14 MODEL AVIATION
This sharp-looking F-20 is Park Pilot Program-legal and a
kick in the pants to fly, whether you’re a hotshot or a sport
pilot. It is
available receiverready
and
includes a special
three-blade fan
system inside a
64mm shroud.
The 4300 Kv
outrunner motor
wired to a 25-amp
ESC has enough
thrust to scoot the
21-ounce model
along at a
respectable pace,
and it will climb
above the treetops as
quickly and reliably as
it can get below them
for a perfect
touchdown on the
sturdy wire landing
gear.
Rigid molded-foam
construction and detailing make this F-20 a convincing scale
model. A 1300 mAh, 20C 11.1-volt Li-Poly battery assures six
minutes of flight time. Remove the gear, and this model is on an
intercept mission. This inexpensive electric-ducted-fan-powered
jet’s most considerate feature is that the servos aren’t goopmounted;
they are secured into perfect recesses with small
screws, making adjustments simple.
In addition, we couldn’t put the model together any more
quickly; five quick epoxy joints, and it’s finished. Before our
battery charged, it was ready to fly.
The F-20 has a limited-time introductory price of $139.
Easy Tiger Models: Box 869, New York NY 10116; Tel.:
(917) 971-3322; Web site: www.easytigermodels.com
Worth a Closer Look
Magazines print hundreds of
pages of construction articles a
year that end with the phrase, “I
could fill the entire magazine
with more building information”
or something similar. They mean
they could write a book on the
subject.
They wouldn’t be textbooks,
because those are boring. The
articles are typically light on the
whys and wherefores of the
particular topic; the nitty-gritty
details are assumed.
If you’re an expert on the
dynamics of materials, aerospace
engineering, and environmental
sciences, that is a fine approach.
If you’re like many of us, you need to read RCAdvisor.com’s new
book about designing and building RC models.
ModiFly teaches readers how to develop ideas that fly. Besides
the great information about the topic you love, you’ll be
entertained by the author’s fun approach to the subject and read
along as if sitting at your home workbench, cutting and gluing
away.
RCadvisor.com: 2200 Elizabeth St. NE, Albuquerque NM
87112; Tel.: (505) 206-1569; Web site: www.rcadvisor.com
To today’s aeromodeler,
soldering might be one of the most
essential skills next to flying
without the buddy cord. Bare wires
don’t come with instructions, but
after a few lessons a modeler learns
that solder won’t stick without flux;
sometimes it won’t even melt.
Conventional solder is messy
and leaves a burnt-on residue that
can corrode even the best-prepared
joint. Dr. Marty’s No Clean
soldering flux is a clear liquid,
which almost disappears once the
solder joint is completed.
A bit more flux is better than
less; either way, no cleanup is required afterward. (The parts
should still be cleaned well beforehand.) The liquid even smells
nice, so there will be no complaints from those you live with or the
overhead fire alarm.
E-Power RC, LLC: Box 1201, Los Alamitos CA 90720; Tel.:
(714) 982-4547; Web site: www.rcmicroflite.com
No-Fuss Flux
The Hyperion DUO, as the name implies, allows users to
charge two batteries at once. Both 180-watt ports can run
independently of each other, so you can charge two battery packs
simultaneously.
The DUO3 builds on the feature set of the popular DUO2, with
features including a 12-bit balance circuit, built-in USB DataPort,
20 memory slots per port for a total of 40, and a maximum current
per port of 15 amps. The DUO3 supports charging-capable
batteries at up to 5C.
One of the features we found most handy was the storage
mode, allowing for charge/discharge to 60% capacity for safe
storage. This is great for
those of us who cannot fly
year-round. Sync mode is
another nice feature,
allowing two batteries to be
charged as if they were one.
We used this to charge two
6S 5000 mAh batteries
together.
This unit supports oneto
six-cell Li-Ion and Li-
Poly, one to six A123 cells,
one- to 16-cell Ni-Cd and NiMH
cells, and one- to 12-cell Lead-
Acid batteries. The DUO3 comes
with the charger, charge leads,
two Hyperion balance adapters,
and a USB cable. The charger
supports balancing of other
balance plugs with the use of
multi adapters that can be
purchased separately.
