Worth a Closer Look - 2010/9

One of the most exciting things about the
Aurora is the 5.1-inch backlit touch screen.
It makes programming the radio simple,
because you can easily access all of the
options. The dashboard even provides an
option at startup to use the radio without
transmitting.
Although we needed the manual to
understand the bind process, we were able
to set up programming for a fourchannel,
high-wing trainer without
taking a peek. We also adjusted the stick
tension, which the user can access on the
back of the transmitter without opening
the case.
When programming a model, the user
needs to assign the switches. This is
made easy by using the touch screen. We
found that if you typically use the same
switch assignments, you can use the
model copy feature to save time.
The telemetry features of the Aurora
9 provide pilots with useful information,
including real-time receiver voltage
during flight. Several other sensors will
soon be available, allowing users to
monitor operating temperatures, airspeed, and fuel levels.
Hitec also thought of upgradability, by allowing anyone with a
PC and the HPP-22 computer interface, not included, to upgrade both
the transmitter and receivers free of charge.
The Aurora 9 has 30 model memories supporting three model
types (“ACRO,” “GLID,” “HELI”) and eight flight conditions. It’s
even Li-Poly-friendly, with a programmable voltage cutoff to ensure
that the battery can’t be drained below safe tolerances.
We have enjoyed the feel and features of the Aurora 9 and look
forward to testing some of the telemetry functionality, once available.
Hitec RCD USA: 12115 Paine St., Poway CA 92064; Tel.: (858)
748-6948; Web site: www.hitecrcd.com
L-bends, Z-bends, and landing gear can be a challenge; not only
do you need to make accurate bends, but you also need to keep from
damaging the wire. Du-Bro has simplified the process with its new
wire bending tool.
The E/Z Bender is
available with two forming
dies, to accommodate wire
that is .015-.047 or .062-
.093 inch in diameter. It
can be easily mounted to a
tool bench or placed in a
bench vise. We were even
able to hold it by hand when bending
the smaller-diameter wire.
The handles are marked with
which side to use, depending
on the type of bend you want
to accomplish. You can
produce corners that are anywhere from 0° to 90°, which should
make bending your own landing gear a simple process instead of a
frustration. If that is a normal part of your aeromodeling routine, the
E/Z Bender could replace pliers as your tool of choice.
Du-Bro Products: Box 815, Wauconda IL 60084; Tel.: (800) 848-
9411; Web site: www.dubro.com
The Accutec RB126 will precisely test
and balance battery packs with two to six
cells before, during, or after their use.
Once a battery is plugged into the
RB126 via the balance plug, the unit will
flash once to indicate the number of cells in
the pack. The six LEDs display cell
condition during use and allow the balancer
to be used as a stand-alone product.
Pilots who are looking for more data on
their battery packs will appreciate the
ability to purchase a USB adapter and
download the free software from MRC to
analyze their batteries on a computer.
The software allows for a graphical
display of the battery condition, including pack voltage, individual
cell voltage, highest and
lowest cell voltage, and
percent off balance.
Although the balancer
discharges the higher
cells to get the pack in
balance, it will not
discharge individual cells
to less than 3.2 volts.
Pin spacing is
provided for XH-style
balance taps. An adapter
can be purchased separately to accommodate taps using 2mm pin
spacing.
Model Rectifier Corporation: 80 Newfield Ave., Edison NJ
08837; Tel.: (732) 225-2100; Web site: www.modelrec.com
Most aeromodelers enjoy aviationrelated
books that feature many pictures.
These images can be used to either spark
our interest in a new project or help us
with markings and scale details.
Specialty Press feeds our hunger for
photographs with its coverage of the
popular Lockheed Blackbird. This
scrapbook contains 293 photographs and
40 illustrations, giving us something to
stare at on every page. A bonus is that
every photo and illustration is
accompanied by detailed caption information.
This volume features the family of Lockheed aircraft, including
the A-12, YF-12, D-21/M-21, and ever-popular SR-71. Lockheed
Blackbird Family was compiled to showcase more than 100 neverbefore-
published images
that have been recently
declassified with the help of
the author, Tony Landis.
We found the photo
scrapbook to be an easy
read; the focus is on the
wealth of images and
illustrations, which are sure
to keep any Lockheed
Blackbird fan happy.
Specialty Press: 39966 Grand Ave., North Branch MN 55056;
Tel.: (800) 895-4585; Web site: www.specialtypress.com
Worth a Closer Look
Super Brain Balancer
E/Z Bender
Hitec Aurora 9
Lockheed Blackbird Family Photo Scrapbook
14 MODEL AVIATION
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See page 155 for submission guidelines
The 11.1-volt, 2200 mAh Li-Poly is arguably the most popular size
of battery used in RC airplanes and 450-size helicopters.
