Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/04
Page Numbers: 14,15
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Worth a Closer Look

Yak 55 3D ARF

This ElectriFly model can perform almost any maneuver—nearly anywhere. Pilots with low-wing experience will be drawn to it.

The airframe is made from durable, lightweight EPS foam; Depron is used for the aileron, rudder/fin, and stabilizer halves. Carbon-fiber tubes reinforce the fuselage. Recesses for the radio components are already in place, including a precut channel in the fuselage for the servo-lead wires. Servo-arm extensions provide even more deflection for the large control surfaces. The clear battery hatch features a Velcro fastener for quick and easy pack changes.

With its low parts count and easy final assembly, this exciting aerobatic model can be flight-ready in just two to three hours. The durable foam construction features a pre-applied high-visibility trim scheme.

A powerful 280-size, ball-bearing motor and 5:1 gearbox come ready to be installed. The included propeller saver allows the propeller to deflect back at landing and is compatible with APC or GWS propeller hubs.

Specifications:

  • Wingspan: 33.5 inches
  • Ready-to-fly weight: 12–14 ounces
  • Street price: $49.99

Contact:

Futaba 14MZ System

You may have already heard some of the buzz about the new 14MZ radio system. We can't do it justice in a short space, but following are highlights of its many features.

The system uses dual internal processors and incorporates a new PCM-G3 2048 resolution for unprecedented speed and precision (as much as 40% faster than the Futaba 9Z). All programming runs on the Windows CE operating system. (The 14MZ can also transmit in 1024.) Power comes from a 2200 mAh Lithium-Ion transmitter battery and the system includes software for airplanes, helicopters, and gliders.

The HVGA screen features crystal-clear 640 x 240-pixel resolution. It uses transflective technology (layered transparent and reflecting surfaces) and adjustable backlighting and contrast for easy visibility, even in direct sunlight.

Use the built-in microphone to record and store as many as 24 voice prompts (for example, "Call next maneuver!" or "Landing gear down!"). Assign these recordings to specific switches and functions, and you’ll hear audio confirmations through the built-in speaker during flight.

Thanks to state-of-the-art BGA (Ball Grid Array) layered PCB technology, the 14MZ's R5014DPS 14-channel synthesized receiver is very small. It incorporates WFSS (Wireless Frequency Setting System), which lets you change frequencies at busy airfields from the transmitter—no crystal swapping required.

Expand memory with Compact Flash cards to store up to 100 models. Upload digital images of your aircraft for use as model names on the graphic display. In addition to the built-in microphone, you can create, transfer, and store audio files using your PC so you can fly to music or flight call sequences.

Reconfigure the eight 14MZ shoulder switches to your preference. Pull out a switch to remove it and plug in the style you prefer: tall or short, button or toggle, spring-loaded or positionable.

Numerous aircraft configurations are already programmed into the 14MZ (seven wing types, four tail types, and three motor types), providing many built-in shortcuts that make the radio easy to use. You can group multiple servos that control a single function onto one transmitter operation while plugging those servos into different, individually adjustable receiver channels (even nonconsecutively), without needing a separate servo synchronizer.

Price: $2,199

Contact:

  • Tel.: (800) 682-8948
  • Web: www.14mz.com

    • P-40 Warhawk ARF

    The P-40 was one of World War II's most popular U.S. fighters. The last of Curtiss Aircraft's famous "hawk" line that originated in the 1930s, the P-40 eventually morphed into the P-40E—a heavily armed and armored craft flown by the American Volunteer Group in China.

    Hangar 9's 60-size P-40E is a scale rendition of Rudy Frasca's (Urbana, IL) full-scale Flying Tiger. With realistic scale looks and sport performance, this ARF captures the spirit of the aircraft.

    Construction is balsa-and-plywood throughout, and a prepainted fiberglass cowl and belly pan are included. The airframe is covered with UltraCote. Also included are preinstalled metal retracts that rotate 90°.

