Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/09
Page Numbers: 14,15

Worth a Closer Look
14 MODEL AVIATION
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.
FunSonic FS52AS Turbine
When you think of turbine manufacturers and distributors,
Robart probably
isn’t the first
name that comes
to mind. But
that’s all about
to change.
The
company is in
the midst of
becoming the
exclusive
distributor of the
new FunSonic
USA turbine.
It’s a small unit, weighing just 1.5 pounds, yet it produces a hefty
12 pounds of thrust. It is 3.2 inches in diameter and 9.2 inches
long.
The turbine weighs 2.5 pounds with the support equipment,
which makes it an ideal power plant to use for converting many
smaller ducted-fan designs to turbine power.
The FS52AS includes the TCU (throttle control unit), SDU
(startup display unit), fuel pump, 6-volt battery, connectors,
tubing, gas valve, mounting strap, and hardware. It is currently
undergoing AMA certification and has a retail price of $2,395.
Robart Manufacturing: Box 1247, Saint Charles IL 60174;
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
microprocessorcontrolled,
electronic,
pulse-drive speed control. With
it, you can set the smoke rate with your
transmitter’s trim and mix the smoke with the throttle channel if
desired. This pump features an ultrasonically sealed Direct Drive
pump head.
It requires a 6- or 12-volt battery pack for power. It weighs 3.9
ounces and is 3.8 inches x 1.4 inches x 1.4 inches.
The SkyWriter has a street price of $74.99 and includes a filter,
smoke tubing, and an antisiphon valve.
Sullivan Products: 1 North Haven St., Baltimore MD 21224;
Tel.: (410) 732-3500; Web site: www.sullivanproducts.com
Evolution .61NT
This latest addition to
Horizon Hobby’s Evolution
line made an appearance at
Toledo.
The .61NT is designed
to let sport pilots
spend more time
flying and less time
fiddling with needle
adjustment, thanks to
the Evolution’s builtin
SetRight
needle valve
assembly
that
prevents
overlean or
over-rich settings.
The .61NT weighs 25.1 ounces and has a displacement of .605
cubic inches. Horizon recommends a 12 x 6 propeller, which the
engine can spin at 12,000 rpm.
Inside, the engine features dual ball bearings supporting the
crankshaft. The glow plug is canted rearward, tilting the glow
driver away from the propeller for safer starts.
The Evolution .61NT comes complete with muffler and a
remote needle valve. It has a street price of $119.99.
Horizon Hobby Distributors: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign
IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com
Micro Lighting System
If you look back at the past year,
it’s amazing how far park flyers
have come. You can take
your park flyer even further
with the Micro Lighting
System from Maxx
Products International.
This tiny lighting
system consists of six
superbright light-emitting
diodes (LEDs) which are
each presoldered to 24-inch
leads, two plug-in
connectors, and the
controller. The complete
system weighs just a half
ounce. You can reduce that weight
even more when the LED leads are
shortened to the correct length.
The reason this system is so light is
that it does not require a separate
power source. It simply plugs into a
spare receiver slot, using your main
battery’s power.
The controller has two connectors
to which you can attach the LEDs; one
is for constant light and the other is for flashing lights. The
controller has adjustments for flash duration and flash rate.
The Micro Lighting System sells for $25.95.
Maxx Products International: 815 Oakwood Rd. Unit D, Lake
Zurich IL 60047; Tel.: (847) 438-2233; Web site:
www.maxxprod.com
September 2003 15
SuperTigre Engines
One of the more surprising
announcements made at the Toledo
show was that the SuperTigre engine
line is coming back.
It’s been awhile since
Great Planes has had stock of
SuperTigre engines and
replacement parts, but Great
Planes has bought the engine line,
and, thanks to its new manufacturing
facility, it’s easier than ever for
SuperTigre to produce the
parts and engines.
According to Great Planes,
the entire line will eventually be back. The first engines available will
be the G-34, the G-51, the G-90, the G-2300, and the G-4500.
No official date has been set, but look for these engines to be
offered sometime this summer.
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign IL
61826; Tel.: (800) 682-8948; Web site: www.hobbico.com MA
6EXA Six-Channel FM Radio
Great Planes’ new Futaba 6EXA
radio system that was on
display is geared toward the
beginner and average
airplane pilot. This
six-channel system
is computerized
and is the latest
system to utilize
simplified
programming that
makes setup easy.
The transmitter
includes a sixmodel
memory
and all of the
features you’d
expect:
all-channel servo
reversing, endpoint
adjustment on all channels,
dual rates, exponential
flaperon, V-tail, elevon, and
wing-type selection.
