78 MODEL AVIATION
Joe Malinchak Micro-Flying | [email protected]
The 2009 JR Indoor Electric Festival
Above: Bob Selman built this ducted-fanpowered
Jet Mite. It weighs 17 grams and
performs well on a Full River 90 mAh battery.
Left: These ParkZone Ultra-Micro P-51s were
used for racing. After the competition, the
models were raffled off to the 40 contestants.
Right: Bob Selman (R) of BSD Micro RC
and Ken Spencer had a micro air force to
f ly. Bob was also one of many great
vendors at the event.
Above: Mike Fuller’s StarBoard, the “flying
surfer dude,” is not a micromodel, but I
had to include it. It won Pilots’ Choice at
the JR Indoor Electric Festival.
THE JR INDOOR Electric Festival is a favorite event of mine. I
was still winding down from the NEAT (Northeast Electric
Aircraft Technology) Fair and the Keystone Electric Indoor Fly,
so I was not sure that I would make it to the 2009 JR event in
November.
Somehow I was able to get the time off from work, so I had no
excuse; I had to go! Fortunately, I had most of my models ready
from the previous events. I only had to repair a few airplanes and
build one new one.
05sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/24/10 2:38 PM Page 78
May 2010 79
One thing that sets the JR event apart
from others is the indoor water runway;
Spektrum Lake adds to the fun. I had made
a set of floats for Cindy’s (my wife’s)
Vapor, but I did not have time to install
them. So at the event I enlisted the help of
a couple of friends, Bob Selman and Ken
Spencer.
I wanted to make the Vapor’s floats
removable, so Bob came up with the idea
of using carbon rod in the shape of an “X”
and a small rubber band to hold the rod to
the fuselage. I had the idea to tape the
front wheels to the floats, and Ken did the
installation work for me.
Cindy’s Vapor had also picked up a
few grams, because I added the LED tape
system from XeroGear. We were unsure if
this setup on floats would work, but we
were excited to try it.
The model ended up flying great! It
took off from the water with no problems
and was lots of fun to fly.
I think we were having too much fun
with Cindy’s model, because she kept
asking when she could fly it off of the
water! If you go to the Web site listed in
the “Sources” section, you can see the
Vapor fly.
It was entertaining to watch the
wonderful variety of floatplanes take off
and land. One of the most unusual models
was a surfer dude. It flew well and looked
neat flying over the water runway.
The team from Horizon Hobby
demonstrated all of the company’s
wonderful new micro RC models. The
new E-flite Ultra-Micro 4-Site biplane
was the biggest hit. This RTF can fly 3-D
maneuvers directly out of the box on a
brushed-motor setup!
I watched the designer, David Payne,
wring out his model. I stood next to him
as he performed beautiful rolling Harriers
on the deck and almost every other 3-D
maneuver.
David is a great designer and an
outstanding pilot. He won the Best New
Product award for his Ultra-Micro 4-Site.
The 15.2-inch-span model is available in
both Bind-N-Fly (BNF) and Plug-N-Play
versions.
The BNF is a good value, because it
includes two 150 mAh Li-Poly cells and
the new Celectra four-port Li-Poly
charger. I received my Ultra Micro 4-Site
BNF in the mail immediately before my
deadline for this column. It was a cold
winter day with a slight breeze, but I was
not going to let that stop me from trying
this new airplane!
It took only seconds to bind the model
with my Spektrum DX7 transmitter, check
the controls, and head outside. I wanted to
see how the 4-Site would perform out of
the box, with no exponential or
programming.
I was pleasantly surprised; my model
flew beautifully with little trim correction.
I proceeded to do a quick hover followed
by rolls, loops, and knife-edge flight. This
biplane has a nice, light feel. I was
impressed!
Another new model that looked nice at
the JR event was the new ParkZone Piper
Cub. It has an 18.2-inch wingspan and
weighs only 24 grams. This model has
some nice scale details and should be a
Right: The author’s wife’s Vapor flew
great with floats. He and his friends had
fun with it! Jay Smith photo.
Below: The new E-flite Ultra-Micro 4-
Site (L) spans 15.2 inches and is available
as a BNF or PNP model. The new 18.2-
inch-span ParkZone J-3 was also on
display.
Below right: The Ultra-Micro 4-Site BNF
includes a new Celectra four-port
charger and two 150 mAh batteries. The
box is a nice carrying case and storage
vehicle.
05sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/24/10 2:39 PM Page 79
favorite for nice, casual flying.
Another highlight of the JR event was
the ParkZone P-51 air races. Contestants
were given randomly selected stock
airplanes to fly. They were test-flown and
trimmed before the event.
A total of 40 pilots signed up to race,
and the top two from each race advanced
to the next round. The P-51s had to take
off from the ground at the start. This was a
good idea, because it minimized midairs
that can occur with hand launching and it
was a bit more challenging.
