52 MODEL AVIATION
This is a 42p6, one line,
MICHAEL RAMSEY
Swashplate: Advantage Hobby Beam E4
helicopter
upgrades
A stock 450-class
with
the
all
Above: This Beam is equipped with great
equipment, but with a budget in mind. Its
handling is excellent, with five- to 10-minute
flight times.
Left: Beam E4s were popular at the E-Fest in
February. This one zips with the Scorpion eightturn
motor installed.
The kit is subpackaged with a small number of parts bags labeled in sequence with the
assembly instructions. The head assembly is partially complete.
HOLY
COW!
There are many
450-class helicopters to
choose from these days. When
one comes out that some claim is “The Best,”
it seems like less than a month later that
another comes along and knocks that one off
of the peak.
This class of helicopters is popular for
good reasons: cost, durability, cost,
performance, and, of course, price. As do the
well-liked, smaller, electric-powered park
flyers, the 450-class helicopter fits the budget,
employing a lot of the same batteries used in
model airplanes.
The Beam E4 fits into the car with no
problem, along with other models large and
small. It is also close to perfect for most
indoor areas.
First-time helicopter buyers can probably
relate to this article’s opening line. Many are
trying to get a piece of the popularity in this
area of the hobby.
When I looked for a machine to review,
there were tons of choices that were both
under and over the budget. Besides a great
product, the service reputation and overall
best bang for the dollar were also important.
The Beam E4 filled every box on the
checklist. This product offers remarkable
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 10:08 AM Page 52
July 2009 53
This is a 42p6, one line, 8/9 cutline for
The instructions show how an assembly is staged. In this case, the
preassembled swashplate was dismantled to prove its serviceability.
Compact blade grips need slim 5.5mm Wiha socket wrenches to service the
cross-shaft. The resilient ball links are made from stainless steel.
The metal parts have a polished-aluminum finish;
few tooling marks are evident. The mechanics need
only ball-link installation; it’s easy.
Test-Model Details
Type: 450-class helicopter kit
Skill level: Beginner builder, intermediate
to expert pilot
Main rotor diameter: 723mm
Blade length: 325mm
Height: 218mm
Length: 660mm
Flying weight: 880 grams
Airframe (without battery): 420 grams
Power required: 3500-4400 Kv-output
brushless outrunner
Battery: 3S 21-2500 mAh 20C Li-Poly
ESC: 35-45 amps required
Radio: Six channels with helicopter
programming
Gyro: Mini, heading-hold preferred
Construction: Single-stack carbon
frame, all-aluminum mechanics, main-gear
belt tail drive, nylon painted canopy,
carbon-enhanced main blades included
Price: $349.99
Specifications
Motor: Scorpion HK-2221-8 V2
Speed control: Scorpion Commander
45A
Battery: Excalibur 25C three-cell,
2200 mAh Li-Poly; 20C three-cell, 2200
mAh
Motor pinion: 11-16 teeth (13T
preferred)
Radio system: Three Hitec HS-65MG
servos on cyclic, Hitec HG-5000 MEMS
Gyro with matching HSG-5083MG tailrotor
servo, Futaba R617 FASST receiver
Ready-to-fly weight: 29 ounces
Flight duration: Four to eight
minutes, depending on flight style and
power setup
Pluses and Minuses
+
• Full CNC-cut carbon frames with CNC
metal block members.
• Solid, one-piece, metal tail-rotor case and
serviceable swashplate.
• Fully ball raced (33 bearings).
• Parts are readily available at a reasonable
cost.
• Well-organized kit has highly illustrated
instruction, setup, and flight manual.
• Outstanding hardware and linkage
mechanisms.
• Jewel-like machining.
• Fierce in-flight durability and crash
survival. -• Some linkage length specifications were
too short (but easily adjusted).
• Nothing more to buy; machine comes
totally upgraded.
Once the single-stack frame is assembled,
the Beam quickly starts to look like a
helicopter. William Ramsey and his
father needed only three quiet evenings
to build this model.
Static photos by the author Flight photos by Jay Smith
07sig2.QXD 5/22/09 1:54 PM Page 53
54 MODEL AVIATION
The Scorpion HK2-2221-8 motor is
a conservative power option, mated
to a programmable Scorpion
Commander V2 45-amp ESC.
The author confidently hovers the Beam E4 in a 10 mph
crosswind. Both 72 MHz and 2.4 GHz radio systems were
tested; the preference was for the digital spread spectrum
system.
Advantage Hobby offers
personalizing options, such
as prefinished replacement
canopies.
The HG-5000 gyro
and matching HSG-
5083MG servo is an
outstanding tailrotor
guidance
package. It’s simple
to program and
optimize for mild or
wild performance.
The one-piece tail-rotor
gearbox is strong and easy to
service. Enough tail-blade pitch
is available to hold the Beam
through high-speed backward
flight.
Innov8ive Designs’
Excalibur batteries
were tested in the Beam.
The 25C 2200 mAh 3S gave
optimal performance during a year
of flight and is still going strong.
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 9:39 AM Page 54
quality for the money. And even though it
was formally released a year ago, it is still
among the most competitive 450-class
helicopters at the performance peak.
Moreover, the vendors I sought out for
accessories such as a motor, batteries, and
radio equipment were familiar with the
Beam, which indicated that a good thing
was happening here. Not only would I be
buying from a good distributor—
Advantage Hobby—but it is also connected
with other reputable manufacturers.
The first thing that attracted me to the
Beam E4 was the all-metal head’s fine
machining. Like platinum jewelry, the
workmanship simply beamed at me.
Looking further into this model’s
mechanics revealed how precise and
smooth the linkages and mixing controls
operated. With elements including an allmetal
flybar cage and serviceable
swashplate, the Beam had me convinced
that I was investing in a serious helicopter;
it had all of the giant glow-powered
models’ performance goodies.
The Beam E4 is designed to take the
wearing forces of 3-D flying on a helicopter.
This attention to long life and strength
benefits the machine in every other way.
When I picked up the model at the
Toledo Show that year, staring me in the
face was the full-house complement of
spare parts. The cost of replacement parts
is extremely reasonable.
Not only that, but when you order a
replacement main shaft, you get three in a
package; that is the case with several other
popular replacements for the machine. The
people at Advantage Hobby seem to know
how I fly.
Construction: The best way to know your
helicopter is to build it from the bag of
screws up. An ARF will get you flying
roughly an evening sooner, but the aircraft
is going to come apart sometime, no matter
how good the pilot is. That is much less
disconcerting when you put it together in
the first place.
The Beam’s construction is fun. I’ll
repeat that: Building is fun! My oldest son,
William, and I assembled this machine,
and the experience was great for both of
us. Now I don’t have to be the mechanic all
the time; William can do it!
This helicopter requires minimal tools
to assemble. Everything comes neatly
packaged and organized; each step requires
a bag of parts that is clearly depicted in the
exquisitely illustrated instruction manual.
The drawings are isometric. Although
they don’t include lengthy written
assembly instructions, with a little study,
it’s simple to see how the parts fit and in
what order they should be installed.
The instructions show how every part
needs to be installed. Thankfully, all but
the bearings in the tail case (which simply
drop into place) are factory-pressed into
position. The swashplate is provided put
together, even though it’s completely
serviceable. As with the mixing arms and
other parts of the mechanics, only the ball
links need to be fastened.
At the center collective-stick position,
there is zero pitch in the main blades. To
achieve this, I found that the final lengths of
the pushrods were slightly longer than
specified in the manual. There’s plenty of
thread and length in the rods for this kind of
adjustment, and the threads are finely rolled
so that precise changes can be made.
So that the pitch ratio was equal on my
Blade, the washout-to-flybar arm links are
30mm, the seesaw mixing arm-toswashplate
are 47.5mm, and the
swashplate-to-servo arm rods worked best
at 40.0mm.
Although the blade grips were
assembled on the head block, at some point
it will need to be taken apart to replace a
reshaped feathering shaft (spindle). I’ve
found only one tool that accommodates the
Beam’s compact blade grips: the Wiha
5.5mm socket driver (item 265), from
Advantage Hobby. Two are needed to
correctly remove the connecting 3mm
nylon lock nuts.
Equipment selection for this helicopter
deserves careful thought—even though the
manual spells it out clearly with excellent
recommendations. To go along with my
Futaba 6EX FASST radio, I matched a
Futaba R617 receiver.
For cyclic control, I selected three Hitec
HS-65MG servos. Their capability was a
pleasant surprise, marking them as an
excellent value to the aerobatic-flying,
precision-conscious pilot. I saved a few
bucks by not going digital, and I don’t
regret it one bit.
For tail-rotor control, I used the Hitec
HG-5000 gyro matched with the
recommended HSG-5083MG high-speed
digital servo. I’ll go into why I’m happy
with that choice later.
