Electric Flight May 2014 - Superunitedkingdom

contents
Volume 13
Number 3
May 2014
Features
22 Albatros Makeover
Scaling out a foam WW I fighter By Mark Wilkins
Pilot Reports
16 Hitec Weekender Extra 300S
Open the box and fly aerobatics in under an hour!
By Mike Gantt
26 Durafly HyperBipe
26
This aerobatic design flies like a pattern ship
By John Kauk
32 E-flite/Horizon Hobby UMX Habu 180

One small package, lots of huge EDF fun
By Mike Gantt
36 special
Helicopter section
38 Blade 350 QX
The ultimate GoPro-compatible quadcopter
By Gerry Yarrish
42 Heli Talk: DIY Night Blades

Make your own LED night blades By Jim Ryan
48 LaTrax Alias
A new-generation quadcopter from Traxxas
By Peter Vieira
52 Heli-Max 1Si
Flying a mini quadcopter has never been easier
By Gerry Yarrish
22
columns
60 Custom Corner
New Color for Your Wing
By John Reid
64 Aerobatics Made Easy

The Roller Coaster By John Glezellis
66 Tailview
Build to Win Finalists! By Rich Uravitch
Departments
32
6 On the Web
8 From the Cockpit
10 Airmail
12 Current News ElEctric Flight (USPS # 021-655; ISSN# 2159-0672) is published bimonthly by Air Age Media, 88 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897 USA. Copyright 2014, all
rights reserved. Periodicals postage permit paid at Wilton, CT and additional offices. Canadian Post Publications Mail Agreement No. 40008153. SUBScriPtiONS:
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responsibility for the loss of or damage to unsolicited material. To authors, photographers and people featured in this magazine: all materials published in Electric
On the cOver: With a wide range of impressive Flight become the exclusive property of Air Age Media unless prior arrangement is made in writing with the Publisher. ADVErtiSiNg: Send advertising materials to
features and functions, the Blade 350 QX can be Advertising Dept., Electric Flight, 88 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897 USA; (203) 431-9000; fax (203) 529-3010; sales@airage.com. chANgE OF ADDrESS: To
make sure that you dont miss any issues, send your new address to Electric Flight, P.O. Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0235 USA six weeks before you move.
flown successfully by any RC pilot. Dont miss our Please include an address label from a recent issue, or print the information exactly as shown on the label. For faster service, go to ModelAirplaneNews.com and click
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On the Web
ModelAirplaneNews.com
ONLINE BUILD-ALONG:
ALIEN AIRCRAFT FUNMASTER 72
Follow Jerry Smith as he builds this laser-cut, 6-foot-
span kit. Designed to be a multi-role RC airplane, the
FunMaster is great for use as a trainer, fun-fly plane, or a
flying experimental testbed. It will be powered by MPIs
new Himax HC-4220-770 motor with a Castle Phoenix
Ice 50 speed control.
VIDEOS
Dont miss video of the
Blade 350 QX in flight and
instructions on how to fly
the roller coaster! Both
videos are embedded
in our digital edition of
Electric Flight, which is
free to all subscribers
(head to our website
for more information),
and theyre also on
ModelAirplaneNews.com.
PREMIUM SITE EXCLUSIVE
FLOAT FLYING MADE EASY
E-NEWSLETTER: GET IN THE KNOW There are several good reasons to try float flying, including the fact that your
If you get our free weekly e-newsletter, youll remember Rocky the Flying Squirrel, average floatplane usually lasts longer than its land-bound cousins because
a fun video that showcases the misadventures of a squirrel who accidentally climbs you never really have to deal with crosswinds, and a nose-in dunking seldom
into the cockpit of an RC model. If you dont receive our e-newsletter, sign up today at leads to major damage. Get all the info you need about equipping your plane
ModelAirplaneNews.com youll be glad you did! with floats and flying off water in this how-to!
WE WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK! Please tell us what YOU want to see! Find us
online at ModelAirplaneNews.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr,
Instagram, or Pinterest. You can also always drop us a line at MAN@airage.com!
6 MORE FROM THIS ISSUE AT MODELAIRPLANENEWS.COM

From the Cockpit
By Gerry Yarrish
Join the
It only takes
minutes to get the Quad Squad! EDITORIAL
Executive Editor Debra Cleghorn debrac@airage.com
Blade 350 QX flight One of the hottest growing
ready at the flying Senior Technical Editor Gerry Yarrish gerryy@airage.com
field. segments of the RC hobby today West Coast Senior Editor John Reid johnr@airage.com
is not a fixed-wing airplane or Deputy Managing Editor Katherine Pierpont
a helicopter, though it is related Copyeditor Suzanne Saunders
to heli design. Multi-rotors and, CONTRIBUTORS
more specifically, quadcopters are Bob Aberle, Gary Allen, Jason Benson, Budd Davisson, Roy
taking our hobby by storm, and Day, Don Edberg, Mike Gantt, Dave Garwood, Dave Gierke,
Greg Gimlick, John Glezellis, Henry Haffke, Aaron Ham, Sal
for good reason because theyre Iasilli, Clarence Lee, Jim Newman, Mark Rittinger, Jim Ryan,
very easy to fly and offer a unique David Scott, Jerry Smith, Quique Somenzini, Aaron Strietzel,
Faye Stilley, Michael Stroup, John Tanzer, Richard Thompson,
type of flying fun. In this issue
Craig Trachten, Paul Tradelius, Pat Tritle, Rich Uravitch, David
we showcase some of the most Vaught, Michael York, Nick Ziroli Sr.
popular micro and mini quadcopters
ART
on the market and offer you some
Creative Director Betty K. Nero
handy tips and techniques to make Art Director Kevin Monahan
learning how to fly them just a little
bit easier. If you are a seasoned DIGITAL MEDIA
pro or a new sport flier, youll find Web Producer Holly Hansen
quadcopters easy to master, and

VIDEO/PHOTOGRAPHY
with some of them having video Photographers/Videographers Peter Hall,
cameras, a whole new visual point Fredy Perojo
of view is now available with these ADVERTISING
easy-to-fly personal drones. Advertising Director Mitch Brian 203.529.4609
Senior Account Executive Ben Halladay 203.529.4628
Sales Assistant Tracey Terenzi 203.529.4637
MICRO JET SET
While were on the topic of micro CONSUMER MARKETING
The Media Source, a division of
RC, the newest electric-ducted
Source Interlink Companies, Inc.
fan (EDF) jet, the UMX Habu 180
DF from E-flite, is also in this issue. MARKETING & EVENTS
Associate Creative Director Leslie Costa
Inspired by the popular Habu
Production Assistant Paul Streeto
jet line from ParkZone, with a span of less than 15 inches and features like AS3X Flight Event Manager Emil DeFrancesco
Stabilization, this micro missile offers tons of fun in a small, high-speed package. If youre
looking for in-the-fast-lane excitement, this BNF micro jet really gets the adrenaline PUBLISHING
Group Publishers Louis V. DeFrancesco Jr.,
flowing. Yvonne M. DeFrancesco
On sale
Your New
April 22 Multi-Rotor
Destination!
Whatever you call them, be it quads or drones,
or if youre interested in flying micros or the
large hexacopters and octodrones, this new
generation of multi-rotor RC is incredibly 88 Danbury Road
Wilton, CT 06897 USA
exciting. As we are always looking to grow in
Email electricflight@airage.com
new directions, we recognized the need for Internet ModelAirplaneNews.com
a trusted source for up-to-date information! Editorial offices (203) 431-9000
Be sure to watch the newsstand for our new
special issue RotorDrone and our new website Customer Service (800) 479-5849
RotorDroneMag.com. All the editors are really For more ways to contact us, check
excited about this new special issue (also out our Reader Services page.
available on AirAgeStore.com) and Im sure you
will be too. Whether you want your experience
in print or online, weve got you covered!
Magazine Publishers
RCX.com
Visit us at RotorDroneMag.com of America
Printed in the USA

Airmail
Email: electricflight@airage.com | Mail: Airmail, Air Age Media, 88 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897 USA
CUB MEETS WATER

U I was impressed with your review of
the E-flite Carbon-Z Cub on the cover Model Airplane News on the Web
of your March 2014 issue. I thought that Electric Flight is your magazine and our editors are always
you would only be covering how the Cub listening to our readers. We post interesting topics,
performs on floats, but when I flipped polls, and questions to learn what you like. Recently, our
to the review, I was pleased to see your Question of the Week was, What type of airplanes do you
test pilot Kevin Siemonsen had flown the fly the most? Heres what you had to say!
Cub from both water and terra firma. A
lot of effort went into his review, which I love flying my 1/3-scale Super Cub and 30%-scale
is a great thing to see. I have read other
reviews in various magazines where it
Extra 330. Chris Wildmann Sellman
was obvious that the reviewer was only World War I airplanes bring us back in time to early aviation.
going through the motions. Kevins review was thoughtful and complete. Roger Niolet
Kudos to him and your whole team.
Ralph Manny, Roxbury, NJ Tail-draggers!! Crop-dusters to be more specific!
Ralph, many thanks for your words of encouragement. Kevin is a great Kenneth Bell
contributor and an excellent test pilot for all sorts of airplanes. But one
Fighters, everything else is a target. LOL. Robert Martin
thing he is not, and thats a sugarcoater! He always reports honestly,
and we went out on a couple photo shoots to get all the shots of the
Cub. From ground-based aerobatics to water bush plane ops, Kevin
Any kind of biplane (Pitts) ... all-around good flyers.
did it all with the Carbon-Z Cub. We also have the Cub and Kevins Chris Vallandingham
comments on video, so you can see how it performs. Check it out at
Sailplanes and motor-gliders. The challenge of keeping them
ModelAirplaneNews.com/carbonzcub. GY
aloft with only thermal lift. Bob Seevers
PERFECT FINISHES
U With all the ARFs and molded foamie flyers on the market, it is very
refreshing to see and read your article about good old painting and finishing experience that red paint, like Rob used on his Hall Bulldog Racer, is not a
its actually real modeling! Ive seen Rob Casos work in the past at very forgiving color. Like Rob said several times in his article, it takes a lot of
both the NEAT Fair and WRAM Show. He is a very talented, gifted builder sanding and priming to make a perfect finish. Great article!
and designer, and his craftsmanship is second to none. I also know from Paul Viteri, Berlin, CT
Paul, well pass your praises along to Rob, who is indeed a very talented
RC modeler. We have worked with Rob several times over the years, and
just when you think hes done something that cant be topped, he comes
out with something new that looks even better. MonoKote may be quick
and shiny but Robs Bulldog looks like it was molded from glass! Its a real
treasure for sure. GY
WRITE TO US! We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Address letters to Airmail, Electric Flight, Air Age Media, 88
Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897-7337 USA; send emails electricflight@
Rob Casos beautiful Hall Bulldog airage.com. Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity. We regret
racer as seen at the NEAT Fair. that, owing to the tremendous numbers of letters we receive, we
cannot respond to every one.
Heard on Facebook: What type of aircraft do you fly?
28% 18% 13% 9% 9% 8% 7% 6% 2%

Warbirds Aerobats Classic Gliders Sport Helis Biplanes Jets other
civilian FLyers & Quads

Current News LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN ELECTRIC RC
Hitec X4 Micro E-flite Carbon-Z Yak 54 3X

This portable charger has all your micro-flying With an improved Carbon-Z structure with CA hinges and built-in AS3X
needs covered! Weighing in at 10 ounces system, this precision aerobat is exactly what high-performance pilots
and just over 5 inches wide, the X4 has a are dreaming of. And because it comes with a powerful brushless power
built-in AC/DC power supply and four charge system and radio system installed (including metal-gear mini servos!),
ports, each with the most common battery you just have to charge the included battery and bind your transmitter to
connectors. The LED shows charge status, the installed receiver and youre ready to put on a show. This 48-inch-
current, and capacity so youre always in the span aerobat costs $379.99. e-fliterc.com
know. It costs $49.99. hitecrcd.com
Tactic AnyLink2
The original version of this revolutionary unit allowed anyone to upgrade
to 2.4GHz control, and this latest version increases model range,
simplifies setup, and adds an internal power source. You know you have
your old favorite radio sitting on a shelf because its 72MHz add this
$34.99 unit and you can make it fully functional again! tacticrc.com
Hobby People HPHeli Quad

