JR NEX E6-550 HELI COMBO
Roth Heyes helped us with the review of the JR NEX E6-550. Here is what he had to say:
The convenience of the smaller electric machines fits easily into my chaotic lifestyle, but my experience so far has shown that bigger helicopters can offer greater performance. Larger helis also demand a greater investment. What if you want to take your helicopter flying to the next level, but want to do it in a practical way without sacrificing any quality or flight fulfillment?
The JR NEX E6-550 seems to be the answer—even better, it’s the heli experience I never knew I wanted. You get many of the practical benefits that smaller electric helis enjoy, such as using a popular battery that I happen to have for other aircraft, and from what I’ve learned it has the 3-D performance many rave about having in their 600- or 700-class helicopter.
On the same LiPo battery investment, I can fly the JR NEX E6-550 twice doing 3-D and big maneuvers that compare equally on a hard-core 3-D playground with the larger helis. It feels as though my investment in a high-quality helicopter is paying me back with performance that’s really making a difference in my skills as an RC pilot.
Like most popular large-class electric helicopters, the E6-550 is equipped with a torque-tube-driven tail with dual-bearing support. JR engineering comes into play where this machine starts to stand out. Upon a lightweight carbon-fiber frame are all-metal flybarless mechanics that feature 140° CCPM mixing, which offers the smoothest control possible.
The servo mounting system is unique and delivers the greatest possible mechanical advantage—optimum geometry with the setup ease of Sub-Trim Free (STF) adjustment. The main frame is designed to accommodate a wide range of 6S LiPo flight pack sizes from 2,600 up to 5,000 mAh capacities, which can suit nearly any budget, flight time, or performance requirement.
If you’ve built a few helicopters in the past, then you’ve learned that performance has much to do with the radio, servos, power system, and flybarless gyro installed. This is where JR breaks new ground and takes away the guesswork of building a high-performance helicopter by offering a combo package.
You can buy the JR E6-550 as a kit with only the carbon main and tail rotor blades if you want; however, to enjoy the outstanding flight experience I did, you need to get the JR E6-550 combo package complete with a high-speed brushless outrunner motor, fully programmed 75-amp ESC, triple-axis gyro system (also preprogrammed), three digital flybarless servos, and the popular G3500 mini tail rotor servo. Every bolt, every anodized metal part, every wire and gear—genuine JR quality! All I had to provide was my radio and battery. The helicopter was simple to assemble. JR’s reputation for engineering and quality stands strong in my book.
Read the full review, see all of the photos, and watch the flight video online at www.ModelAviation.com.
Horizon Hobby, Inc.: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.jrhelis.com
SKS VIDEO OFFERINGS
Gathering of Eagles
SKS Video Productions got in on the action during the Gathering of Eagles held at the Georgia Model Aviators club near Ball Ground, Georgia. This November 2012 memorial event celebrated the life of modeler Dino DiGiorgio Sr., the founder of the World Miniature Warbird Association (WMWA).
Filmed by Rex Briant, this beautiful flying site was flooded with warbirds during the three-day event. Highlights include Pedro Sanchez flying his B-25, Gale Throne’s Balsa USA D.VII, Patrick Ash’s Fw-190 (cover shot), and personal interviews with each pilot telling you more about the airplanes and components involved in making an eye-catching warbird. A special feature is an interview with Dino DiGiorgio, sharing memories of his father and some history of the WMWA.
A look at this 96-minute video quickly serves as inspiration for a new modeling project. A variety of World War I and II models are only a DVD menu away. Could a warbird be in your future? How about a trip to the 2013 Gathering of Eagles?
Monster Planes
In October 2012, thousands of spectators from across North America arrived at Paradise Field in Lakeland, Florida, to watch as pilots flew huge RC airplanes at the 2012 Monster Planes USA event.
John Burdin guides us through the annual event in a 69-minute video. He highlights the facilities, vendors, and the gathering, but quickly steps aside to let the monster-size aircraft become the stars of the show. Ten pilots and their monster aircraft are featured during the three-day event.
Brian O’Meara kicks off the program with his giant 100-plus-pound Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. Other aircraft include Rich Uravitch’s 109-inch OV-10 Bronco, Rei Gonzalez’s super-fast McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, Ray Prossen’s rotary-engine 40% Waco, and Arnold Marcus’s F8F Bearcat, which graces the cover of the video. As standard with SKS Video Productions’ event coverage, viewers can enjoy the video from the beginning or randomly select pilots through the main menu.