The machined-aluminum motor mount
will accept almost any 22mm-28mm
outrunner or inrunner design. A 3400-4400
Kv motor is required for optimal
performance.
Scorpion motors from Innov8tive
Designs are rated high in output and
efficiency. I chose the H2212-8, which is
the recommended aerobatic setup for this
class of helicopter, and the matching
Scorpion 45-amp speed controller with
built-in helicopter programming options.
Carbon and aluminum parts are
employed throughout the Beam. Two kinds
of plastic are used sparingly, and the
landing-gear struts and tail-servo mount
are made from a flexible material. The tailrotor
control arm and flybar paddles are
made with a rigid nylon-reinforced plastic;
it’s incredibly stiff. The use of materials
impressed me.
The single-stack carbon-fiber side
frames and mounting spreader plates lock
into each other’s tabs and slots; therefore,
they require no additional hardware to
install, yet they add beauty and strength.
When it was time to organize and route
the wiring, I especially liked the milled
openings in the frame that were perfectly
sized for nylon zip ties. That was extremely
thoughtful.
A few spare screws and nuts accompany
the Beam. I learned that, in addition to
Advantage Hobby being the exclusive
importer, full kits and accessories for the
model, as well as spare parts, are also
available through Horizon Hobby dealers.
This company often works with hobby
shops, so if you need anything for the
machine, satisfaction might be as
convenient as a fun trip to the local dealer.
Sounds like a great partnership.
My model first lifted off of the ground
56 MODEL AVIATION
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 9:44 AM Page 56
needing only a slight tail-rotor trim
adjustment and right aileron trim. The
balance was right on with a Scorpion 2200
mAh 3S Li-Poly battery strapped to the
cushioned carbon-fiber tray. The
Scorpion’s power is unbelievable, and I
went with the lower gear ratio (13T motor
pinion).
The Beam’s high head speed permits
the included carbon-enhanced fiberglass
blades to run solidly. Pirouettes are
amazingly stable; as the helicopter rotates,
almost no cyclic correction is needed. I felt
confident flying the helicopter quickly.
Then the time came for me to start
performing 3-D action, but first I consulted
the manual to confirm my favorite radioprogramming
starting points with those
recommended. There are some good tips in
the instructions, so make sure not to skip
those last pages.
I set up my flight modes so that normal
accommodates smooth hover performance:
a good head speed with a flat pitch curve
in the center. Idle-up one includes a more
aggressive pitch curve and takes advantage
of the 70% power setting. The third flight
mode includes a throttle midpoint of 85%
that quickly curves up to full.
The rate settings are on one switch,
where everything is at 100% rate on the
high side with 30% exponential (expo) on
the aileron and elevator. The low rate
drops everything to 60% except the tail
rotor, which feels smooth at 75%; no expo
is used on low rate. The swashplate mixing
is set with 75% aileron and elevator, while
pitch is set to 65%, to keep from
overdriving the main blades and stressing
the mechanics.
William and I happily fly the Beam, but
we’re at different skill levels. Our model is
extremely friendly on the low-rate settings.
This is where we do a lot of hovering and
orientation practice.
Watching William fly the machine
nose-in is a thing of beauty. We can get
roughly eight to 10 minutes out of a 2200
mAh Excalibur pack. Flying around (as
with an airplane) is also comfortable on
the low rates, but idle-up-one mode works
best for loops and rolls.
58 MODEL AVIATION
In the idle-up-two flight mode, the
Beam becomes an animal that has power
to spare. Flight times drop to four to six
minutes. This is one key area where we
fully appreciated the Hitec HG-5000 gyro
system’s performance.
No matter how much pitch, how much
power, or how fast we wanted the
pirouette rate, the Hitec gyro did not
disappoint. All that, and it was a cinch to
program once the transmitter was
correctly calibrated to the gyro’s sensors.
The Beam’s pirouette rate, both right and
left, is blindingly quick.
The Beam’s tail-rotor-control power
and ability make it more capable of doing
maneuvers that demand rotational
authority. Without it, high-speed
tailslides, sideways flight limited, and
flying the Chaos would be more like
suicide. Having crisp tail-rotor control, as
on the Beam, helps helicopter pilots feel
more confident overall.
That thing about cost I mentioned
earlier? One of the things you’ll
eventually want to do is upgrade the
machine to match your rapidly acquired
RC pilot skills. I’m sorry to report that
there are no upgrades available for the
Beam E4.
Every kit is sold fully upgraded—
made from the strongest material
possible. If you have to change
something, options such as painted
canopies and main and tail blades are
available. If more power is your thing,
get the Scorpion H2212-6 motor from
Innov8tive, which can put 4400 Kv of
power to the mains for thrilling
aerobatics.
“Beam me another battery, Scotty; we
want to fly some more!” MA
Michael Ramsey
[email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Beam/Advantage Hobby
Box 6988
Champaign IL 61826
(217) 398-2700
www.advantagehobby.com
Sources:
Innov8tive Designs
(760) 468-8838
www.innov8tivedesigns.com
Hitec RCD
(858) 748-6948
www.hitecrcd.com
Futaba RC
(800) 637-7660
www.futaba-rc.com
Other Printed Reviews:
RC Heli: April 2008
Fly RC: September 2008
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 9:46 AM Page 58
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 52,53,54,56,58
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 52,53,54,56,58
52 MODEL AVIATION
This is a 42p6, one line,
MICHAEL RAMSEY
Swashplate: Advantage Hobby Beam E4
helicopter
upgrades
A stock 450-class
with
the
all
Above: This Beam is equipped with great
equipment, but with a budget in mind. Its
handling is excellent, with five- to 10-minute
flight times.
Left: Beam E4s were popular at the E-Fest in
February. This one zips with the Scorpion eightturn
motor installed.
The kit is subpackaged with a small number of parts bags labeled in sequence with the
assembly instructions. The head assembly is partially complete.
HOLY
COW!
There are many
450-class helicopters to
choose from these days. When
one comes out that some claim is “The Best,”
it seems like less than a month later that
another comes along and knocks that one off
of the peak.
This class of helicopters is popular for
good reasons: cost, durability, cost,
performance, and, of course, price. As do the
well-liked, smaller, electric-powered park
flyers, the 450-class helicopter fits the budget,
employing a lot of the same batteries used in
model airplanes.
The Beam E4 fits into the car with no
problem, along with other models large and
small. It is also close to perfect for most
indoor areas.
First-time helicopter buyers can probably
relate to this article’s opening line. Many are
trying to get a piece of the popularity in this
area of the hobby.
When I looked for a machine to review,
there were tons of choices that were both
under and over the budget. Besides a great
product, the service reputation and overall
best bang for the dollar were also important.
The Beam E4 filled every box on the
checklist. This product offers remarkable
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 10:08 AM Page 52
July 2009 53
This is a 42p6, one line, 8/9 cutline for
The instructions show how an assembly is staged. In this case, the
preassembled swashplate was dismantled to prove its serviceability.
Compact blade grips need slim 5.5mm Wiha socket wrenches to service the
cross-shaft. The resilient ball links are made from stainless steel.
The metal parts have a polished-aluminum finish;
few tooling marks are evident. The mechanics need
only ball-link installation; it’s easy.
Test-Model Details
Type: 450-class helicopter kit
Skill level: Beginner builder, intermediate
to expert pilot
Main rotor diameter: 723mm
Blade length: 325mm
Height: 218mm
Length: 660mm
Flying weight: 880 grams
Airframe (without battery): 420 grams
Power required: 3500-4400 Kv-output
brushless outrunner
Battery: 3S 21-2500 mAh 20C Li-Poly
ESC: 35-45 amps required
Radio: Six channels with helicopter
programming
Gyro: Mini, heading-hold preferred
Construction: Single-stack carbon
frame, all-aluminum mechanics, main-gear
belt tail drive, nylon painted canopy,
carbon-enhanced main blades included
Price: $349.99
Specifications
Motor: Scorpion HK-2221-8 V2
Speed control: Scorpion Commander
45A
Battery: Excalibur 25C three-cell,
2200 mAh Li-Poly; 20C three-cell, 2200
mAh
Motor pinion: 11-16 teeth (13T
preferred)
Radio system: Three Hitec HS-65MG
servos on cyclic, Hitec HG-5000 MEMS
Gyro with matching HSG-5083MG tailrotor
servo, Futaba R617 FASST receiver
Ready-to-fly weight: 29 ounces
Flight duration: Four to eight
minutes, depending on flight style and
power setup
Pluses and Minuses
+
• Full CNC-cut carbon frames with CNC
metal block members.
• Solid, one-piece, metal tail-rotor case and
serviceable swashplate.
• Fully ball raced (33 bearings).
• Parts are readily available at a reasonable
cost.
