Voice-Controlled 3.5-Channel Co-Axial Mini Helicopter @ $49.95 + S&H from Common Sense RC, Box 3546, Chatsworth CA 91313; Tel.: (818) 718-1893; website: www.commonsenserc.com
Common Sense RC brings to the hobby market a fun, 3.5-channel mini helicopter that listens to the pilot’s commands!
By using the included headset, the pilot can tell the helicopter how and where he or she wants it to fly. Programmed to respond to eight commands—take off, up, down, forward, backward, left, right, and turn around—the heli can simultaneously respond to voice and transmitter commands.
Featuring a durable, metal frame, the voice-controlled heli is ready to fly right out of the box. No assembly is required. The included cable charges the 3.7-volt LiPo battery through any USB port, whether it is your desktop computer, laptop, car, or even a smartphone charger. Six AA batteries are required for the transmitter.
Swift S-1 Sailplane @ $995 + S&H from Esprit Model, 1240 Clearmont St. NE, Unit #12, Palm Bay FL 32905; Tel.: (321) 729-4287; website: www.espritmodel.com
Esprit introduces the Swift S-1 Deluxe ARF, a sailplane that is considered one of the best values on the market today.
With a white, gel-coated fiberglass fuselage and rudder and carbon-fiber reinforced, obechi-sheeted foam wings, the Swift S-1 can handle a full aerobatic routine. The canopy is prehinged in a fiberglass frame and comes complete with a scalelike hatch. The cockpit has an instrument dashboard and fiberglass seat.
The retractable landing gear has working doors and an installed tow release. The UltraCote-covered wings and the fuselage are preinstalled with servo wiring harnesses that include multi-pin connectors for fast, trouble-free setup. The wings and foam/balsa stabilizer are easily removed for transportation.
All necessary hardware is included. Sailplane decals are factory applied and the aircraft is ready for final assembly.
HS-40 Nano Analog Servo @ $8.99 + S&H from Hitec RCD USA Inc., 12115 Paine St., Poway CA 92064; Tel.: (858) 748-6948; website: www.hitecrcd.com
The new Hitec HS-40 nano analog servo delivers economical servo technology that outperforms the competition!
With a three-pole cored motor and resilient nylon gears, this servo is perfect for micro aircraft, sailplanes, and helicopters.
Slightly larger than the popular HS-35HD servo, the HS-40 has an operating range of 4.8 to 6.0 volts.
RealFlight 7 RC Flight Simulator @ $49.99-$179.99 + S&H from Hobbico, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Suite #1, Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 637-7660; website: www.realflight.com
For more than 16 years, RealFlight has been a favorite tool for RC flight training, practice, and entertainment. The newest version, RealFlight 7, takes it to a whole new level.
RealFlight 7 is available in three versions and each has the same software with more than 90 airplanes, 30 helicopters, and 40 PhotoField and 3-D flying sites.
The InterLink Elite Edition features an eight-channel controller with functions similar to those on high-end transmitters, plus conveniences such as a built-in transmitter interface and a reset/rewind button.
The Tactic Tx-R Edition is perfect for new modelers who can learn to fly on RealFlight, then unplug the radio and use it to fly any model aircraft equipped with a Tactic SLT receiver. The interface also includes the reset button.
Experienced pilots who wish to use the same radio they take to the field can choose the Transmitter Interface Edition, which comes with the software and interface unit.
New features in the software include pilot challenges (air racing, Ring Race, spot landing, and other game-like events), Unlimited Combat, a heads-up display (showing altitude, airspeed, and other vital information), and exciting new aircraft such as the Top Flite Giant Scale Fw 190 and the Thunder Tiger Raptor E700.
A software-only upgrade to RealFlight 7 is available for modelers who already own editions of RealFlight G4, G5, or 6.
