Airborne Models - 2012/07

World Models Manufacturing
Company has been in existence
for more than 15 years and has
produced a wide range of aircraft for gas,
glow, and electric power. Although the
company is headquartered in Hong Kong,
its US distribution is handled by Airborne
Models in California.
Fai Chan, owner of Airborne Models,
started the company when he moved to the
US in 1997. Before moving, he worked as an
engineer and enjoyed
Slope Soaring, through
which he met and
became friends with
Mr. Kong, the owner of
World Models.
Fai shared with
me that one of his
responsibilities at
Airborne Models is to
assist in the designing of
aircraft. His experience
as an engineer, coupled with his love of RC
aircraft, made it an easy transition.
His  rst design was the Super Sport 40,
which he completed on his kitchen table.
Fai told me it was a dream come true to
be able to design model aircraft, but it also
comes with a lot of pressure because it is so
important that the designs be commercially
successful.
When designing models, Fai believes the
most important thing is an aircraft that  ies
well. His next priority is that the model be
easy to assemble, followed by keeping the
airplane as true as possible to the full-scale
aircraft.
I asked Fai about the process of bringing
a model to market. The procedure takes
roughly six months. After the type of aircraft
and size of the aircraft are determined, it’s
time to choose a color scheme. World Models
is able to print on the covering, which allows
for more options, especially with warbirds.
Fai works with the designers in China, and
after they agree on a design, two prototypes
are constructed. One is tested in the US,
and one in China. The prototypes are
covered with clear covering on the bottom
of the aircraft so that Fai can inspect the
construction methods.
Both parties come together and determine
if any changes need to be made to improve
the model and another prototype is
constructed. This process continues until
everyone is satis ed.
Having a foundation as a modeler
that dates back to building 3.5-meter
gliders in his bedroom in Hong Kong, Fai
considers himself more of a modeler than
a businessman. Although he is modest, I
found out through our conversation that
Fai has designed nearly 80% of the models
sold by World Models. He also designed the
company’s robot, the RoboPhilo, which is
targeted at the hobby market!
While we were on the topic of aircraft
design, I asked Fai how he felt about foam
aircraft and the line of foam jets that the
company sells.
“I didn’t like foam at  rst, but
improvements in the foam has made it
more durable and better looking. It is the
material of the future and you can adjust
the density to make it stronger. EPO foam
is used in World Models aircraft and
it is also very repairable. It is the best
choice for the beginner.
“Foam jets are designed after the real
plane and they need to have plenty of
air intake. All of our jets use a 68mm
[ducted] fan, so all the jets are built
around that power system. We ensure
that the jet can fly nicely.”
Fai and I had the opportunity to sit
down at the Toledo Expo to complete
this interview. As we discussed
Airborne Models and Fai’s experiences,
I was amazed. He shared with me what
it was like to be a kid in Hong Kong.
He had a strong desire to get into RC
while in middle school, but the cost to
get started in the hobby was equal to a
month’s salary for his father.
Knowing this, I asked how he felt
when one of his designs makes it to
market for all to enjoy at an affordable
price. He responded, “The satisfaction
comes when people say the plane flies
good. I don’t tell people that I design
the plane and when I get the feedback,
I know I am doing something right. I
always try to do something to help the
flier.”
I asked Fai what his goal was for the
company. “I would like to make the
business grow bigger,” he said, “but it is
a shrinking market. The type of people
that like to build aircraft is getting
smaller. While we want to make
things easy for the customer, it is also
important to learn the basics of aircraft
setup, especially when dealing with big
aircraft.”
My experience with World Models
aircraft has been with the park flyer
Cub, Zero, Texan, and TameCat
models. All of them flew well and the
warbirds even include retracts, which
is a nice touch for a balsa model in this
size range.
If you have also been successful
with World Models aircraft or have
any ideas for a new addition to the
company’s lineup of models, I’m sure
Fai would be happy to hear from
you.