Aeromodelers have many choices when it comes to looking for a
balance between price and performance, and SpyderBatteries fits in
nicely.
The company’s 2200 pack is rated at 25C or 55 amps, which we
were told was conservative. We immediately put it in an application
drawing 59 amps static, and the battery has performed flawlessly and
with no heating issues. At a price point of $30 with a T-plug already
installed in addition to fast shipping from here in the US, it’s a
bargain.
Before launching
SpyderBatteries, Kevin Hamm
spent two years testing battery
packs from a number of
factories until he was happy
with the performance and price.
All SpyderBatteries are covered
by a 60-day full replacement
warranty and a 120-day crashprotection
program, to provide
modelers with peace of mind
when trying this new line.
Spyder Batteries: 12525 Wethersby Way, Austin TX 78753; Tel.:
(512) 490-6427; Web site: www.spyderbatteries.com MA
An RC flight simulator is a worthy
investment for new pilots or those who
are looking to perfect their skills without
putting their models at risk. The Phoenix
R/C Pro by Runtime Games, distributed
by Horizon Hobby, takes this hands-on
approach a step further by offering a
genuine Spektrum DX5e transmitter in
the package.
Each time the program is launched,
the user is notified of available updates
and is given the option to select and
install them as desired.
The update is not limited to game
improvements; it also applies to a wealth
of aircraft. We enjoyed this feature, because it allowed us to increase
our fleet to 115 aircraft without leaving the program.
The Phoenix R/C Pro is a snap to navigate using the toolbar
across the top of the program, and it allows you to customize your
aircraft and controls. Training modes are provided for specific tasks
such as landing and autorotation. The competition mode lets pilots
complete tasks such as dropping bombs, bursting balloons, and
performing spot landings. Multiple-player options allow for online
flying as well.
We took advantage of the included DX5e and bound it to a
ParkZone T-28. We had never flown that airplane, but we were able
to do so on the simulator and in the field using the same transmitter.
The Phoenix R/C Pro provides users with the flexibility of
purchasing it with or without the DX5e transmitter, and it has a nice
list of features for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
Anyone who wants some simulated stick time should give this
system a look. Just be certain to check its system requirements, to
make sure that it is compatible with your computer.
Horizon Hobby: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.:
(800) 338-4639; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com
Worth a Closer Look
Keeping our tools and supplies
readily available and organized can
be a chore—especially at the flying
field. The Lift-n-Lok storage system
simplifies this task, thanks to its
revolutionary fastening system.
The three drawers comprise a
total of 38 compartments of varying
sizes for self-contained storage. The
impressive part is the locking
mechanism, which is the position of
the handle. When the carry handle
is rotated to the rear, the drawers and lid
storage can be easily accessed. Once the
handle is rotated into the carry position,
or the front, the entire box is locked,
with no chance of its accidentally
opening.
We tested the box’s ability to keep
each compartment self-contained. We
put coins in various compartments and
flipped it on its side and back;
everything remaining where we put it.
The Lift-n-Lok has proven to be
durable, thanks to its polypropylene
construction and the lack of latches or
flaps that could be broken or caught on
something.
Leisure RC Models: 2288 N. 950 E.,
Seymour IN 47274; Tel.: (812) 524-9703;
Web site: www.leisurercmodels.com
This is the second release in an
instructional series of DVDs from Higher
Plane Productions. In this installment,
Andrew Jesky walks viewers through
assembling and flying a 70-inch-wingspan
AJ Slick. As the designer and namesake of
the aircraft, he is intimate with every aspect
of its construction and flight performance.
Approximately 54 minutes of the video
is devoted to getting the model ready for
flight. During that time, Andrew shares a
brief history of the design and development of the Slick, as well as
construction and setup tips.
In the flying portion of the DVD, he talks through the maiden trim
flight, covering tests for fore and aft CG, thrust angles, and applying
mixing for “hands-off” knife-edge flight.
The highlight of the video is when Andrew demonstrates a series
of popular maneuvers that includes Snap Rolls, Spins, Harriers,
Rolling Harriers, High Alpha Knife Edge, Snap-to-Hover and the
Death Slide. Onboard cameras are used during some of the sequences,
to give us a view of the action from a different perspective.
Bonus features show 3D Hobby Shop owner Ben Fisher
demonstrating the proper installation of a 30cc gas engine in the 70-
inch Slick, in addition to equipment selection and repair techniques
for the 42-inch Slick.
Filmed and mastered in 1080p HD, All Things Slick is available in
both DVD and Blu-ray.
Higher Plane Productions: 1525 Acadia St., Durham NC 27701;
Web site: www.higherplaneproductions.com
All Things Slick
SpyderBatteries
Phoenix R/C Pro Lift-n-Lok Flight Simulator
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