I had a ball flying in this event. I put a
few flights on my P-51 at home, to
practice.
I normally like to fly without dual
rates, but at the fly-in it was recommended
to use them with the stock transmitter. I
should have listened to the advice,
because I had trouble keeping my model
level for the first few laps!
David Payne won this well-organized
competition. The great thing about it is
that you did not have to place to win.
Every pilot was given a raffle ticket and
had a one in four chance of receiving one
of the 10 P-51 RTFs that were flown in
the race!
Bob Selman of BSD Micro RC flew
his great-performing, ducted-fan-powered
Jet Mite. It has a 9-inch wingspan and
weighs 17 grams. He used a Plantraco
receiver that was converted to Hip-Hop, a
Full River 90 mAh cell battery, and the
ducted fan from an Air Hogs Jet Scream
model.
Bob was also a vendor at the show,
exhibiting his growing line of micro RC
airplanes and equipment. BSD Micro RC
continues to be a prime source for micro
RC gear.
The JR Indoor Electric Festival is a
wonderful event. The dates for the 2010
edition are November 5-7. Mark your
calendars! MA
Sources:
JR Indoor Electric Festival
www.jriefestival.com
XeroGear
(800) 407-0473
www.xerogear.com
Vapor video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=buUL1NzG2
Is
E-flite
(800) 338-4639
www.efliterc.com
ParkZone
(800) 338-4639
www.parkzone.com
BSD Micro RC
(417) 358-9521
www.bsdmicrorc.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/05
Page Numbers: 78,79,80
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/05
Page Numbers: 78,79,80
78 MODEL AVIATION
Joe Malinchak Micro-Flying | [email protected]
The 2009 JR Indoor Electric Festival
Above: Bob Selman built this ducted-fanpowered
Jet Mite. It weighs 17 grams and
performs well on a Full River 90 mAh battery.
Left: These ParkZone Ultra-Micro P-51s were
used for racing. After the competition, the
models were raffled off to the 40 contestants.
Right: Bob Selman (R) of BSD Micro RC
and Ken Spencer had a micro air force to
f ly. Bob was also one of many great
vendors at the event.
Above: Mike Fuller’s StarBoard, the “flying
surfer dude,” is not a micromodel, but I
had to include it. It won Pilots’ Choice at
the JR Indoor Electric Festival.
THE JR INDOOR Electric Festival is a favorite event of mine. I
was still winding down from the NEAT (Northeast Electric
Aircraft Technology) Fair and the Keystone Electric Indoor Fly,
so I was not sure that I would make it to the 2009 JR event in
November.
Somehow I was able to get the time off from work, so I had no
excuse; I had to go! Fortunately, I had most of my models ready
from the previous events. I only had to repair a few airplanes and
build one new one.
05sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/24/10 2:38 PM Page 78
May 2010 79
One thing that sets the JR event apart
from others is the indoor water runway;
Spektrum Lake adds to the fun. I had made
a set of floats for Cindy’s (my wife’s)
Vapor, but I did not have time to install
them. So at the event I enlisted the help of
a couple of friends, Bob Selman and Ken
Spencer.
I wanted to make the Vapor’s floats
removable, so Bob came up with the idea
of using carbon rod in the shape of an “X”
and a small rubber band to hold the rod to
the fuselage. I had the idea to tape the
front wheels to the floats, and Ken did the
installation work for me.
Cindy’s Vapor had also picked up a
few grams, because I added the LED tape
system from XeroGear. We were unsure if
this setup on floats would work, but we
were excited to try it.
The model ended up flying great! It
took off from the water with no problems
and was lots of fun to fly.
I think we were having too much fun
with Cindy’s model, because she kept
asking when she could fly it off of the
water! If you go to the Web site listed in
the “Sources” section, you can see the
Vapor fly.
It was entertaining to watch the
wonderful variety of floatplanes take off
and land. One of the most unusual models
was a surfer dude. It flew well and looked
neat flying over the water runway.
The team from Horizon Hobby
demonstrated all of the company’s
wonderful new micro RC models. The
new E-flite Ultra-Micro 4-Site biplane
was the biggest hit. This RTF can fly 3-D
maneuvers directly out of the box on a
brushed-motor setup!
I watched the designer, David Payne,
wring out his model. I stood next to him
as he performed beautiful rolling Harriers
on the deck and almost every other 3-D
maneuver.
David is a great designer and an
outstanding pilot. He won the Best New
Product award for his Ultra-Micro 4-Site.
The 15.2-inch-span model is available in
both Bind-N-Fly (BNF) and Plug-N-Play
versions.
