THE LIGHTWEIGHT Pacific Aeromodel 40-size Edge
540T ARF is a great candidate for electric conversion. It is
on the large size for an electric-powered model, but more
conversions are possible than ever before with the availability
of Li-Poly batteries and high-power brushless motors. The
newer brushless outrunner-style power plants offer the bonus of
not requiring a gear reduction to swing a large propeller.
Model Assembly: This high-quality aerobatic aircraft is made
from laser-cut parts and covered in a four-color scheme. The
Edge 540T is easy to assemble. All parts have a precision fit,
and the supplied instruction booklet is well written and easy to
understand.
While surfing the Internet and looking at the Pacific
Aeromodel Web site, I saw the company’s new line of
outrunner motors. The largest was the PAM-5065-09, and its
specifications looked almost right
for my Edge 540T. When I received
the motor I ran a series of tests with
different propellers and six Li-Poly cells.
(See sidebar.)
The motor is variable, depending on the propeller used and
the intended airplane. From the data I collected I decided that
the 16 x 8 propeller was best suited for the Edge 540T.
The main parameters I looked at were the pitch speed of 52
mph and the static thrust of 106 ounces. The pitch speed is more
than two times the estimated stall speed of 22 mph, and the
thrust is close to the estimated weight of 6 pounds, which will
provide excellent vertical performance.
Using Li-Poly cells saved half the battery weight when
compared to NiMH cells. The Li-Poly pack weighs 19 ounces
compared to a NiMH pack of 40 ounces.
Motor Mounting: Mounting the motor is easy to do by making
an adapter box that places the motor propeller hub at the same
location as the glow-engine propeller hub. The instruction
manual specifies mounting the glow engine 5 inches from the
firewall.
The Pacific Aeromodel PAM-5065-09 includes a propeller
adapter and a motor mount. The distance from the propeller hub
to the motor mount is 2.5 inches overall, so the motor adapter
box was made 2.5 inches long to make up the difference. (See
illustration for dimensions.)
The ends where the motor and firewall attach are 1/8 birch
plywood, and the other three pieces are 1/16 birch plywood. I
removed the original T-nuts and used #4 sheet-metal screws to
mount the motor and the motor adapter box to the firewall.
I centered the motor on the motor adapter box and then
screwed it into place. This worked out perfectly to align the
propeller shaft to the cowling opening.
The cowling provided in the kit is normally supplied with
one of the scale induction vents open for directed cooling over
the glow engine’s cylinder. For this conversion I opened the
other side of the cowling for more cooling of the motor. In
This 40-size model’s
lightweight balsa-and-plywood
construction
lends itself perfectly to
electric conversion
without giving up
aerobatic performance.
The Pacific Aeromodel PAM-5065-09 outrunner can put out
more than 100 watts per pound. A custom motor box puts the
propeller backplate in the right place.
January 2007 55
The open structure of the custom motor-mount extension keeps
the front end light. Three large holes were opened to allow for
battery cooling.
The removable top hatch makes it easy to install the flight
batteries mounted in the fuel-tank area. Elevator input is
controlled by two servos in the tail section.
addition I drilled three 1-inch-diameter
holes for airflow through the fuselage to
help cool the batteries and speed control.
Battery Mounting: Mounting the motorpower
batteries was fairly easy. I used
Velcro to retain the battery and added a
Velcro-style strap for added security. I
mounted the motor battery in the fuel-tank
area for proper balance.
For this conversion I used Thunder
Power Li-Poly 4000 mA batteries. I used
two packs of the THP4000-3S2P cells in
series, which is the same as six Li-Poly
cells in series, equaling a nominal 22.2
volts to the ESC.
Speed Control: I chose the Castle Creations
Phoenix-80 brushless motor control for the
Edge 540. This ESC is rated for five Li-Poly
cells, but it is possible to use six cells. (The
High Voltage version was unavailable at the
time of this conversion.)
Although I encountered no problems
with the Phoenix-80 ESC, I recommend the
High Voltage version of this controller for use
in the Edge 540T. The Phoenix-80 was
mounted, or stuffed, into the space between
the frames of the fuel-tank area and the outer sheeting near the
firewall. I routed the motor wires through the firewall to the motor.