This new quad has the best of all worlds: an on-board video and still camera and a
flip button that makes it perform aerobatic flips on command! Six-axis stabilization
is a techie way of saying its incredibly stable and easy to fly. This micro flyer has
7-minute flight times and costs $99.99. hobbypeople.net

Current News
Great Planes
U-Can-Do SF ARF
Equip it with a 50-55-500 brushless motor
and 4-channel radio gear, and this 59-inch
span aerobat is ready for action! Its side-force generators eliminate
wingtip turbulence and increase airflow over its ailerons for maximum
control, and its tapered wings provide extra stability. This built-up 3D
performer has a magnetic hatch and costs $199.99. greatplanes.com
Factor 3D
Strap on your seatbelt: this small
aerobat is about to take you for a wild ride! The
38-inch-span plane has two removable wing
panels and is quick and easy to assemble. This
built-up showstopper needs a 4-channel radio
system, 35-30-1250rpm/volt brushless motor
and speed control, and 2200mAh LiPo. It costs
$119.98. greatplanes.com
Microaces Ltd. MiG-3

Whens the last time you saw an MiG-3 at a flying field? Thats right ... never! Now
you can have a standout-profile WW II fighter that also has stable, responsive
performance. This 15-inch-span model comes as a foam kit that includes
covering material with preprinted graphics, scale control surfaces, motor and
speed control, and even an innovative clip-in receiver mount. The kit costs about
$75. microaces.com
Eagle Tree Vector

Pilots who enjoy First Person View are going to
love this lightweight FPV controller! Designed
for both fixed-wing and multi-rotor aircraft,
it has a built-in altimeter, magnetic compass,
and current sensor, and can be expanded
with additional accessories. Color graphics
are razor sharp, and the
Vector even has voice
alerts! It costs $279.99.
eagletreesystems.com

Pilot Report
Hitec
Weekender
Extra 300S
Open the box and fly aerobatics in under an hour!
By Mike Gantt Photos by John Reid & Mike Gantt
If you want a great-flying, park-friendly aerobatic airplane that you can have in the
air the same day that you purchase it, then youll want to keep reading! As part of
Hitecs Weekender series of planes, this model is made of EPO foam and painted to look
very realistic. A landing gear system, wing halves, carbon-fiber wing joiner, steerable
tailwheel, prop, spinner, and tail feathers are all packaged with the utmost care. The
operation manual consists of a dozen steps and pages, and guides you through the
incredibly quick assembly process. Even if you have never seen a model airplane
before, you should be able to put this one together. It has a low parts count, perfect
parts fit, and goes together easily. The manual states that this model is aimed at novice
pilots over the age of 14. If youre a beginner pilot, you may also want to use a buddy box
with this model.
Specifications Gear used Highlights
Model: Weekender Extra 300S Radio: JR 9303 DSM2 (jrradios.com), + Cool scale looks
Manufacturer: Hitec (hitecrcd.com) Spektrum AR500 receiver (spektrumrc.com),
Type: Full fuselage foam aerobat four included Multiplex MS-13020 servos + Minimal and fast assembly
Length: 42.5 in. Motor: Multiplex 3720-630rpm/volt + Maximum aerobatic fun
Wingspan: 47.2 in. brushless outrunner & Multiplex BL-50SD
Wing area: 418 sq. in. speed control
+ 3S or 4S pack capable for multiple
personalities
Weight: 3.1 lb. Battery: Thunder Power 4S 2250
Wing loading: 17.1 oz./sq. ft. (thunderpowerrc.com)
Motor incld: 630rpm/volt brushless outrunner Prop: 12x8x3
Radio reqd: 4+ channel
Price: $220
MAY 2014 17
Hitec Weekender Extra 300S
UniqUe featUres
Even though the manual is short, it is concise
and consists of good instructions, which are
always appreciated. Aside from plenty of info
to get your Extra flying, you will also find a
parts list and service contact info. This is cool
because if (when) I crash my plane, Ill want to
be able to buy a piece rather than a whole new
kit; not to mention the guys at Hitec have great
customer support. I decided to install the main
landing gear first. You will be impressed with its
completion as it only requires four screws for
a solid attachment. The aluminum gear struts
look great and the wheel pants are molded Picturesque performance: An accurate outline, Magnets hold down the hatch in flight, which allows
flawlessly. Plastic wheels with treaded foam 3-blade prop and spinner are all included. you to swap flight packs fast.
tires are pre-installed and require no alterations.
The included tailwheel is spring-tensioned and be me. Simple-to-adjust linkages are made Multiplex brushless outrunner is wired to a pre-
reminds me of the tailwheels on some of my of piano wire with Z-bends and easy-link installed 50A speed control. The included plug
larger models. Ill bet it holds up to my landing connectors pre-installed at the servo horn is the multiplex kind, so I carefully swapped it
tortures with ease! Magnets are used to keep ends. Setscrews are used to anchor down the for a red T type. The main thing to remember
the battery access hatch in place during high-G rods, so you will need a 1.5mm hex-wrench is that foam hates soldering irons. Getting an
maneuvers, and there is a very smart cowl ring when it comes time to set the final positions extra set of hands to help is a good idea. All
(for motor access) mounted magnetically as of the control surfaces. When I hooked up my four servos are also preinstalled. They simply
well. It slips on and aligns perfectly, showing radio, I had to adjust the tail feathers rods, plug into your receiver and need to be centered,
off the designers brainpower even further. but the ailerons were fine right out of the which just takes a minute or two. Some pieces
There are molded-in exhaust stacks, which at box. Up front, a 3-blade prop and appropriate of hook-and-loop tape are in the kit for
a distance, look and feel like youre flying with spinner adorn the included perfectly matched securing your receiver and flight pack.
a DA-50/Pitts muffler, but that might just powerplant. The pre-installed 630rpm/volt
In the Air
The power is there to pull the Extra off of rougher surfaces, but a paved Aerobatics: With a good-quality 4-cell LiPo pack installed in the Extra,
or hard surface is easier on the model. Throttle up and the model will aerobatics are unlimited. Torque rolls and power to pull-out are in the mix,
roll for about 15 feet, and after 15 more feet, the Extra will break ground not to mention any high-alpha tricks you may have up your sleeve. The
and rotation will follow. A 4-cell battery provides unlimited vertical, so if roll rate can be quick, and the pitch can change quickly if you turn your
you want to climb straight, upward, and out of sight, you can. The control rates up. Just add a little exponential and try your maniac moves up high
surface hinges are an ingenious design with mating parts that snap at first.
together and create gapless hinge lines, which gives the model a much Glide and stall performance: The wing load is forgiving and the plane
better feel in the air. In addition, the airfoil tail feathers aid in keeping the never feels heavy in flight. It glides well and carries some energy, which
plane in-line. After some high and low, and fast and slow, maneuvering, I helps when you want to do some killer tumbles. The plane also slows
lined up the landing, which was slower than anticipated. I kept the motor down well and is mild-mannered during landings.
turning, the wings level, and allowed the Extra to do its thing, giving a
slight elevator flare right before touchdown. pilot debriefing
This is an aerobatic model airplane that can be assembled by just
about anyone in less than 45 minutes. It looks gorgeous in the air, flies
general flight performance
beautifully, and is receiver-ready, meaning everything but your receiver
Stability: You will be impressed with the airplanes stability because
and battery is included in the package.
when balanced at the recommended point, it is as solid as any aerobat
should be. From beginning to end, the first flight with the 300S was
comfortable and predictable.
Tracking: The Extra 300S really shines here. You wouldnt know
you were flying a 47-inch foam model; the tail is airfoiled
and has a generous area, and the gapless hinges really
help the airplane stay on target.

setup for success
An aerobatic model with extreme throws can be quite a handful, and
when that model airplane is new, a whole new level of what I call
pucker factor comes into being. In other words, nerves and jitters may
want to haunt you during your test flight. Depending on the type of
transmitter used, we can make things much easier by taming the plane
and ourselves prior to taking to the air.
Control throws: Setting up the servo and linkages according to the manufacturers
instructions is key; someone has already had the pleasure of learning the hard way.
While taxiing around, this tailwheel offered superb Make sure there is no binding in the linkages and no servo strain. Your plane will thank
response. you.
Dual rates: Typically, settings are outlined in a build manual, so look there. A good
ConClusion general rule is to set your low rates at around 50-70% of maximum for your first flight,
This is one of Hitecs newest offerings, and it is a and adjust as necessary.
perfect example of their continued commitment exponential: Softening your stick movements around stick center will help tremen-
to excellent engineering and manufacturing. dously. Next time you power up your guidance, watch what happens when you move
The Weekender Extra 300S goes together the ailerons around. Did the elevator simultaneously move as well? Adding exponential
impeccably, and I spent a mere 15 minutes lessens this effect and will help. Note: Some radios require negative, while others employ
assembling it. I ended up waiting another 40 positive, exponential. Consult your transmitter manual to be sure.
minutes for my flight pack to finish charging! I Just a few minutes of setup can make a huge difference in the success of a test flight.
think that anyone could assemble this model; Once I took up a giant-scale bird with no expo and on full rates. Luckily, I was able to move
however, if youre a beginner, you should get the sticks in very slight 1/16-inch increments, which allowed a safe return home, after
assistance from a proficient pilot with both
assembly and the models test flight. J
which I immediately accessed my radios programming mode!
1/2H.indd 1 12/26/13 11:21 AM

Here is the Albatros at the flying field. It flies very well, although it
requires coordinated turns using liberal amounts of rudder to stay tight
and graceful. Due to the lightened airframe, landings are now easy
because the plane floats down on its final approach.
Albatros Makeover
Scaling out a foam WW I fighter By Mark Wilkins
I
ve had this plane for a few months and have had a blast flying it. It is a foam,
ready-to-fly WW I flyer thats of great value. My club has a grass field that
is rather bumpy, so great care is needed to bring small-scale planes down
for safe landings. It was this objective that inspired my modifications to an
already good model. I decided to make new wings using the traditional balsa
and covering method to lighten the plane a bit, new landing gear that include
a suspension for those potholes, and a new paint job just for fun.
STEP 1: The stock fuselage color of the Albatros is a perfect base color for graining or faux STEP 2: Each panel was grained going a different direction to
finishing the fuselage. This was accomplished using matte medium and burnt umber acrylic paint. simulate woodgrain.

STEP 3: The
stock landing gear
lasted about a month
before succumb-
ing to numerous
potholes and bumps
in my clubs runway.
The original gears
metal was a trifle
brittle and cracked in
several spots. Rather
than getting in line for
a backordered set of
new gear, I decided to
simply bend up and
solder a new strut
structure using good
old piano wire.
STEP 6: The result was an interlocking structure that can be

dry-fitted together, and then fastened using thin CA.
STEP 4: Since I went to the trouble of making new struts, I decided to make a suspension by STEP 7: These are the almost-finished bottom wings, to
soldering an axle at its midpoint to the spreader bar; each end will then get set up with elastic cord which I gave about 1/2 inch of dihedral. Special attention was
to give the effect of bungees on the real plane. The fuselage was then grained to simulate panels of needed to make the center section fit the opening in the foam
plywood. fuselage perfectly.
STEP 5: The wings STEP 8: The top wings were made in the same way.
were built using
notched leading and trailing edges that I made by pinning them together and notching on a small
table saw. If you dont have one of these, a razor saw works well too. Inset: The wing ribs were made
by stacking a pile of blanks together, spot tacking the ends with some CA, and then shaping them as
a unit. I then cut off the ends, therefore freeing the individual parts.
may 2014 23
Albatros Makeover
STEP 12: Interplane

struts were made
from basswood that I
reinforced at the joint
using plywood plates,
and temporarily clipped
in place to check align-
ment. The wings were
then disassembled for
servo installation and
covering.
STEP 9: Plywood interplane formers were made with tabs

that extend to accept the V-shaped interplane struts. These
were epoxied into place.
STEP 10: The bottom wing was then mated to the fuselage
and a small fairing was built up using scrap balsa. This was then
sanded to blend it into the fuselage.
STEP 13: Servos have been installed along with the Y-

harness. Both wings and ailerons are ready for covering.
STEP 11: The bottom wings, top wings, and interplane struts were pinned in place to check their STEP 14: I used Microlite covering on the wings cream on
fit. A foam-core jig was fitted between the machine guns to give proper angle of incidence for the the undersides and dark green on the tops.
top wing.

