Vision Aire-2013/04

The VisionAire comfortably  lls the
role of a sport aircra and 3-D trainer.
The addition of the AS3X stabilization
system builds con dence when trying
new maneuvers.
In October 2011, at a press conference at the iHobby
trade show in Chicago, Horizon Hobby unveiled the
AS3X stabilization system that would be found in three
new releases: the UMX Beast 3D, UMX Hyper Taxi, and
UMX Gee Bee R2.
Although Mike McConville and Seth Arnold shared how
this technology would make ultramicro aircraft fl y with the
same stability as their larger counterparts, I couldn’t help
but think about using this technology in larger models.
When they opened the presentation to questions, I
asked if this new technology would be available for park
fl yer aircraft. Slightly more than a year later, I have my
answer in the ParkZone VisionAire—the fi rst park fl yer
with the AS3X stabilization system!
For those new to AS3X, the manual provides the
following explanation:
“Horizon Hobby has always made RC sport, Scale, and
unique aircraft with the kind of performance experts
appreciate. First used in Blade ultra micro fl ybarless
helicopters, MEMS sensor technology within the Artifi cial
Stability—3 aXis (AS3X) System has been specifi cally tuned
for airplanes helping invisibly correct for turbulence, torque,
and tip stalls.
“The outstanding control agility delivers an ultra smooth,
locked-in feel that obeys your every command with
performance that’s natural feeling. It’s so gratifying, in fact,
that it’s as though you’re the RC pilot of an expertly tuned,
Giant Scale aircraft. Welcome to AS3X, your park fl yer will
never be the same!”
Assembly
The VisionAire comes out of the box nearly ready to fl y. If
it were any more complete, it would need a larger shipping
container. Although it’s tempting to jump in and get it
built, I recommend taking the time to thoroughly read the
manual, paying extra attention to programming your radio
to work with the Spektrum AR635 receiver. If you have a
DX18, DX8, or DX7s you can download and install the
radio setup from the VisionAire product page.
Assembly requires no glue and only three different sizes
of screws. The smallest screws, four of them, are used for
attaching the landing gear cover. The next largest set uses
one to attach the receiver cover, and the fi nal set secures the
wings. I received extra of each size in my hardware pack.
When it comes to attaching the tail, half of the work
is already done, because the rudder is premounted. The
horizontal stabilizer uses a carbon-fi ber tube for support
and the two halves simply slide onto the tube, much like the
wing.
A small plastic joiner and eight pieces of tape hold the
horizontal stabilizer in place.
The low parts count means less time building, but be sure to thoroughly read the manual.
The clear receiver cover provides access to the receiver, rudder, and elevator servos. It also allows line of sight of the LEDs on the AR635 receiver for use in programming as well as determining the number of holds that have occurred since the receiver was last powered on.
Next up are the wings and the “wing fences” that others may refer to as side-force generators. The right and left wing fences are marked and the bottom set has integrated plastic skids to protect them. They fit snugly in slots in the wings and are held in place using the included double-sided tape. Use a touch of CA where the upper and lower wing fences meet on the front of the wing.
Slide the wing tube into the fuselage and attach the wings using the aforementioned screws to secure them. The servo leads are fed into the receiver compartment and plugged into the Y harness. It is important that the aileron servos are plugged into the harness and not connected to the receiver for proper function of the AS3X stabilization system.
The CG was marked on the bottom of the wing by sticking two small pieces of the supplied hook-and-loop fastener at 4.5 inches back from the LE at the root. This allows the CG to be easily located without having to look for marks on the wing.
With the supplied battery, the CG was easily obtained. The battery bay provides enough room to shift the battery forward or backward.
AS3X
Although the AS3X provides some great benefits to the stabilization of the aircraft, it also requires extra care when setting up the model. It is important to ensure that all adjustments are made to the linkages.
Subtrims should not be used to make fine adjustments; off-center subtrim will affect servo travel and AS3X operation. Servo travel on computer radios should be set to 125%.
The manual provides information about configuring the Spektrum AR635 receiver for different transmitters. On the DX18, Channel 5 is used to control the AS3X flight modes. Position 0 is General Flight mode and position 1 is 3-D Flight mode.