The transmitter’s controls
include digital trims, a throttlecut
switch which stops the
engine when flipped twice
within one second, a switch for retracts, trainer mode, and dual
rates. The flaps are controlled via a knob on the top left panel.
Programming the 6EXA is done through three switches on the
lower face. Greatly simplified, you slide the switch on the right
to the channel you need to adjust, then use the two push buttons
on the left to change the settings.
The Futaba 6EXA radio system comes complete with an
R127DF receiver, four S3004 servos, and rechargeable Ni-Cd
batteries. This package has a street price of $199.95.
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign IL
61826; Tel.: (800) 682-8948; Web site: www.hobbico.com
Heavy Duty Control Horn System
One of Du-
Bro’s newest
control
systems was
designed with
big models in
mind! There
will be plenty
of clearance
from the hinge
line with this
1-5⁄32-inch-long
control horn.
Besides its large size, the heavy-duty control horn features an
injection-molded control horn that is self-tapping (no slop in
threads), an 8-32 x 2-inch socket-head bolt, an injection-molded
plastic washer, an aluminum support with a hex shape for easy
tightening, an injection-molded heavy-duty clevis (self-tapping
for 4-40 rods), a swiss-machined aluminum pin with a precision
fit, and a steel cotter pin that securely holds the aluminum pin in
place.
Du-Bro’s Heavy Duty Control Horn System has a street price
of $7.50 and is 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 had
two new gyros on
display: the
HLG200 and the
SL560 from
CSM.
The HLG200
is compatible with
all major radio
systems, so anyone
should be able to use
it. Its built-in
exponential provides
smooth stick response that
will make anyone
look like a pro.
It is simple to
install and has a
single gain
adjustment.
The SL560 is CSM’s
new pro-level heading-lock
gyro that comes loaded with
many advanced features. It
offers outstanding holding
accuracy and zero drift from
flight to flight.
Even at high gain settings, such as those
used for pirouetting maneuvers, the SL560 will lock right back in
as soon as you release the sticks. A handy programming interface
is included.
The HLG200 has a street price of $99.99 and the SL560 sells
for $199.99.
Horizon Hobby Distributors: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign
IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/09
Page Numbers: 14,15

Worth a Closer Look
14 MODEL AVIATION
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.
FunSonic FS52AS Turbine
When you think of turbine manufacturers and distributors,
Robart probably
isn’t the first
name that comes
to mind. But
that’s all about
to change.
The
company is in
the midst of
becoming the
exclusive
distributor of the
new FunSonic
USA turbine.
It’s a small unit, weighing just 1.5 pounds, yet it produces a hefty
12 pounds of thrust. It is 3.2 inches in diameter and 9.2 inches
long.
The turbine weighs 2.5 pounds with the support equipment,
which makes it an ideal power plant to use for converting many
smaller ducted-fan designs to turbine power.
The FS52AS includes the TCU (throttle control unit), SDU
(startup display unit), fuel pump, 6-volt battery, connectors,
tubing, gas valve, mounting strap, and hardware. It is currently
undergoing AMA certification and has a retail price of $2,395.
Robart Manufacturing: Box 1247, Saint Charles IL 60174;
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
microprocessorcontrolled,
electronic,
pulse-drive speed control. With
it, you can set the smoke rate with your
transmitter’s trim and mix the smoke with the throttle channel if
desired. This pump features an ultrasonically sealed Direct Drive
pump head.
It requires a 6- or 12-volt battery pack for power. It weighs 3.9
ounces and is 3.8 inches x 1.4 inches x 1.4 inches.
The SkyWriter has a street price of $74.99 and includes a filter,
smoke tubing, and an antisiphon valve.
Sullivan Products: 1 North Haven St., Baltimore MD 21224;
Tel.: (410) 732-3500; Web site: www.sullivanproducts.com
Evolution .61NT
This latest addition to
Horizon Hobby’s Evolution
line made an appearance at
Toledo.
The .61NT is designed
to let sport pilots
spend more time
flying and less time
fiddling with needle
adjustment, thanks to
the Evolution’s builtin
SetRight
needle valve
assembly
that
prevents
overlean or
over-rich settings.
The .61NT weighs 25.1 ounces and has a displacement of .605
cubic inches. Horizon recommends a 12 x 6 propeller, which the
engine can spin at 12,000 rpm.
Inside, the engine features dual ball bearings supporting the
crankshaft. The glow plug is canted rearward, tilting the glow
driver away from the propeller for safer starts.