    Specifications:

    • Wingspan: 64.6 inches
    • Wing area: 708.4 sq in
    • Ready-to-fly weight: 7.5–8.5 lb
    • Recommended power: .60–.78 two-stroke or .91–1.00 four-stroke engine
    • Radio: five-channel radio with six servos required
    • Street price: $259.99

    Contact:

    • Horizon Hobby Distributors: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61822
    • Tel.: (800) 338-4639
    • Web: www.horizonhobby.com

    Handlaunch Pro Clinic DVD

    This two-DVD instructional series concentrates on the latest developments in discus/SAL hand-launch techniques. You will learn basic and advanced skills for discus-style throwing, plus building tips and sailplane-tuning secrets. The material is applicable to all pilot skill levels and useful even if you don't fly Hand-Launched Gliders (HLGs).

    Disk 1

    • HLG expert Paul Naton shows how to prepare an advanced composite glider for flight, set up your radio, and perform final balancing and tuning.
    • Filled with pro-level tips about building and optimizing your HLG for best performance.
    • Covers radio, receiver, servo, and battery choices, and more.

    Disk 2

    • Extensive field clinic on launching, tuning, and flying techniques, including a detailed throwing tutorial to improve launch height.
    • Tips for setting up presets and center of gravity, and a review of common mistakes.
    • Live flying session where Paul describes flying techniques and demonstrates catching thermals using thermal-indicating poles.

    Also featured:

    • Champions Joe Wurts, Oleg Golovidov, Phil Pearson, and Phil Barnes at the International Hand Launch Glider Festival in San Diego, CA.
    • Phil Pearson previews the latest Encore prototype.
    • National Champion Bruce Davidson discusses launch and setup technique.
    • Joe Wurts demonstrates the latest in transmitter technology.
    • HLG aerodynamic expert Mark Drela presents his Super Gee 2 glider and the development of the AG series of hand-launch airfoils.

    Specifications:

    • Street price: $39.95
    • Run time: approximately 4 hours

    Contact:

    In each installment of "Worth a Closer Look" we bring you new and exciting products from our industry. These write-ups are not press releases but are mini-reviews written by the Model Aviation staff. In each instance the product or service is actually built, tested, flown, used, etc., to give you a firsthand account of how it performs.

    We find some items on our own and receive others from outside sources. If you have a product or service that you feel might be "worth a closer look," contact Model Aviation Aeromodeling Editor Bob Hunt:

    Sirius Charge Pro Former

    Peak Electronics is known for its extensive line of battery-charging and testing devices, all housed in small, light-blue metal boxes. Recently Peak Electronics' George Joy introduced a new charger: the Sirius Charge Pro Former.

    The Pro Former was designed to fill a specific need in Ni-Cd and NiMH battery care. It is a low-current, selectable constant-current charger that can provide eight charge currents ranging from roughly 25 mA to 400 mA. These current selections make it suitable for conditioning one to as many as eight Ni-Cd or NiMH cells. Note: this charger is not intended for use with lithium batteries.

    Physical and power requirements:

    • Size: 4 in long x 2 in wide x 1 in thick (plus switch-knob height)
    • Input: 12 V DC (from a car battery) or a 115 VAC-operated power supply capable of at least 0.5 A output

    Cables and adapters:

    • The output cable includes a connector suitable for Futaba, Airtronics, or Polk's Hobby RC transmitter charging jacks. Adapter cables are available for Hitec (smaller-diameter 2.1 mm center pin) and JR transmitters.
    • A second cable plugs into the first and terminates in a universal receiver-type charging plug. Special adapters are available from Peak Electronics for specific battery needs.

    Why it’s useful:

    • Most new Ni-Cd and NiMH batteries are not properly conditioned before being put into service, which can prevent them from achieving rated capacity. The Pro Former lets you select an overnight charge current appropriate to a wide range of battery capacities—allowing proper conditioning instead of improper long, low-current charging.

    Charge/current examples:

    • For small packs (100–350 mAh), use the lower current settings (around 25 mA).
    • For very large packs (3,550–5,550 mAh), use the higher current settings (up to about 400 mA).

    Price: $49.95 plus $6.95 shipping and handling.

    Contact:

    Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.