Control horns and the servo mounting plates come on this sheet of laser-cut plastic (above left). Three servo horns are the same, but the elevator horn, the one the left (above center), is different and marked to identify it. Some foam has
to be cut away for a slot in the tail post (above right) to hinge the elevator. Servo extension cables are needed to reach the Minima 6L (below left). 6-inch cables work best. Final position of the Li-Po (below right) for recommended balance.
ent from earlier Hitec 2.4 GHz receivers so check the Minima 6L info sheet. I chose this receiver because it has the servo pins exiting from the side of the receiver, a feature that’s handy on a profile like this. Plus it’s super small and was designed for lightweight park flyers.
I’ve seen how quick and agile the 3DX planes can be so I dialed down the throws from the mechanical setup suggested in the manual,just to feel the plane out on the first flight.
How can I put it...? Very nice! At full pow- er, holding the plane nose up at about 35–45 degrees, the plane took to the air like a homesick angel. It only needed a tad right aileron trim and it was flying like it was on rails. You know how you feel comfortable with a new plane right away? That’s what I felt with the Edge 540. Stable at full throt- tle, and stable at just a nick above idle. Spent about 3–4 minutes positioning the plane while Pete Serafini snapped some pic- tures, then tried some basic maneuvers, all without a problem.
Since I had only the one battery I landed to let Pete try his hand at it. He’s a better 3D pilot than I am, and as soon as he launched it he put it into a really beautiful, rock solid hover. From there on I don’t think there was much in straight and level flight for the next five minutes.
His assessment: very nice. I think both the responsiveness, stability and agility were a whole lot more than we expected.
FLYING MODELS
There was none of the delayed response ear- lier profile foamies exhibited because of air- frame or control surface flexing. With the 1400 mAh battery and the 3DX 2212-10 motor, we got about 8–9 minutes worth of flight time. When I checked the bat- tery at the end it was a little bit more than warm but hardly hot. It’s said that Li-Po batteries exhibit their best performance when they get to about 120 degrees, which was where the Edge’s battery seemed to be. 3DX Hobbies sells the FlatFoilZ series of
planes. The basic plane retails for $39.99 but 3DX has a special combo price of $99.99 that gives you the 3DX 2212-10 motor, a 30- amp ESC, four Hitec servos, and the APC 10–3.8 prop. All you’ll need to supply is a battery and the tools and adhesives I men- tioned before.
This is a plane you have to build almost like any other profile. But the parts are pre- cut, fit pretty good, and turn into a plane that will let you go full tilt with a great de- gree of confidence. It’s a winner.
PHOTO: PETE SERAFINI
Almost right after the maiden launch the Edge 540 felt rock solid in control response. It can scoot, and has plenty of power for 3D aerobatics. Fly first with 75% rates, then switch to 100% after you’re comfortable.
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