FIREBIRD HobbyZone’s
Start flying R/C successfully with this complete package.
By Maureen Frazer and Tammy Havens
Havens has always been involved with FM, handling a lot of the graphic chores in the ad department. Both of them have been around Carstens for quite a few years, but did they ever express any interest in learning to fly R/C model airplanes? Nope! So who better to do a review on Hobby-
Y
Zone’s new Firebird Stratos, a 3-channel trainer engineered for the total neophyte. Well, after some minor extortion, grovelling, and other persuasive techniques—no, I did- n’t threaten to cut their finger nails—they agreed. Guess I must have looked totally for- lorn, or on the verge of a nervous break- down, and appealed to their compassionate side. Hard to see a grown man cry. So with the stage set, let me quickly tell
you some basics of the Stratos before they tell their part in it. Besides looking good which appealed to them both, there is a lot of subtle, and some sophisticated engineer- ing in the plane, which in part accounts for the twin motors. All of it addresses some of
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ou all know Maureen Frazer. She’s the Production Editor and spark plug in the FMoperation. While not as familiar to you, Tammy
the common problems found when learning to fly radio control. The Stratos is complete. Nothing else is
needed to put it together and fly it. There is an important aspect to note here: the small transmitter that comes with the plane must be used. Neither a JR or Spektrum trans- mitter will work with it. If someone has enough determination I’m
sure they could learn to fly R/C using the Stratos without any preliminary instruction but it sure wouldn’t hurt to have someone around to guarantee success. Have to tell you that with all the novice R/C pilots I’ve trained, those first attempts required some sort of intervention within 15–30 seconds. However, both girls, Maureen and Tammy, successfully flew the Stratos for 4 to 5 min- utes each with nothing more than occasional verbal coaching. There were no frantic dives for the transmitter. As a matter of fact I had to demand they give the transmitter back! Will they continue on? Don’t know but
both of them are demanding more stick time with the plane so they can land and takeoff. Stay tuned to see how it all turns out. –FRANK FANELLI
AT A GLANCE Type:
Construction: Wing span: Length: Weight: Prop:
Motor: Battery: Manufacturer:
R/C electric trainer Z-foam
42 inches 30 inches 17 ounces 4.75–2.5
two 180-size brushed 7.4V 1300 mAh Li-Po HobbyZone
Dist. by Horizon Hobby 4105 Fieldstone Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 800-338-4639
www.horizonhobby.com OCTOBER 2012
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