Worth a Closer Look

14 MODEL AVIATION
If you find the buddy box cord cumbersome, there’s a way to
add freedom to the student/instructor relationship. The Futaba
WTR-7 (Wireless Trainer System) uses FASST technology to link
any Futaba transmitter with the square trainer port to a second
Futaba transmitter with FASST technology.
With the WTR-7, the instructor can stand as far as 30 feet
away from the student. Supervised solo flights can be safer
than ever to perform. The independence given to the
student is no longer limited by the length of the cord.
The instructor can step back from the flightline and
see how the student does.
This accessory works in a similar manner
as a receiver, and the linking process of
the buddy box is familiar. The
small size of the WTR-
7 makes it easier to
keep handy. And
because the unit
simply attaches to the
back with Velcro, the
trainer port is less likely to
wear from the dangling weight
of a heavy trainer cord. When
using the WTR-7, it’s important to
ensure that the buddy box has a fully
charged battery.
Futaba: Box 9021, Champaign IL 61826; Tel.: (217) 398-
8970; Web site: www.futaba-rc.com
Hobby Lobby’s new F-86
Sabre is advertised as being
simple, fun, and inexpensive,
and we agree with those
claims. For a mere $119.99,
you get a nice-looking, easyto-
assemble, receiver-ready
jet. With its low parts count,
and the power system and
servos installed, the model
goes together in a couple of
hours.
Although the F-86 is missing landing gear, the drop tanks come
with plastic covers that act as skids to protect the bottom of the
model. We found the drop tanks to be a nice addition that makes this
Sabre stand out from the rest.
Included with the jet is a 1600 mAh, three-cell Li-Poly battery
that fits neatly on the battery tray. The hatch is held on with magnets
and makes it simple to
switch batteries.
Using the supplied
battery, pilots can expect
four minutes of spirited
flying. The F-86 is capable
of basic aerobatics; its
only limiting factor is the
lack of rudder. Landing
into the wind requires a
touch of power and
maintaining a bit of up-elevator until the model touches down. We
found that slightly moving the CG back helps keep the nose up.
Anyone looking for a low-cost, electric-ducted-fan-powered jet
should put the Hobby Lobby Skyblazers F-86 on his or her short list.
Hobby Lobby International: 5614 Franklin Pike Cir., Brentwood
TN 37027; Tel.: (866) 512-1444; Web site: www.hobby-lobby.com
Ball linkages offer slop-free connections with the most pivotpoint
options. Sullivan’s ball connectors are the most user-friendly,
featuring a spring-loaded closure that not only secures the
connection, but also makes removal and adjustment a two-finger
operation.
These linkages can be used for any control surface or
mechanical control, such as engine throttle. The ball joints are
made from machined aluminum and provide a full range of
movement up to 45° from
center in any direction. The
spring-loaded sleeve is made
from steel, as is the ball,
which is plated for years of
smooth service.
These great Sullivan links
are color-coded and available
in three sizes. Make sure to
lock the linkage to the metal
pushrod with a threaded nut
so that vibration can’t
prematurely wear the
precision threads.
Sullivan Products: One North Haven St., Baltimore MD 21224;
Tel.: (410) 732-3500; Web site: www.sullivanproducts.com
Worth a Closer Look
Andrew Jesky and Higher Plane Productions have teamed up to
bring aeromodelers a line of instructional videos. The first release,
Foamies and Indoor Flight,
focuses on everything you
need to know to build and fly
small electric-powered foam
aircraft.
This 141-minute DVD
begins with Andrew walking
us through every step of
building the Fancy Foam
Models MX-2. During
construction, he shares tips
and tricks and briefly
discusses component selection
and radio setup.
The remainder of the
presentation covers trimming
the model, tips for flying
successfully in a confined
area, and basic and advanced
maneuvers. Andrew’s
transmitter is shown in the lower right of the screen during
instruction, allowing viewers to see all of the stick movements he
makes while flying the aircraft.
Also included on the DVD is 20 minutes of bonus footage,
including RJ Gritter flying and talking about his variable-pitchpropeller
setup.
Higher Plane Productions: 1525 Acadia St., Durham NC
27701; Web site: www.higherplaneproductions.com
Futaba Cordless Trainer System
Low-Cost F-86
Aluminum Ball Connector
Andrew Jesky Instructional DVD
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June 2010 15
Have you ever dropped your
transmitter? For that matter, have
you dropped any piece of
valuable (sensitive) equipment,
only to have it ruined or seriously
damaged? And if you do drop
your transmitter, are you going to
feel safe using it right away?