CG: At first I mounted the components such as the receiver and
receiver battery in their positions near the front of the Edge, as
recommended in the instruction manual. This made the model
nose-heavy, so I moved the receiver and battery farther aft so
that the receiver was behind the wing tube and the 4.8-volt
battery was just aft of the wing TE. This shifted the CG aft so
only a half ounce of weight was required in the tail to bring the
CG to the location specified in the instructions.
The electric-powered Edge 540T came out at 6.5 pounds,
which exceeds the normal weight of 6 pounds. The increased
weight only raised the wing loading from 22.3 ounces per square
foot to 24.2 ounces per square foot, which equated to less than an
8% increase from the glow-powered version.
Flying: Flying the electric-powered Edge 540T was spectacular.
The takeoff distance was approximately 30 feet, which easily
transitioned to a steep climb to altitude when demanded. Little
trim was required for hands-off flying.
Photos by the author
An APC 16 x 8 sport propeller was tested and proven to offer the best overall
performance. The stock aluminum landing gear offers just enough clearance.
The model was capable of almost any aerobatic maneuver,
and it was even able to hang on the propeller for quite awhile.
Large loops were easy to perform, and the roll rate could be
fast if high rates were used.
With the Edge 540T’s low wing loading, landings were
easy to make and the airplane was capable of perfect threepoint
landings. With this conversion 10-minute flights with
constant aerobatics were achieved, and there was battery
power to spare.
The Pacific Aeromodel 40-size Edge 540T makes a fantastic
electric conversion with a low wing loading and high powerto-
weight ratio. With the advances in motors and lightweight,
high-power batteries, electric-powered models do not have to
be slow and underpowered.
A fully aerobatic-capable electric airplane such as the Edge
540T is possible utilizing the convenience and quick assembly
of an ARF. This model’s conversion to electric power has
exceeded my expectations. MA
Steve Ciambrone
[email protected]
Build the front and back plates of
the box from 1/8 birch plywood
and the other three pieces from
1/16 birch plywood. Reinforce the
corners as shown with 1/8 balsa
gussets.
Motor Mount
Adapter Box
Type: RC semiscale ARF
Pilot skill level: Advanced
Wingspan: 59 inches
Wing area: 620 square inches
Length: 52.5 inches
Weight: 6 pounds
Wing loading: 22.3 ounces per square
foot
Power (recommended): .40-.53 twostroke,
.52-.72 four-stroke
Radio: Four channels (minimum), five
standard servos
Construction: Balsa and light plywood,
fiberglass cowl and wheel pants,
aluminum landing gear, clear canopy
Covering/finish: Heat-shrink film
covering, fuelproof paint
Price: $199.99
Specifications
Motor: PAM-5065-09 outrunner
Battery: Thunder Power 4000 mA Li-
Poly cells (THP4000-3S2P [two])
Propeller: APC 16 x 8
Motor current: 31.6 amps
Motor voltage: 21.3 volts
Motor output: 666 watts at 6,500 rpm
Radio system: Hitec Supreme HFD-
08RD receiver, five Hitec HS-325HB ballbearing
servos, Y harness, Castle
Creations Phoenix-80 ESC, Cermark 750
mAh receiver battery
Ready-to-fly weight: 6.5 pounds
Flight duration: Exceeds 10 minutes
Test-Model Details
+
• Lightweight construction.
• Larger than the typical 40-size
aerobatic model.
• Two-piece wing.
• Large top hatch for easy access. -• Assembly manual could have been
clearer.
Pluses and Minuses
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Pacific Aeromodel Manufacturing, Inc.
12368 Valley Blvd. Suite 109
El Monte CA 91732
(626) 618-0300
www.pacaeromodel.com
Items Used in Review:
Flight batteries:
Thunder Power Batteries
4720 W. University Ave.
Las Vegas NV 89103
(702) 228-8883
[email protected]
www.thunderpower-batteries.com
Electronic Speed Control:
Castle Creations
235 S. Kansas Ave.
Olathe KS 66061
(913) 390-6164
[email protected]
www.castlecreations.com
Radio system:
Hitec RCD USA, Inc.