IRCHA
In August 2012, the Academy of Model Aeronautics hosted the world’s largest helicopter event at the International Aeromodelling Center. You don’t have to make the trip to Muncie, Indiana, to enjoy the camaraderie, the fantastic helicopters, and the amazing flying of the 2012 International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association (IRCHA) Jamboree.
This 100-minute DVD, hosted by the well-known and fun-loving "Pinion," features new product debuts and highlights some of the most stunning machines at IRCHA 2012 including 3-D and scale models, antiques, and even turbine-propelled helicopters!
The informal interviews with the helicopters’ owners and pilots give you a behind-the-scenes peek at the unique characteristics of each aircraft and let you learn more about the people who built them.
If you missed IRCHA 2012, then you also missed amazing noon demonstrations flown by some of the world’s top RC helicopter pilots. This DVD takes viewers to the edge of the flightline to observe some of the most awesome flying you’ve ever seen.
SKS Video Productions’ approach to event coverage provides a first-person perspective and brings the excitement of the world’s largest helicopter event into your living room!
Warbirds Over Delaware
Take a trip to the beautiful Lums Pond State Park in Bear, Delaware, without leaving the comfort of your home! This lovely site is the venue of the Delaware R/C Club’s 21st annual Warbirds Over Delaware air show, which is featured in a 106-minute film produced by SKS Video Productions.
Enjoy interviews with many warbird pilots from across the country and listen to them provide an overview of the aircraft they flew at the July 11–15, 2012, event. Those featured include 2012 "Mr. Top Gun" Dave Wigley and his S.E.5a, Charles Kellogg and his six-seat Skyraider, and Bob Underwood and his F6 Hellcat. Feel the thrill as each engine is fired up and the majestic aircraft take to the sky.
This video also features the popular warbirds noontime demonstration during which several airplanes fly at once.
Hear interviews with some of the vendors, which make you feel as though you are watching the show from a lawn chair near the flightline rather than your recliner.
Each release is available on DVD and Blu-ray at a cost of $19.95 for the DVD and $22.95 for Blu-ray.
SKS Video: 85 Pine Rd., Abbottstown, PA 17301; Tel. (800) 988-6488; website: www.sksvideo.com
Product Spotlight-2013/03
DJI Innovations Phantom RTF Quadcopter — $679.99 + S&H
Atlanta Hobby, 6110 Parkway North Dr., Cumming, GA 30040; Tel.: (678) 513-4450; website: www.atlantahobby.com
The DJI Phantom is an RTF quadcopter with a highly integrated design. Complete with its own dedicated 2.4 GHz transmitter, batteries, and charger, the Phantom includes the NAZA-M autopilot flight control system along with a built-in GPS satellite module. Everything is preinstalled, including the GoPro camera mount and high-intensity LED lights that automatically come on when the motors are armed.
Key features:
- Intelligent Orientation Control via a three-way switch
- Course Lock and Home Lock
- Enhanced failsafe and low-voltage protection with Return to Home and auto landing
- Intelligent motor arming for safety
- Multiple flight modes: Manual, Atti, and GPS Atti for stable, easy orientation
- Compact design for easy transport
Jeti Spin Pro 80/100/160-amp SHED ESCs with 5-amp BEC — $120-$175 + S&H
Esprit Model, 1240 Clermont St. NE #12, Palm Bay, FL 32905; Tel.: (321) 729-4287; website: www.espritmodel.com
The new Jeti Spin Pro 80-amp, 100-amp, and 160-amp Slim/Hotliner/Electric Ducted Fan (SHED) ESCs are designed for narrow fuselages and are suitable for airplanes, sailplanes, fixed-pitch, or 3-D helicopters. They support up to eight servos and include a 5-amp, 5.5-volt switching BEC.
Key features:
- Fully programmable without a computer using the included Spin Box
- Data-logging function to check and fine-tune setups (records peak controller temperature, maximum current, minimum current, rpm, motor runtime, and more)
- Immediate-adjustment capability via the Spin Box after a flight
- Two-year warranty and 50% replacement policy
Venom Stronghold Solo Battery Charging Containment System — $59.99 + S&H
Venom, 14028 N. Ohio St., Rathdrum, ID 83858; Tel.: (800) 705-0620; website: www.venom-group.com
The Stronghold Solo is a heavy-duty stamped aluminum box with a hinged lid and shatterproof polycarbonate window, designed to help contain fire and gases by dissipating pressures at a controlled rate. Rated for LiPo batteries up to 60 watt-hours, it comes with a long lead balance block for seamless operation with a charger.