Look at the dollars and sense, and
treat yourself and your equipment
by investing in an attractive and
durable carrying case.
BP Hobbies has handsome
cases that are modestly priced,
aluminum-clad, and fully lined
with foam. They are also packed with a center foam cradle that is
easy to customize. The included gel packs keep the interior
moisture (which electronics hate) to a minimum.
Store your equipment in these cases and you’ll seldom have
that dust and dirt buildup in its intricate crevices. It will always
look new. Furthermore, transporting small equipment in cases
makes it easier to load into vehicles.
BP Hobbies LLC: 140 Ethel Rd. W. Suite J, Piscataway NJ
08854; Tel: (732) 287-3933; Web site: www.bphobbies.com
Worth a Closer Look
Sized to be
friendly indoors or
outside, the Single
Rotor (SR) Blade uses
the stability of a
collective-pitch
machine but tames it
in a 200-class frame
and reduces the parts
count to the bare
minimum.
The SR is also built to take
some bumps and bruises
while its “student-tuned”
radio system and mechanics
ease the pilot into the exciting
realm of real RC helicopter
flying.
Making the move from a
cross-rotor-blade helicopter doesn’t have to be a big struggle, which
is where the Blade SR comes in. Its decent E-flite heading-hold gyro
does a good job of keeping the model in control, although the simple
direct-drive tail motor is a bit noisy. Its Spektrum DSM2 radio
system is a solid link, and, outside of “hoverbatics,” we found that
this machine performs smooth forward flight.
In addition, you can learn to hover inverted with this model.
Doing so over soft grass means that if you dump the SR, a dusting is
all it will normally need to fly again.
E-flite: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800)
338-4639; Web site: www.e-fliterc.com
After conducting in-depth exploration of Futaba’s innovative 10-
channel, 2.4 GHz radio-control system, Traplet Publications has
released a book that is intended to support
and assist all 10C users and enable
them to make the most of it.
Futaba 10C 2.4 GHz—The
User’s Guide starts with the
basics of radio control, expands
readers’ knowledge through
explanations of each feature,
and goes on to a chapter
detailing the logic behind the
built-in functions and how to
“think like a 10C.” Another
chapter focuses on using
programmable mixes.
Readers will learn not only how to
program every function, but also why the
function can be a valuable asset to your RC skills and enjoyment of
the RC experience. The author, AnnMarie Cross, helps the users try
their own unique programming—which provides new ideas and a
deeper understanding of the radio’s logic.
The book also contains an extensive glossary of terms, including
the terminology as it is abbreviated on the radio’s screens, common
hobbyist slang, and even terminology that other brands use.
Traplet Publications Ltd.: Traplet House, Pendragon Close,
Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 1GA, England; Tel.: (217) 355-
2970; Web site: www.traplet.com MA
Traplet 10C
See page 167 for submission guidelines
Graduate to a Real Helicopter
Micro Pterodactyl
Transmitter Insurance
It’s a bird. It’s a plane. Well, the Marston Micro Pterodactyl is
both. Designed around the popular Spektrum AR6400 receiver, this
model looks cool in the air and on the ground and has garnered a lot
of attention in the office.
The 18-inch-span Pterodactyl comes as a full kit, with everything
you need to build it other than CA and a soldering iron to fuse the
motors. Add to that your receiver,
battery, and one afternoon, and you
will have your own RC flying
reptile.
Depending on which version
of the AR6400 receiver you
use, programming may be
required. Steps for using
V-Tail and programming
mixes are covered in the manual.
The two included
motors and our 130
mAh battery
provided adequate
power and good
flight times. We
placed the battery all
the way forward to
get the recommended
CG.
We haven’t had
the opportunity to fly
the Pterodactyl indoors, but it requires calm conditions outside. We
also found the elevator to be extremely sensitive, so make sure you
follow the recommendations in the manual.
Marston Pteroworks has designed a unique aircraft and
generously provides an extra set of balsa parts to be used for spares.
So far we have found the Pterodactyl to be quite durable, even in
higher-than-recommended winds.
Marston Pteroworks: 1653 Westfield Ave., Reno NV 89509; Web
site: www.pteroworks.com
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