The BNF is a good value, because it
includes two 150 mAh Li-Poly cells and
the new Celectra four-port Li-Poly
charger. I received my Ultra Micro 4-Site
BNF in the mail immediately before my
deadline for this column. It was a cold
winter day with a slight breeze, but I was
not going to let that stop me from trying
this new airplane!
It took only seconds to bind the model
with my Spektrum DX7 transmitter, check
the controls, and head outside. I wanted to
see how the 4-Site would perform out of
the box, with no exponential or
programming.
I was pleasantly surprised; my model
flew beautifully with little trim correction.
I proceeded to do a quick hover followed
by rolls, loops, and knife-edge flight. This
biplane has a nice, light feel. I was
impressed!
Another new model that looked nice at
the JR event was the new ParkZone Piper
Cub. It has an 18.2-inch wingspan and
weighs only 24 grams. This model has
some nice scale details and should be a
Right: The author’s wife’s Vapor flew
great with floats. He and his friends had
fun with it! Jay Smith photo.
Below: The new E-flite Ultra-Micro 4-
Site (L) spans 15.2 inches and is available
as a BNF or PNP model. The new 18.2-
inch-span ParkZone J-3 was also on
display.
Below right: The Ultra-Micro 4-Site BNF
includes a new Celectra four-port
charger and two 150 mAh batteries. The
box is a nice carrying case and storage
vehicle.
05sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/24/10 2:39 PM Page 79
favorite for nice, casual flying.
Another highlight of the JR event was
the ParkZone P-51 air races. Contestants
were given randomly selected stock
airplanes to fly. They were test-flown and
trimmed before the event.
A total of 40 pilots signed up to race,
and the top two from each race advanced
to the next round. The P-51s had to take
off from the ground at the start. This was a
good idea, because it minimized midairs
that can occur with hand launching and it
was a bit more challenging.
I had a ball flying in this event. I put a
few flights on my P-51 at home, to
practice.
I normally like to fly without dual
rates, but at the fly-in it was recommended
to use them with the stock transmitter. I
should have listened to the advice,
because I had trouble keeping my model
level for the first few laps!
David Payne won this well-organized
competition. The great thing about it is
that you did not have to place to win.
Every pilot was given a raffle ticket and
had a one in four chance of receiving one
of the 10 P-51 RTFs that were flown in
the race!
Bob Selman of BSD Micro RC flew
his great-performing, ducted-fan-powered
Jet Mite. It has a 9-inch wingspan and
weighs 17 grams. He used a Plantraco
receiver that was converted to Hip-Hop, a
Full River 90 mAh cell battery, and the
ducted fan from an Air Hogs Jet Scream
model.
Bob was also a vendor at the show,
exhibiting his growing line of micro RC
airplanes and equipment. BSD Micro RC
continues to be a prime source for micro
RC gear.
The JR Indoor Electric Festival is a
wonderful event. The dates for the 2010
edition are November 5-7. Mark your
calendars! MA
Sources:
JR Indoor Electric Festival
www.jriefestival.com
XeroGear
(800) 407-0473
www.xerogear.com
Vapor video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=buUL1NzG2
Is
E-flite
(800) 338-4639
www.efliterc.com
ParkZone
(800) 338-4639
www.parkzone.com
BSD Micro RC
(417) 358-9521
www.bsdmicrorc.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/05
Page Numbers: 78,79,80
78 MODEL AVIATION
Joe Malinchak Micro-Flying | [email protected]
The 2009 JR Indoor Electric Festival
Above: Bob Selman built this ducted-fanpowered
Jet Mite. It weighs 17 grams and
performs well on a Full River 90 mAh battery.
Left: These ParkZone Ultra-Micro P-51s were
used for racing. After the competition, the
models were raffled off to the 40 contestants.
Right: Bob Selman (R) of BSD Micro RC
and Ken Spencer had a micro air force to
f ly. Bob was also one of many great
vendors at the event.
Above: Mike Fuller’s StarBoard, the “flying
surfer dude,” is not a micromodel, but I
had to include it. It won Pilots’ Choice at
the JR Indoor Electric Festival.
THE JR INDOOR Electric Festival is a favorite event of mine. I
was still winding down from the NEAT (Northeast Electric
Aircraft Technology) Fair and the Keystone Electric Indoor Fly,
so I was not sure that I would make it to the 2009 JR event in
November.
Somehow I was able to get the time off from work, so I had no
excuse; I had to go! Fortunately, I had most of my models ready
from the previous events. I only had to repair a few airplanes and
build one new one.
05sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/24/10 2:38 PM Page 78
May 2010 79
One thing that sets the JR event apart
from others is the indoor water runway;
Spektrum Lake adds to the fun. I had made
a set of floats for Cindy’s (my wife’s)
Vapor, but I did not have time to install
them. So at the event I enlisted the help of
a couple of friends, Bob Selman and Ken
Spencer.