Key features:
- Aluminum carrying handle and snap latch for portability
- Reusable containment system (alternative to single-use LiPo charge sacks)
- Designed to minimize potential damage during charging
MicroLux Resistance Soldering Unit — $169.95 + S&H
Micro-Mark; Tel.: (800) 225-1066; website: www.micromark.com
The MicroLux Resistance Soldering Unit generates heat only at the joint, so parts already soldered won’t fall off when adding new ones. With the ground clip connected, the carbon electrode on the tip of the handpiece is placed in contact with the part to be soldered and the foot switch is stepped on. The transformer passes a safe, low-voltage electrical current through the part, heating it to soldering temperature in seconds. Solder is applied and the foot switch is released, instantly cooling the joint to produce a strong, durable connection.
Includes:
- 63-watt transformer concentrating heat at the joint (heats larger work than a conventional soldering iron at the same power)
- Dual-power outputs for heavy or lightweight parts
- Handpiece and six carbon electrodes
- Ground lead, on/off foot switch, and instructions
Blade 550 X helicopter — $639.99 + S&H
Horizon Hobby, Inc., 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.bladehelis.com
The Blade 550 X is the first professional-level helicopter kit designed from nose to tail with advanced pilots in mind. The kit comes ready to assemble and includes an E-flite Heli 550 1360 Kv brushless outrunner motor, E-flite 130-amp ESC, and E-flite 10-amp BEC. Revolution flybarless 550mm carbon-fiber main blades and a prepainted fiberglass canopy are also included.
Key features:
- Direct-to-swash, flybarless head design
- Carbon-fiber main frames
- Torque-tube-driven tail with aluminum tailboom and case
- CNC-machined aluminum head block and swashplate
- 10mm solid steel main shaft with triple ball-bearing support
- Integrated bearing block servo mount design, dual-point tail pitch slider, and balanced tail grips
Requires:
- Six-plus-channel radio with helicopter programming
- Six-plus-channel receiver
- Three cyclic servos and one tail servo
- 6S 5000 to 6000 mAh 30C LiPo battery
H4 DC/DC Multicharger — $249.99 + S&H
Hitec RCD, 12115 Paine St., Poway, CA 92064; Tel.: (858) 748-6948; website: hitecrcd.com
The H4 DC/DC Multicharger is a four-port, computer-controlled charger with an aluminum design and an easy-to-read backlit graphic display.
Key features:
- Four 120-watt ports with LiPo cell-balancing circuits, each capable of delivering up to 8 amps
- Independent channels can be paired to provide 240-watt ports (flexible port configuration)
- Compatible with LiPo, NiCd, NiMH, and lead acid batteries
- Upgradeable firmware and PC-interface capability using the HPP-22 PC Interface
- Versatility, reliability, and safety features
Great Planes Proud Bird EF1 Sport Racer ARF — $149.99 + S&H
Great Planes Model Manufacturing Company, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Suite 1, Champaign, IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 637-7660; website: www.greatplanes.com
Designed by Pylon racer Jim Allen for both competitive EF1 racing and sport flying, the Proud Bird EF1 can exceed 100 mph and handles sport aerobatics well. The all-wood, built-up airframe has a fiberglass cowl and wheel pants and comes with an all-white MonoKote finish for custom trim schemes. The canopy hatch is magnetically installed and a large compartment fits the required battery.
Requires:
- 11.1 to 14.8-volt, 2200 to 2600 mAh LiPo battery
- .15 to .25 brushless motor
- Four-channel radio with three micro servos
- 47 to 75-amp ESC
ZTW Land Power Brushless Air/Heli ESC — $31.99-$99.99 + S&H
Altitude Hobbies, 1630 Sagewood Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80525; Tel.: (970) 412-7303; website: www.altitudehobbies.com
Based on the ZTW A-series controllers, the ZTW Land Power ESCs are sold exclusively through Altitude Hobbies and include many improvements for airplane and helicopter use.
Key features:
- Next-generation microprocessor technology and new programming features (including adjustable BEC output voltage)
- Larger high-power 6-amp SBEC designed for extreme aerobatics and continuous simultaneous multiple servo operation (ideal for CCPM-equipped 3-D helis)
- Larger heatsink for optimum heat distribution
- Safety thermal overload protection, auto throttle shutdown, and power arming protection
- Available in sizes ranging from 45 to 155 amps, and high-voltage 12s OPTO models
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