STEP 18: The pilot was given a
new paint job using leather brown,
cream, and various acrylic glazes
to enhance details.
STEP 15: I used light blue Krylon spray for the undersides of wings and stab, and green and
German Mauve acrylic model paint on the tops. The ailerons were then hinged using CA hinges and
installed. Aileron horns were re-used and then both wings were attached to the fuselage.
STEP 16: I cemented basswood fairings to the landing STEP 19: Here, the model is almost finished. Interplane struts have been fastened using small
gear struts, then wrapped them with some scrap covering film. machine screws and the paint job is just about complete.
Rubber band bungees were added to the gear to complete
the working suspension. The propeller and tailskid have been
painted with a basecoat of medium brown in preparation for
graining.
STEP 20: A radiator pipe made from aluminum tubing was STEP 21: A close-up
added to the front of the engine leading up to the radiator in the shot of the faux grained
wing. Rigging has also been added. propeller and the Garuda
Feldpropeller logo.
conclusion The ParkZone Albatros DVa ARF is a great WW I foamie that will fly
well right out of the box. I personalized it by lightening it and reworked the landing
STEP 17: The engine was sprayed with acrylic aluminum gear to include a suspension for bumpy runways. Making the foam look like wood
paint, then given a wash of thinned black paint to enhance the was especially satisfying. Choose a particular paint scheme that you like and modify
details. The exhaust stacks and pipe will be painted a rust color.
accordingly; its loads of fun and makes your plane unique!
may 2014 25
Pilot Report
Durafly
HyperBipe
This aerobatic design flies like a pattern ship
By John Kauk
Ive been flying electric RC airplanes for a long time, and over the years Ive gravitated
mostly to planes that are IMAA legal. These larger models mean that going flying
is a proportionally larger effort: loading the planes into a trailer or trying to fit one
or two of them into the car for a quick trip to the field. Lately, Ive been thinking of
finding a smaller plane that requires less effort and space to load up for a quick flying
session, but is still interesting and fun to fly one that I can just toss into the car with
a transmitter and a few batteries when the weather is good and I have time for a few
flights. When I got a look at the HyperBipe, it seemed like a really good solution.
The Durafly HyperBipe is a relatively small, molded EPO foam biplane designed for
F3A-style aerobatics. It looks the part, with a sleek, aerodynamic profile and a high-
visibility color scheme. The wings have a fairly thin, tapered planform and the fuselage
has a narrow, aggressive look. The plane looks just like a little pattern plane should.

Specifications Gear used Highlights
Model: HyperBipe PNF Radio: Turnigy 9XR w/ OrangeRX DSMX + Fast, easy assembly
Type: Aerobatic sport biplane compatible module (hobbyking.com), + Easy access to battery and radio
Manufacturer: Durafly (durafly.com) Spektrum AR600 receiver (spektrumrc.com), compartments
Distributor: HobbyKing (hobbyking.com) four 9g micro servos (installed)
Wingspan: 35.4 in. Motor: 1,400rpm/volt outrunner and 30-amp
+ Light, durable foam construction
Wing area: 344 sq. in. speed control (both installed) + Plenty of power for aerobatics
Weight: 21.8 oz. Battery: 1350mAh 3S 30C Turnigy LiPo
Wing loading: 9 oz./sq. ft. Prop: GWS EP9050 (included)
Length: 35.4 in.
Motor incld: 1,400rpm/volt (installed)
Radio reqd: 4-channel
Price: $107.41
MAY 2014 27
Durafly HyperBipe
UniqUe featUres
The HyperBipe is fast and easy to assemble
and prepare for flight. The model arrives in a
sturdy box and the EPO foam parts are nicely
packed in a fitted Styrofoam box liner. Each part
is protected from scuffing during shipping by a
piece of slick paper where it contacts the liner. All
of the airplanes foam parts have a smooth, shiny
finish, and waterslide decals have been factory
applied. The hardware included is metric and of
sufficient quality for the job. Since this was a
Plug-and-Fly (PNF) package, all of the power
and radio equipment came installed except the
receiver and battery, so all I had to do was get
The 1,400rpm/volt motor is factory-installed. Notice These are the factory-installed and adjusted aileron
the airframe together and set up the radio. the well-designed vents for cooling airflow into the servos and covers. Notice the high-quality control
I followed the steps outlined in the manual battery/speed control chamber. horn on the aileron with swiveling connector.
and used Zap-O Foam Safe CA and kicker for
the assembly. Spraying some kicker on one part,
waiting a moment, and then applying the glue to the other part before The plane is capable of performing
putting the two together allowed enough time to adjust alignment before
the glue set. All of the EPO parts fit beautifully with minimal gaps in the all f3a-sTyle aerobaTics, and The
seams, and there were no surprises during assembly. abundanT power and large conTrol
After the airframe is assembled, the elevator and rudder need to be surfaces should allow iT To do many 3d
connected to the servos. The aileron servos have already been installed,
connected, and centered. The factory-installed control horns on the flying maneuvers as well.
In the Air
Kansas isnt known for having a lot of good throws, the plane is smoother and less
flying days in the winter, but it turned out that aggressive but still a capable aerobat. The plane
a weekend club meeting day was more than is capable of performing all F3A-
suitable. Partly cloudy, with temperatures in style aerobatics, and the abundant
the high 40s and moderate winds around 10 power and large control surfaces
to 15mph meant it was go-time. My friend Bill should allow it to do many 3D
Miller agreed to be the test pilot while I shot maneuvers as well.
photos. Glide and stall performance: It
We expected some difficulty taking off slows down nicely, with no bad
from the dry grass because of the smallish tendencies at the stall. Ailerons
wheels and the foam wheel pants, but the are a little less effective at low
HyperBipe had no problems at all. After a short speeds, so be prepared to use
takeoff run, it was climbing out steeply into some rudder in slow
the wind. Most of the first flight, including the flight. Landings
takeoff, was done at half-throttle or less, so as are pretty easy
expected, theres an abundance of power. The just line the
winds that day were near the top of the range plane up with
for enjoyable flying with this model, but the the runway, reduce
HyperBipe handled them nicely. power, and it will glide right
in with a short roll out after
general flight performance touchdown. Like most other
Stability: Being designed for aerobatics means biplanes, it slows down
neutral stability in my mind, and thats how we in the air quickly, so keep
found the HyperBipe to be. Its fast, responds a little power on and make sure
quickly to control inputs, and doesnt self- youve made the runway before cutting power.
correct, so you have to fly it the whole time. We
found it to be sensitive to rudder movements, pilot debriefing
so we reduced throws from the recommended The Durafly HyperBipe is a great little model
maximum by about 30%. if youre ready for a nimble aerobat. Its small
Tracking: It tracks well on the ground and in the enough to be handy, but large enough to see
air, going right where you point it. easily while its flying. While we didnt have any
Aerobatics: The high power loading of 170 problems, rough grass might make it difficult
watts per pound makes for short takeoffs to take off on the small wheels. Fortunately,
and good vertical performance. With the hand launches are easy - a moderate amount
recommended high-rate control throws of power and a gentle toss towards the horizon
selected, expect a fast roll rate. With reduced and youre flying.

Tools For Better Building.
1/3S.indd 1 3/13/13 10:53 AM
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and uses number #11 in tough wire without able!
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47872.indd 1 1/2/12 4:18 PM
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Email us at: sales@airage.com
Durafly HyperBipe
TURNIGY 9XR
This transmitter was developed with
an open source firmware using feature
recommendations from the RC com-
munity and online forums. The result is
a versatile system that can be pro-
grammed to meet the requirements of
many types of fliers. Since the firmware
is open source, a person with appro-
priate programming skills can make
changes to it to suit his or her needs, and
load it into the transmitter through the
AVR ISP interface. There are currently
three officially approved versions of the
firmware available.
The 9XR is a 9-channel digital pro-
portional transmitter with a built-in an-
tenna and is capable of using a number
of different transmitter modules, includ-
The battery is secured by a strap and a hook-and- The radio access hatch is in the bottom of the wing. ing a 2.4GHz DSM2/DSMX compatible
loop fastener next to the speed control in the battery You can see the receiver as well as the two factory- version. It has 16 model memories, pro-
compartment. installed servos. The equipment is easily accessible
grammable digital trims, and it supports
for adjustments.
helicopter, airplane, and glider modes.
Switches, pots, and joysticks are freely
assignable, and there is a very versatile
mixing capability. The radio has both
JR- and Futaba-
compatible
trainer ports.
Available at
HobbyKing
for $50, plus
the cost of
the mod-
ule and
a 3S LiPo
battery,
the 9XR
is a lot of
radio for
a small
Here, the author is installs the battery and price.
hatch cover and prepares for a flight. Magnets
hold the cover securely in place, and the com-
partment is easy to access for battery swaps.
surfaces have swiveling connectors with setscrews to capture the control adjusted the control throws to the maximum
rods. These control horns are quite sturdy and slop-free. After binding recommended in the manual and then set up a triple-
the receiver and plugging in the servos, its a simple matter of sliding the rate switch on the transmitter for all three surfaces with mid-rates at 75%
control rods into place, applying Loctite to the setscrews on either end, and low-rates at 50%. I checked the power system with a watt meter
and securing the linkages with the control surfaces centered. I dont know and found that it delivered 225 watts while drawing just over 18 amps, a
how it could be easier. completely appropriate power level for a plane of this type.
Two hatches on the bottom of the plane help make the radio setup The total time to assemble and set up the HyperBipe was just more
process easy. The radio compartment aft of the landing gear houses the than an hour and a half. Its entirely possible that you could receive the
fuselage servos and receiver. The connecting links on the servo arms are box from the guy in brown, start charging a battery, then begin building
easy to reach and adjust when setting up the linkages for the elevator and be about ready to fly when the charge is complete!
and rudder. The receiver is secured with hook-and-loop fasteners just
forward of the servo tray. In the bottom of the nose, theres a hatch BOTTOM LINE
secured by magnets for battery access. The speed control is fastened to The Durafly HyperBipe would be a fine addition to an intermediate or
the inside of this hatch with hook-and-loop fasteners, and the battery advanced pilots hangar, especially given the affordable price. It builds
is secured by a strap. I also installed a bit of hook-and-loop fasteners quickly and accurately into a light, aerobatic biplane thats a lot of fun to
between the battery and fuselage just to make sure it stayed in place. fly and has the capability to do anything in the air youd like it to. If you find
With a 1350mAh 3S battery, the center of gravity was just in front yourself in need of a small aerobatic model to practice new routines with,
of the recommended range. Since I prefer a plane to have a slightly or to just fly around the local ballpark on a free evening, the HyperBipe
nose-heavy balance for initial flights, I thought this was just right. I might be perfect for you.
Pilot your adventure
Experience
A new the rotor drone
special issue revolution!
from the editors of
April 22, 2014
On screens,
newsstands, and
in hobby shops
RotorDroneMag.com
Pilot Report
E-flite/Horizon Hobby
UMX Habu 180
One small package, lots of huge EDF fun
By Mike Gantt Photos by John Reid & Mike Gantt
There are some really cool looking and incredibly fast electric jets out there. While I love
the sound of a turbine, I cant always get out to the desert or to a club field that allows
a turbine aircraft. Electric-ducted fan jets have been gaining ground at an incredible
rate and are often seen pushing planes well over 200mph. Having reviewed quite a
few electric jet models out there, I distinctly remember the Habu from E-flite; I literally
opened the box at the flying field and had it in the air in minutes. (Note: I did already
have a charged LiPo flight pack.) While it flew very well, the Habu was a bit too large
to fly at my local park. Now the UMX Habu 180 has entered the stage, and this small
Bind-N-Fly model offers big pilot fun. This is a Habu recreation thats smaller and has
significant alterations and engineering incorporated into the design. Power, thrust, and
stability are all increased, which couldnt have been achieved a few years ago with a jet
this size. E-flite tossed out the rule book and made what seemed impossible a reality!