It is recommended that a control
SPECIFICATIONS
Model type: Park flyer
Skill level: Beginner builder; intermediate pilot
Wingspan: 45 inches
Wing area: 539 square inches
Airfoil: Symmetrical
Length: 42.5 inches
Weight: 43.7 ounces
Power system: 10-size BL10 brushless motor (included); 40-amp brushless ESC (included); 2200 mAh 3S 25C LiPo battery (included); 12 x 4 electric propeller (included)
Radio: Four-channel DSM2- or DSMX-compatible transmitter
Construction/finish: Z-Foam with decals
Street price: $299.99
TEST-MODEL DETAILS
Motor: E-flite BL10 brushless outrunner (included)
ESC: E-flite 40-amp Lite Pro V2 Switch-Mode BEC brushless ESC (included)
Battery: ParkZone 2200 mAh 3S 25C LiPo (included)
Propeller: 12 x 4 electric propeller (included)
Radio system: Spektrum DX18
Ready-to-fly weight: 43.7 ounces
Flight duration: 5 to 6 minutes
AR635 SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: DSM2/DSMX AS3X receiver
Channels: Six
Modulation: DSM2/DSMX
Dimension: (W x L x H): 22 x 56 x 14mm
Weight: 13.2 grams
Input voltage range: 3.5 to 8.5 volts
Resolution: 2048
Compatibility: All DSM2/DSMX aircraft transmitters
PLUSES
• Easy to assemble.
• AS3X supports computer and non-computer
radios.
• Rigid, lightweight airframe.
• Double-beveled hinges for large control
surface throws.
• Stabilization instills confidence when trying
new maneuvers.
MINUSES
• AR635 receiver manual not included
(available online).
• The manual states that trim or subtrim
cannot be used with 3-D Mode.
AT A GLANCE ...
Zach Miller hovers the VisonAire with
ease. He says it’s an excellent 3-D trainer.
Quique Somenzini demonstrated the
VisionAire’s 3-D capabilities at the
AMA Expo in Ontario CA.
MA Digital Bonus Content!
See videos and bonus photos of the
VisionAire online and in our tablet edition.
Visit www.ModelAviation.com/visionaire.
I like to keep a little power all
the way to touchdown so that
the control surfaces remain responsive.
3-D Flight
Although I have dabbled with hovering and 3-D fl ight, I
enlisted the help of Zach Miller, who shared his thoughts
and experiences fl ying 3-D with the VisionAire:
The VisionAire is an awesome 3-D trainer and more!
Even if you are a 3-D expert, don’t be turned off by the
VisionAire’s ease of 3-D; it will still satisfy your 3-D needs.
Slow fl ying on the VisionAire is extremely easy and
the VisionAire’s strong point. Harriers are stable and
require very little input on the controls. They can be fl own
extremely slowly with little to no wing rock.
The VisionAire slows down well. After you get it into the
position you want, it simply stays there. This is where the
AS3X stabilization helps; however, if you get into that angle of
attack between stall and post stall, wing rocking may arise.
The VisionAire hovers gracefully, but you have to be
gentle on the sticks. If you get too rough on the sticks, it can
get out of hand. The AS3X is of benefi t here also. Even in
high wind, you hardly need any input to sustain a hover.
Rolling harriers require slightly more rudder and elevator
input. After you get used to the inputs, this airplane
performs them well!
Knife-edges are awesome! For high-alpha knife-edge, you
have to input a good amount of rudder to keep the model in
the air. You also have to have the wings at 90° to the ground
or close to it. If not, the airplane will roll out. High-speed
knife-edges are not as picky. They are nice.
Tumbles are extremely fun with this airplane. Zach had
fun simply going full throttle, pulling vertical, and slamming
the sticks to the corners. The tumbles are not extremely
violent.
The VisionAire has a decent amount of power and it will
pull out of a hover, but not quickly. It feels as though it is
struggling, however, fl ying in freezing temperatures may be
partly to blame.
Overall, the VisionAire is an amazing fl ier and can do
awesome 3-D with ease! The AS3X stabilization helps with
SOURCES:
Spektrum RC
(800) 338-4639
www.spektrumrc.com
3-D maneuvers and the wind! The
VisionAire has become Zach’s new
favorite airplane for “low-and-slow”
3-D!
Conclusion
Several things were impressive
about the VisionAire—from its ease
of assembly, to the support of both
non-computer and computer radios, to
its fl ying capabilities paired with the
AS3X stabilization system.
For those using a Spektrum DX7s,
DX8, or DX18 radio, you can even
download the setup fi le, which is
customized for the VisionAire and
located under “manuals and support”
on the product page of Horizon
Hobby’s website.
The AS3X stabilization system provides pilots with
a “helping hand,” which builds confi dence and affords
the opportunity to focus on learning and perfecting new
maneuvers and skills with the ability to adjust the amount
of stabilization, via the gain, or turn it off when the pilot
becomes comfortable with his or her fl ying.
I look forward to using the VisionAire to further perfect
my slow-rolling harriers and hovering with the wheels facing
me.
Be sure to visit www.ModelAviation.com to see my
interview with Quique Somenzini about the VisionAire,
as well as a video of his indoor fl ight with the model at AMA
Expo 2013.
—Jay Smith
[email protected]
MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR:
ParkZone/Horizon Hobby
(800) 338-4639
www.parkzone.com

The VisionAire comfortably  lls the
role of a sport aircra and 3-D trainer.