Empire Hobby LLC: 950 E. Baseline Ave. Unit 210, Apache
Junction AZ 85219; Tel.: (480) 982-0909; Web site: www.empire
rc.com
Hyperion DUO3 Charger
Easy Tiger Shark ModiFly
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 9:32 AM Page 14
October 2009 15
The price barrier of the heading-hold gyro has been broken.
When an RC pilot trusts the operation of a gyro, which is the heart
of a well-trimmed
helicopter, his or her
potential to become a better
flier is virtually unlimited.
The gyro is where
money on a machine is
well spent, and it has been
almost the most expensive
part. The new Walkera
GX02 has the advantages
of a remote accelerated
(oversized) gyro system, but in a package that is suitable for 250-
to 600-class helicopters. And it’s less than $100—$84.95, to be
exact.
All of the features found in digitally programmable gyros are
available in this little AVCS-equipped unit. It’s polite (it reads
“Hello” at startup) and is easy to use, with understandable
instructions.
We’ve been flying our
sample for several months
on a 450-class helicopter,
and we’re more than
satisfied. Pirouette rates are
blinding in both directions,
with the ability to carry the
tail through a full-speed
backward down-line
without blowing out. Say no
to drift; this box has none.
BP Hobbies, LLC: 140 Ethel Rd. W. Ste. J, Piscataway NJ
08854; Tel.: (732) 287-3933; Web site: www.bphobbies.com
XeroGear’s Night Fly System makes it easy to fly in the
dark. It is made from bright LEDs that are mounted on flexible
tape with 3M-brand adhesive backing.
The LEDs emit
a bright, vibrant
light that is
available in red,
blue, green, and
amber. The light
strips can be cut
every 2 inches, for
easy placement on
your model. The
included wiring
is then soldered
to a tab on each
strip and wired
to a power
source. We
soldered the
leads directly to
the speed control
for simplicity
and less weight.
XeroGear’s
lights are
available in kits
for both
airplanes and helicopters, and extra LED tape lights are
available separately in any of the four colors.
XeroGear Ltd: 484 Juneway Dr., Bay Village OH 44140;
Tel.: (800) 407-0473; Web site: www.xerogear.com
Worth a Closer Look
Hyperion Generation 3 Li-Poly batteries are providing more
time in the air and less time at the charger. Amazingly, they can
be safely charged at up to 5C rates—for charge times as low as
10-12 minutes. Our 3S 1300 mAh battery has been charged at
5C since it came out of the package and doesn’t even get hot
after its 11-minute average
charge time.
The G3s also deliver a
flat discharge curve under
load, allowing for even
power throughout the
flight. They are made with
a new Hybrid RS
construction technology,
super-fine substrate
materials, rigorous ISO
9001 quality control, and
final cell-matching process,
which will guarantee you
performance in tightly
balanced and long-lasting packs.
The G3 Li-Polys come in two series. The CX line is capable
of 25C continuous, and the VX is good for 35C. G3 batteries are
available in sizes from 1S to 7S and 120 mAh to 6500 mAh.
Empire Hobby LLC: 950 E. Baseline Ave. Unit 210, Apache
Junction AZ 85219; Tel.: (480) 982-0909; Web site: www.em
pirerc.com
Reaper Brushless has recently released its own line of
switching BEC
ESCs. They provide
more power to your
servos, with a 4-amp
switching BEC.
These ESCs are
available in three
sizes to support 40,
60, and 85 amps
continuous, with a
burst rating of 60,
80, and 100 amps.
They feature auto
Li-Poly detection
and have fully programmable settings for brake, battery type,
LVC, rotation, soft start, timing, frequency switching, and active
rpm control.
Reaper Brushless: 233 Legate Hill Rd., Leominster MA 01453;
Tel.: (978) 230-2383; Web site: www.reaperbrushless.com MA
Light Up Your Model
G3 Li-Polys
See page 183 for submission guidelines
GX02 Magic Box
Reaper Brushless Speed Controllers
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 10:52 AM Page 15
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/10
Page Numbers: 14,15
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/10
Page Numbers: 14,15
14 MODEL AVIATION
This sharp-looking F-20 is Park Pilot Program-legal and a
kick in the pants to fly, whether you’re a hotshot or a sport
pilot. It is
available receiverready
and
includes a special
three-blade fan
system inside a
64mm shroud.