Specifications
Model: UMX Habu 180
Manufacturer: E-flite (e-fliterc.com)
Distributor: Horizon Hobby (horizonhobby.
com)
Type: Mini electric jet
Length: 17.5 in.
Wingspan: 14.6 in.
Wing area: 54 sq. in.
Weight: 2.65 oz.
Wing loading: 7.07 oz./sq. ft.
Motor incld: 180-280 brushless
Radio reqd: 4+ channel
Price: $125
Gear used
Radio: JR 9303 DSM2 (jrradios.com),
Spektrum 6410NBL receiver, four Spektrum
A2030L servos installed (spektrumrc.com)
Motor: E-flite BL180 11750rpm/volt w/
28mm Delta-V fan (installed)
Battery: E-flite 2S 200mAh 25C LiPo
Highlights
+ Open the box and fly
Finally, cool enough in California for long sleeves! The Habu may be
small, but is big in ability.
+ Perfect power combo
+ 4-channel controls
+ AS3X stability is awesome
MAY 2014 33
E-flite/Horizon Hobby
UMX Habu 180
UNIQUE FEATURES
The first thing you will notice is the package your
Habu arrives in. While well designed, it is also a
good place to store your mini jet, especially while
traveling. It will also store some batteries and
an accompanying charger. As far as assembly,
I believe this is the first time I did nothing aside
from installing my 2-cell flight pack and binding
the Habu to my DSM2 transmitter. The binding
process is simple: connect the battery, set
your transmitter into bind mode, and wait for
a solid LED light on the receiver. Successive
flights will now only require that you power up
the transmitter, wait five seconds, and then
connect the speed control/flight pack plugs
together. Upon first binding the model, it was
cool to see that all control surfaces were moving
correctly without having to do anything. Per
the instruction manual, I dialed in dual rates and
exponential, and then I taxied the jet around my
dining room. After seeing how quickly the model
moved around on my floor, I immediately ordered
more batteries. Im not sure Ive seen another similar size electric jet with The landing gear can be easily removed and the vented servo covers keep the
as much thrust as the Habu 180. The designers must have known what actuators safe from belly landings.
In the Air Under the hood is a perfectly

matched E-flite brushless inrunner
Aerobatics: This jet rolls super fast on high rates, and loops
can be pretty tight. With the gear retracted (removed),
and fan unit. At 11,750rpm/volt, it allows the Habu 180 to the model has less drag and more speed, and completes
be easily hand-launched up into the air with a light toss at aerobatics a bit cleaner.
about 5-10 degrees. That said, you can fly this jet almost Glide and stall performance: After cutting power, the
anywhere. With the landing gear employed, rollouts only airplane will almost fly itself if you keep the nose down.
last a few seconds, with less than 30 feet traversed before Glides are easy to anticipate and stalls are fairly easy to
you can break away from terra firma. The plane gets on step recover from.
quickly and youll want to keep a close eye on the Habu as it
will disappear in a hurry. Try using low rates at first to get a PILOT DEBRIEFING
feel for the models flight envelope and adjust it according to You will enjoy the UMX Habu 180 as it is a clean departure
your preference. My test flight timer was set to four minutes, from what you might expect. The power is generous, you get
which I would say is conservative and allows you to go 4-channel controls, and the handling is superb for a model
around a time or two if needed during your approach. Minor this size that weighs so little.
elevator inputs seem to work best at letting the small-but-
mighty Habu find its groove and settle in on gear-down
landings. The plane rolls for a bit, and once it slows, the
steerable nosewheel gives precise movement during taxiing. ONCE IN THE AIR, THE HABU 180 REQUIRED MINIMAL
Grass landings will be abrupt unless your grass is short, but
after many tests at my local park, the Habu has maintained
TRIM AND DREW NICE LINES IN THE SKY.
its integrity well.
GENERAL FLIGHT PERFORMANCE

Stability: The AS3X setup is awesome. During the test
flight, from takeoff to touchdown, the Habu felt solid while
slithering swiftly through the sky. Even at less than half-
throttle, the plane was very stable and handled well.
Tracking: When bound to my transmitter, all functions were
correct and all controls were fairly centered. Once in the air,
the Habu 180 required minimal trim and drew nice lines in the
sky.

The five-blade fan and
brushless motor provide
an excellent thrust-to-
weight ratio.
Full house controls, easy-to- center mechanics, and the AS3X system allow for
solid feeling flights.
The AS3X elecTronicS reAlly help To

STAbilize A SmAller model And Theyre
probAbly why we even hAve Such cool
fun prop facts rc AircrAfT in ThiS Size
When it comes to aircraft propulsion, you usually have a decision we all wanted, and they delivered just that: more power!
to make about utilizing an open prop or a ducted fan. Ducted fans In terms of looks, the UMX Habu is sweet. The airframe is pre-painted,
typically create more thrust at a lower airspeed than a prop of the decals are pre-applied, and there is a pilot bust already at the controls.
same size because the fan blades do not interfere with each other Removable landing gear allows you to fly and land on grass, but if you
as much. However, once you exceed a certain speed, the ducting leave it on, you will have the ability to steer the Habu around on your
typically creates more drag, and performance losses can occur. tarmac. You may want to add some packing tape to the planes belly for
That said, ducted fans can and will have higher blade counts: skid protection if you do fly gearless, but the servos will stay safe due to
youll see 5, 7, or even 9 blades and todays fan units are tuned their built-in covers. These covers have vent holes and allow plenty of air
for maximum velocity. (The number must remain odd to prevent to pass over the actuators, which is great because an AS3X system keeps
resonance problems!) Blade count normally depends on how the servos on the move. The AS3X electronics really help to stabilize
powerful your engine is and how much power it can successfully a smaller model and theyre probably why we even have such cool RC
use. aircraft in this size. I can tell you firsthand that all of my AS3X planes fly
If you are looking to maximize efficiency, then stick with a very well, even in less than perfect conditions.
conventional muscle-driven propeller because nothing beats a
turboprop when you measure pounds per dollars per mile.
Fun engineering trivia: the Tu-95 and its civil airliner spinoff, ConClusion
the Tu-114, is powered by four turbines producing 15,000 Usually, at this time I would tell you how long and how difficult the test
horsepower each, driving their counter-rotating 4-bladed subject is/was to complete. In the case of the E-flite UMX Habu 180,
props that are 18 feet wide. At maximum speed, the tip speeds there are no complexities and it took me about 20 seconds to open the
exceed Mach 1 (in the case of the Tu-95 only) and make it one box and remove the foam cradle that holds this mini jet in place during
of the loudest aircraft ever made, to the point that most crews transport. The instructions are on the bottom of the foam insert, so be
experienced permanent hearing loss. The Tu-114 holds the careful not to toss them out inadvertently.
absolute speed record for a prop-driven plane to this day. The excitement really begins when you get this bird in the air the
I guess the moral of that story is that if you have unlimited E-flite UMX Habu 180 is just plain fun to fly. It really is hard to believe that
power you can get away with a lot! something this easy to build is such a good flyer the new generation of
mini jets like the Habu 180 are just fun, fun, fun! J
may 2014 35
SPECIAL
Helicopter Section
38 Blade/Horizon Hobby
350 QX
By Gerry Yarrish
42 Heli Talk: DIY Night Blades

Make your own LED night blades
By Jim Ryan
48 LaTrax Alias
SP E CIAL H E L I CO P T E R SE C T I O N
By Peter Vieira
52 Heli-Max 1Si
Flying a quadcopter has never been easier
By Gerry Yarrish

SPECIAL
H E L I CO P T E R
SECTION
Blade/Horizon Hobby
350 QX
By Gerry Yarrish Photos by Peter Hall
Specifications
Name: Blade 350 QX
Rotor type: Quadcopter
Main rotor dia.: 22.8 in.
Rotor blade length: 8.27 in.
Length: 18.3 in.
Width: 18.3 in.
Height: 5.43 in.
Flying weight: 24 oz.
Flight time: 8 to 12 minutes
Price: $419.99 (BNF);

$469.99 (RTF)
Gear Used
Transmitter: Spektrum
DX7s (spektrumrc.com)
Battery: E-flite 11.1V
3S 2200mAh 30C LiPo
(included)
E-flite DC 2-3S LiPo
balancing charger
Motor(s): Four brushless
1,100rpm/volt (installed)
W
hen I first learned about the 350 QX by Blade, I was impressed by its sleek, modern design and its relative size compared to other
quadcopters Ive flown. However, once you start setting up this next-generation quadcopter, its impossible to not be impressed
by its cool features and ease of use. By far, the Blade 350 QX is the most pilot-friendly quadcopter I have flown to date, and I
think anyone who has ever thought of taking in-flight videos with a GoPro camera will want to check this quad out.
UNIQUE FEATURES
Distributed by Horizon Hobby (horizonhobby.com), this impressive personal multi-rotor drone is available as both a Ready-To-Fly (RTF) and as
a Bind-N-Fly (BNF) version. It comes equipped with four substantial 1,100rpm/volt brushless motors and is powered by an E-flite 3S 2200mAh
30C LiPo flight battery, which provides it with more than enough power to carry any GoPro camera. Also included is an anti-vibration camera
mount compatible with the older low-res GoPro, the new HD GoPro 3, and the HD GoPro 2 (in its own protective case). Held in place with four
screws under the models body, the camera mount has four hollow, rubber standoffs that eliminate any sign of camera shake while the 350 QX is
in flight.
The BNF 350 QX also comes with an E-flite DC 2-3S LiPo balancing charger and four spare (B-series) rotor blades. The BNF version requires a
5+-channel DSM2- or DSMX-compatible transmitter and I chose the Spektrum DX7s transmitter to control the 350 QX for this review.
Featuring SAFE (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology, the Blade 350 QX has extremely smooth flight characteristics that easily
stabilize it (even in windy conditions). The multiple flight modes provide easy selection of performance to best suit any pilots experience, even if
you have never flown a quadcopter before.
MAY 2014 39
In Smart mode, the max altitude
you can hover is about 135 feet, but
in Stability and Agility modes, the
model can go much higher.
In the Air The 350 QX is a lot of fun to fly. You do have to

get used to using the various switches to get
it very easy to control the quadcopter, regardless of the direction it is
facing. A little throttle gives a low altitude and a lot of throttle produces
from one mode to another, and the instructions are very clear on how a higher altitude. If you stop moving throttle, the GPS and other sensors
to assign the various functions and flight modes to the correct switches maintain altitude for you. When you return the right stick to its neutral
and what values and mixes to assign. It only took me 20 minutes or position, the model self-levels and uses the GPS/altitude sensors to
so to program my Spektrum DX7s transmitter, and I did this while the maintain a stable hover regardless of the wind conditions.
LiPo flight battery was charging. For your first flight, make sure you
have a fully charged battery pack. To check for proper bind, switch your In Stability mode (solid blue indicator light), the quadcopter operates in
transmitter on, wait a few seconds, and then switch on the 350 QX. a normal fashion but it has a limited bank angle even if you fully deflect
Once it has established a connection to the transmitter, you can check the sticks. Stick relativity is deactivated, as is the automatic altitude
the functions with the status light. With the flight mode switch in the control. When you release the right stick, the model enters a GPS
0 position, you should have a flashing green light for Smart mode. column to keep it in a stable hover, but you control the altitude. This is a
Flipping to the 1 should cause the light to turn blue while still flashing great model for shooting video with the GoPro camera.
and then by flipping the mix switch from 0 to the 1 position, the
flashing light should turn red to indicate the model is in Agility mode. In Agility mode (solid red light), the model has no self-leveling function,
Flipping the flap switch all the way toward you should cause the light to and it will take a little while to get use to the 350 QXs aerobatic
rapidly flash red to indicate it is in the Return Home mode. With these characteristics. It can really perform, easily do loops, flips, and rolls, and
checks made, its time to go outdoors. zip around at great speed. You have to be an experienced RC pilot to
fully control the quadcopter in Agility mode, but it definitely is a lot of