• Well-organized kit has highly illustrated
instruction, setup, and flight manual.
• Outstanding hardware and linkage
mechanisms.
• Jewel-like machining.
• Fierce in-flight durability and crash
survival. -• Some linkage length specifications were
too short (but easily adjusted).
• Nothing more to buy; machine comes
totally upgraded.
Once the single-stack frame is assembled,
the Beam quickly starts to look like a
helicopter. William Ramsey and his
father needed only three quiet evenings
to build this model.
Static photos by the author Flight photos by Jay Smith
07sig2.QXD 5/22/09 1:54 PM Page 53
54 MODEL AVIATION
The Scorpion HK2-2221-8 motor is
a conservative power option, mated
to a programmable Scorpion
Commander V2 45-amp ESC.
The author confidently hovers the Beam E4 in a 10 mph
crosswind. Both 72 MHz and 2.4 GHz radio systems were
tested; the preference was for the digital spread spectrum
system.
Advantage Hobby offers
personalizing options, such
as prefinished replacement
canopies.
The HG-5000 gyro
and matching HSG-
5083MG servo is an
outstanding tailrotor
guidance
package. It’s simple
to program and
optimize for mild or
wild performance.
The one-piece tail-rotor
gearbox is strong and easy to
service. Enough tail-blade pitch
is available to hold the Beam
through high-speed backward
flight.
Innov8ive Designs’
Excalibur batteries
were tested in the Beam.
The 25C 2200 mAh 3S gave
optimal performance during a year
of flight and is still going strong.
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 9:39 AM Page 54
quality for the money. And even though it
was formally released a year ago, it is still
among the most competitive 450-class
helicopters at the performance peak.
Moreover, the vendors I sought out for
accessories such as a motor, batteries, and
radio equipment were familiar with the
Beam, which indicated that a good thing
was happening here. Not only would I be
buying from a good distributor—
Advantage Hobby—but it is also connected
with other reputable manufacturers.
The first thing that attracted me to the
Beam E4 was the all-metal head’s fine
machining. Like platinum jewelry, the
workmanship simply beamed at me.
Looking further into this model’s
mechanics revealed how precise and
smooth the linkages and mixing controls
operated. With elements including an allmetal
flybar cage and serviceable
swashplate, the Beam had me convinced
that I was investing in a serious helicopter;
it had all of the giant glow-powered
models’ performance goodies.
The Beam E4 is designed to take the
wearing forces of 3-D flying on a helicopter.
This attention to long life and strength
benefits the machine in every other way.
When I picked up the model at the
Toledo Show that year, staring me in the
face was the full-house complement of
spare parts. The cost of replacement parts
is extremely reasonable.
Not only that, but when you order a
replacement main shaft, you get three in a
package; that is the case with several other
popular replacements for the machine. The
people at Advantage Hobby seem to know
how I fly.
Construction: The best way to know your
helicopter is to build it from the bag of
screws up. An ARF will get you flying
roughly an evening sooner, but the aircraft
is going to come apart sometime, no matter
how good the pilot is. That is much less
disconcerting when you put it together in
the first place.
The Beam’s construction is fun. I’ll
repeat that: Building is fun! My oldest son,
William, and I assembled this machine,
and the experience was great for both of
us. Now I don’t have to be the mechanic all
the time; William can do it!
This helicopter requires minimal tools
to assemble. Everything comes neatly
packaged and organized; each step requires
a bag of parts that is clearly depicted in the
exquisitely illustrated instruction manual.
The drawings are isometric. Although
they don’t include lengthy written
assembly instructions, with a little study,
it’s simple to see how the parts fit and in
what order they should be installed.
The instructions show how every part
needs to be installed. Thankfully, all but
the bearings in the tail case (which simply
drop into place) are factory-pressed into
position. The swashplate is provided put
together, even though it’s completely
serviceable. As with the mixing arms and
other parts of the mechanics, only the ball
links need to be fastened.
At the center collective-stick position,
there is zero pitch in the main blades. To
achieve this, I found that the final lengths of
the pushrods were slightly longer than
specified in the manual. There’s plenty of
thread and length in the rods for this kind of
adjustment, and the threads are finely rolled
so that precise changes can be made.
So that the pitch ratio was equal on my
Blade, the washout-to-flybar arm links are
30mm, the seesaw mixing arm-toswashplate
are 47.5mm, and the
swashplate-to-servo arm rods worked best
at 40.0mm.
Although the blade grips were
assembled on the head block, at some point
it will need to be taken apart to replace a
reshaped feathering shaft (spindle). I’ve
found only one tool that accommodates the
Beam’s compact blade grips: the Wiha
5.5mm socket driver (item 265), from
Advantage Hobby. Two are needed to
correctly remove the connecting 3mm
nylon lock nuts.
Equipment selection for this helicopter
deserves careful thought—even though the
manual spells it out clearly with excellent
recommendations. To go along with my
Futaba 6EX FASST radio, I matched a
Futaba R617 receiver.
For cyclic control, I selected three Hitec
HS-65MG servos. Their capability was a
pleasant surprise, marking them as an
excellent value to the aerobatic-flying,
precision-conscious pilot. I saved a few
bucks by not going digital, and I don’t
regret it one bit.
For tail-rotor control, I used the Hitec
HG-5000 gyro matched with the
recommended HSG-5083MG high-speed
digital servo. I’ll go into why I’m happy
with that choice later.
The machined-aluminum motor mount
will accept almost any 22mm-28mm
outrunner or inrunner design. A 3400-4400
Kv motor is required for optimal
performance.
Scorpion motors from Innov8tive
Designs are rated high in output and
efficiency. I chose the H2212-8, which is
the recommended aerobatic setup for this
class of helicopter, and the matching
Scorpion 45-amp speed controller with
built-in helicopter programming options.
Carbon and aluminum parts are
employed throughout the Beam. Two kinds
of plastic are used sparingly, and the
landing-gear struts and tail-servo mount
are made from a flexible material. The tailrotor
control arm and flybar paddles are
made with a rigid nylon-reinforced plastic;
it’s incredibly stiff. The use of materials
impressed me.
The single-stack carbon-fiber side
frames and mounting spreader plates lock
into each other’s tabs and slots; therefore,
they require no additional hardware to
install, yet they add beauty and strength.
When it was time to organize and route
the wiring, I especially liked the milled
openings in the frame that were perfectly
sized for nylon zip ties. That was extremely
thoughtful.
A few spare screws and nuts accompany
the Beam. I learned that, in addition to
Advantage Hobby being the exclusive
importer, full kits and accessories for the
model, as well as spare parts, are also
available through Horizon Hobby dealers.
This company often works with hobby
shops, so if you need anything for the
machine, satisfaction might be as
convenient as a fun trip to the local dealer.
Sounds like a great partnership.
My model first lifted off of the ground
56 MODEL AVIATION
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 9:44 AM Page 56
needing only a slight tail-rotor trim
adjustment and right aileron trim. The
balance was right on with a Scorpion 2200
mAh 3S Li-Poly battery strapped to the
cushioned carbon-fiber tray. The
Scorpion’s power is unbelievable, and I
went with the lower gear ratio (13T motor
pinion).
The Beam’s high head speed permits
the included carbon-enhanced fiberglass
blades to run solidly. Pirouettes are
amazingly stable; as the helicopter rotates,
almost no cyclic correction is needed. I felt
confident flying the helicopter quickly.
Then the time came for me to start
performing 3-D action, but first I consulted
the manual to confirm my favorite radioprogramming
starting points with those
recommended. There are some good tips in
the instructions, so make sure not to skip
those last pages.
I set up my flight modes so that normal
accommodates smooth hover performance:
a good head speed with a flat pitch curve
in the center. Idle-up one includes a more
aggressive pitch curve and takes advantage
of the 70% power setting. The third flight
mode includes a throttle midpoint of 85%
that quickly curves up to full.
The rate settings are on one switch,
where everything is at 100% rate on the
high side with 30% exponential (expo) on
the aileron and elevator. The low rate
drops everything to 60% except the tail
rotor, which feels smooth at 75%; no expo
is used on low rate. The swashplate mixing
is set with 75% aileron and elevator, while
pitch is set to 65%, to keep from
overdriving the main blades and stressing
the mechanics.
William and I happily fly the Beam, but
we’re at different skill levels. Our model is
extremely friendly on the low-rate settings.
This is where we do a lot of hovering and
orientation practice.
Watching William fly the machine
nose-in is a thing of beauty. We can get
roughly eight to 10 minutes out of a 2200
mAh Excalibur pack. Flying around (as
with an airplane) is also comfortable on
the low rates, but idle-up-one mode works
best for loops and rolls.
58 MODEL AVIATION
In the idle-up-two flight mode, the
Beam becomes an animal that has power
to spare. Flight times drop to four to six
minutes. This is one key area where we
fully appreciated the Hitec HG-5000 gyro
system’s performance.