12115 Paine St.
Poway CA 92064
(858) 748-6948
www.hitecrcd.com
Receiver battery:
Cermark
9830 Bell Ranch Dr.
Santa Fe Springs CA 90670
(562) 906-0808 (information only)
[email protected]
www.cermark.com
Electric motor, spinner:
Pacific Aeromodel Manufacturing, Inc.
Propeller:
Landing Products
1222 Harter
Woodland CA 95776
(503) 661-0399
[email protected]
www.apcprop.com
Additional Resources:
RC Groups
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.p
hp?t=258377&highlight=edge
Model Airplane News (January 2006)
magazine
100 E. Ridge
Ridgefield CT 06877
(203) 431-9000
http://modelairplanenews.com/
56 MODEL AVIATION
APC Propeller Volts Amps Watts Thrust (ounces) rpm Pitch Speed (mph)
13 x 10E 21.8 20.7 454 57 7,000 70.0
14 x 10E 21.3 24.0 512 69 6,700 67.0
14 x 12E 20.9 27.3 570 61 6,500 78.0
15 x 8 21.7 26.8 595 88 6,800 54.4
15 x 8E 22.0 28.2 610 91 6,800 54.4
15 x 10E 21.4 31.4 660 84 6,600 66.0
*16 x 8 21.3 31.6 666 106 6,500 52.0
16 x 10E 20.6 37.1 770 96 6,300 63.0
*Propeller selected
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/01
Page Numbers: 54,55,56
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/01
Page Numbers: 54,55,56
THE LIGHTWEIGHT Pacific Aeromodel 40-size Edge
540T ARF is a great candidate for electric conversion. It is
on the large size for an electric-powered model, but more
conversions are possible than ever before with the availability
of Li-Poly batteries and high-power brushless motors. The
newer brushless outrunner-style power plants offer the bonus of
not requiring a gear reduction to swing a large propeller.
Model Assembly: This high-quality aerobatic aircraft is made
from laser-cut parts and covered in a four-color scheme. The
Edge 540T is easy to assemble. All parts have a precision fit,
and the supplied instruction booklet is well written and easy to
understand.
While surfing the Internet and looking at the Pacific
Aeromodel Web site, I saw the company’s new line of
outrunner motors. The largest was the PAM-5065-09, and its
specifications looked almost right
for my Edge 540T. When I received
the motor I ran a series of tests with
different propellers and six Li-Poly cells.
(See sidebar.)
The motor is variable, depending on the propeller used and
the intended airplane. From the data I collected I decided that
the 16 x 8 propeller was best suited for the Edge 540T.
The main parameters I looked at were the pitch speed of 52
mph and the static thrust of 106 ounces. The pitch speed is more
than two times the estimated stall speed of 22 mph, and the
thrust is close to the estimated weight of 6 pounds, which will
provide excellent vertical performance.
Using Li-Poly cells saved half the battery weight when
compared to NiMH cells. The Li-Poly pack weighs 19 ounces
compared to a NiMH pack of 40 ounces.
Motor Mounting: Mounting the motor is easy to do by making
an adapter box that places the motor propeller hub at the same
location as the glow-engine propeller hub. The instruction
manual specifies mounting the glow engine 5 inches from the
firewall.
The Pacific Aeromodel PAM-5065-09 includes a propeller
adapter and a motor mount. The distance from the propeller hub
to the motor mount is 2.5 inches overall, so the motor adapter
box was made 2.5 inches long to make up the difference. (See
illustration for dimensions.)
The ends where the motor and firewall attach are 1/8 birch
plywood, and the other three pieces are 1/16 birch plywood. I
removed the original T-nuts and used #4 sheet-metal screws to
mount the motor and the motor adapter box to the firewall.
I centered the motor on the motor adapter box and then
screwed it into place. This worked out perfectly to align the
propeller shaft to the cowling opening.
The cowling provided in the kit is normally supplied with
one of the scale induction vents open for directed cooling over
the glow engine’s cylinder. For this conversion I opened the
other side of the cowling for more cooling of the motor. In
This 40-size model’s
lightweight balsa-and-plywood
construction
lends itself perfectly to
electric conversion
without giving up
aerobatic performance.
The Pacific Aeromodel PAM-5065-09 outrunner can put out
more than 100 watts per pound. A custom motor box puts the
propeller backplate in the right place.