GENERAL FLIGHT PERFORMANCE fun.
Takeoff: Before you actually get into the air, your transmitter has to be
bound to the quadcopter and allowed to acquire a GPS lock (indicated PILOT DEBRIEFING
with a solid green light). Also, be sure all your trim levers (including When you activate the Return Home feature, regardless of what flight
throttle) are in the centered, neutral position. This is all relatively easy mode the model is in (and with no further input from the pilot), the 350
and automatic, but you cant arm the motors and fly until you get a QX will climb to about 60 feet and then come back to the location where
solid green light. To activate the motors, move the throttle to its lowest it first had its motors activated. It is important for you to then remain
position and move the left stick all the way left, then right, and then in your initial piloting position so it can land safely without over flying
back to center. The motors will then start to spin the rotor blades, and your changed position. In Smart mode, the max altitude you can hover
youre good to go. is about 135 feet, but in Stability and Agility modes, the model can go
much higher. I did not test this, but you should keep the AMA maximum
In Smart mode (solid green light), throttle/rudder stick is altitude and altitude of 400 feet in mind when trying to get that awesome aerial
yaw control and the right stick uses the Stick Relativity feature, making video of your neighborhood.

While in Smart mode, the 350 QX uses GPS
and altimeter sensors to keep the model in a
stable position. The on-board programming
knows where you and the transmitter provide a
SAFE Circle, causing the quadcopter to remain
15 feet away from the pilot. This prevents it from
flying too close to the pilot while in hover. Smart
mode also has a Stick Relativity feature that
allows the pilot to control the quadcopter relative
to the stick movement. Simply said, the pilots
stick inputs (forward, backward, left, or right)
move the quadcopter in that direction regardless
of the yaw orientation of the model. Regardless
of the actual direction the models nose is
pointing, if you move the stick forward (away
from you), the 350 QX moves away from you. If
you move the stick to the right, it moves to the
right, and so on. This makes flying and controlling Included in the BNF version is a set of replacement blades and an E-flite
LiPo charger, to charge the included E-flite battery pack.
the 350 QX extremely easy, even at extreme
altitudes and distances away from the pilot.
In Stability mode, the flight envelope is
limited and enables the 350 QX to self-level for
consistent flight performance, even for beginner
quad pilots. The GPS Position Hold feature can
be turned on and off by the pilot while in Stability
mode. The 350 QX is also equipped with AS3X
flight stabilization, which allows excellent hover
and aerobatic flight performance. And, while
flying in Agility mode, the model is fully capable of
quadcopter aerobatic maneuvers with extreme
stability.
Bottom line
I am amazed at how easily the Blade 350 QX
performs. It has many impressive features and
functions that allow any RC pilot to be successful
right from the very start. The instructions are easy
to follow, so it takes no time at all to program your Under the red hatch
DSM2/DSMX-compatible transmitter. And if you cover, the E-flite 11.1V 3S
want even more guidance in setting up the model, 2200mAh 30C LiPo pack
fits perfectly in place. it is
you can watch several videos on the Blade website
(bladehelis.com/Multimedia/Video.aspx).
held securely with a Velcro
strap.
Eye in the Sky

When it comes time to fly the
350 QX with a camera, it is easy
to attach. The included vibration
isolation mount accepts either
the included Camera Frame (it
fits GoPro 3 HD and the older
low-res GoPro camera) or
use one of the GoPro sports
housings. A single attachment
hand screw is included allowing
the angle of the camera to be
adjusted. When the camera
is installed, the 350 QX flies
exactly the same as without the
camera. The stablization system
adjusts for the additional weight
and changed balance of the
quadcopter. However, you will
get slightly less flight time from
your battery pack.
MAY 2014 41
SpecIal
H e l I co p t e r
SectIoN
Making your own lighted blades re-
Heli Talk: DIY Night Blades ally brings your night heli to life. You
can add as many LEDs as you like
and in whatever color pattern and
Make your own LED night blades By Jim Ryan
spacing you choose.
In my March column, I discussed There are many variations for building night Youtube tutorials to be sure you understand the
the basics of modifying a heli blades, and just about anyone whos built a process. Id be remiss if I didnt thank Donnie
couple of sets has their own tricks. Here well rogers for his help in refining my technique of
for night flying using LED strips.
look at some options and outline the general selecting suitable components.
While there are some very procedure. Its beyond the scope of this article
nice commercial night blades to cover every last detail, and I strongly urge Blade selection
on the market, this month Id you to spend some time watching some of the as noted, we make night blades by turning
like to look at the mechanics
for making our own. DIY night
blades offer some very neat
features. First of all, most of the
night blades on the market are
fairly minimalist. They provide
enough lighting to look attractive
and maintain orientation, but
theres little question in my mind
Sp e cIal H e l I co p t e r Se c t I o N
that more lights just look cooler.

Second, you can tailor your
lighting scheme to your own
tastes. To build our night blades,
well essentially be converting
the blades themselves into
circuit boards by applying
traces of copper tape and then
soldering LEDs and resistors to
those traces. Finally, well add Here are the basic tools and materials required. A solder iron with a very fine tip is a necessity, but a soldering
LiPo cells and be ready to go station like this one also allows you fine control over tip temperature. A digital multimeter will allow you to test
the diodes, verify values of resistors, and make sure carbon blades arent draining the LiPos. Magnifiers are a
flying. lifesaver when working with the tiny surface-mount components.

the blades themselves into circuit boards. Here are the basic electronic components.
The surface-mount resistors and LEDs come
One issue is that carbon-fiber blades are in tapes for feeding into commercial pick
conductive, so you have to make sure the and place machines. The 3-pin sockets
carbon is clear-coated anywhere its exposed, double as charging and arming ports, and the
male 3-pin plugs are made from header pins.
such as at the leading and trailing edges.
Otherwise, the conductive carbon will gradually
drain your LiPo cells. Because of this issue, I
like to use fiberglass blades because fiberglass
is inherently non-conductive. It may lack the
ideal stiffness for real smackdown 3D, but for
my style of sport flying, its good enough, and
fiberglass blades are much less expensive as
well.
TRACE LAYOUTS
There are a number of options for laying out
the traces and LEDs. The most popular method
is to run a positive trace along the top of the
blade and negative along the bottom. Then
traces are routed around the leading or trailing
edge to bridge the gap and power the LEDs.
My preference is to run parallel traces along the
top of one blade and the bottom of the other,
with the LED/resistor packages spanning the
gap. This is visually attractive and avoids the
exposed carbon at the leading edge while also Resistor Values for LEDs
keeping the blades balanced. Another option This simple spreadsheet calculates the correct resistor value for any given LED using the forward
for dual-color blades is to run three traces: two voltage and maximum current. The resistors dont have to be perfect, so I round up to the next
positive, with a ground trace between. With readily available value in this case, 33 ohms and 82 ohms.
this layout, a single resistor of the appropriate
value can be soldered to each positive trace Forward Voltage Current (mA) Resistor Value
at the root of the blade. The only catch is that LED.com Part No. Desc. Color Typ Max Typ Max Calc Actual
the resistor must have a high enough wattage
EPT2012RWF-A LED White 3.3 4.0 20 30 30 33
rating to handle the total number of LEDs, but
it saves you the trouble of soldering the tiny EPT2012SECK LED Orange 2.1 2.5 20 30 70 82
LEDs and resistors together. EPT2012SURC LED Red 1.9 2.5 20 30 77 82
EPT2012PBC-A LED Blue 3.3 4.0 20 30 30 33
Note: Use max battery volts and max current to calculate resistor to get brightest LED.
Battery max volts: 4.2
After applying the copper traces

to the blades, the next step is to
mark the location of the LEDs. Be
sure to mark them as accurately
as possible so that both blades
This shows why a magnifier visor is a necessity; the will have the same CG span-wise.
surface mount devices (SMDs) are tiny. Fine tweezers To simplify the job, I install LEDs
are a big help in handling them. The LEDs must be on the top of one blade and the
installed with correct polarity, which makes a digital bottom of the other. As long as
multimeter with diode testing capability very handy. they balance, this works nicely.
MAY 2014 43
Vb is the batterys fully charged voltage
Resistors (typically 4.2V), Vf is the leDs forward voltage,
installed first which is available on its data sheet, i is the max
current in amps, and r is the target resistor
value in ohms. So, for an leD with a forward
voltage of 1.9 volts and a max forward current
of 30ma, the calculation is:
(4.2V 1.9V) .030A = 77
You can round the resistor value up slightly to

err on the safe side, and for this particular leD,
i would use a readily available 82-ohm resistor.
run these calculations for all the leDs you
plan to use, so that you can order the correct
Soldering the LEDs and resistors for each color (see table).
resistors together is the as for the power rating of the resistors, you
most challenging step. simply multiply the max current of the leDs by
What works best for me is
to pre-tin all the locations the voltage of a fully charged cell. typically this
and then solder the means:
resistors on. The LEDs are 4.2V * .030A = 0.126w
then butted up against the
resistors, soldered to the
trace, and then soldered to So, if youre using one resistor per leD,
the resistor. Rosin solder LEDs butted
1/8-watt resistors are perfect. if youre
flux makes this job much against resistors
easier. planning to run a string of parallel leDs with a
single resistor, the power capacity should be
multiplied by the number of leDs. For instance,
ResistoR values service life and may even fail outright. four leDs in parallel would require a 1/2-watt
Since a charged lipo cell exceeds the voltage Fortunately, theres a simple formula for resistor.
rating for the leDs, resistors must be used to determining resistor value for any given leD. one final comment here: leDs with higher
step the voltage down, so an important step all you need to know is the forward voltage and forward voltage will dim and go out soonest
is to determine the values for these resistors. max current rating for each leD, and these are (as voltage drops). even if you opt for lower-
if the resistance is too high, the leDs will be available on its data sheet. With these in hand, voltage colors like red or orange, its good to mix
dimmer than necessary and can fade out we use the formula: in at least one or two higher-voltage leDs to
entirely as the lipo discharges. if the resistance (Vb Vf) I = R act as a low battery warning.
is too low, the leDs will have a shortened
Ground Trace Positive Trace LEDs and resistors

soldered together
Ground Trace
Sp e cial H e l i co p t e r Se c t i o n
Staggered LEDs
Positive Traces
Here are two layouts Ive used with success. The 550 blade has two traces, but since each LED has its own resistor, you can use whatever colors you like. For the 450-size
blade, I used my alternate three-trace layout, with the LEDs staggered to whichever trace gives the correct voltage. With the resistors located at the root of the blade, the
LEDs are easier to install.