I wanted to make the Vapor’s floats
removable, so Bob came up with the idea
of using carbon rod in the shape of an “X”
and a small rubber band to hold the rod to
the fuselage. I had the idea to tape the
front wheels to the floats, and Ken did the
installation work for me.
Cindy’s Vapor had also picked up a
few grams, because I added the LED tape
system from XeroGear. We were unsure if
this setup on floats would work, but we
were excited to try it.
The model ended up flying great! It
took off from the water with no problems
and was lots of fun to fly.
I think we were having too much fun
with Cindy’s model, because she kept
asking when she could fly it off of the
water! If you go to the Web site listed in
the “Sources” section, you can see the
Vapor fly.
It was entertaining to watch the
wonderful variety of floatplanes take off
and land. One of the most unusual models
was a surfer dude. It flew well and looked
neat flying over the water runway.
The team from Horizon Hobby
demonstrated all of the company’s
wonderful new micro RC models. The
new E-flite Ultra-Micro 4-Site biplane
was the biggest hit. This RTF can fly 3-D
maneuvers directly out of the box on a
brushed-motor setup!
I watched the designer, David Payne,
wring out his model. I stood next to him
as he performed beautiful rolling Harriers
on the deck and almost every other 3-D
maneuver.
David is a great designer and an
outstanding pilot. He won the Best New
Product award for his Ultra-Micro 4-Site.
The 15.2-inch-span model is available in
both Bind-N-Fly (BNF) and Plug-N-Play
versions.
The BNF is a good value, because it
includes two 150 mAh Li-Poly cells and
the new Celectra four-port Li-Poly
charger. I received my Ultra Micro 4-Site
BNF in the mail immediately before my
deadline for this column. It was a cold
winter day with a slight breeze, but I was
not going to let that stop me from trying
this new airplane!
It took only seconds to bind the model
with my Spektrum DX7 transmitter, check
the controls, and head outside. I wanted to
see how the 4-Site would perform out of
the box, with no exponential or
programming.
I was pleasantly surprised; my model
flew beautifully with little trim correction.
I proceeded to do a quick hover followed
by rolls, loops, and knife-edge flight. This
biplane has a nice, light feel. I was
impressed!
Another new model that looked nice at
the JR event was the new ParkZone Piper
Cub. It has an 18.2-inch wingspan and
weighs only 24 grams. This model has
some nice scale details and should be a
Right: The author’s wife’s Vapor flew
great with floats. He and his friends had
fun with it! Jay Smith photo.
Below: The new E-flite Ultra-Micro 4-
Site (L) spans 15.2 inches and is available
as a BNF or PNP model. The new 18.2-
inch-span ParkZone J-3 was also on
display.
Below right: The Ultra-Micro 4-Site BNF
includes a new Celectra four-port
charger and two 150 mAh batteries. The
box is a nice carrying case and storage
vehicle.
05sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/24/10 2:39 PM Page 79
favorite for nice, casual flying.
Another highlight of the JR event was
the ParkZone P-51 air races. Contestants
were given randomly selected stock
airplanes to fly. They were test-flown and
trimmed before the event.
A total of 40 pilots signed up to race,
and the top two from each race advanced
to the next round. The P-51s had to take
off from the ground at the start. This was a
good idea, because it minimized midairs
that can occur with hand launching and it
was a bit more challenging.
I had a ball flying in this event. I put a
few flights on my P-51 at home, to
practice.
I normally like to fly without dual
rates, but at the fly-in it was recommended
to use them with the stock transmitter. I
should have listened to the advice,
because I had trouble keeping my model
level for the first few laps!
David Payne won this well-organized
competition. The great thing about it is
that you did not have to place to win.
Every pilot was given a raffle ticket and
had a one in four chance of receiving one
of the 10 P-51 RTFs that were flown in
the race!
Bob Selman of BSD Micro RC flew
his great-performing, ducted-fan-powered
Jet Mite. It has a 9-inch wingspan and
weighs 17 grams. He used a Plantraco
receiver that was converted to Hip-Hop, a
Full River 90 mAh cell battery, and the
ducted fan from an Air Hogs Jet Scream
model.
Bob was also a vendor at the show,
exhibiting his growing line of micro RC
airplanes and equipment. BSD Micro RC
continues to be a prime source for micro
RC gear.
The JR Indoor Electric Festival is a
wonderful event. The dates for the 2010
edition are November 5-7. Mark your
calendars! MA
Sources:
JR Indoor Electric Festival
www.jriefestival.com
XeroGear
(800) 407-0473
www.xerogear.com
Vapor video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=buUL1NzG2
Is
E-flite
(800) 338-4639
www.efliterc.com
ParkZone
(800) 338-4639
www.parkzone.com
BSD Micro RC
(417) 358-9521
www.bsdmicrorc.com