January 2007 55
The open structure of the custom motor-mount extension keeps
the front end light. Three large holes were opened to allow for
battery cooling.
The removable top hatch makes it easy to install the flight
batteries mounted in the fuel-tank area. Elevator input is
controlled by two servos in the tail section.
addition I drilled three 1-inch-diameter
holes for airflow through the fuselage to
help cool the batteries and speed control.
Battery Mounting: Mounting the motorpower
batteries was fairly easy. I used
Velcro to retain the battery and added a
Velcro-style strap for added security. I
mounted the motor battery in the fuel-tank
area for proper balance.
For this conversion I used Thunder
Power Li-Poly 4000 mA batteries. I used
two packs of the THP4000-3S2P cells in
series, which is the same as six Li-Poly
cells in series, equaling a nominal 22.2
volts to the ESC.
Speed Control: I chose the Castle Creations
Phoenix-80 brushless motor control for the
Edge 540. This ESC is rated for five Li-Poly
cells, but it is possible to use six cells. (The
High Voltage version was unavailable at the
time of this conversion.)
Although I encountered no problems
with the Phoenix-80 ESC, I recommend the
High Voltage version of this controller for use
in the Edge 540T. The Phoenix-80 was
mounted, or stuffed, into the space between
the frames of the fuel-tank area and the outer sheeting near the
firewall. I routed the motor wires through the firewall to the motor.
CG: At first I mounted the components such as the receiver and
receiver battery in their positions near the front of the Edge, as
recommended in the instruction manual. This made the model
nose-heavy, so I moved the receiver and battery farther aft so
that the receiver was behind the wing tube and the 4.8-volt
battery was just aft of the wing TE. This shifted the CG aft so
only a half ounce of weight was required in the tail to bring the
CG to the location specified in the instructions.
The electric-powered Edge 540T came out at 6.5 pounds,
which exceeds the normal weight of 6 pounds. The increased
weight only raised the wing loading from 22.3 ounces per square
foot to 24.2 ounces per square foot, which equated to less than an
8% increase from the glow-powered version.
Flying: Flying the electric-powered Edge 540T was spectacular.
The takeoff distance was approximately 30 feet, which easily
transitioned to a steep climb to altitude when demanded. Little
trim was required for hands-off flying.
Photos by the author
An APC 16 x 8 sport propeller was tested and proven to offer the best overall
performance. The stock aluminum landing gear offers just enough clearance.
The model was capable of almost any aerobatic maneuver,
and it was even able to hang on the propeller for quite awhile.
Large loops were easy to perform, and the roll rate could be
fast if high rates were used.
With the Edge 540T’s low wing loading, landings were
easy to make and the airplane was capable of perfect threepoint
landings. With this conversion 10-minute flights with
constant aerobatics were achieved, and there was battery
power to spare.
The Pacific Aeromodel 40-size Edge 540T makes a fantastic
electric conversion with a low wing loading and high powerto-
weight ratio. With the advances in motors and lightweight,
high-power batteries, electric-powered models do not have to
be slow and underpowered.
A fully aerobatic-capable electric airplane such as the Edge
540T is possible utilizing the convenience and quick assembly
of an ARF. This model’s conversion to electric power has
exceeded my expectations. MA
Steve Ciambrone
[email protected]
Build the front and back plates of
the box from 1/8 birch plywood
and the other three pieces from
1/16 birch plywood. Reinforce the
corners as shown with 1/8 balsa
gussets.
Motor Mount
Adapter Box
Type: RC semiscale ARF
Pilot skill level: Advanced
Wingspan: 59 inches
Wing area: 620 square inches
Length: 52.5 inches
Weight: 6 pounds
Wing loading: 22.3 ounces per square
foot
Power (recommended): .40-.53 twostroke,
.52-.72 four-stroke
Radio: Four channels (minimum), five
standard servos
Construction: Balsa and light plywood,
fiberglass cowl and wheel pants,
aluminum landing gear, clear canopy
Covering/finish: Heat-shrink film
covering, fuelproof paint
Price: $199.99
Specifications
Motor: PAM-5065-09 outrunner
Battery: Thunder Power 4000 mA Li-
Poly cells (THP4000-3S2P [two])
Propeller: APC 16 x 8
Motor current: 31.6 amps
Motor voltage: 21.3 volts
Motor output: 666 watts at 6,500 rpm
Radio system: Hitec Supreme HFD-
08RD receiver, five Hitec HS-325HB ballbearing
servos, Y harness, Castle
Creations Phoenix-80 ESC, Cermark 750
mAh receiver battery
Ready-to-fly weight: 6.5 pounds
Flight duration: Exceeds 10 minutes
Test-Model Details
+
• Lightweight construction.