The addition of the AS3X stabilization
system builds con dence when trying
new maneuvers.
In October 2011, at a press conference at the iHobby
trade show in Chicago, Horizon Hobby unveiled the
AS3X stabilization system that would be found in three
new releases: the UMX Beast 3D, UMX Hyper Taxi, and
UMX Gee Bee R2.
Although Mike McConville and Seth Arnold shared how
this technology would make ultramicro aircraft fl y with the
same stability as their larger counterparts, I couldn’t help
but think about using this technology in larger models.
When they opened the presentation to questions, I
asked if this new technology would be available for park
fl yer aircraft. Slightly more than a year later, I have my
answer in the ParkZone VisionAire—the fi rst park fl yer
with the AS3X stabilization system!
For those new to AS3X, the manual provides the
following explanation:
“Horizon Hobby has always made RC sport, Scale, and
unique aircraft with the kind of performance experts
appreciate. First used in Blade ultra micro fl ybarless
helicopters, MEMS sensor technology within the Artifi cial
Stability—3 aXis (AS3X) System has been specifi cally tuned
for airplanes helping invisibly correct for turbulence, torque,
and tip stalls.
“The outstanding control agility delivers an ultra smooth,
locked-in feel that obeys your every command with
performance that’s natural feeling. It’s so gratifying, in fact,
that it’s as though you’re the RC pilot of an expertly tuned,
Giant Scale aircraft. Welcome to AS3X, your park fl yer will
never be the same!”
Assembly
The VisionAire comes out of the box nearly ready to fl y. If
it were any more complete, it would need a larger shipping
container. Although it’s tempting to jump in and get it
built, I recommend taking the time to thoroughly read the
manual, paying extra attention to programming your radio
to work with the Spektrum AR635 receiver. If you have a
DX18, DX8, or DX7s you can download and install the
radio setup from the VisionAire product page.
Assembly requires no glue and only three different sizes
of screws. The smallest screws, four of them, are used for
attaching the landing gear cover. The next largest set uses
one to attach the receiver cover, and the fi nal set secures the
wings. I received extra of each size in my hardware pack.
When it comes to attaching the tail, half of the work
is already done, because the rudder is premounted. The
horizontal stabilizer uses a carbon-fi ber tube for support
and the two halves simply slide onto the tube, much like the
wing.
A small plastic joiner and eight pieces of tape hold the
horizontal stabilizer in place.
The low parts count means less time building, but be sure to thoroughly read the manual.
The clear receiver cover provides access to the receiver, rudder, and elevator servos. It also allows line of sight of the LEDs on the AR635 receiver for use in programming as well as determining the number of holds that have occurred since the receiver was last powered on.
Next up are the wings and the “wing fences” that others may refer to as side-force generators. The right and left wing fences are marked and the bottom set has integrated plastic skids to protect them. They fit snugly in slots in the wings and are held in place using the included double-sided tape. Use a touch of CA where the upper and lower wing fences meet on the front of the wing.
Slide the wing tube into the fuselage and attach the wings using the aforementioned screws to secure them. The servo leads are fed into the receiver compartment and plugged into the Y harness. It is important that the aileron servos are plugged into the harness and not connected to the receiver for proper function of the AS3X stabilization system.
The CG was marked on the bottom of the wing by sticking two small pieces of the supplied hook-and-loop fastener at 4.5 inches back from the LE at the root. This allows the CG to be easily located without having to look for marks on the wing.
With the supplied battery, the CG was easily obtained. The battery bay provides enough room to shift the battery forward or backward.
AS3X
Although the AS3X provides some great benefits to the stabilization of the aircraft, it also requires extra care when setting up the model. It is important to ensure that all adjustments are made to the linkages.
Subtrims should not be used to make fine adjustments; off-center subtrim will affect servo travel and AS3X operation. Servo travel on computer radios should be set to 125%.
The manual provides information about configuring the Spektrum AR635 receiver for different transmitters. On the DX18, Channel 5 is used to control the AS3X flight modes. Position 0 is General Flight mode and position 1 is 3-D Flight mode.