LIKE.
FOLLOW.
JOIN.
1/2V.indd 1 9/24/13 12:41 PM
1/4H.indd 1 9/24/13 12:33 PM

The LiPo cell is attached to the trailing edge of the blade apply a tiny amount of rosin flux and a small dot
with two-sided tape. I recommend automotive-grade
3M VHB. The 200mAh cell shown here will power the six of solder at each location.
LEDs on each blade for well over an hour. The 3-pin socket Now youre ready to install the LEDs. If
allows you to charge the LiPo, but when the jumper plug youre installing one resistor at the blade root,
bridges the two outer ground pins, the LEDs light up. Be
sure to cover the LiPo with shrink wrap to help secure it; the LEDs can simply bridge the gap between
the tape alone isnt strong enough. the traces. If youre using a dedicated resistor
for each LED, I recommend soldering on the
Solder trace resistors first and then butting the LEDs up
intersections against them.
With the LEDs mounted and tested, youre
ready to install the LiPo cell at the root of the
blade. I use 3M VHB automotive tape for this.
You can then add the traces and charging/
arming socket as shown in the photo. Each
trace intersection must be soldered as shown.
The 3-pin design shown allows you to charge
the LiPo through the center and side sockets,
and to turn the blade on by bridging the
two ground sockets simple, reliable, and
lightweight. Its important to cover the LiPo with
a sleeve of shrink wrap to secure it in place; the
tape alone is not strong enough.
3-pin socket
last stePs
Once the blades are completed and tested,
adhesive is much stronger, and its available secure each LED with a drop of CA. Finally,
in 1/8-inch widths, saving the tedious step of balance the blades carefully before your first
slitting it down. flight. If you ever need to replace the LiPo cells,
Jumper plug Lay out the traces as accurately as possible. you can simply slit the shrink wrap, unsolder
The more accurate the layout, the easier the leads, and gently pry the cells loose. Clean
Putting it all together the blades will be to rebalance when theyre up the tape residue, and youre ready to install
With everything collected, were ready to start. complete. Once the traces are applied, carefully new cells.
First, apply the copper traces to the blades. burnish them down to make sure theyre fully Properly maintained, DIY night blades can
Lots of fliers use the copper tape sold for bonded to the blades. last a long time, and they look fantastic in the
stained glass work or wiring dollhouses, which Before installing the LEDs, mark their air. And when your buddies inevitably ask,
is cheap and widely available. I prefer copper spanwise locations accurately so that the two Whered you get those? you can smile and
trace repair tape. It costs a little more, but the blades are as closely matched as possible. Then say, I made em!
SP E CIAL H E L I CO P t E r SE C t I O N

SPECIAL
H E L I CO P T E R
SECTION
LaTrax
Alias
By Peter Vieira Photos by Peter Hall
Back in the May 2013 issue, Traxxas impressed everyone with their first quadcopter, the QR-1, which at
the time, was one of the smallest ready- to-fly quads on the market. It was available as a RTF version with
its own transmitter or, you could buy it as an EZ-Connect version which could bind to the transmitter from
Traxxas micro heli, the DR-1. Well, the folks at Traxxas have not been sitting idle when it comes to new flying
designs and the LaTrax Alias quad really raises the bar with multi-rotor design. A totally new quadcopter
designed completely in-house by Traxxas, the LaTrax Alias is a rugged, well-thought-out flying machine and
its electronic stability features and programmed stunt moves make it exceptionally easy to fly indoors or out.
Its especially fun outside, as the Aliass relatively large size and reduction-geared props allow it to tolerate
breezier conditions that would send lighter micro quads adrift across the neighborhood. As an experienced
RC car guy and total flying noob, Im probably a pretty good representative of the typical LaTrax Alias buyer,
so I scooped up the Alias for review heres how it went.
The Alias is very stable,
especially in the still air of
an indoor area. Not too small
though always give yourself
adequate flying space.
MAY 2014 49
If I got discombobulated,
releasing the right stick
returned the Alias to level
flight automatically.
In the Air Using the included USB charger, the Aliass

LiPo battery was juiced up in less than half
the Alias is easiest if you point it away from you, so the model flies
to your right and left when commanded right and left. With this in
an hour (speedier than the usual 40 minutes or so, since it arrived mind, the Alias has a bright blue LED in the rear so its easy to keep
partially charged). The battery slides into a tray beneath the body, track of which direction it is facing. The brightly colored front rotor
and once plugged in, the Alias is switched on and ready to fly. blades help toothe rear rotors are always black. In Easy mode,
A clip is designed into the airframe to hold the battery wires and the controls are very mild, and maintaining a hover was easy. Radio
connectors neatly beneath the canopy. Switching the transmitter range was excellent, and I was able to fly farther and higher than I
on elicits a chime that signals its ready to go, but the Alias will not would ever need or want to. If I got discombobulated, releasing the
respond to throttle commands until you arm it by pressing the left right stick returned the Alias to level flight automatically.
stick down and depressing it. Flights are even more exciting after sunset, as the Aliass bright
On power-up, the transmitter defaults to Easy Mode, with Fast LEDs and illuminated panels give it a Tron-like glow. If youd prefer
and Expert modes just a click of the right stick awaymore on that to fly without lights, they can be switched on and off from the
later. Easy mode sounded like a good call for me. Learning to operate transmitter as you fly. Pretty sweet.
The Alias arrives with everything you need to The 6-channel transmitter has
fly, including AAA batteries for the transmitter video game-like ergonomics
and a solid, high-quality feel.
and a USB charger for the 650mAh LiPo LaTrax includes traditional
battery. LaTrax also supplies a complete set of sticks that can be used
spare blades, traditional control sticks ( to swap in place of the thumb

pads if you prefer.
out the transmitters game-controller-style
thumb pads if you like), and a wrench for the
Aliass hex hardware. Other than installing the
batteries, theres no assembly required or
decals to stick on, for that matter. I reviewed a
red and black Alias, and LaTrax also offers black
with orange, green, and blue. No matter which
color you choose, you can change to another
color by swapping the blades, canopy, and LED
lenses for a different look. Cost for all the parts?
About $10.

mistake-recovery, and if things got hairy, I just
clicked the right stick mid-flight to reactivate
Easy mode and auto-recover to level flight.
Bottom linE
The Alias is my kind of quad. Its the perfect
size, is plenty powerful for outdoor flight, and
extremely easy to fly. When youre ready, its
aerobatic capability offers a whole new world
of possibilities and challenges you wont
get bored with this bird anytime soon. Its also
extremely tough, the worst I could do was pop
an LED cover loose, which easily snaps back
into place. Youll find the Alias in most hobby
stores, but dont forget support the guys at
888-TRAXXAS take care of LaTrax too.
With the exception of the rear-facing blue LED, all of the Aliass LEDs are white; the color comes from snap-in
translucent panels. Changing up the color of the Alias is as simple as swapping props, canopies, and panels
(LaTrax calls them lenses). A complete color conversion will only run you about ten bucks.
Easy, fast, and ExpErt modEs more aggressive maneuvers, while retaining
After you get basic flight control dialed in, you the auto-leveling feature if you over-fly your
can move up to the Fast and Expert modes by skills. In aptly named Expert mode, the full
pressing the right stick. EXP1 will appear on aerobatic capability of the Alias is unlocked,
the transmitters LCD to indicate Fast mode, with no auto-leveling and maximum input Each rotor blade is spun by a
and Expert is EXP2. Fast mode unleashes travel. In this mode, the Alias is a real hot rod, coreless motor via a pinion
the Alias full power capability and increases with impressively fast and agile performance and spur gear, and theres a
rubber bumper under each
the range of each command (like increasing a that does require an expert touch. I enjoyed arm. The design isolates the
servos throw) to enable steeper banking and Expert mode with plenty of altitude to allow for motor from impact damage.
Instant Tricks
My favorite Alias feature is its pre-programmed stunt capability. In Fast mode, you can perform
tricks simply by clicking the left auxiliary button and flipping the left or right stick. Flipping the left
stick will make the Alias perform the Twister, a five-spin pirouette in the direction you choose.
Flipping the right stick makes the Alias somersault in the direction that you flipped the stick
forward, backward, sideways, or diagonally. All you need is altitude when you press the button
and flip the stick, the Alias does the rest and makes you look like a pro.
SPECIAL
H E L I CO P T E R
SECTION
Heli-Max
1Si
Flying a mini quadcopter
has never been easier
By Gerry Yarrish Photos by Peter Hall
Specifications
Model: 1Si
Type: Micro quadcopter RTF
Mfg.: Heli-Max (helimax-rc.com)
Dist.: Hobbico (hobbico.com)
Width: 6 in.
Length: 6 in.
Weight: 1.5 oz. (without camera); 1.6
oz. (w/ camera)
Price: $99.98 (RTF); $139 (RTF w/
camera)
Highlights
+ Actual Direction Control
function
+ Excellent stability
+ Return Home function
+ Available with and without
camera
Gear Used
Radio: Heli-Max 4-channel TX465
transmitter (included), four AA
transmitter batteries (included) Quadcopters are becoming easier and easier to fly, and when it comes
(helimax-rc.com) to getting great value for your hobby dollars, the Heli-Max brand name
Battery: Heli-Max 1S 3.7V 350mAh
is hard to beat. Heli-Max has been turning out excellent quadcopters for
LiPo flight battery with a USB-
compatible charger (included) a while now and did a lot to set the standard for performance and ease
Accessories: Four spare rotor blades, of use. The Heli-Max line of quadcopters includes the 1SQ, the camera-
rotor blade guards, screwdriver, and equipped 1SQ V-Cam, and now the 1Si, which comes with and without a
instruction manual (included)
camera. Lets take a look at what you get.
With rotor blade guards
and a enclosed battery
compartment, the 1Si has a
sleek up to date appearance.
The Braking feature helps

brings the 1Si back to a
stable hover when the right
control stick is returned to
the center position.
UNIQUE FEATURES
As with all Heli-Max products, the 1Si RTF comes as a complete package,
including its own 2.4GHz radio system (four AA transmitter batteries
included), a 1S 3.7V 350mAh LiPo flight battery with a USB-compatible
charger, four spare rotor blades, rotor blade guards, a screwdriver, and an
instruction manual. The rotor guards are easy to install with the included
small screws and screwdriver, and there are colored LEDs located on the
underside of each outrigger motor boom. A nice feature of the 1Si is the
enclosed battery compartment with a snap-in-place cover that serves to
protect the LiPo battery, and it adds to the quadcopters modern styling
and looks.
The included Heli-Max TX465 transmitter has digital trims and two
sticks for complete 4-channel control. When turning on the quadcopter, FLIGHT MODES
there is a safety feature that wont let the motors activate until the When you first turn on the 1Si, it defaults to the Normal flight mode. In
throttle stick is placed in the down (off) position. The transmitter also this mode, the on-board control board applies Braking in order to level
features high and low dual rates, which you can switch back and forth and slowly return the quadcopter to a stable hover when the right stick
from by pressing the right control stick assembly straight down until you is centered. This is an excellent feature for beginner pilots as it greatly
hear a click. There is a dual rate indicator symbol at the bottom center of reduces the chance of a crash. For more advanced pilots, the Braking
the digital displace screen to show which mode has been selected. The feature can also be turned off by pressing the F Mode button on the top
flight sensitivity is also adjustable, so you can fine-tune the 1Si to your right corner of the transmitter to put the 1Si into Manual mode. Pressing
liking. The instructions are very clear on how to make adjustments. the F Mode button again reactivates the braking feature.
MAY 2014 53
In the Air The 1Si has excellent stability
and is extremely easy to fly.
Extremely easy to fly and hover, the 1Si is ideal for

indoor and outdoor flight where the wind conditions
are calm. The Actual Direction Control feature makes
it very easy to control the model regardless of where
its nose is pointed. This really flattens the learning
curve for beginners and greatly increases the
models pilot-friendly characteristics. The Braking
feature helps brings the 1Si back to a stable hover
when the right control stick is returned to the center
position.