The 4300 Kv
outrunner motor
wired to a 25-amp
ESC has enough
thrust to scoot the
21-ounce model
along at a
respectable pace,
and it will climb
above the treetops as
quickly and reliably as
it can get below them
for a perfect
touchdown on the
sturdy wire landing
gear.
Rigid molded-foam
construction and detailing make this F-20 a convincing scale
model. A 1300 mAh, 20C 11.1-volt Li-Poly battery assures six
minutes of flight time. Remove the gear, and this model is on an
intercept mission. This inexpensive electric-ducted-fan-powered
jet’s most considerate feature is that the servos aren’t goopmounted;
they are secured into perfect recesses with small
screws, making adjustments simple.
In addition, we couldn’t put the model together any more
quickly; five quick epoxy joints, and it’s finished. Before our
battery charged, it was ready to fly.
The F-20 has a limited-time introductory price of $139.
Easy Tiger Models: Box 869, New York NY 10116; Tel.:
(917) 971-3322; Web site: www.easytigermodels.com
Worth a Closer Look
Magazines print hundreds of
pages of construction articles a
year that end with the phrase, “I
could fill the entire magazine
with more building information”
or something similar. They mean
they could write a book on the
subject.
They wouldn’t be textbooks,
because those are boring. The
articles are typically light on the
whys and wherefores of the
particular topic; the nitty-gritty
details are assumed.
If you’re an expert on the
dynamics of materials, aerospace
engineering, and environmental
sciences, that is a fine approach.
If you’re like many of us, you need to read RCAdvisor.com’s new
book about designing and building RC models.
ModiFly teaches readers how to develop ideas that fly. Besides
the great information about the topic you love, you’ll be
entertained by the author’s fun approach to the subject and read
along as if sitting at your home workbench, cutting and gluing
away.
RCadvisor.com: 2200 Elizabeth St. NE, Albuquerque NM
87112; Tel.: (505) 206-1569; Web site: www.rcadvisor.com
To today’s aeromodeler,
soldering might be one of the most
essential skills next to flying
without the buddy cord. Bare wires
don’t come with instructions, but
after a few lessons a modeler learns
that solder won’t stick without flux;
sometimes it won’t even melt.
Conventional solder is messy
and leaves a burnt-on residue that
can corrode even the best-prepared
joint. Dr. Marty’s No Clean
soldering flux is a clear liquid,
which almost disappears once the
solder joint is completed.
A bit more flux is better than
less; either way, no cleanup is required afterward. (The parts
should still be cleaned well beforehand.) The liquid even smells
nice, so there will be no complaints from those you live with or the
overhead fire alarm.
E-Power RC, LLC: Box 1201, Los Alamitos CA 90720; Tel.:
(714) 982-4547; Web site: www.rcmicroflite.com
No-Fuss Flux
The Hyperion DUO, as the name implies, allows users to
charge two batteries at once. Both 180-watt ports can run
independently of each other, so you can charge two battery packs
simultaneously.
The DUO3 builds on the feature set of the popular DUO2, with
features including a 12-bit balance circuit, built-in USB DataPort,
20 memory slots per port for a total of 40, and a maximum current
per port of 15 amps. The DUO3 supports charging-capable
batteries at up to 5C.
One of the features we found most handy was the storage
mode, allowing for charge/discharge to 60% capacity for safe
storage. This is great for
those of us who cannot fly
year-round. Sync mode is
another nice feature,
allowing two batteries to be
charged as if they were one.
We used this to charge two
6S 5000 mAh batteries
together.
This unit supports oneto
six-cell Li-Ion and Li-
Poly, one to six A123 cells,
one- to 16-cell Ni-Cd and NiMH
cells, and one- to 12-cell Lead-
Acid batteries. The DUO3 comes
with the charger, charge leads,
two Hyperion balance adapters,
and a USB cable. The charger
supports balancing of other
balance plugs with the use of
multi adapters that can be
purchased separately.