The Evolution .61NT comes complete with muffler and a
remote needle valve. It has a street price of $119.99.
Horizon Hobby Distributors: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign
IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com
Micro Lighting System
If you look back at the past year,
it’s amazing how far park flyers
have come. You can take
your park flyer even further
with the Micro Lighting
System from Maxx
Products International.
This tiny lighting
system consists of six
superbright light-emitting
diodes (LEDs) which are
each presoldered to 24-inch
leads, two plug-in
connectors, and the
controller. The complete
system weighs just a half
ounce. You can reduce that weight
even more when the LED leads are
shortened to the correct length.
The reason this system is so light is
that it does not require a separate
power source. It simply plugs into a
spare receiver slot, using your main
battery’s power.
The controller has two connectors
to which you can attach the LEDs; one
is for constant light and the other is for flashing lights. The
controller has adjustments for flash duration and flash rate.
The Micro Lighting System sells for $25.95.
Maxx Products International: 815 Oakwood Rd. Unit D, Lake
Zurich IL 60047; Tel.: (847) 438-2233; Web site:
www.maxxprod.com
September 2003 15
SuperTigre Engines
One of the more surprising
announcements made at the Toledo
show was that the SuperTigre engine
line is coming back.
It’s been awhile since
Great Planes has had stock of
SuperTigre engines and
replacement parts, but Great
Planes has bought the engine line,
and, thanks to its new manufacturing
facility, it’s easier than ever for
SuperTigre to produce the
parts and engines.
According to Great Planes,
the entire line will eventually be back. The first engines available will
be the G-34, the G-51, the G-90, the G-2300, and the G-4500.
No official date has been set, but look for these engines to be
offered sometime this summer.
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign IL
61826; Tel.: (800) 682-8948; Web site: www.hobbico.com MA
6EXA Six-Channel FM Radio
Great Planes’ new Futaba 6EXA
radio system that was on
display is geared toward the
beginner and average
airplane pilot. This
six-channel system
is computerized
and is the latest
system to utilize
simplified
programming that
makes setup easy.
The transmitter
includes a sixmodel
memory
and all of the
features you’d
expect:
all-channel servo
reversing, endpoint
adjustment on all channels,
dual rates, exponential
flaperon, V-tail, elevon, and
wing-type selection.
The transmitter’s controls
include digital trims, a throttlecut
switch which stops the
engine when flipped twice
within one second, a switch for retracts, trainer mode, and dual
rates. The flaps are controlled via a knob on the top left panel.
Programming the 6EXA is done through three switches on the
lower face. Greatly simplified, you slide the switch on the right
to the channel you need to adjust, then use the two push buttons
on the left to change the settings.
The Futaba 6EXA radio system comes complete with an
R127DF receiver, four S3004 servos, and rechargeable Ni-Cd
batteries. This package has a street price of $199.95.
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign IL
61826; Tel.: (800) 682-8948; Web site: www.hobbico.com
Heavy Duty Control Horn System
One of Du-
Bro’s newest
control
systems was
designed with
big models in
mind! There
will be plenty
of clearance
from the hinge
line with this
1-5⁄32-inch-long
control horn.
Besides its large size, the heavy-duty control horn features an
injection-molded control horn that is self-tapping (no slop in
threads), an 8-32 x 2-inch socket-head bolt, an injection-molded
plastic washer, an aluminum support with a hex shape for easy
tightening, an injection-molded heavy-duty clevis (self-tapping
for 4-40 rods), a swiss-machined aluminum pin with a precision
fit, and a steel cotter pin that securely holds the aluminum pin in
place.
Du-Bro’s Heavy Duty Control Horn System has a street price
of $7.50 and is 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 had
two new gyros on
display: the
HLG200 and the
SL560 from
CSM.
The HLG200
is compatible with
all major radio
systems, so anyone
should be able to use
it. Its built-in
exponential provides
smooth stick response that
will make anyone
look like a pro.
It is simple to
install and has a
single gain
adjustment.
The SL560 is CSM’s
new pro-level heading-lock
gyro that comes loaded with
many advanced features. It
offers outstanding holding
accuracy and zero drift from
flight to flight.
Even at high gain settings, such as those
used for pirouetting maneuvers, the SL560 will lock right back in
as soon as you release the sticks. A handy programming interface
is included.
The HLG200 has a street price of $99.99 and the SL560 sells
for $199.99.
Horizon Hobby Distributors: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign
IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com