No matter how much pitch, how much
power, or how fast we wanted the
pirouette rate, the Hitec gyro did not
disappoint. All that, and it was a cinch to
program once the transmitter was
correctly calibrated to the gyro’s sensors.
The Beam’s pirouette rate, both right and
left, is blindingly quick.
The Beam’s tail-rotor-control power
and ability make it more capable of doing
maneuvers that demand rotational
authority. Without it, high-speed
tailslides, sideways flight limited, and
flying the Chaos would be more like
suicide. Having crisp tail-rotor control, as
on the Beam, helps helicopter pilots feel
more confident overall.
That thing about cost I mentioned
earlier? One of the things you’ll
eventually want to do is upgrade the
machine to match your rapidly acquired
RC pilot skills. I’m sorry to report that
there are no upgrades available for the
Beam E4.
Every kit is sold fully upgraded—
made from the strongest material
possible. If you have to change
something, options such as painted
canopies and main and tail blades are
available. If more power is your thing,
get the Scorpion H2212-6 motor from
Innov8tive, which can put 4400 Kv of
power to the mains for thrilling
aerobatics.
“Beam me another battery, Scotty; we
want to fly some more!” MA
Michael Ramsey
[email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Beam/Advantage Hobby
Box 6988
Champaign IL 61826
(217) 398-2700
www.advantagehobby.com
Sources:
Innov8tive Designs
(760) 468-8838
www.innov8tivedesigns.com
Hitec RCD
(858) 748-6948
www.hitecrcd.com
Futaba RC
(800) 637-7660
www.futaba-rc.com
Other Printed Reviews:
RC Heli: April 2008
Fly RC: September 2008
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 9:46 AM Page 58
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 52,53,54,56,58
52 MODEL AVIATION
This is a 42p6, one line,
MICHAEL RAMSEY
Swashplate: Advantage Hobby Beam E4
helicopter
upgrades
A stock 450-class
with
the
all
Above: This Beam is equipped with great
equipment, but with a budget in mind. Its
handling is excellent, with five- to 10-minute
flight times.
Left: Beam E4s were popular at the E-Fest in
February. This one zips with the Scorpion eightturn
motor installed.
The kit is subpackaged with a small number of parts bags labeled in sequence with the
assembly instructions. The head assembly is partially complete.
HOLY
COW!
There are many
450-class helicopters to
choose from these days. When
one comes out that some claim is “The Best,”
it seems like less than a month later that
another comes along and knocks that one off
of the peak.
This class of helicopters is popular for
good reasons: cost, durability, cost,
performance, and, of course, price. As do the
well-liked, smaller, electric-powered park
flyers, the 450-class helicopter fits the budget,
employing a lot of the same batteries used in
model airplanes.
The Beam E4 fits into the car with no
problem, along with other models large and
small. It is also close to perfect for most
indoor areas.
First-time helicopter buyers can probably
relate to this article’s opening line. Many are
trying to get a piece of the popularity in this
area of the hobby.
When I looked for a machine to review,
there were tons of choices that were both
under and over the budget. Besides a great
product, the service reputation and overall
best bang for the dollar were also important.
The Beam E4 filled every box on the
checklist. This product offers remarkable
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 10:08 AM Page 52
July 2009 53
This is a 42p6, one line, 8/9 cutline for
The instructions show how an assembly is staged. In this case, the
preassembled swashplate was dismantled to prove its serviceability.
Compact blade grips need slim 5.5mm Wiha socket wrenches to service the
cross-shaft. The resilient ball links are made from stainless steel.
The metal parts have a polished-aluminum finish;
few tooling marks are evident. The mechanics need
only ball-link installation; it’s easy.
Test-Model Details
Type: 450-class helicopter kit
Skill level: Beginner builder, intermediate
to expert pilot
Main rotor diameter: 723mm
Blade length: 325mm
Height: 218mm
Length: 660mm
Flying weight: 880 grams
Airframe (without battery): 420 grams
Power required: 3500-4400 Kv-output
brushless outrunner
Battery: 3S 21-2500 mAh 20C Li-Poly
ESC: 35-45 amps required
Radio: Six channels with helicopter
programming
Gyro: Mini, heading-hold preferred
Construction: Single-stack carbon
frame, all-aluminum mechanics, main-gear
belt tail drive, nylon painted canopy,
carbon-enhanced main blades included
Price: $349.99
Specifications
Motor: Scorpion HK-2221-8 V2
Speed control: Scorpion Commander
45A
Battery: Excalibur 25C three-cell,
2200 mAh Li-Poly; 20C three-cell, 2200
mAh
Motor pinion: 11-16 teeth (13T
preferred)
Radio system: Three Hitec HS-65MG
servos on cyclic, Hitec HG-5000 MEMS
Gyro with matching HSG-5083MG tailrotor
servo, Futaba R617 FASST receiver
Ready-to-fly weight: 29 ounces
Flight duration: Four to eight
minutes, depending on flight style and
power setup
Pluses and Minuses
+
• Full CNC-cut carbon frames with CNC
metal block members.
• Solid, one-piece, metal tail-rotor case and
serviceable swashplate.
• Fully ball raced (33 bearings).
• Parts are readily available at a reasonable
cost.
• Well-organized kit has highly illustrated
instruction, setup, and flight manual.
• Outstanding hardware and linkage
mechanisms.
• Jewel-like machining.
• Fierce in-flight durability and crash
survival. -• Some linkage length specifications were
too short (but easily adjusted).
• Nothing more to buy; machine comes
totally upgraded.
Once the single-stack frame is assembled,
the Beam quickly starts to look like a
helicopter. William Ramsey and his
father needed only three quiet evenings
to build this model.
Static photos by the author Flight photos by Jay Smith
07sig2.QXD 5/22/09 1:54 PM Page 53
54 MODEL AVIATION
The Scorpion HK2-2221-8 motor is
a conservative power option, mated
to a programmable Scorpion
Commander V2 45-amp ESC.
The author confidently hovers the Beam E4 in a 10 mph
crosswind. Both 72 MHz and 2.4 GHz radio systems were
tested; the preference was for the digital spread spectrum
system.
Advantage Hobby offers
personalizing options, such
as prefinished replacement
canopies.
The HG-5000 gyro
and matching HSG-
5083MG servo is an
outstanding tailrotor
guidance
package. It’s simple
to program and
optimize for mild or
wild performance.
The one-piece tail-rotor
gearbox is strong and easy to
service. Enough tail-blade pitch
is available to hold the Beam
through high-speed backward
flight.
Innov8ive Designs’
Excalibur batteries
were tested in the Beam.
The 25C 2200 mAh 3S gave
optimal performance during a year
of flight and is still going strong.
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 9:39 AM Page 54
quality for the money. And even though it
was formally released a year ago, it is still
among the most competitive 450-class
helicopters at the performance peak.
Moreover, the vendors I sought out for
accessories such as a motor, batteries, and
radio equipment were familiar with the
Beam, which indicated that a good thing
was happening here. Not only would I be
buying from a good distributor—
Advantage Hobby—but it is also connected
with other reputable manufacturers.
The first thing that attracted me to the
Beam E4 was the all-metal head’s fine
machining. Like platinum jewelry, the
workmanship simply beamed at me.
Looking further into this model’s
mechanics revealed how precise and
smooth the linkages and mixing controls
operated. With elements including an allmetal
flybar cage and serviceable
swashplate, the Beam had me convinced
that I was investing in a serious helicopter;
it had all of the giant glow-powered
models’ performance goodies.
The Beam E4 is designed to take the
wearing forces of 3-D flying on a helicopter.
This attention to long life and strength
benefits the machine in every other way.
When I picked up the model at the
Toledo Show that year, staring me in the
face was the full-house complement of
spare parts. The cost of replacement parts
is extremely reasonable.
Not only that, but when you order a
replacement main shaft, you get three in a
package; that is the case with several other
popular replacements for the machine. The
people at Advantage Hobby seem to know
how I fly.
Construction: The best way to know your
helicopter is to build it from the bag of
screws up. An ARF will get you flying
roughly an evening sooner, but the aircraft
is going to come apart sometime, no matter
how good the pilot is. That is much less
disconcerting when you put it together in
the first place.
The Beam’s construction is fun. I’ll
repeat that: Building is fun! My oldest son,
William, and I assembled this machine,
and the experience was great for both of
us. Now I don’t have to be the mechanic all
the time; William can do it!
This helicopter requires minimal tools
to assemble. Everything comes neatly
packaged and organized; each step requires
a bag of parts that is clearly depicted in the
exquisitely illustrated instruction manual.
The drawings are isometric. Although
they don’t include lengthy written
assembly instructions, with a little study,
it’s simple to see how the parts fit and in
what order they should be installed.
