli that comes from Atlanta Hobby. It comes as an airframe, but you can get a package that includes everything you’ll need to get yours in the air quickly and easily. Your F550 will come as ours did, neatly packaged in a strong Your Flame Wheel F550 arrives packaged in its own cardboard box that box, as do the Naza-M and all Twister 450s. The ensures all of its parts servos are for our camera gimbal kit. and pieces are protected against damage during shipping and transit. Opening the box, you’ll see that each component and part comes packaged in resealable bags, which protect them from inbox damage as well. The airframe is made of six colored, ultra-strong, injectionmolded arms and two frame boards, with integrated, printed, This gives you a close up of one of the Twister 450 brushless motors installed on the arm, while I test fit circuit-board wiring. Two the APC propellors before tightening them down. of the arms are colored red, which provide a visual cue indicating the front of the need to buy the motors, propellers, hexacopter, while the other four are battery, receiver, Naza autopilot and white. A series of six, 30-amp OPTO transmitter to build a model that is electronic speed controllers (ESC) ready to fly. are provided. They are designed to mount to the airframe’s arms, as do WHAT YOU GET the motors at the arms’ ends. You will • Airframe FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @RCSPORTFLYER

We painted the tips of our Flame Wheel F550 to make them easier to see. They also show the symmetrical power changes well.

Here the majority of the airframe components are laid out next to the electronics and other components. All necessary hardware is included.

The 30-amp OPTO electronic speed controller is mounted to the bottom of the arm with a square of the hook-and-loop tape.

(2) control boards; (6) landing arms (2 red/4 white) • Motor (6) Twister 450, 880-Kv brushless • Propeller (3) APC 10x4.7SF; (3) APC 10x4.7SFP pusher RC-SF.COM

BY Wil Byers

500 3D BNF BASIC A HELI THAT TAKES YOU TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN PERFORMANCE

The Blade 500 3D BNF Basic is a powerhouse of performance and style. It carries an aggressive look to match its aggressive capabilities.

f you are like me, you like to fly all types of aircraft—gliders, airplanes and helicopters. You have a passion for one aspect of the hobby, but you like to fly all types of airplanes to keep your piloting skills honed. Moreover, you like the challenge of flying different aircraft quite simply because it is emotionally rewarding. Such is the case for me with helicopters. I started flying them a number of years ago, when the counter-rotator machines hit the market. After logging a fair amount of practice time on my simulator, I transitioned to conventional rotor helicopters but did not really jump headlong into the 3D machines. Honestly, they were just too intimidating for me. My paradigm has morphed over the last 24 months or so such that I’m now enjoying the unmatched challenge of flying 3D machines. I started by flying the heck out of a Blade 120 SR and then progressed to the mCP X, which was followed by the Nano CP X BNF. This was interspersed with lots of simulator time flying a high-performance 3D helicopter. Now I’ve started flying the Blade® 500 3D BNF Basic machine. It is an excellent transition machine for me, and I’m confident it will be for you too. Here is why I say so:

THE KIT

The Blade 500 3D BNF Basic comes completely assembled, with the exception that the rotor blades must be mounted—the blades are 425-mm carbon fiber composite. Blade is providing a limited-time offer of a set of 430-mm carbon fiber main blades for free when you buy a Blade 500 3D BNF Basic, so don’t wait! The Blade 500’s mainframe is 74

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made of strong, lightweight carbon fiber that gives the machine a super rigid airframe that can withstand the rigors of extreme flight maneuvers. It also utilizes very high-quality CNC aluminum rotor head components

that are designed to stand up to the demands of 3D flight. The tail boom is a sturdy aluminum tube that the tail rotor’s drive belt runs within. Although the tail rotor blades are made of plastic, you can find upgrades

BLADE® 500 3D BNF BASIC

On top of comfortable handling and stability, the Blade 500 has a good amount of forward and climb authority. It doesn’t take much to get off the ground.

The Blade 500 3D BNF Basic comes installed with a Spektrum® AR6210 DSMX 2.4-GHz receiver that works well with the DX18 18-channel transmitter.

galore for this machine on the Blade website: bladehelis.com. Finally, your Blade 500 wears a very attractively colored Lexan canopy over the top of its impressive airframe. It gives the helicopter a look that says it’s ready for business.

IN THE BOX

The Blade 500 is packaged in a large cardboard box with protective foam partitions that hold the helicopter and battery pack. Where you will cut the tape to open the box, a label reads, “Warning: For experienced CCPM pilots only.” CCPM means cyclic/collective pitch mixing. Take this warning to heart because this is not a helicopter for beginners. Inside the box is an instruction manual.

Blade packaged their 500 3D in a sturdy and attractive box. Inside, the heli is well protected by two styrofoam halves that keep it in mint condition.

A number of accessories and parts are packaged with the Blade 500. These include two 425-mm carbon fiber blades, tools and hardware.

Nearly completely assembled and completely wired upon arrival, the model requires only that you install the blades.

The Blade 500 3D is built with a sturdy carbon fiber frame protecting the CNC aluminum rotor components and sports an aluminum tube tail.

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