Product Spotlight
RC Airogrip Airopult
When it comes to securing a gas or glow model, we have seen several options—everything from having someone hold the aircraft to a stake and a piece of rope. Most of the restraining devices that don't involve another human being may keep the aircraft from lurching forward, but they don't prevent the model from moving backward when trying to use a starter or hand propping the aircraft.
The Airopult solves these issues by safely securing your aircraft without the need of another person or relying on an inadequate restraint. The Airopult is designed to be used on grass or dirt and is secured by two 150mm x 6mm flat-head nails, which are not included. When using the Airopult on a hard surface such as concrete, two 100mm x 8mm coach bolts are recommended, but not included.
The heart of the device is the release assembly, which includes the foot pedal and hinged, padded restraints for the tail. The restraints can be adjusted to accommodate fuselages of different widths. Four extension arms that plug into the release assembly and prevent the model from rolling backward by securing the landing gear are included.
It will work with aircraft that don't exceed 1.3 meters from the front LE of the tail to the back of the landing gear. The landing gear restraints can be adjusted along the extension arms and can also be used to restrain tricycle landing gear.
After all of the proper adjustments have been made to match a specific aircraft, you can safely start your model without worrying that it will roll forward or backward. When you are ready to release the aircraft, depress the safety located on the right side of the foot pedal and then step on the pedal. The hinged, padded restraints will fall forward releasing the aircraft.
We used the Airopult through a day of flying a Taylorcraft. The only issue we had was one of the hinged restraints stuck slightly when we first began. Using Airopult provides peace of mind that your aircraft is safely secured. Those using an electric starter will appreciate not having to try to keep the airplane from rolling backward.
If you are looking for a portable and reliable restraint for your model aircraft, the RC Airogrip Airopult is certainly one to consider.
RC Airogrip: C/Jorge Luis Borges, 12, Algorfa, Alicante, Spain; email: [email protected]; website: www.airopult.com
ESPRIT MODEL STANDBOX
If you build it, you'll need to store it. How to store and transport your aircraft is not one of the topics often discussed when you start out in the hobby of flying models.
Most of us assume in the beginning that three or four airplanes are all we will need to satisfy our urge to take flight, but as your air force grows, storage can become an issue.
Esprit Model has come up with StandBox, an innovative and flexible modular system that can be used for building, maintenance, transporting, and storing our model airplanes. StandBox, priced at $59 to $65, can be used with airplanes and sailplanes with wingspans of up to 1.5 meters.
StandBox can be customized to fit your aircraft without using glue, thanks to its foam parts and plastic clips that can easily be adjusted. Using dovetail joints makes it possible to set it up in several configurations and combine parts to make a stand that will hold two or three models up to 1.5 meters tall.
We utilized the glider version to easily and safely store a Bandit Hotliner in the configuration pictured. Transporting the model to the field couldn't be simpler. Everything is contained and easy to carry thanks to the handle.
The airplane version was used to protect a 47-inch Extra. Also smartly configured within the StandBox is a place to keep your carbon-fiber wing tube, ensuring when the role of storing your aircraft is changed to transporting it, all of the necessary components are along for the ride.
Different StandBox configurations can be combined to make an airplane rack by simply stacking them up to 1.5 meters. Using it as a rack provides a lightweight storage unit that can easily be moved, instead of being attached to a wall.
The foam is lightweight and durable, providing a soft cradle for foam or wood models. After you have one of the base sets, additional pieces can be purchased to provide more storage options.
We liked the outside-the-box thinking employed to develop this handy tool for storing, transporting, and maintaining our models.
Esprit Model: 1240 Clearmont St. NE Unit #12 Palm Bay FL 32905; Tel.: (321) 729-4287; website: www.espritmodel.com
Hitec LiPo Checker @ $19.99 + S&H from Hitec RCD, 12115 Paine St., Poway CA 92064; Tel.: (858) 748-6948; website: www.hitecrcd.com
Hitec RCD's new LiPo Checker makes balancing and checking batteries convenient and accurate with an easy-to-read LCD display and built-in safety features.
The battery checking function reviews the voltage of each cell in a LiPo pack while displaying the remaining total capacity. The balance function equalizes the individual voltages of each cell, until the difference between each reaches 0.01 volts or less.
An adapter for Thunder Power- and Flight Power-style plugs is included. The LiPo Checker should only be used on LiPo battery packs from 2S up to 6S.
RealFlight 6.5 RC Flight Simulator @ $199.99 + S&H from Great Planes Model Distributors, Box 9021, Champaign IL 61826; Tel.: (800) 637-7660; website: www.realflight.com
RealFlight just got better with the introduction of RealFlight 6.5 RC Flight Simulator software.
The addition of TrueView offers realism and the visual impact of full-spectrum daylight. Colors are brighter and truer, with sharper contrasts and details. The Welcome Screen is another new addition, appearing after RealFlight 6.5 is launched. Options on it include the Tip of the Day, shortcuts for aircraft and flying site favorites selections, and a built-in video player for helpful training videos.
Other enhancements include new graphics settings and controller calibration screens, NavGuide customizing options, Smart Binocular Vision, new physics for airplanes and helicopters, and more than 70 airplanes, 20 helicopters, and 40 flying field choices. RealFlight 6.5 still offers all of the other features and functions it is known for, including the InterLink Elite Controller modeled after a real RC transmitter. The choice of an Airplane Mega Pack with more than 35 extra airplanes, or a Heli Mega Pack with more than 45 additional helicopters, is available free with this software.