The instructions show how every part
needs to be installed. Thankfully, all but
the bearings in the tail case (which simply
drop into place) are factory-pressed into
position. The swashplate is provided put
together, even though it’s completely
serviceable. As with the mixing arms and
other parts of the mechanics, only the ball
links need to be fastened.
At the center collective-stick position,
there is zero pitch in the main blades. To
achieve this, I found that the final lengths of
the pushrods were slightly longer than
specified in the manual. There’s plenty of
thread and length in the rods for this kind of
adjustment, and the threads are finely rolled
so that precise changes can be made.
So that the pitch ratio was equal on my
Blade, the washout-to-flybar arm links are
30mm, the seesaw mixing arm-toswashplate
are 47.5mm, and the
swashplate-to-servo arm rods worked best
at 40.0mm.
Although the blade grips were
assembled on the head block, at some point
it will need to be taken apart to replace a
reshaped feathering shaft (spindle). I’ve
found only one tool that accommodates the
Beam’s compact blade grips: the Wiha
5.5mm socket driver (item 265), from
Advantage Hobby. Two are needed to
correctly remove the connecting 3mm
nylon lock nuts.
Equipment selection for this helicopter
deserves careful thought—even though the
manual spells it out clearly with excellent
recommendations. To go along with my
Futaba 6EX FASST radio, I matched a
Futaba R617 receiver.
For cyclic control, I selected three Hitec
HS-65MG servos. Their capability was a
pleasant surprise, marking them as an
excellent value to the aerobatic-flying,
precision-conscious pilot. I saved a few
bucks by not going digital, and I don’t
regret it one bit.
For tail-rotor control, I used the Hitec
HG-5000 gyro matched with the
recommended HSG-5083MG high-speed
digital servo. I’ll go into why I’m happy
with that choice later.
The machined-aluminum motor mount
will accept almost any 22mm-28mm
outrunner or inrunner design. A 3400-4400
Kv motor is required for optimal
performance.
Scorpion motors from Innov8tive
Designs are rated high in output and
efficiency. I chose the H2212-8, which is
the recommended aerobatic setup for this
class of helicopter, and the matching
Scorpion 45-amp speed controller with
built-in helicopter programming options.
Carbon and aluminum parts are
employed throughout the Beam. Two kinds
of plastic are used sparingly, and the
landing-gear struts and tail-servo mount
are made from a flexible material. The tailrotor
control arm and flybar paddles are
made with a rigid nylon-reinforced plastic;
it’s incredibly stiff. The use of materials
impressed me.
The single-stack carbon-fiber side
frames and mounting spreader plates lock
into each other’s tabs and slots; therefore,
they require no additional hardware to
install, yet they add beauty and strength.
When it was time to organize and route
the wiring, I especially liked the milled
openings in the frame that were perfectly
sized for nylon zip ties. That was extremely
thoughtful.
A few spare screws and nuts accompany
the Beam. I learned that, in addition to
Advantage Hobby being the exclusive
importer, full kits and accessories for the
model, as well as spare parts, are also
available through Horizon Hobby dealers.
This company often works with hobby
shops, so if you need anything for the
machine, satisfaction might be as
convenient as a fun trip to the local dealer.
Sounds like a great partnership.
My model first lifted off of the ground
56 MODEL AVIATION
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 9:44 AM Page 56
needing only a slight tail-rotor trim
adjustment and right aileron trim. The
balance was right on with a Scorpion 2200
mAh 3S Li-Poly battery strapped to the
cushioned carbon-fiber tray. The
Scorpion’s power is unbelievable, and I
went with the lower gear ratio (13T motor
pinion).
The Beam’s high head speed permits
the included carbon-enhanced fiberglass
blades to run solidly. Pirouettes are
amazingly stable; as the helicopter rotates,
almost no cyclic correction is needed. I felt
confident flying the helicopter quickly.
Then the time came for me to start
performing 3-D action, but first I consulted
the manual to confirm my favorite radioprogramming
starting points with those
recommended. There are some good tips in
the instructions, so make sure not to skip
those last pages.
I set up my flight modes so that normal
accommodates smooth hover performance:
a good head speed with a flat pitch curve
in the center. Idle-up one includes a more
aggressive pitch curve and takes advantage
of the 70% power setting. The third flight
mode includes a throttle midpoint of 85%
that quickly curves up to full.
The rate settings are on one switch,
where everything is at 100% rate on the
high side with 30% exponential (expo) on
the aileron and elevator. The low rate
drops everything to 60% except the tail
rotor, which feels smooth at 75%; no expo
is used on low rate. The swashplate mixing
is set with 75% aileron and elevator, while
pitch is set to 65%, to keep from
overdriving the main blades and stressing
the mechanics.
William and I happily fly the Beam, but
we’re at different skill levels. Our model is
extremely friendly on the low-rate settings.
This is where we do a lot of hovering and
orientation practice.
Watching William fly the machine
nose-in is a thing of beauty. We can get
roughly eight to 10 minutes out of a 2200
mAh Excalibur pack. Flying around (as
with an airplane) is also comfortable on
the low rates, but idle-up-one mode works
best for loops and rolls.
58 MODEL AVIATION
In the idle-up-two flight mode, the
Beam becomes an animal that has power
to spare. Flight times drop to four to six
minutes. This is one key area where we
fully appreciated the Hitec HG-5000 gyro
system’s performance.
No matter how much pitch, how much
power, or how fast we wanted the
pirouette rate, the Hitec gyro did not
disappoint. All that, and it was a cinch to
program once the transmitter was
correctly calibrated to the gyro’s sensors.
The Beam’s pirouette rate, both right and
left, is blindingly quick.
The Beam’s tail-rotor-control power
and ability make it more capable of doing
maneuvers that demand rotational
authority. Without it, high-speed
tailslides, sideways flight limited, and
flying the Chaos would be more like
suicide. Having crisp tail-rotor control, as
on the Beam, helps helicopter pilots feel
more confident overall.
That thing about cost I mentioned
earlier? One of the things you’ll
eventually want to do is upgrade the
machine to match your rapidly acquired
RC pilot skills. I’m sorry to report that
there are no upgrades available for the
Beam E4.
Every kit is sold fully upgraded—
made from the strongest material
possible. If you have to change
something, options such as painted
canopies and main and tail blades are
available. If more power is your thing,
get the Scorpion H2212-6 motor from
Innov8tive, which can put 4400 Kv of
power to the mains for thrilling
aerobatics.
“Beam me another battery, Scotty; we
want to fly some more!” MA
Michael Ramsey
[email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Beam/Advantage Hobby
Box 6988
Champaign IL 61826
(217) 398-2700
www.advantagehobby.com
Sources:
Innov8tive Designs
(760) 468-8838
www.innov8tivedesigns.com
Hitec RCD
(858) 748-6948
www.hitecrcd.com
Futaba RC
(800) 637-7660
www.futaba-rc.com
Other Printed Reviews:
RC Heli: April 2008
Fly RC: September 2008
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 9:46 AM Page 58
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 52,53,54,56,58
52 MODEL AVIATION
This is a 42p6, one line,
MICHAEL RAMSEY
Swashplate: Advantage Hobby Beam E4
helicopter
upgrades
A stock 450-class
with
the
all
Above: This Beam is equipped with great
equipment, but with a budget in mind. Its
handling is excellent, with five- to 10-minute
flight times.
Left: Beam E4s were popular at the E-Fest in
February. This one zips with the Scorpion eightturn
motor installed.
The kit is subpackaged with a small number of parts bags labeled in sequence with the
assembly instructions. The head assembly is partially complete.
HOLY
COW!
There are many
450-class helicopters to
choose from these days. When
one comes out that some claim is “The Best,”
it seems like less than a month later that
another comes along and knocks that one off
of the peak.
This class of helicopters is popular for
good reasons: cost, durability, cost,
performance, and, of course, price. As do the
well-liked, smaller, electric-powered park
flyers, the 450-class helicopter fits the budget,
employing a lot of the same batteries used in
model airplanes.
The Beam E4 fits into the car with no
problem, along with other models large and
small. It is also close to perfect for most
indoor areas.
First-time helicopter buyers can probably
relate to this article’s opening line. Many are
trying to get a piece of the popularity in this
area of the hobby.
When I looked for a machine to review,
there were tons of choices that were both
under and over the budget. Besides a great
product, the service reputation and overall
best bang for the dollar were also important.
The Beam E4 filled every box on the
checklist. This product offers remarkable
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 10:08 AM Page 52
July 2009 53
This is a 42p6, one line, 8/9 cutline for
The instructions show how an assembly is staged. In this case, the
preassembled swashplate was dismantled to prove its serviceability.
Compact blade grips need slim 5.5mm Wiha socket wrenches to service the
cross-shaft. The resilient ball links are made from stainless steel.
