Worth a Closer Look - 2011/06

Worth a Closer Look
Little Fokker
Although the name Manfred von Richthofen may
not be familiar to some, the Red Baron, as he was
commonly called, certainly is. Now you can embark
on some micro missions and become the “Ace-of-
Aces” anytime, anywhere with the micro-size
Flyzone Fokker Dr.I!
Whether your dawn patrol takes place in a gym or
the backyard, its compact 14.1-inch wingspan is right
at home.
We had the chance to get a
little WW I stick time in the gym
at Toledo and found the Dr.I to
be a relaxing and enjoyable flyer.
Its three-channel controls are
quite effective for this 1.23-
ounce model and it flew like a
WW I fighter should.
The Fokker includes
everything you need to fly,
including a new 2.4 GHz Tactic
micro radio ergonomically
designed for more comfortable
use and a smoother, faster
response. Just charge the pack
and go fly.
Great Planes: 3002
N. Apollo Dr., Suite #1,
Champaign IL 61822;
Tel.: (217) 398-8970; Website:www.flyzone.com
Scott Stauffer and SKS Video
Productions have again quickly produced a
new and exciting event video with plenty of
action in the sky.
Florida Jets 2011 highlights the annual
event, held this year at a new venue on the
grounds of Lakeland Linder Airport, in
Lakeland, Florida. Roughly 140 pilots flew
on an 800 x 70-foot runway with 56,000-
square feet of airspace, where they could fly
to their hearts’ content.
Vendor tents occupied 1,400 feet and
many new products were introduced, such
as JetCentral’s new turbine engines and
JetCat’s new compact, lightweight ECUs.
Although winds were an issue this year,
pilots took to the skies with many new and
different models including Brian O’Meara’s
Skymaster F-84, Ali Machinchy’s
Tomahawk Futura, and Jim Hiller’s Der Jet
de Havilland Vampire.
Newcomers to the event also had a
chance to shine. Greg Foushi attended
Florida Jets for the first time and was
captured on video with his Skymaster 2mm
Viper.
The action was caught in the air as well.
Take a flight on the wild side with on-board
cameras that were strapped to Andy
Herold’s Tomahawk Futura (featuring Buzz
Lightyear as the pilot) and David
Shulman’s new Pirotti Tuono jet. Not for
the faint-of-stomach, the cameras faced the
tail of the planes, showing every roll and
inverted pass from a bird’s-eye view.
The Florida Jets 2011 video includes
scenes from the Friday night barbecue, the
Saturday noontime line-up for judging, and
the awards ceremony.
For the speed freaks who love the
sleekness of jets and the whine of turbine
engines, this video is perfect to watch; the
only thing missing is the smell of fuel.
The video’s total run time is 97 minutes.
Florida Jets 2011 is also available on highdefinition
Blu-ray, with bonus footage
included.
SKS Video Productions: 85 Pine Rd.,
Abbottstown PA 17301; Tel.: (800)
988-6488; Website: www.sksvideo.com
The Spektrum DX10t is an extremely
lightweight, universal-application, high-end
modular design tray radio. Customizing its
switch layout for the proper application means
no matter what type of modeler you are, the
10t has you covered.
It features the next evolution of Spektrum’s
AirWare software, which has been thoroughly
refined and expanded, offering modelers a
level of functionally and customization never
before available.
The DX10t supports up to 10 flight modes
in Sailplane mode and five flight modes in
ACRO and helicopter, allowing for an
unprecedented amount of user personalization,
which is ideal for
competition modelers. The
switch modules are interchangeable and
assignable, allowing for customized switch
positions depending on user application.
The radio will allow for real-time telemetry
feedback and a built-in SD card reader,
allowing model transfer and the ability to
upgrade the radios software over time. The SD
card will also allow for data writing, so
information gathered during use will be stored
on the card, allowing for an in-depth look at
model performance.
The DX10t includes the high-speed
AR10000 10-channel receiver and a 2500mAh
LiPo battery for extended field use.
Another interesting release, which is
available separately, is the STi (Spektrum
Telemetry Interface) which lets you transmit
vital information from your model’s on-board
Spektrum telemetry module to your iPhone,
iPad, or iTouch. It can also be programmed to
alert you when any telemetry value you are
monitoring exceeds the limits you define. It’s
a great way to let a flying buddy watch model
functions for you so you can focus more on
flying and less on your transmitter display.