• Larger than the typical 40-size
aerobatic model.
• Two-piece wing.
• Large top hatch for easy access. -• Assembly manual could have been
clearer.
Pluses and Minuses
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Pacific Aeromodel Manufacturing, Inc.
12368 Valley Blvd. Suite 109
El Monte CA 91732
(626) 618-0300
www.pacaeromodel.com
Items Used in Review:
Flight batteries:
Thunder Power Batteries
4720 W. University Ave.
Las Vegas NV 89103
(702) 228-8883
[email protected]
www.thunderpower-batteries.com
Electronic Speed Control:
Castle Creations
235 S. Kansas Ave.
Olathe KS 66061
(913) 390-6164
[email protected]
www.castlecreations.com
Radio system:
Hitec RCD USA, Inc.
12115 Paine St.
Poway CA 92064
(858) 748-6948
www.hitecrcd.com
Receiver battery:
Cermark
9830 Bell Ranch Dr.
Santa Fe Springs CA 90670
(562) 906-0808 (information only)
[email protected]
www.cermark.com
Electric motor, spinner:
Pacific Aeromodel Manufacturing, Inc.
Propeller:
Landing Products
1222 Harter
Woodland CA 95776
(503) 661-0399
[email protected]
www.apcprop.com
Additional Resources:
RC Groups
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.p
hp?t=258377&highlight=edge
Model Airplane News (January 2006)
magazine
100 E. Ridge
Ridgefield CT 06877
(203) 431-9000
http://modelairplanenews.com/
56 MODEL AVIATION
APC Propeller Volts Amps Watts Thrust (ounces) rpm Pitch Speed (mph)
13 x 10E 21.8 20.7 454 57 7,000 70.0
14 x 10E 21.3 24.0 512 69 6,700 67.0
14 x 12E 20.9 27.3 570 61 6,500 78.0
15 x 8 21.7 26.8 595 88 6,800 54.4
15 x 8E 22.0 28.2 610 91 6,800 54.4
15 x 10E 21.4 31.4 660 84 6,600 66.0
*16 x 8 21.3 31.6 666 106 6,500 52.0
16 x 10E 20.6 37.1 770 96 6,300 63.0
*Propeller selected
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/01
Page Numbers: 54,55,56
THE LIGHTWEIGHT Pacific Aeromodel 40-size Edge
540T ARF is a great candidate for electric conversion. It is
on the large size for an electric-powered model, but more
conversions are possible than ever before with the availability
of Li-Poly batteries and high-power brushless motors. The
newer brushless outrunner-style power plants offer the bonus of
not requiring a gear reduction to swing a large propeller.
Model Assembly: This high-quality aerobatic aircraft is made
from laser-cut parts and covered in a four-color scheme. The
Edge 540T is easy to assemble. All parts have a precision fit,
and the supplied instruction booklet is well written and easy to
understand.
While surfing the Internet and looking at the Pacific
Aeromodel Web site, I saw the company’s new line of
outrunner motors. The largest was the PAM-5065-09, and its
specifications looked almost right
for my Edge 540T. When I received
the motor I ran a series of tests with
different propellers and six Li-Poly cells.
(See sidebar.)
The motor is variable, depending on the propeller used and
the intended airplane. From the data I collected I decided that
the 16 x 8 propeller was best suited for the Edge 540T.
The main parameters I looked at were the pitch speed of 52
mph and the static thrust of 106 ounces. The pitch speed is more
than two times the estimated stall speed of 22 mph, and the
thrust is close to the estimated weight of 6 pounds, which will
provide excellent vertical performance.
