Now here’s Tammy When Horizon says their Firebird Stratos includes “everything you’ll need to fly R/C today,” they aren’t kidding. I think the hard- est part about putting this plane together was removing the tape from its paper back- ing (that job fell to my wingwoman, Mau- reen). Even with some minor confusion about which screws to use where, we had it up and running in less than an hour. The instruction manual is clear and straightforward with helpful explanations, tips and reminders along the way. It even tells you how to choose a flying field. The manual also provides cautionary advice, which may not be necessary for R/C experts, but for someone who didn’t know a clevis from a control horn, safety tips like, “keep your hands away from the propellers while arming the ESC,” are good to know. I have only one small complaint. I would have preferred a larger, more detailed dia- gram of the parts and some labeling of the similar pieces indicating their use, like which screws to use where. Other than that, building the Stratos was easy and fun. Horizon offers a video overview of the Firebird Stratos on its website that is worth watching. Quique Somenzini gives a concise, easily understood explanation of how the material, design, and electronic system of the Stratos all work to help minimize dam-
PHOTO: TAMMY HAVENS
age caused by impact and improve handling and control of the plane. He makes assem- bling and flying the Firebird Stratos seem practically a no-brainer. And it is. I think flying was even easier than build- ing the Stratos. I wasn’t at all apprehen- sive. Of course Frank was on hand in case there were any problems and, since I didn’t buy the plane, I had no real investment in it. Thank goodness for the Virtual Instruc- tor. Having never flown R/C before, using the transmitter was not instinctive for me.
I had to pause occasionally and think about what I wanted the plane to do. By just re- leasing the controls the plane will go back to neutral.
All in all I had a great time. The Stratos is as easy to build and fly as Horizon adver- tises and it’s a nice looking, well designed aircraft. I think it was an excellent intro- duction to R/C flying and the Virtual In- structor provides a useful safety net while you develop your skills and confidence in fly- ing R/C. Heck, I may even do it again.
Getting ready to hook up the battery to check control throws (above left). Two very strong magnetic plates, in plastic housings (above right), help retain the wing. These plates need to be screwed into the wing. Another part of the wing
retention is the simple metal rod on the fuselage (below left), over the trailing edge of the wing. Our intrepid co-authors, Maureen (L) and Tammy (R) look pretty relaxed (below right) before the first flight and were even happier after it.
FLYING MODELS
43
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68