The STi is compatible with all
DSM2/DSMX Spektrum and JR transmitters
as long as it is bound to a telemetry module.
Horizon Hobby: 4105 Fieldstone Rd.,
Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639;
Website: www.parkzone.com.
Spektrum DX10t and
Spektrum STi Telemetry Interface
16 MODEL AVIATION
High-Speed Jets
at Their Best
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Following the successful launch of the 62-
inch Osiris, Andrew Jesky has teamed up with
3D Hobby Shop to release a new 46-inch
version. Designed to be a pattern thoroughbred
for small spaces, Andrew has used his
knowledge and experience as one of the top RC
Aerobatics (Pattern) pilots in competition today
to provide a low-cost option for precision pilots.
Created to fly with a four-cell, 2200-
2600mAh battery, the Osiris motor requires the
Omega 130g Brushless Outrunner or the
equivalent. Micro metal-geared servos are
recommended and depending on the equipment
used, the flying weight is approximately 38
ounces.
Whether you are looking for a RC Aerobatics
aircraft for practice or for fun, the $189.99 3D
Hobby Shop 46-inch Osiris will fit the bill
without breaking the bank.
3D Hobby Shop: 603 FM 2093 Suite 1303,
Fredericksburg TX 78624; Tel.: (830) 990-6978
Website: www.3dhobbyshop.com
June 2011 17
The Balsa USA Student Trainer is intended as a building trainer designed for
anyone who is looking for a first build. The Student Trainer will assist those who
want to become model builders and take them through the basics of actually
building a wooden model airplane from start to finish. Consider it a complete
course in model building, and not just the instructions to a kit.
The 72-inch-span model has 840 square inches of wing area
and a flying weight of approximately 7-8 pounds. The intended
power system is a .40-.46 two-stroke or.50-.60 four-stroke engine.
If you ever wanted to build an airplane from a kit, the Student
Trainer would be a great choice with the guidance it provides as
part of the manual.
Balsa USA: Box 164, Marinette WI 54143; Tel.:
(906) 863-6421; Website: www.balsausa.com
3D Hobby Shop Osiris
Student Trainer
100cc Yak 55 M
Aeroworks has added a new addition
to its popular lineup of 100cc Quick
Build Series of aircraft: the Yak 55 M.
The model has a 108-inch wingspan
and a wing area of 2,015 square inches.
With a 100-120cc gas engine, the flying
weight ranges from 27
to 28 pounds.
Several nice
features are
incorporated into the
model including
rubber grommets to
keep the aileron
extensions from
falling into the wing and a no-gap
hinging system.
Aeroworks impresses with the
quality and innovations of its aircraft
and the Yak 55 M is no exception.
Aeroworks: 4903 Nome Street,
Denver CO 80239; Tel.: (303) 371-
4222; Website: www.aero-works.net.
The DX8 radio system from Spektrum is likely the
easiest eight-channel computer radio to use, and it
offers the most features of any radio in its class.
Although the system is simple, the included manual
explains much in five languages so the information
is slightly compressed—not that a whole book on
the subject is totally necessary. Without a resident
expert on hand, The Ultimate Guide to the
Spektrum DX8 makes a very good substitute.
Written by Chuck Bassani and published by
the team at RC Heli Magazine, this 96-page
book becomes your resident expert—and a
friendly one at that—for an in-depth trip into
the features, functions, performance,
programming, and use of the Spektrum DX8. Each of
the DX8’s System Setup and Function List menu
selections is broken down in minute detail.
Photographs, figures, and screen images are used
extensively throughout the book. Step-by-step
tutorials walk the user through the complete
programming of a basic four-channel electric trainer
airplane, an advanced airplane setup and detail how to
get the most out of an eight-channel radio with
exclusive telemetry features for the aircraft and
helicopter RC pilot.
Think Omnimedia: 13401 Yorba Ave.,
Chino CA 91710; Tel.: (888) 200-8299:
Website: www.rchelimag.com.
The Ultimate Guide to the Spektrum DX8
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