Using Li-Poly cells saved half the battery weight when
compared to NiMH cells. The Li-Poly pack weighs 19 ounces
compared to a NiMH pack of 40 ounces.
Motor Mounting: Mounting the motor is easy to do by making
an adapter box that places the motor propeller hub at the same
location as the glow-engine propeller hub. The instruction
manual specifies mounting the glow engine 5 inches from the
firewall.
The Pacific Aeromodel PAM-5065-09 includes a propeller
adapter and a motor mount. The distance from the propeller hub
to the motor mount is 2.5 inches overall, so the motor adapter
box was made 2.5 inches long to make up the difference. (See
illustration for dimensions.)
The ends where the motor and firewall attach are 1/8 birch
plywood, and the other three pieces are 1/16 birch plywood. I
removed the original T-nuts and used #4 sheet-metal screws to
mount the motor and the motor adapter box to the firewall.
I centered the motor on the motor adapter box and then
screwed it into place. This worked out perfectly to align the
propeller shaft to the cowling opening.
The cowling provided in the kit is normally supplied with
one of the scale induction vents open for directed cooling over
the glow engine’s cylinder. For this conversion I opened the
other side of the cowling for more cooling of the motor. In
This 40-size model’s
lightweight balsa-and-plywood
construction
lends itself perfectly to
electric conversion
without giving up
aerobatic performance.
The Pacific Aeromodel PAM-5065-09 outrunner can put out
more than 100 watts per pound. A custom motor box puts the
propeller backplate in the right place.
January 2007 55
The open structure of the custom motor-mount extension keeps
the front end light. Three large holes were opened to allow for
battery cooling.
The removable top hatch makes it easy to install the flight
batteries mounted in the fuel-tank area. Elevator input is
controlled by two servos in the tail section.
addition I drilled three 1-inch-diameter
holes for airflow through the fuselage to
help cool the batteries and speed control.
Battery Mounting: Mounting the motorpower
batteries was fairly easy. I used
Velcro to retain the battery and added a
Velcro-style strap for added security. I
mounted the motor battery in the fuel-tank
area for proper balance.
For this conversion I used Thunder
Power Li-Poly 4000 mA batteries. I used
two packs of the THP4000-3S2P cells in
series, which is the same as six Li-Poly
cells in series, equaling a nominal 22.2
volts to the ESC.
Speed Control: I chose the Castle Creations
Phoenix-80 brushless motor control for the
Edge 540. This ESC is rated for five Li-Poly
cells, but it is possible to use six cells. (The
High Voltage version was unavailable at the
time of this conversion.)
Although I encountered no problems
with the Phoenix-80 ESC, I recommend the
High Voltage version of this controller for use
in the Edge 540T. The Phoenix-80 was
mounted, or stuffed, into the space between
the frames of the fuel-tank area and the outer sheeting near the
firewall. I routed the motor wires through the firewall to the motor.
CG: At first I mounted the components such as the receiver and
receiver battery in their positions near the front of the Edge, as
recommended in the instruction manual. This made the model
nose-heavy, so I moved the receiver and battery farther aft so
that the receiver was behind the wing tube and the 4.8-volt
battery was just aft of the wing TE. This shifted the CG aft so
only a half ounce of weight was required in the tail to bring the
CG to the location specified in the instructions.
The electric-powered Edge 540T came out at 6.5 pounds,
which exceeds the normal weight of 6 pounds. The increased
weight only raised the wing loading from 22.3 ounces per square
foot to 24.2 ounces per square foot, which equated to less than an
8% increase from the glow-powered version.
Flying: Flying the electric-powered Edge 540T was spectacular.
The takeoff distance was approximately 30 feet, which easily
transitioned to a steep climb to altitude when demanded. Little
trim was required for hands-off flying.
Photos by the author
An APC 16 x 8 sport propeller was tested and proven to offer the best overall
performance. The stock aluminum landing gear offers just enough clearance.
The model was capable of almost any aerobatic maneuver,
and it was even able to hang on the propeller for quite awhile.
Large loops were easy to perform, and the roll rate could be
fast if high rates were used.
With the Edge 540T’s low wing loading, landings were
easy to make and the airplane was capable of perfect threepoint
landings. With this conversion 10-minute flights with
constant aerobatics were achieved, and there was battery
power to spare.