The metal parts have a polished-aluminum finish;
few tooling marks are evident. The mechanics need
only ball-link installation; it’s easy.
Test-Model Details
Type: 450-class helicopter kit
Skill level: Beginner builder, intermediate
to expert pilot
Main rotor diameter: 723mm
Blade length: 325mm
Height: 218mm
Length: 660mm
Flying weight: 880 grams
Airframe (without battery): 420 grams
Power required: 3500-4400 Kv-output
brushless outrunner
Battery: 3S 21-2500 mAh 20C Li-Poly
ESC: 35-45 amps required
Radio: Six channels with helicopter
programming
Gyro: Mini, heading-hold preferred
Construction: Single-stack carbon
frame, all-aluminum mechanics, main-gear
belt tail drive, nylon painted canopy,
carbon-enhanced main blades included
Price: $349.99
Specifications
Motor: Scorpion HK-2221-8 V2
Speed control: Scorpion Commander
45A
Battery: Excalibur 25C three-cell,
2200 mAh Li-Poly; 20C three-cell, 2200
mAh
Motor pinion: 11-16 teeth (13T
preferred)
Radio system: Three Hitec HS-65MG
servos on cyclic, Hitec HG-5000 MEMS
Gyro with matching HSG-5083MG tailrotor
servo, Futaba R617 FASST receiver
Ready-to-fly weight: 29 ounces
Flight duration: Four to eight
minutes, depending on flight style and
power setup
Pluses and Minuses
+
• Full CNC-cut carbon frames with CNC
metal block members.
• Solid, one-piece, metal tail-rotor case and
serviceable swashplate.
• Fully ball raced (33 bearings).
• Parts are readily available at a reasonable
cost.
• Well-organized kit has highly illustrated
instruction, setup, and flight manual.
• Outstanding hardware and linkage
mechanisms.
• Jewel-like machining.
• Fierce in-flight durability and crash
survival. -• Some linkage length specifications were
too short (but easily adjusted).
• Nothing more to buy; machine comes
totally upgraded.
Once the single-stack frame is assembled,
the Beam quickly starts to look like a
helicopter. William Ramsey and his
father needed only three quiet evenings
to build this model.
Static photos by the author Flight photos by Jay Smith
07sig2.QXD 5/22/09 1:54 PM Page 53
54 MODEL AVIATION
The Scorpion HK2-2221-8 motor is
a conservative power option, mated
to a programmable Scorpion
Commander V2 45-amp ESC.
The author confidently hovers the Beam E4 in a 10 mph
crosswind. Both 72 MHz and 2.4 GHz radio systems were
tested; the preference was for the digital spread spectrum
system.
Advantage Hobby offers
personalizing options, such
as prefinished replacement
canopies.
The HG-5000 gyro
and matching HSG-
5083MG servo is an
outstanding tailrotor
guidance
package. It’s simple
to program and
optimize for mild or
wild performance.
The one-piece tail-rotor
gearbox is strong and easy to
service. Enough tail-blade pitch
is available to hold the Beam
through high-speed backward
flight.
Innov8ive Designs’
Excalibur batteries
were tested in the Beam.
The 25C 2200 mAh 3S gave
optimal performance during a year
of flight and is still going strong.
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 9:39 AM Page 54
quality for the money. And even though it
was formally released a year ago, it is still
among the most competitive 450-class
helicopters at the performance peak.
Moreover, the vendors I sought out for
accessories such as a motor, batteries, and
radio equipment were familiar with the
Beam, which indicated that a good thing
was happening here. Not only would I be
buying from a good distributor—
Advantage Hobby—but it is also connected
with other reputable manufacturers.
The first thing that attracted me to the
Beam E4 was the all-metal head’s fine
machining. Like platinum jewelry, the
workmanship simply beamed at me.
Looking further into this model’s
mechanics revealed how precise and
smooth the linkages and mixing controls
operated. With elements including an allmetal
flybar cage and serviceable
swashplate, the Beam had me convinced
that I was investing in a serious helicopter;
it had all of the giant glow-powered
models’ performance goodies.
The Beam E4 is designed to take the
wearing forces of 3-D flying on a helicopter.
This attention to long life and strength
benefits the machine in every other way.
When I picked up the model at the
Toledo Show that year, staring me in the
face was the full-house complement of
spare parts. The cost of replacement parts
is extremely reasonable.
Not only that, but when you order a
replacement main shaft, you get three in a
package; that is the case with several other
popular replacements for the machine. The
people at Advantage Hobby seem to know
how I fly.
Construction: The best way to know your
helicopter is to build it from the bag of
screws up. An ARF will get you flying
roughly an evening sooner, but the aircraft
is going to come apart sometime, no matter
how good the pilot is. That is much less
disconcerting when you put it together in
the first place.
The Beam’s construction is fun. I’ll
repeat that: Building is fun! My oldest son,
William, and I assembled this machine,
and the experience was great for both of
us. Now I don’t have to be the mechanic all
the time; William can do it!
This helicopter requires minimal tools
to assemble. Everything comes neatly
packaged and organized; each step requires
a bag of parts that is clearly depicted in the
exquisitely illustrated instruction manual.
The drawings are isometric. Although
they don’t include lengthy written
assembly instructions, with a little study,
it’s simple to see how the parts fit and in
what order they should be installed.
The instructions show how every part
needs to be installed. Thankfully, all but
the bearings in the tail case (which simply
drop into place) are factory-pressed into
position. The swashplate is provided put
together, even though it’s completely
serviceable. As with the mixing arms and
other parts of the mechanics, only the ball
links need to be fastened.
At the center collective-stick position,
there is zero pitch in the main blades. To
achieve this, I found that the final lengths of
the pushrods were slightly longer than
specified in the manual. There’s plenty of
thread and length in the rods for this kind of
adjustment, and the threads are finely rolled
so that precise changes can be made.
So that the pitch ratio was equal on my
Blade, the washout-to-flybar arm links are
30mm, the seesaw mixing arm-toswashplate
are 47.5mm, and the
swashplate-to-servo arm rods worked best
at 40.0mm.
Although the blade grips were
assembled on the head block, at some point
it will need to be taken apart to replace a
reshaped feathering shaft (spindle). I’ve
found only one tool that accommodates the
Beam’s compact blade grips: the Wiha
5.5mm socket driver (item 265), from
Advantage Hobby. Two are needed to
correctly remove the connecting 3mm
nylon lock nuts.
Equipment selection for this helicopter
deserves careful thought—even though the
manual spells it out clearly with excellent
recommendations. To go along with my
Futaba 6EX FASST radio, I matched a
Futaba R617 receiver.
For cyclic control, I selected three Hitec
HS-65MG servos. Their capability was a
pleasant surprise, marking them as an
excellent value to the aerobatic-flying,
precision-conscious pilot. I saved a few
bucks by not going digital, and I don’t
regret it one bit.
For tail-rotor control, I used the Hitec
HG-5000 gyro matched with the
recommended HSG-5083MG high-speed
digital servo. I’ll go into why I’m happy
with that choice later.
The machined-aluminum motor mount
will accept almost any 22mm-28mm
outrunner or inrunner design. A 3400-4400
Kv motor is required for optimal
performance.
Scorpion motors from Innov8tive
Designs are rated high in output and
efficiency. I chose the H2212-8, which is
the recommended aerobatic setup for this
class of helicopter, and the matching
Scorpion 45-amp speed controller with
built-in helicopter programming options.
Carbon and aluminum parts are
employed throughout the Beam. Two kinds
of plastic are used sparingly, and the
landing-gear struts and tail-servo mount
are made from a flexible material. The tailrotor
control arm and flybar paddles are
made with a rigid nylon-reinforced plastic;
it’s incredibly stiff. The use of materials
impressed me.
The single-stack carbon-fiber side
frames and mounting spreader plates lock
into each other’s tabs and slots; therefore,
they require no additional hardware to
install, yet they add beauty and strength.
When it was time to organize and route
the wiring, I especially liked the milled
openings in the frame that were perfectly
sized for nylon zip ties. That was extremely
thoughtful.
A few spare screws and nuts accompany
the Beam. I learned that, in addition to
Advantage Hobby being the exclusive
importer, full kits and accessories for the
model, as well as spare parts, are also
available through Horizon Hobby dealers.
This company often works with hobby
shops, so if you need anything for the
machine, satisfaction might be as
convenient as a fun trip to the local dealer.
Sounds like a great partnership.
My model first lifted off of the ground
56 MODEL AVIATION
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 9:44 AM Page 56
needing only a slight tail-rotor trim
adjustment and right aileron trim. The
balance was right on with a Scorpion 2200
mAh 3S Li-Poly battery strapped to the
cushioned carbon-fiber tray. The
Scorpion’s power is unbelievable, and I
went with the lower gear ratio (13T motor
pinion).