Heli-Max 1SQ Quadcopter @ $79.99-99.99 + S&H from Great Planes Model Distributors, Box 9021, Champaign IL 61826; Tel.: (800) 637-7660; website: www.helimax-rc.com
The Heli-Max 1SQ makes quadcopter flying so stable that anyone can fly it. With a length and width of 5.7 inches, at 1.1 ounces with battery, the ready-to-fly 1SQ features a three-axes gyro system with Heli-Max TAGS technology. TAGS offers easier control than any other single-axis gyro by stabilizing all three axes (yaw, roll, and pitch) to prevent external forces from affecting performance. The 1SQ is perfect for flying around the living room, or can be flown outdoors in light wind. The molded plastic and composite parts are durable and can withstand hard knocks.
Choose from Transmitter-Ready or the RTF version, which includes a 2.4 GHz radio with beginner and expert modes. Both versions come with a 1S 150 mAh LiPo battery, a USB-compatible charger, and an extra set of blades.
iKON Flybarless System @ $224.99 + S&H from HeliDirect, LLC; 730 Eastern Ave., Unit 096, Malden MA 02148; Tel.: (877) 439-4354; website: www.helidirect.com
MSH, the makers of the Brain Flybarless System, now bring to helicopters the iKON flybarless flight control system. Compatible with nitro and electric helicopters, the iKON supports Spektrum DSM2 and DSMX satellite receivers, as well as Futaba S-Bus receivers.
This unit utilizes new vibration-dampening technology to isolate vibrations, resulting in solid flight and true, direct flight performance. The simplified wizard utilizes an easy-to-follow setup, allowing the modeler to spend less time tuning and more time flying.
The auto-leveling technology allows a recovery from any orientation, while the built-in governor allows the modeler to dial in the rotor speed that suits his or her style by incorporating a selectable three-switch flight mode program with fully adjustable flight mode parameters. No ancillary device is needed.
Firmware updates are available via a computer using the onboard USB mini connecter and included USB adapter. The iKON system also includes an adhesive vibration-isolation mounting pad.
Let Model DFS Habicht ARF Super Scale Sailplane @ $3,490 + S&H from Esprit Model, 1240 Clearmont St. NE #12, Palm Bay FL 32905; Tel.: (321) 729-4287; website: www.espritmodel.com.
Considered one of the best values on the market today, the Let Model DFS Habicht ARF Super Scale Sailplane has been carefully designed and constructed with attention to details. Its low weight and strong structure is unusual for this model of the full-scale aircraft.
The fiberglass fuselage is white or beige, gel coated, and prepainted. The wings are Solartec covered and preinstalled with servo wiring. The windshield has a fiberglass frame and is removable with a scalelike hatch. The realistic cockpit is complete with a dashboard and fiberglass seats. Releasable launch wheels and a tow release are also installed. The foam-core, two-piece wing on the Habicht is fiberglass reinforced. The wing and the removable stabilizer/rudder are made from obeche sheeting.
With a wingspan of 153-1/4 inches, the Habicht’s control surfaces include the ailerons, elevator, rudder, and spoilers. Six to seven channels are required.
TP1527PS Power Supply @ $169.99 + S&H from Thunder Power RC, 4720 W. University Ave., Las Vegas NV 89103; Tel.: (707) 228-8883; website: www.thunderpowerrc.com.
Thunder Power RC’s new dual-output AC to DC switching TP1527PS power supply boasts up to 15-volt, 300-watts or 27-volt, 550-watts DC output power. With enough current to sufficiently run one large-capacity battery charger or two smaller-capacity battery chargers simultaneously, it features a variety of safety features such as low-input voltage protection, over-current protection, over-temperature protection, and short-circuit protection.
With USB, banana plug, and bind-post outputs, the TP1527PS offers maximum versatility. It also has a wide operating temperature of 32°F to 150°F, with dual cooling fans with auto speed control, and built-in power protection circuitry.
The TP152PS has an AC power switch and a 110-volt removable power cord is included.
Seagull Piper PA-24 Comanche 75-91 ARF @ $269.99 + S&H from Horizon Hobby, Inc., 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.horizonhobby.com.
Seagull’s new Piper PA-24 Comanche 75-91 ARF is a scale replica of the civilian aircraft and embraces many of the details of its counterpart, including a highly detailed cockpit with two pilots.
The Comanche is constructed from lightweight balsa and balsa plywood. It features a removable top hatch for easy access to batteries. The shock-absorbing landing gear improves landings, while the painted gear doors add realism. Plug-in wings make it easy to transport the airplane to the flying field.
With an UltraCote covering and painted fiberglass cowling, no finishing is required. A complete hardware pack is included, as well as hardware for electric-power conversion.
If glow power is used, the Comanche requires a 0.60 to 0.75 two-stroke or 0.91 to 1.00 four-stroke engine; a 22.2-volt 6S 5000 mAh LiPo battery is recommended for electric, with a 60-size motor. A five-channel-minimum radio system and seven servos (six for electric power) are required.
Seagull SportCruiser 91-110 ARF @ $289.99 + S&H from Horizon Hobby, Inc., 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.horizonhobby.com.
Horizon Hobby and Seagull introduce the SportCruiser 91-110 ARF, a replica of the full-scale light sport aircraft. This great-flying model is full of details and features for excellent flight performance.
Covered in Hangar 9 UltraCote with preapplied decals, the SportCruiser is made from balsa and plywood, providing lightweight construction. The painted fiberglass cowling has scale detail molded in and requires no finishing. Two pilot figures are included for added realism, while shock-absorbing landing gear with fiberglass fairings delivers great ground handling.
Ready for glow power with a 0.60 to 0.92 two-stroke or 0.91-1.25 four-stroke engine, the SportCruiser can easily be converted to electric power for a 60- to 90-size motor. The conversion hardware is included. All hardware needed for final assembly is also included. A five-channel minimum radio system is required, as are seven standard servos for glow, or six for electric.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