It is recommended that a control
SPECIFICATIONS
Model type: Park flyer
Skill level: Beginner builder; intermediate pilot
Wingspan: 45 inches
Wing area: 539 square inches
Airfoil: Symmetrical
Length: 42.5 inches
Weight: 43.7 ounces
Power system: 10-size BL10 brushless motor (included); 40-amp brushless ESC (included); 2200 mAh 3S 25C LiPo battery (included); 12 x 4 electric propeller (included)
Radio: Four-channel DSM2- or DSMX-compatible transmitter
Construction/finish: Z-Foam with decals
Street price: $299.99
TEST-MODEL DETAILS
Motor: E-flite BL10 brushless outrunner (included)
ESC: E-flite 40-amp Lite Pro V2 Switch-Mode BEC brushless ESC (included)
Battery: ParkZone 2200 mAh 3S 25C LiPo (included)
Propeller: 12 x 4 electric propeller (included)
Radio system: Spektrum DX18
Ready-to-fly weight: 43.7 ounces
Flight duration: 5 to 6 minutes
AR635 SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: DSM2/DSMX AS3X receiver
Channels: Six
Modulation: DSM2/DSMX
Dimension: (W x L x H): 22 x 56 x 14mm
Weight: 13.2 grams
Input voltage range: 3.5 to 8.5 volts
Resolution: 2048
Compatibility: All DSM2/DSMX aircraft transmitters
PLUSES
• Easy to assemble.
• AS3X supports computer and non-computer
radios.
• Rigid, lightweight airframe.
• Double-beveled hinges for large control
surface throws.
• Stabilization instills confidence when trying
new maneuvers.
MINUSES
• AR635 receiver manual not included
(available online).
• The manual states that trim or subtrim
cannot be used with 3-D Mode.
AT A GLANCE ...
Zach Miller hovers the VisonAire with
ease. He says it’s an excellent 3-D trainer.
Quique Somenzini demonstrated the
VisionAire’s 3-D capabilities at the
AMA Expo in Ontario CA.
MA Digital Bonus Content!
See videos and bonus photos of the
VisionAire online and in our tablet edition.
Visit www.ModelAviation.com/visionaire.
I like to keep a little power all
the way to touchdown so that
the control surfaces remain responsive.
3-D Flight
Although I have dabbled with hovering and 3-D fl ight, I
enlisted the help of Zach Miller, who shared his thoughts
and experiences fl ying 3-D with the VisionAire:
The VisionAire is an awesome 3-D trainer and more!
Even if you are a 3-D expert, don’t be turned off by the
VisionAire’s ease of 3-D; it will still satisfy your 3-D needs.
Slow fl ying on the VisionAire is extremely easy and
the VisionAire’s strong point. Harriers are stable and
require very little input on the controls. They can be fl own
extremely slowly with little to no wing rock.
The VisionAire slows down well. After you get it into the
position you want, it simply stays there. This is where the
AS3X stabilization helps; however, if you get into that angle of
attack between stall and post stall, wing rocking may arise.
The VisionAire hovers gracefully, but you have to be
gentle on the sticks. If you get too rough on the sticks, it can
get out of hand. The AS3X is of benefi t here also. Even in
high wind, you hardly need any input to sustain a hover.
Rolling harriers require slightly more rudder and elevator
input. After you get used to the inputs, this airplane
performs them well!
Knife-edges are awesome! For high-alpha knife-edge, you
have to input a good amount of rudder to keep the model in
the air. You also have to have the wings at 90° to the ground
or close to it. If not, the airplane will roll out. High-speed
knife-edges are not as picky. They are nice.
Tumbles are extremely fun with this airplane. Zach had
fun simply going full throttle, pulling vertical, and slamming
the sticks to the corners. The tumbles are not extremely
violent.
The VisionAire has a decent amount of power and it will
pull out of a hover, but not quickly. It feels as though it is
struggling, however, fl ying in freezing temperatures may be
partly to blame.
Overall, the VisionAire is an amazing fl ier and can do
awesome 3-D with ease! The AS3X stabilization helps with
SOURCES:
Spektrum RC
(800) 338-4639
www.spektrumrc.com
3-D maneuvers and the wind! The
VisionAire has become Zach’s new
favorite airplane for “low-and-slow”
3-D!
Conclusion
Several things were impressive
about the VisionAire—from its ease
of assembly, to the support of both
non-computer and computer radios, to
its fl ying capabilities paired with the
AS3X stabilization system.
For those using a Spektrum DX7s,
DX8, or DX18 radio, you can even
download the setup fi le, which is
customized for the VisionAire and
located under “manuals and support”
on the product page of Horizon
Hobby’s website.
The AS3X stabilization system provides pilots with
a “helping hand,” which builds confi dence and affords
the opportunity to focus on learning and perfecting new
maneuvers and skills with the ability to adjust the amount
of stabilization, via the gain, or turn it off when the pilot
becomes comfortable with his or her fl ying.
I look forward to using the VisionAire to further perfect
my slow-rolling harriers and hovering with the wheels facing
me.
Be sure to visit www.ModelAviation.com to see my
interview with Quique Somenzini about the VisionAire,
as well as a video of his indoor fl ight with the model at AMA
Expo 2013.
—Jay Smith
[email protected]
MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR:
ParkZone/Horizon Hobby
(800) 338-4639
www.parkzone.com