The Beam’s high head speed permits
the included carbon-enhanced fiberglass
blades to run solidly. Pirouettes are
amazingly stable; as the helicopter rotates,
almost no cyclic correction is needed. I felt
confident flying the helicopter quickly.
Then the time came for me to start
performing 3-D action, but first I consulted
the manual to confirm my favorite radioprogramming
starting points with those
recommended. There are some good tips in
the instructions, so make sure not to skip
those last pages.
I set up my flight modes so that normal
accommodates smooth hover performance:
a good head speed with a flat pitch curve
in the center. Idle-up one includes a more
aggressive pitch curve and takes advantage
of the 70% power setting. The third flight
mode includes a throttle midpoint of 85%
that quickly curves up to full.
The rate settings are on one switch,
where everything is at 100% rate on the
high side with 30% exponential (expo) on
the aileron and elevator. The low rate
drops everything to 60% except the tail
rotor, which feels smooth at 75%; no expo
is used on low rate. The swashplate mixing
is set with 75% aileron and elevator, while
pitch is set to 65%, to keep from
overdriving the main blades and stressing
the mechanics.
William and I happily fly the Beam, but
we’re at different skill levels. Our model is
extremely friendly on the low-rate settings.
This is where we do a lot of hovering and
orientation practice.
Watching William fly the machine
nose-in is a thing of beauty. We can get
roughly eight to 10 minutes out of a 2200
mAh Excalibur pack. Flying around (as
with an airplane) is also comfortable on
the low rates, but idle-up-one mode works
best for loops and rolls.
58 MODEL AVIATION
In the idle-up-two flight mode, the
Beam becomes an animal that has power
to spare. Flight times drop to four to six
minutes. This is one key area where we
fully appreciated the Hitec HG-5000 gyro
system’s performance.
No matter how much pitch, how much
power, or how fast we wanted the
pirouette rate, the Hitec gyro did not
disappoint. All that, and it was a cinch to
program once the transmitter was
correctly calibrated to the gyro’s sensors.
The Beam’s pirouette rate, both right and
left, is blindingly quick.
The Beam’s tail-rotor-control power
and ability make it more capable of doing
maneuvers that demand rotational
authority. Without it, high-speed
tailslides, sideways flight limited, and
flying the Chaos would be more like
suicide. Having crisp tail-rotor control, as
on the Beam, helps helicopter pilots feel
more confident overall.
That thing about cost I mentioned
earlier? One of the things you’ll
eventually want to do is upgrade the
machine to match your rapidly acquired
RC pilot skills. I’m sorry to report that
there are no upgrades available for the
Beam E4.
Every kit is sold fully upgraded—
made from the strongest material
possible. If you have to change
something, options such as painted
canopies and main and tail blades are
available. If more power is your thing,
get the Scorpion H2212-6 motor from
Innov8tive, which can put 4400 Kv of
power to the mains for thrilling
aerobatics.
“Beam me another battery, Scotty; we
want to fly some more!” MA
Michael Ramsey
[email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Beam/Advantage Hobby
Box 6988
Champaign IL 61826
(217) 398-2700
www.advantagehobby.com
Sources:
Innov8tive Designs
(760) 468-8838
www.innov8tivedesigns.com
Hitec RCD
(858) 748-6948
www.hitecrcd.com
Futaba RC
(800) 637-7660
www.futaba-rc.com
Other Printed Reviews:
RC Heli: April 2008
Fly RC: September 2008
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 9:46 AM Page 58
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 52,53,54,56,58
52 MODEL AVIATION
This is a 42p6, one line,
MICHAEL RAMSEY
Swashplate: Advantage Hobby Beam E4
helicopter
upgrades
A stock 450-class
with
the
all
Above: This Beam is equipped with great
equipment, but with a budget in mind. Its
handling is excellent, with five- to 10-minute
flight times.
Left: Beam E4s were popular at the E-Fest in
February. This one zips with the Scorpion eightturn
motor installed.
The kit is subpackaged with a small number of parts bags labeled in sequence with the
assembly instructions. The head assembly is partially complete.
HOLY
COW!
There are many
450-class helicopters to
choose from these days. When
one comes out that some claim is “The Best,”
it seems like less than a month later that
another comes along and knocks that one off
of the peak.
This class of helicopters is popular for
good reasons: cost, durability, cost,
performance, and, of course, price. As do the
well-liked, smaller, electric-powered park
flyers, the 450-class helicopter fits the budget,
employing a lot of the same batteries used in
model airplanes.
The Beam E4 fits into the car with no
problem, along with other models large and
small. It is also close to perfect for most
indoor areas.
First-time helicopter buyers can probably
relate to this article’s opening line. Many are
trying to get a piece of the popularity in this
area of the hobby.
When I looked for a machine to review,
there were tons of choices that were both
under and over the budget. Besides a great
product, the service reputation and overall
best bang for the dollar were also important.
The Beam E4 filled every box on the
checklist. This product offers remarkable
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 10:08 AM Page 52
July 2009 53
This is a 42p6, one line, 8/9 cutline for
The instructions show how an assembly is staged. In this case, the
preassembled swashplate was dismantled to prove its serviceability.
Compact blade grips need slim 5.5mm Wiha socket wrenches to service the
cross-shaft. The resilient ball links are made from stainless steel.
The metal parts have a polished-aluminum finish;
few tooling marks are evident. The mechanics need
only ball-link installation; it’s easy.
Test-Model Details
Type: 450-class helicopter kit
Skill level: Beginner builder, intermediate
to expert pilot
Main rotor diameter: 723mm
Blade length: 325mm
Height: 218mm
Length: 660mm
Flying weight: 880 grams
Airframe (without battery): 420 grams
Power required: 3500-4400 Kv-output
brushless outrunner
Battery: 3S 21-2500 mAh 20C Li-Poly
ESC: 35-45 amps required
Radio: Six channels with helicopter
programming
Gyro: Mini, heading-hold preferred
Construction: Single-stack carbon
frame, all-aluminum mechanics, main-gear
belt tail drive, nylon painted canopy,
carbon-enhanced main blades included
Price: $349.99
Specifications
Motor: Scorpion HK-2221-8 V2
Speed control: Scorpion Commander
45A
Battery: Excalibur 25C three-cell,
2200 mAh Li-Poly; 20C three-cell, 2200
mAh
Motor pinion: 11-16 teeth (13T
preferred)
Radio system: Three Hitec HS-65MG
servos on cyclic, Hitec HG-5000 MEMS
Gyro with matching HSG-5083MG tailrotor
servo, Futaba R617 FASST receiver
Ready-to-fly weight: 29 ounces
Flight duration: Four to eight
minutes, depending on flight style and
power setup
Pluses and Minuses
+
• Full CNC-cut carbon frames with CNC
metal block members.
• Solid, one-piece, metal tail-rotor case and
serviceable swashplate.
• Fully ball raced (33 bearings).
• Parts are readily available at a reasonable
cost.
• Well-organized kit has highly illustrated
instruction, setup, and flight manual.
• Outstanding hardware and linkage
mechanisms.
• Jewel-like machining.
• Fierce in-flight durability and crash
survival. -• Some linkage length specifications were
too short (but easily adjusted).
• Nothing more to buy; machine comes
totally upgraded.
Once the single-stack frame is assembled,
the Beam quickly starts to look like a
helicopter. William Ramsey and his
father needed only three quiet evenings
to build this model.
Static photos by the author Flight photos by Jay Smith
07sig2.QXD 5/22/09 1:54 PM Page 53
54 MODEL AVIATION
The Scorpion HK2-2221-8 motor is
a conservative power option, mated
to a programmable Scorpion
Commander V2 45-amp ESC.
The author confidently hovers the Beam E4 in a 10 mph
crosswind. Both 72 MHz and 2.4 GHz radio systems were
tested; the preference was for the digital spread spectrum
system.
Advantage Hobby offers
personalizing options, such
as prefinished replacement
canopies.
The HG-5000 gyro
and matching HSG-
5083MG servo is an
outstanding tailrotor
guidance
package. It’s simple
to program and
optimize for mild or
wild performance.
The one-piece tail-rotor
gearbox is strong and easy to
service. Enough tail-blade pitch
is available to hold the Beam
through high-speed backward
flight.
Innov8ive Designs’
Excalibur batteries
were tested in the Beam.
The 25C 2200 mAh 3S gave
optimal performance during a year
of flight and is still going strong.
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 9:39 AM Page 54
quality for the money. And even though it
was formally released a year ago, it is still
among the most competitive 450-class
helicopters at the performance peak.
Moreover, the vendors I sought out for
accessories such as a motor, batteries, and
radio equipment were familiar with the
Beam, which indicated that a good thing
was happening here. Not only would I be
buying from a good distributor—
Advantage Hobby—but it is also connected
with other reputable manufacturers.