Stability: To put it simply, stability is excellent.
The TAGS-FX continuously corrects unwanted
movement in yaw, pitch, and roll while also preventing
drifting. It corrects for any actions except for your
own control inputs. The Sensor Fusion Technology uses data from a PILOT DEBRIEFING
3-axis gyro and a 3-axis accelerometer. My favorite feature is the Return Home function. Its very cool! By
pressing the ICM button quickly and then releasing it, the 1Si enters
Response: With its dual rates and F Mode functions, you can tailor the Auto Return mode. This is indicated by the red LED flashing quickly as
1Sis response and performance to best suit your own style of flying. In the model starts to fly toward the transmitter. You still have control of
low rate, the quadcopter is very easy to keep hovering over a specific throttle (altitude) but any movement of the right stick will return the
position, and in high rate, you have all the maneuverability you need to 1Si to Manual mode. Once the quadcopter is close to you, you can then
satisfy any level of RC piloting skill. use the controls to enter a stable hover and land.
ACTUAL DIRECTION CONTROL

Activated with the ICM button on the top left
corner of the transmitter, the Actual Direction
Control (ADC) feature is what sets this micro
quadcopter apart from the others. When the
ADC feature is activated, the movement of the
right stick (to the left, right, toward you, and
away from you) makes the quadcopter move
in that direction regardless of the direction the
front of the quadcopter is facing.
BOTTOM LINE
The new 1Si from Heli-Max is an excellent
choice for the newcomer or any experienced
RC pilot whos looking for a micro quadcopter
for fun and excitement. It has great features,
making it very pilot-friendly, and is attractive,
maneuverable, and very rugged. Available with
and without a digital video camera, the 1Si is a
blast to fly.
The included 2.4GHz

Heli-Max transmitter
provides excellent feel
and has built in safety
features.
Smile! Youre on Candid Camera!

The 1Si quadcopter is also available with a micro digital camera that can take digital still photos
and video footage. On the top back corners of the transmitter are the two Picture and Video
buttons that activate camera. The images are saved on the included 2GB micro memory card.
Downloading and viewing your aerial surveillance is easy with the included USB card reader.

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Pilot Report
Flyzone
AirCore
P-51
Cathy II
Classic warbird in a unique,
reusable package
By Aaron Strietzel Photos by John Reid
Distributed by Flyzone, the new

AirCore P-51 Cathy II is for the
modeler looking for a multipurpose
design using the new Power Core
module system that allows the
use of one radio, one Power Core,
and the choice of eight different
airframes. (The Flyzone
brand AirCore offers Specifications
eight different airframes Model: Flyzone AirCore P-51 Cathy II
Mfg.: AirCore (rcaircore.com)
including this P-51 Dist.: Hobbico (hobbico.com)
model.) The P-51 Cathy Type: Warbird sport flyer
II is a simple snap- Wingspan: 22 in.
together, magnetically Wing area: 80.138 sq. in.
Weight: 4.1 oz.
attached airframe Wing loading:7.37 oz./sq. ft.
that requires no tools Length: 19 in.
or experience to Motor req.: 181rpm/volt brushless
Radio: 4-channel (rudder, throttle, elevator, aileron)
assemble. Just attach Price: $59.99 (Power Core); $44.99 (airframe kit)
the fuselage to the
wing and youll have
Gear used
a complete airframe.
Radio: 6-channel Tactic 650 transmitter, Power Core
This plane is great for module w/2181rpm/volt brushless motor, 6A speed
someone looking for a control, 4-channel micro SLT receiver, three digital
sweet warbird design ultra-micro servos (installed)
Battery: Flyzone 2S 250mAh 7.4V LiPo
in a small, fly-most- Prop: Included
anywhere size.
Highlights
+ Fast assembly
+ Small-scale detail
+ Great parts fit
+ Power Core versatility
may 2014 57
Flyzone AirCore P-51 Cathy II
UNIQUE FEATURES
The P-51 Cathy II is designed to use the
new Power Core module, which features a
complete tray that also snaps into the airframe
magnetically and has an all-in-one setup with
the brushless outrunner motor, speed control,
three micro digital servos, and an SLT 4-channel
receiver. The Power Core setup uses a 7.4V
2-cell 250mAh LiPo as a flight pack. For control,
I used my Tactic 650 6-channel radio because
it is compatible with the SLT receiver installed
in the Power Core. You can use another radio
brand if you use a compatible AnyLink SLT
module.
The P-51 is very well-constructed molded
foam, with nicely done graphics, and has
music wire landing gear with simulated gear
door covers. It has a lift-off canopy hatch
allowing easy access to the flight battery. All
hardware comes pre-installed, including the
pushrods, which have magnetic attachment
points that automatically match up to the main
servo pushrods when the Power Core module
is installed. All the control horns and a nice
torsion-style aileron linkage are installed. There
is a simple one-page sheet for guidelines on
Out of the box, the Aircore planes have magnetic With the wing installed and the landing gear snapped
the quick Power Core assembly that covers attachment points for the wing assembly and other in place, simply lift the top upper cowling off, plug in
anything you need to know. parts making assembly quick and literally snap the Aircores power core and youre ready to go!
The military P-51 Cathy II arrived in a neatly together.
packaged box with foam supports and with
all panels individually wrapped. After doing WITH A WARBIRD FEEL AND THE EASE OF A PARK FLYER, THE
a physical inventory and checking all main CATHY II IS REALLY A FUN PLANE TO FLY. IT IS THE PERFECT
panels for any damage, I laid everything out PLANE TO LEAVE IN THE CAR FOR SOME LUNCH-HOUR FLYING FUN
In the Air
With the assembly complete, I took the Cathy II out to my local club field. I Glide and stall performance: With the weight being super low, the
double-checked that the battery was fully charged and the controls were Mustang will fly slowly, but it will also drop a wing panel if you go too
moving properly. Any big open space that allows model aircraft flight will be slow. Get a good feel for it up high before bringing it down, and then land
fine because the Mustang does not take a lot of space to operate safely. using good throttle management to prevent it from slowing down too
much. Once you get a feel for it, you can come in for smooth approaches.
Stability: For its size, the P-51 is actually very stable. PILOT DEBRIEFING
As with any low-wing design, it certainly goes where With a warbird feel and the ease of a park flyer, the Cathy II is really a fun
you point it and needs to be flown all the time as it plane to fly. It is the perfect plane to leave in the car for some lunch-hour
doesnt self-correct like a high-wing aircraft. It may be flying fun when time permits. Keep a few battery packs charged up, and
small, but it has the feel of a larger model. youll always go back to the office with a smile on
Tracking: Due to its light weight, flying in low to no wind your face.
conditions, you will find that the P-51 tracks very well and has
no bad tendencies. It will fly from one side of the field to the
other (both upright and inverted) and tracks very well.
Aerobatics: Your typical sport plane maneuvers are easily
accomplished with this model. From loops and rolls, to spins and
snap rolls, the model will do most all traditional aerobatic moves.
Due to its small size and responsiveness, however, you do need to
keep a sharp eye on it because it will get very small, very quickly if you
dont keep it in close.

ONE SIZE FITS ALL!
I also had the chance to assemble and fly another one of the Flyzone
Power Core models with this review. The Principle is a nice high-wing,
3-channel model that features rudder, elevator, and throttle controls,
and uses the same Power Core technology that my P-51D Cathy uses.
I simply removed the module from the Mustang and slipped it into the
Principle. I simply created another model and programmed it in my
Tactic 650 computer radio for the Principles settings. With 20-model
memory, the Tactic radio makes this a snap.
On low rates and a lower throttle position, the Principle can be used
as a small park flyer trainer. If you add some higher rates and kick up
the throttle, you can whip the model around and enjoy snappier perfor-
mance and all the fun a 3-channel plane can provide. The Principle was a
blast to fly, and I really enjoyed how it performed. With six other models
in the AirCore line, Im thinking of expanding my collection. The AirCore
line offers a variety of warbirds, including a Spitfire, a couple Zeros, a
Focke-Wulf 190, and Me 109, and a Miss America P-51. Since I already
have the Power Core module, Im sure I will soon have the whole fleet.
and started putting it all together. Assembly pushrod connectors clicking together. You in the flight battery (leaving the propeller off
is easy simply snap the wing in place, slide will see the surfaces center, which means the for safety) and went through the easy binding
the landing gear into position, and slip the Power Core module is properly aligned. At this process of the Tactic 650 radio system. I then
Power Core into the airframe. The propeller and point, the model assembly is basically done. centered all servos and set up all control throws
spinner are one piece and just snap onto the Since all the servos and the receiver come making sure the control surfaces went in the
brushless motor. When installing the Power installed in the Power Core, the next step is to right directions. The Power Core needed no
Core, just listen for the sound of the magnetic bind the transmitter to the receiver. I plugged subtrims; all the pushrods and connections
were perfect straight out of the box. I then
unplugged the flight battery and charged it up
with my 2S charger.
Finally, I installed the propeller and spinner
assembly knowing the throttle was going the
right direction. This step is not in the manual but
I recommend it to be on the safe side.
CONCLUSION
The Mustang is simply too easy to assemble.
From start to finish, I only needed about half
an hour to complete it, and theres no glue
required. I highly recommend this model to fulfill
your micro park flyer needs! The instructions
are easy to read and explain everything the
The Aircore power core assembly is a simple slide-in tray that attaches the servos and the pushrods together model needs to become ready for flight.
and makes switching the core from one model to another a simple and easy task.
MAY 2014 59
Custom Corner
By John Reid
I
f you were around for the
last installment of Custom
Corner, you know that Im
in the middle of recovering
my Hangar 9 P-51D Mustang
60 ARF, which was a blue-nose
version, into a German color
scheme. During the war, all sides
would capture enemy aircraft and
paint them in their own colors.
The Germans would use a bright
yellow and silver color scheme
for some captured P-51s, which
is the color my aircraft will have.
In this installment, I am going
to show you how I cover wings
using UltraCote covering. Lets get
started!
youll need
Oven mitt
Straightedge
Various colors of covering that match the color
New Color
scheme
Top Flite Woodpecker tool
Electric scissors (great for cutting covering off
the roll)
Hobby knife
Soldering iron
Trim iron
for Your Wing

Covering iron
Covering heat gun
MonoKote trim solvent to seal any edges
STEP 1: The first step is to cut some small strips of covering

and place them in all corners that are located on the wing. This
will prevent any gaps from appearing once the covering is applied
to both sides and overlapped onto the edges. I also applied small
pieces of covering to unique or hard-to-cover areas. These parts
of the wing would be difficult to cover with a full sheet.

STEP 2: I used one piece of covering and cut it to extend all around the wing with a good amount
of covering going past the wingtip. This extra amount will be used to grab on to during the stretching
process over the edge. Always cover the bottom of the wing first so that the seams will be toward
the bottom of the wing and harder to see.
STEP 6: My covering iron was set to 250 degrees, and I rolled

it over the leading edge, starting from the cover side, over to the
upper side of the wing, and past the edge of the covering. Then
I moved my iron over half of its width and repeated the process
until all of the leading edges were sealed down. By working in
this manner, I eliminated having any wrinkles or bubbles in the
sealed-down UltraCote covering.
STEP 3: I set the heat iron at 200 to 250 degrees and tacked down all of the edges around the
top of the wing. At this point, I didnt have to worry too much about wrinkles, but you do want to get
it as smooth as possible before tacking down the edges.
STEP 4: I made a 45-degree STEP 5: On the leading edge, I used a straightedge to make a STEP 7: Next, I switched to my heat gun and pulled on the extra
cut at all the inside corners, nice, clean cut for the leading edge. I cut this to a length so that it covering at the wingtip while heating it with the gun. If it gets too
rolled the covering over onto extends up to the top of the leading edge and is just short of the hot, use some type of heat-resistant glove on your pulling hand.
the edges, and used a heat gun top of the wing. Be sure to shrink down the covering beyond the halfway point on
to seal it down. Most of the time the edge of the wingtip, and then trim off the extra material using a
I will trim the covering near the sharp hobby knife. The idea here is to have a smooth, trimmed end
top edge of the wing. that doesnt show up under the cover on the top of the wing.
MAY 2014 61
pro Tip: Use some small weight bags on the
wings to keep the wing in place while covering
it. These are especially helpful when doing the
wingtips and will prevent the wing from flipping off
the bench when stretching the extra covering over
the wingtip.
STEP 8: With all the edges sealed down, I then went over the entire wing with the heat gun and
shrunk it all down. I followed the heat gun with my oven-mitt-covered hand and pressed down the
heated covering to get a good bond with the wing surface.
STEP 10: For the rest of the parts (ailerons, flaps, wheel
covers, and servo hatches), I used the covering iron set between
250 and 300 degrees. This is hot enough to activate the glue
and shrink down the covering a little. By working the iron back
and forth all the way down, it is fairly easy to get a smooth and
bubble-free finish.
STEP 9: The top side of the wing is covered the exact same way as the bottom with the excep- STEP 11: I rolled over and sealed all the long edges of the part.
tion that I cut all the edge-overlap pieces so they extend about 75% of the way up the edge. For Again, cover the bottom of the part first. After the edges were
these, I used a straight edge and made a nice, clean-finished cut, and then sealed them up with my sealed, I trimmed them near the top of the part using a sharp
covering iron. This photo shows the top of the finished right wing, and the left wing was done follow- hobby knife.
ing the same steps.