The Pacific Aeromodel 40-size Edge 540T makes a fantastic
electric conversion with a low wing loading and high powerto-
weight ratio. With the advances in motors and lightweight,
high-power batteries, electric-powered models do not have to
be slow and underpowered.
A fully aerobatic-capable electric airplane such as the Edge
540T is possible utilizing the convenience and quick assembly
of an ARF. This model’s conversion to electric power has
exceeded my expectations. MA
Steve Ciambrone
[email protected]
Build the front and back plates of
the box from 1/8 birch plywood
and the other three pieces from
1/16 birch plywood. Reinforce the
corners as shown with 1/8 balsa
gussets.
Motor Mount
Adapter Box
Type: RC semiscale ARF
Pilot skill level: Advanced
Wingspan: 59 inches
Wing area: 620 square inches
Length: 52.5 inches
Weight: 6 pounds
Wing loading: 22.3 ounces per square
foot
Power (recommended): .40-.53 twostroke,
.52-.72 four-stroke
Radio: Four channels (minimum), five
standard servos
Construction: Balsa and light plywood,
fiberglass cowl and wheel pants,
aluminum landing gear, clear canopy
Covering/finish: Heat-shrink film
covering, fuelproof paint
Price: $199.99
Specifications
Motor: PAM-5065-09 outrunner
Battery: Thunder Power 4000 mA Li-
Poly cells (THP4000-3S2P [two])
Propeller: APC 16 x 8
Motor current: 31.6 amps
Motor voltage: 21.3 volts
Motor output: 666 watts at 6,500 rpm
Radio system: Hitec Supreme HFD-
08RD receiver, five Hitec HS-325HB ballbearing
servos, Y harness, Castle
Creations Phoenix-80 ESC, Cermark 750
mAh receiver battery
Ready-to-fly weight: 6.5 pounds
Flight duration: Exceeds 10 minutes
Test-Model Details
+
• Lightweight construction.
• Larger than the typical 40-size
aerobatic model.
• Two-piece wing.
• Large top hatch for easy access. -• Assembly manual could have been
clearer.
Pluses and Minuses
Manufacturer/Distributor:
Pacific Aeromodel Manufacturing, Inc.
12368 Valley Blvd. Suite 109
El Monte CA 91732
(626) 618-0300
www.pacaeromodel.com
Items Used in Review:
Flight batteries:
Thunder Power Batteries
4720 W. University Ave.
Las Vegas NV 89103
(702) 228-8883
[email protected]
www.thunderpower-batteries.com
Electronic Speed Control:
Castle Creations
235 S. Kansas Ave.
Olathe KS 66061
(913) 390-6164
[email protected]
www.castlecreations.com
Radio system:
Hitec RCD USA, Inc.
12115 Paine St.
Poway CA 92064
(858) 748-6948
www.hitecrcd.com
Receiver battery:
Cermark
9830 Bell Ranch Dr.
Santa Fe Springs CA 90670
(562) 906-0808 (information only)
[email protected]
www.cermark.com
Electric motor, spinner:
Pacific Aeromodel Manufacturing, Inc.
Propeller:
Landing Products
1222 Harter
Woodland CA 95776
(503) 661-0399
[email protected]
www.apcprop.com
Additional Resources:
RC Groups
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.p
hp?t=258377&highlight=edge
Model Airplane News (January 2006)
magazine
100 E. Ridge
Ridgefield CT 06877
(203) 431-9000
http://modelairplanenews.com/
56 MODEL AVIATION
APC Propeller Volts Amps Watts Thrust (ounces) rpm Pitch Speed (mph)
13 x 10E 21.8 20.7 454 57 7,000 70.0
14 x 10E 21.3 24.0 512 69 6,700 67.0
14 x 12E 20.9 27.3 570 61 6,500 78.0
15 x 8 21.7 26.8 595 88 6,800 54.4
15 x 8E 22.0 28.2 610 91 6,800 54.4
15 x 10E 21.4 31.4 660 84 6,600 66.0
*16 x 8 21.3 31.6 666 106 6,500 52.0
16 x 10E 20.6 37.1 770 96 6,300 63.0
*Propeller selected