The first thing that attracted me to the
Beam E4 was the all-metal head’s fine
machining. Like platinum jewelry, the
workmanship simply beamed at me.
Looking further into this model’s
mechanics revealed how precise and
smooth the linkages and mixing controls
operated. With elements including an allmetal
flybar cage and serviceable
swashplate, the Beam had me convinced
that I was investing in a serious helicopter;
it had all of the giant glow-powered
models’ performance goodies.
The Beam E4 is designed to take the
wearing forces of 3-D flying on a helicopter.
This attention to long life and strength
benefits the machine in every other way.
When I picked up the model at the
Toledo Show that year, staring me in the
face was the full-house complement of
spare parts. The cost of replacement parts
is extremely reasonable.
Not only that, but when you order a
replacement main shaft, you get three in a
package; that is the case with several other
popular replacements for the machine. The
people at Advantage Hobby seem to know
how I fly.
Construction: The best way to know your
helicopter is to build it from the bag of
screws up. An ARF will get you flying
roughly an evening sooner, but the aircraft
is going to come apart sometime, no matter
how good the pilot is. That is much less
disconcerting when you put it together in
the first place.
The Beam’s construction is fun. I’ll
repeat that: Building is fun! My oldest son,
William, and I assembled this machine,
and the experience was great for both of
us. Now I don’t have to be the mechanic all
the time; William can do it!
This helicopter requires minimal tools
to assemble. Everything comes neatly
packaged and organized; each step requires
a bag of parts that is clearly depicted in the
exquisitely illustrated instruction manual.
The drawings are isometric. Although
they don’t include lengthy written
assembly instructions, with a little study,
it’s simple to see how the parts fit and in
what order they should be installed.
The instructions show how every part
needs to be installed. Thankfully, all but
the bearings in the tail case (which simply
drop into place) are factory-pressed into
position. The swashplate is provided put
together, even though it’s completely
serviceable. As with the mixing arms and
other parts of the mechanics, only the ball
links need to be fastened.
At the center collective-stick position,
there is zero pitch in the main blades. To
achieve this, I found that the final lengths of
the pushrods were slightly longer than
specified in the manual. There’s plenty of
thread and length in the rods for this kind of
adjustment, and the threads are finely rolled
so that precise changes can be made.
So that the pitch ratio was equal on my
Blade, the washout-to-flybar arm links are
30mm, the seesaw mixing arm-toswashplate
are 47.5mm, and the
swashplate-to-servo arm rods worked best
at 40.0mm.
Although the blade grips were
assembled on the head block, at some point
it will need to be taken apart to replace a
reshaped feathering shaft (spindle). I’ve
found only one tool that accommodates the
Beam’s compact blade grips: the Wiha
5.5mm socket driver (item 265), from
Advantage Hobby. Two are needed to
correctly remove the connecting 3mm
nylon lock nuts.
Equipment selection for this helicopter
deserves careful thought—even though the
manual spells it out clearly with excellent
recommendations. To go along with my
Futaba 6EX FASST radio, I matched a
Futaba R617 receiver.
For cyclic control, I selected three Hitec
HS-65MG servos. Their capability was a
pleasant surprise, marking them as an
excellent value to the aerobatic-flying,
precision-conscious pilot. I saved a few
bucks by not going digital, and I don’t
regret it one bit.
For tail-rotor control, I used the Hitec
HG-5000 gyro matched with the
recommended HSG-5083MG high-speed
digital servo. I’ll go into why I’m happy
with that choice later.
The machined-aluminum motor mount
will accept almost any 22mm-28mm
outrunner or inrunner design. A 3400-4400
Kv motor is required for optimal
performance.
Scorpion motors from Innov8tive
Designs are rated high in output and
efficiency. I chose the H2212-8, which is
the recommended aerobatic setup for this
class of helicopter, and the matching
Scorpion 45-amp speed controller with
built-in helicopter programming options.
Carbon and aluminum parts are
employed throughout the Beam. Two kinds
of plastic are used sparingly, and the
landing-gear struts and tail-servo mount
are made from a flexible material. The tailrotor
control arm and flybar paddles are
made with a rigid nylon-reinforced plastic;
it’s incredibly stiff. The use of materials
impressed me.
The single-stack carbon-fiber side
frames and mounting spreader plates lock
into each other’s tabs and slots; therefore,
they require no additional hardware to
install, yet they add beauty and strength.
When it was time to organize and route
the wiring, I especially liked the milled
openings in the frame that were perfectly
sized for nylon zip ties. That was extremely
thoughtful.
A few spare screws and nuts accompany
the Beam. I learned that, in addition to
Advantage Hobby being the exclusive
importer, full kits and accessories for the
model, as well as spare parts, are also
available through Horizon Hobby dealers.
This company often works with hobby
shops, so if you need anything for the
machine, satisfaction might be as
convenient as a fun trip to the local dealer.
Sounds like a great partnership.
My model first lifted off of the ground
56 MODEL AVIATION
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 9:44 AM Page 56
needing only a slight tail-rotor trim
adjustment and right aileron trim. The
balance was right on with a Scorpion 2200
mAh 3S Li-Poly battery strapped to the
cushioned carbon-fiber tray. The
Scorpion’s power is unbelievable, and I
went with the lower gear ratio (13T motor
pinion).
The Beam’s high head speed permits
the included carbon-enhanced fiberglass
blades to run solidly. Pirouettes are
amazingly stable; as the helicopter rotates,
almost no cyclic correction is needed. I felt
confident flying the helicopter quickly.
Then the time came for me to start
performing 3-D action, but first I consulted
the manual to confirm my favorite radioprogramming
starting points with those
recommended. There are some good tips in
the instructions, so make sure not to skip
those last pages.
I set up my flight modes so that normal
accommodates smooth hover performance:
a good head speed with a flat pitch curve
in the center. Idle-up one includes a more
aggressive pitch curve and takes advantage
of the 70% power setting. The third flight
mode includes a throttle midpoint of 85%
that quickly curves up to full.
The rate settings are on one switch,
where everything is at 100% rate on the
high side with 30% exponential (expo) on
the aileron and elevator. The low rate
drops everything to 60% except the tail
rotor, which feels smooth at 75%; no expo
is used on low rate. The swashplate mixing
is set with 75% aileron and elevator, while
pitch is set to 65%, to keep from
overdriving the main blades and stressing
the mechanics.
William and I happily fly the Beam, but
we’re at different skill levels. Our model is
extremely friendly on the low-rate settings.
This is where we do a lot of hovering and
orientation practice.
Watching William fly the machine
nose-in is a thing of beauty. We can get
roughly eight to 10 minutes out of a 2200
mAh Excalibur pack. Flying around (as
with an airplane) is also comfortable on
the low rates, but idle-up-one mode works
best for loops and rolls.
58 MODEL AVIATION
In the idle-up-two flight mode, the
Beam becomes an animal that has power
to spare. Flight times drop to four to six
minutes. This is one key area where we
fully appreciated the Hitec HG-5000 gyro
system’s performance.
No matter how much pitch, how much
power, or how fast we wanted the
pirouette rate, the Hitec gyro did not
disappoint. All that, and it was a cinch to
program once the transmitter was
correctly calibrated to the gyro’s sensors.
The Beam’s pirouette rate, both right and
left, is blindingly quick.
The Beam’s tail-rotor-control power
and ability make it more capable of doing
maneuvers that demand rotational
authority. Without it, high-speed
tailslides, sideways flight limited, and
flying the Chaos would be more like
suicide. Having crisp tail-rotor control, as
on the Beam, helps helicopter pilots feel
more confident overall.
That thing about cost I mentioned
earlier? One of the things you’ll
eventually want to do is upgrade the
machine to match your rapidly acquired
RC pilot skills. I’m sorry to report that
there are no upgrades available for the
Beam E4.
Every kit is sold fully upgraded—
made from the strongest material
possible. If you have to change
something, options such as painted
canopies and main and tail blades are
available. If more power is your thing,
get the Scorpion H2212-6 motor from
Innov8tive, which can put 4400 Kv of
power to the mains for thrilling
aerobatics.
“Beam me another battery, Scotty; we
want to fly some more!” MA
Michael Ramsey
[email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Beam/Advantage Hobby
Box 6988
Champaign IL 61826
(217) 398-2700
www.advantagehobby.com
Sources:
Innov8tive Designs
(760) 468-8838
www.innov8tivedesigns.com
Hitec RCD
(858) 748-6948
www.hitecrcd.com
Futaba RC
(800) 637-7660
www.futaba-rc.com
Other Printed Reviews:
RC Heli: April 2008
Fly RC: September 2008
07sig2.QXD 5/26/09 9:46 AM Page 58