Worth a Closer Look
This is the second of a two-part "Worth a Closer Look" devoted to some of the new items at this year's Weak Signals show in Toledo, Ohio. With this limited space, we can't show everything, but following are a few new engines, radios, and hardware that caught our eye.
SkyWriter Onboard Smoke Pump
Sullivan Products was at the expo showing its new SkyWriter Onboard Smoke Pump. It is electronically controlled and designed for onboard smoke systems.
The pump is lightweight and has a miniature microprocessor-controlled, electronic pulse-drive speed control. You can set the smoke rate with your transmitter's trim and mix the smoke with the throttle channel if desired. The pump features an ultrasonically sealed direct-drive pump head.
Specifications and features:
- Requires a 6- or 12-volt battery pack for power
- Weight: 3.9 ounces
- Size: 3.8 in x 1.4 in x 1.4 in
- Includes a filter, smoke tubing, and an antisiphon valve
Street price: $74.99
Sullivan Products: 1 North Haven St., Baltimore, MD 21224; Tel.: (410) 732-3500; Web site: www.sullivanproducts.com
FunSonic FS52AS Turbine
Robart is becoming the exclusive distributor of the new FunSonic USA turbine. The FS52AS is a small unit that produces substantial thrust.
Key specs:
- Thrust: 12 pounds
- Core diameter: 3.2 inches
- Length: 9.2 inches
- Unit weight: 1.5 pounds
- Weight with support equipment: 2.5 pounds
Included with the FS52AS:
- TCU (throttle control unit)
- SDU (startup display unit)
- Fuel pump
- 6-volt battery
- Connectors and tubing
- Gas valve, mounting strap, and hardware
The unit is undergoing AMA certification. Retail price: $2,395
Robart Manufacturing: Box 1247, Saint Charles, IL 60174
Micro Lighting System
Maxx Products International introduced the Micro Lighting System for park flyers. The system consists of six superbright LEDs, each presoldered to 24-inch leads, two plug-in connectors, and the controller. The complete system weighs just a half ounce; you can reduce the weight further by shortening the LED leads to the correct length.
Features:
- Plugs into a spare receiver slot and uses the main battery (no separate power source)
- Controller has two connectors: one for constant light and one for flashing lights
- Adjustable flash duration and flash rate
Street price: $25.95
Maxx Products International: 815 Oakwood Rd., Unit D, Lake Zurich, IL 60047; Tel.: (847) 438-2233; Web site: www.maxxprod.com
Evolution .61NT
Horizon Hobby's latest addition to the Evolution line, the .61NT, is designed to let sport pilots spend more time flying and less time fiddling with needle adjustments. It features the SetRight needle valve assembly that prevents overlean or over-rich settings.
Key specs and features:
- Displacement: .605 cubic inches
- Weight: 25.1 ounces
- Recommended prop: 12 x 6 (engine can spin it at 12,000 rpm)
- Dual ball bearings supporting the crankshaft
- Glow plug canted rearward (tilts the glow driver away from the propeller for safer starts)
- Comes complete with muffler and a remote needle valve
Street price: $119.99
Horizon Hobby Distributors: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com
Heavy Duty Control Horn System
Du-Bro's Heavy Duty Control Horn System was designed with big models in mind. The large control horn provides plenty of clearance from the hinge line and features robust hardware for secure installations.
Features and components (per package of two):
- 1-5/32-inch-long control horn
- Injection-molded control horn that is self-tapping (no slop in threads)
- 8-32 x 2-inch socket-head bolt
- Injection-molded plastic washer
- Aluminum support with a hex shape for easy tightening
- Injection-molded heavy-duty clevis (self-tapping for 4-40 rods)
- Swiss-machined aluminum pin with a precision fit
- Steel cotter pin to securely hold the aluminum pin in place
Street price: $7.50 (sold in packages of two)
Du-Bro: Box 815, Wauconda, IL 60084; Tel.: (800) 848-9411; Fax: (847) 526-1604; Web site: www.dubro.com
Heading Lock Gyros
Horizon Hobby displayed two new gyros from CSM: the HLG200 and the SL560.
HLG200:
- Compatible with all major radio systems
- Built-in exponential for smooth stick response
- Simple installation with a single gain adjustment
- Street price: $99.99
SL560:
- Pro-level heading-lock gyro with advanced features
- Outstanding holding accuracy and zero drift from flight to flight
- Locks back in immediately after stick release, even at high gain settings used for pirouetting maneuvers
- Includes a programming interface
- Street price: $199.99
- Six-model memory
- All-channel servo reversing
- Endpoint adjustment on all channels
- Dual rates and exponential
- Flaperon, V-tail, elevon, and wing-type selection
- Digital trims
- Throttle-cut switch (stops the engine when flipped twice within one second)
- Switch for retracts, trainer mode, and dual rates
- Flaps controlled via a knob on the top left panel
- Three switches on the lower face: slide the right switch to the channel to adjust, then use the two left push buttons to change settings
- R127DF receiver
- Four S3004 servos
- Rechargeable Ni-Cd batteries
- G-34
- G-51
- G-90
- G-2300
- G-4500
6EXA Six-Channel FM Radio
Great Planes showed the Futaba 6EXA six-channel radio system, geared toward beginner and average airplane pilots. This computerized transmitter uses simplified programming for easy setup.
Features:
Programming:
Package includes:
Street price for the package: $199.95
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign, IL 61826; Tel.: (800) 682-8948; Web site: www.hobbico.com
SuperTigre Engines
Great Planes announced that the SuperTigre engine line is coming back. Great Planes has bought the engine line and, with a new manufacturing facility, production of engines and replacement parts should be easier.
Initial engines to be offered:
No official date was set, but expect these engines to be offered sometime this summer.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