STEP 12 For the small edges of the flaps and ailerons, there is a curved leading edge that needs a little attention. For this, I first made small-width cuts on the covering
that extended about 3/4-inch past the wood (left). I then ironed over all the pieces of the leading edge (center), and lastly, folded over and ironed down the flat side of the
covering, this will lock in the short thin pieces (right).
pro Tip: I used a pencil soldering iron to cut

out any holes in the covering, which would include
STEP 13: Covering the rest of the wing parts was pretty straightforward. The servo covers had servo hatches, hinge points, and wire exit holes.
some black marks on them around the edges, which showed through the first sheet cover. To rectify
By using a solder iron, the covering is melted and
this, I used the TopFlite Woodpecker to punch holes in that covering and then placed down another
securely fastened around the edges of the openings
sheet of yellow covering over it. The holes in the base covering allow air to escape and prevent air
bubbles. on the wing.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Here is my completed
wing with all the extra
parts also covered. The
left wing half is done in
the exact same manner
and I will wait on hinging
the rudder, ailerons,
and flaps until after Ive
added my insignias on
the covering. Now that
the wing is complete,
it is time to move on to
covering the fuselage. Be
sure to join us on the next
installment of Custom
Corner, where we will use
three different colors for
our final fuselage color
scheme and show you
Enjoy!
how to cover fiberglass.
MAY 2014 63
Aerobatics Made Easy
By John Glezellis Illustrations by FX Models
The Roller Coaster

Four easy steps to a showstopper move!
T
o fly the roller coaster, you need to be extremely familiar Next, lets simplify matters and divide this exciting landing into four
with your aircraft with respect to executing both upright and steps.
inverted harriers. Youll start this move at a fairly high altitude
and will rock your plane back and forth while descending StEp 1. Begin by lining the aircraft up with the runway, traveling into the
perfectly vertical while keeping the wings of the model level and the wind at a fairly high altitude. Decrease throttle so the flight speed of the
orientation of the fuselage aligned. model decreases and, with 3D rates activated, begin feeding in elevator
Over the course of this months discussion, we will take a look at my as needed to maintain altitude. Apply any minor rudder and aileron
personal rate and exponential setup on my Fancy Foam MX2. While this corrections to keep the airplane lined up with the runway.
is a small electric model, it is a great learning platform for many complex
maneuvers as it has docile flight characteristics at low speeds. In addition, StEp 2. As the airplane is about to stall, push full down-elevator and hold
it is a foam model that can be flown indoors, so it is a great learning this input until the airplane pivots 180 degrees. At that point, immediately
platform to try new maneuvers with when weather conditions
are not ideal. Lets get down to business!
For this maneuver, it
Before we Begin is important to have a
While the roller coaster requires extreme amounts of control plane that is capable of
throw, these rates should not be used for the entire duration 3D flight and has plenty
of elevator throw.
of the maneuver. Use your models factory-recommended
low-rate settings for a majority of your flights, occasionally
switching to a mid-rate setting, if applicable, for snap rolls and
similar maneuvers, and use another rate specifically for 3D
rates. Typically, 3D rates have about 45 degrees of deflection on
all control surfaces, and these would make the airplane rather
difficult to fly precisely if the you used them throughout the flight.
Whenever you use a lot of control surface deflection, you
should use a fair amount of exponential. A great starting point
is around 65% exponential with 45 degrees of deflection.
Exponential will soften how the airplane will respond to certain
control inputs around neutral, but maximum travel can be
obtained by moving the control stick to the maximum amount.
Wing rock can become a natural occurrence when using a lot of
control surface deflection and sometimes large amounts of throw
are not beneficial. If you notice excessive wing rock, decrease the
deflection on the elevator in 5 degree increments, but dont use
less than 35 degrees. (If you do, you wont be able to perform
the roller coaster as intended.) Next, when you transition into the
inverted section of the maneuver, wing rock should decrease as
the vertical stabilizer is pointed down and clear of any turbulence
created by the horizontal stabilizer.
overview
To begin, the airplane should be upright and level, parallel to the
runway and traveling into the wind. If youre piloting a park flyer,
it should be at about a 300 foot altitude. Decrease the throttle
so that the plane almost comes to a halt and activate the 3D flight rate. reverse elevator deflection and pull full up-elevator so the airplane will
As the model is about to stall, push full down-elevator so the aircraft pivot again. As a side note, this is a very aggressive maneuver as the
rotates 180 degrees. Once the airplane pivots and is inverted, immediately airplane will perform 180-degree pulls and pushes while descending, but
reverse elevator and pull full up until the model pivots again. During these with little to no forward movement from where the maneuver started.
pivots, you may find it helpful to add some throttle at times to minimize Use very low throttle settings.
wing rock and help control the model. Once the desired number of pivots
have been completed, release all control inputs as the model is pointed StEp 3. Next, reverse elevator deflection and push full down-elevator so
straight down. This will establish a vertical down-line and all that is left is the aircraft will pivot. Throughout the maneuver, you may need to add
to pull to an upright level exit. When this maneuver is done properly, the small amounts of throttle as well as rudder and aileron corrections. The
model will not travel forward from the point it begins the stunt to the time orientation of the aircraft should remain constant, and rudder may be
it completes the maneuver, which makes the roller coaster truly unique. required to keep the model parallel to the runway. Also, throttle input at
In addition, as you become more familiar with the control inputs needed, times can get the model to pivot quickly without a huge loss in altitude.
you can adjust the timing so that the aircraft exits the maneuver in a However, use only the amount of throttle that is needed as excessive
harrier. This type of exit is only for advanced pilots! throttle use beyond 25% throttle is rare unless you plan to exit in a harrier.

1 Decrease throttle so
the aircraft almost
comes to a stall. Activate
3D rates and push full
down elevator.
2 Once the aircraft

is inverted and has
pivoted 180 degrees, pull
ENTRY: Line the aircraft up
full up-elevator.
with the runway Straight and
Level at a fairly high altitude.
3 Make any necessary

corrections with
rudder and aileron input. AS YOU BECOME MORE
Once upright, push full
down-elevator to pivot FAMILIAR WITH THE
180 degrees. CONTROL INPUTS NEEDED,
YOU CAN ADJUST THE
TIMING SO THAT THE
AIRCRAFT EXITS THE
MANEUVER IN A HARRIER.
4 To end the maneuver,
either pull to establish
a vertical down-line, then
perform a smooth radius
to upright level flight, or,
pull another 180 degrees
and release elevator input
once the airplane is in
upright level flight.
EXIT: Establish level upright flight

path, increase throttle, and exit at a
much lower altitude.
STEP 4. To complete the maneuver, apply the necessary elevator, rudder, of deflection so the model is predictable, and also try different throttle
and aileron corrections to establish a vertical down-line. While timing is settings during the pivots along with the different elevator deflection
of the essence, small rudder, aileron, and elevator corrections may be amounts. The goal is to get the model to pivot consistently, without any
needed to establish a perfect down line. Once the vertical down-line wing rock and always parallel to the runway.
is established, increase throttle to about 25% and perform a gentle
90-degree pull to a horizontal upright level exit. FINAL THOUGHTS
These are the basic control inputs that are needed in performing The roller coaster is a unique maneuver that demands a lot from the
this exciting maneuver. However, all airplanes perform this maneuver pilot and the aircraft, not to mention the airframe setup. Proper practice
differently. It is important to experiment with different deflection settings techniques will pay off, but it is equally important to experiment with
well for your airplane.

to find one that works for you and your aircraft. Sometimes, too much different control surface deflections to find out what combination works
deflection will cause the model to become erratic. Decrease the amount
MAY 2014 65
Tailview
By Rich Uravitch
Build to Win Finalists!

A sneak peek at some of our favorite entries
When we started our online Build to Win contest on ModelAirplaneNews.com, the goal was to get
our readers creative juices flowing and to try and shed light on the great builders in our hobby. We
also wanted to encourage those who had never tried building an RC airplane by giving them a solid
base to get started. The response to our contest was absolutely amazing! Dozens of readers took
on the challenge and came up with some amazing
creations based on my
basic Contesta plans. In no This nice Tri-Pacer by Mike Hausner
is really cool. The core
acer look is unmistakable.
particular order, here's a closer mode l is appa rent and the Tri-P
fairings and nose gear,
Atten tion to detai ls, like the gear
look at a few of the finalists. contributes to the overall appearanc
e.
This F4F Wildcat by Lenny Stanko features

carved and sanded foam around the basic core
structure to achieve a totally different fuselage
shape and uses stock wing. It is well done and
shows creativity.
This Navion by Ch
ris Baum captured
the flavor of the ful
The Contesta PB by Paul Bradley preserves much of the intent of the l-scale aircraft an
went the extra mi d
contest, appears to be cleanly built and nicely finished, and is a good- le by adding retrac
ts.
looking sport model with an early air racer flavor.
Stay tuned! There were many more entries submitted and many are out of this world! Some are simple and others are way out of the
ordinary, but all of them are very cool and show off the talents of those who built them. Stay tuned for when we announce our official winners on
March 1 on ModelAirplaneNews.com. To see more of the Build to Win contest entries, go to ModelAirplaneNews.com/btw.

Electric Flight May 2014 - Superunitedkingdom

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contents

32 E-flite/Horizon Hobby UMX Habu 180

42 Heli Talk: DIY Night Blades

64 Aerobatics Made Easy

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quadcopters easy to master, and

Printed in the USA

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CUB MEETS WATER

WRITE TO US! We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Heard on Facebook: What type of aircraft do you fly?

28% 18% 13% 9% 9% 8% 7% 6% 2%

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Hitec X4 Micro E-flite Carbon-Z Yak 54 3X

Hobby People HPHeli Quad

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Microaces Ltd. MiG-3

Eagle Tree Vector

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1/2H.indd 1 12/26/13 11:21 AM

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STEP 6: The result was an interlocking structure that can be

STEP 12: Interplane

STEP 9: Plywood interplane formers were made with tabs

STEP 13: Servos have been installed along with the Y-

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Easy Hinger Wire Benders Tap-N-Drill Guides

47872.indd 1 1/2/12 4:18 PM

Want to see your ad in Electric Flight?

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In the Air Under the hood is a perfectly

GENERAL FLIGHT PERFORMANCE

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The AS3X elecTronicS reAlly help To

42 Heli Talk: DIY Night Blades

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Price: $419.99 (BNF);

In the Air The 350 QX is a lot of fun to fly. You do have to

fully control the quadcopter in Agility mode, but it definitely is a lot of

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Eye in the Sky

Making your own lighted blades re-

that more lights just look cooler.

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After applying the copper traces

You can round the resistor value up slightly to

Ground Trace Positive Trace LEDs and resistors

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1/2V.indd 1 9/24/13 12:41 PM

1/4H.indd 1 9/24/13 12:33 PM

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In the Air Using the included USB charger, the Aliass

spare blades, traditional control sticks ( to swap in place of the thumb

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The Braking feature helps

Extremely easy to fly and hover, the 1Si is ideal for

GENERAL FLIGHT PERFORMANCE

ACTUAL DIRECTION CONTROL

The included 2.4GHz

Smile! Youre on Candid Camera!

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well for your airplane.