Empire Hobby LLC: 950 E. Baseline Ave. Unit 210, Apache
Junction AZ 85219; Tel.: (480) 982-0909; Web site: www.empire
rc.com
Hyperion DUO3 Charger
Easy Tiger Shark ModiFly
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 9:32 AM Page 14
October 2009 15
The price barrier of the heading-hold gyro has been broken.
When an RC pilot trusts the operation of a gyro, which is the heart
of a well-trimmed
helicopter, his or her
potential to become a better
flier is virtually unlimited.
The gyro is where
money on a machine is
well spent, and it has been
almost the most expensive
part. The new Walkera
GX02 has the advantages
of a remote accelerated
(oversized) gyro system, but in a package that is suitable for 250-
to 600-class helicopters. And it’s less than $100—$84.95, to be
exact.
All of the features found in digitally programmable gyros are
available in this little AVCS-equipped unit. It’s polite (it reads
“Hello” at startup) and is easy to use, with understandable
instructions.
We’ve been flying our
sample for several months
on a 450-class helicopter,
and we’re more than
satisfied. Pirouette rates are
blinding in both directions,
with the ability to carry the
tail through a full-speed
backward down-line
without blowing out. Say no
to drift; this box has none.
BP Hobbies, LLC: 140 Ethel Rd. W. Ste. J, Piscataway NJ
08854; Tel.: (732) 287-3933; Web site: www.bphobbies.com
XeroGear’s Night Fly System makes it easy to fly in the
dark. It is made from bright LEDs that are mounted on flexible
tape with 3M-brand adhesive backing.
The LEDs emit
a bright, vibrant
light that is
available in red,
blue, green, and
amber. The light
strips can be cut
every 2 inches, for
easy placement on
your model. The
included wiring
is then soldered
to a tab on each
strip and wired
to a power
source. We
soldered the
leads directly to
the speed control
for simplicity
and less weight.
XeroGear’s
lights are
available in kits
for both
airplanes and helicopters, and extra LED tape lights are
available separately in any of the four colors.
XeroGear Ltd: 484 Juneway Dr., Bay Village OH 44140;
Tel.: (800) 407-0473; Web site: www.xerogear.com
Worth a Closer Look
Hyperion Generation 3 Li-Poly batteries are providing more
time in the air and less time at the charger. Amazingly, they can
be safely charged at up to 5C rates—for charge times as low as
10-12 minutes. Our 3S 1300 mAh battery has been charged at
5C since it came out of the package and doesn’t even get hot
after its 11-minute average
charge time.
The G3s also deliver a
flat discharge curve under
load, allowing for even
power throughout the
flight. They are made with
a new Hybrid RS
construction technology,
super-fine substrate
materials, rigorous ISO
9001 quality control, and
final cell-matching process,
which will guarantee you
performance in tightly
balanced and long-lasting packs.
The G3 Li-Polys come in two series. The CX line is capable
of 25C continuous, and the VX is good for 35C. G3 batteries are
available in sizes from 1S to 7S and 120 mAh to 6500 mAh.
Empire Hobby LLC: 950 E. Baseline Ave. Unit 210, Apache
Junction AZ 85219; Tel.: (480) 982-0909; Web site: www.em
pirerc.com
Reaper Brushless has recently released its own line of
switching BEC
ESCs. They provide
more power to your
servos, with a 4-amp
switching BEC.
These ESCs are
available in three
sizes to support 40,
60, and 85 amps
continuous, with a
burst rating of 60,
80, and 100 amps.
They feature auto
Li-Poly detection
and have fully programmable settings for brake, battery type,
LVC, rotation, soft start, timing, frequency switching, and active
rpm control.
Reaper Brushless: 233 Legate Hill Rd., Leominster MA 01453;
Tel.: (978) 230-2383; Web site: www.reaperbrushless.com MA
Light Up Your Model
G3 Li-Polys
See page 183 for submission guidelines
GX02 Magic Box
Reaper Brushless Speed Controllers
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 10:52 AM Page 15