Ares Taylorcraft 130 WOT/RTF @ $84.99-$99.99 + S&H from HobbyTown USA, Tel.: (402) 434-5050, website: www.hobbytown.com; and Ares, Tel: (855) 856-2655, website: www.ares-rc.com
A Scale model of Clarence Taylor’s classic 1936 design, the Ares Taylorcraft 130 is perfect for first-time pilots and offers flight performance that experienced pilots will enjoy.
Made from lightweight, durable foam construction, the Taylorcraft 130 features a full-airfoil wing design, as well as struts and wheel pants. The unique airframe design assembles with magnets and interlocking parts for easy maintenance and “no glue” repairs.
Available as an RTF or Without Transmitter (WOT), both versions include a factory-installed receiver and onboard electronics, as well as a 200 mAh 1S 3.7-volt LiPo battery. The RTF version includes a four-channel 2.4 GHz transmitter and a built-in LiPo battery charger, while the WOT model includes a DC USB charger and is ready to bind/link to any compatible Ares 2.4 GHz transmitter. The airframe is 100% factory assembled and ready to fly right out of the box!
Align T-Rex 550/600/700/800-Series Tail Boom Support Mount @ $30.95 + S&H from KDE Direct; email: [email protected]; website: www.kdedirect.com
The new KDE Direct Tail Boom Support Mount is compatible with all Align T-Rex 550 through 800-size electric and nitro RC helicopters. Providing the ideal solution for optimal support of the tailboom mechanics, the KDE Direct Tail Boom Support Mount features an anti-vibration and fatigue-crack, propagation-resistant ABS Proprietary Copolymer internal mounting surface, and a lightweight AL6061-T6 frame for ultimate strength and clamping force.
The included dual M3 and M4 threads support a wide range of helicopters, with a symmetrical geometry that allows the assembly to be used in either orientation to the tailboom supports.
Featuring a finish of clear anodize, mirror-polish CNC gloss, using the KDE Direct T-Rex Tail Boom Support Mount means no more boom crushing during installation or cracking during continuous flying.
X-Bus Serial Communication System @ $24.99-$119.99 + S&H from JR Americas, Box 8757, Champaign IL 61826; Tel.: (217) 369-8611; email: [email protected].
When you are serious about your power needs, JR is serious, too! The X-Bus serial communication system allows the modeler to control up to 56 servos (14-channel transmitter) while independently tuning each for direction, endpoint/travel, and neutral. The X-Bus lineup includes small and convenient dedicated hubs that get their power from the X-Bus serial cable, while shared hubs enable multiple batteries to be plugged anywhere into the system to meet high-current needs.
The exclusive XB1-CHB Heavy Duty Center Hub eliminates the high cost and complexity of Power-Bus and Matching-type devices. It is prewired with Deans connectors and allows up to two batteries to be plugged in, with an internal balancer to keep things in check during discharge. Ideal for large-scale aircraft with multiple servos per channel, the power and serial information bus allows the pilot to connect up to five X-Bus converters to meet his or her needs
With JR’s Intelligent Output System, the X-Bus Serial Communication System is wireless, allowing setup and adjustments to be done without a computer. Compatibility includes “Mode A” (JR Proprietary) and “Mode B” (V-Bar, Beast X, and others), and is backward compatible with XG6 and XG8 with user upgrades via an SD card. A full line of X-Bus accessories is available.
HobbyZone Duet RTF @ $59.99 + S&H from Horizon Hobby Inc., 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; www.hobbyzonerc.com.
If you’re looking to turn dreams of flight into reality, look no further than the HobbyZone Duet. Even if you’ve never flown an RC airplane before, the HobbyZone-exclusive Virtual Instructor technology helps you stay confident and in control while you learn the basics by providing control assistance and countering the effects of wind and turbulence.
The durable and lightweight construction prevents crash damage, while the vibrant trim scheme makes it easy to see in the air. With a quiet and efficient power system, the Duet’s three-channel control system allows the pilot to control climb, steering, and throttle.
Everything needed is in the box, including the rechargeable 150 mAh 1S LiPo battery for the Duet, and the AA batteries for the interference-free 2.4 GHz transmitter with built-in charger.