This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Everything is neatly packed in this foam container (above left). The box it comes in serves as a carrying case for the whole system. The key component for all three planes is the Base Module (above right).


It contains the CD-ROM


motor, the 4-channel receiver with built-in ESC and the two magnetic proprotional actuators for the control surfaces. The three planes, the V-Tail Module (below left), the Canard Module (below center) and the Biplane Module (below right).


the Base Module. The system isn’t spread spectrum since it has the ability to transmit on eight different channels in the 900 MHz range. The manual specifically states that there is need for frequency control when sev- eral of the Snap&Fly planes are flying at the same time. Though the binding process between transmitter and the 4-channel receiver in the Base Module might indicate some sort of spread spectrum, it is really due to the man- ual frequency switching available on the transmitter. The process is pretty simple. There aren’t any binding plugs or buttons to hold. Mate the 90 mAh single cell Li-Po to the magnetic attachment points in the small receiver first, let the receiver LED flash, then turn on the transmitter. A brief wait,


the receiver sounds four notes and the bind is complete. It should be noted that the binding is au- tomatically repeated every time the system is turned on, and the sequence is important, just as the proper power off sequence needs to be followed. To power off, the Base Mod- ule battery should be removed first, then the transmitter turned off. There is an 8-position mixing knob next


to the channel select knob. It is used to dial in the correct mix for the different control surface setups on the three planes. The Bi- plane is fairly conventional, but the V-tail and the Canard each require a different set- up. A V-tail does not use the same type of mixing as the elevon control on the Canard. Lacking the input an LCD screen almost al-


ways provides, the knob setup is pretty simple. To absolutely know the correct mix selec-


tion for each module the manual has a chart that details all the possible correct mixes. Wouldn’t be a bad idea to make a copy of the chart and tape it to the back of the trans- mitter. Guillow’s supplies the transmitter (960T) set up for Mode II (aileron and ele- vator on the right stick; throttle and rudder on the left). But what is available from the mixing is the ability on each plane to switch the steering from the right stick (aileron) to the left (rudder). Elevator remains on the right stick. These sticks seem pretty stiff and that


turned out to be a bonus during the first flights as mentioned later. Channels five


Up front in the Base Module (above left) you see the 4-channel receiver and the CD-ROM motor. The two circular metal discs on the receiver are the magnetic


FLYING MODELS


attach points for the battery. The two magnetic coil actuators (above right) at the rear of the Base Module are securely mounted. Note the hair thin magnet wire.


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