The clever pushrod system in the Base Module and the Airplane Modules relies on small magnets at the end of the pushrods (at top). Mount the Base Module to the Airplane Module and the pushrods click together. It’s an important
thing, as it turned out. Mix was set at #2. The flying site was the front of the Carstens Publications office building. It was one of those cloudy days that was calm for a minute, and then a slight gust would blow through. Launched at full throttle, the Biplane rocketed out of my hand and only cutting the throttle quickly to half saved it from ramming the treeline bordering the open space. The rest of the flight became a chess game of wind and control. Control won out and the Biplane proved that it could survive erratic gusts and variable wind. Though the landing was uneventful, it proved that the plane was decidedly a calm weather and in- door flyer. Despite the wind, I decided to fly the Bi-
plane again. This time, to avoid the collision with the tree line, I launched at half throt- tle. No problem. The plane flew level at a much more sedate pace, with plenty of pow- er to climb gradually. No more rocket ship. The wind was the same but it became a challenge in throttle management and fly- ing to prevent the plane from being blown away to a distant field. Once again the land-
preflight to make sure both pushrods are engaged. A non-adjustable simple wire clevis (at left, bottom) hooks the pushrod to the control horn. The chart (above right) in the manual shows the proper mix selection for each Airplane Module.
ing was uneventful, though the Base Mod- ule was knocked off with no harm at all. That is one of the benefits of the design: easy separation in the case of a much more eventful landing. Earlier I mentioned that the sticks were
tight. That proved useful because there seems to be a built-in exponential in the magnetic actuators. A slight stick move- ment gives a direct proportional response but go beyond half stick and the surfaces seem to snap to full throw. It’s not critical and easily controlled but the flight profile is- n’t as silky smooth as with a full-blown pro- portional system with servos. Then again, small planes like this wouldn’t be as feasi- ble with the heavier weight of even the smallest of servos. On a calm, no wind morning I continued
the flying with the V-Tail Module. Same launch technique at half throttle gave a nice smooth climbout. It seems with the V-tail and the Biplane that the faster you go, the snappier the maneuvers, but playing with the throttle puts the planes in a nice sedate mode where they can be flown pretty smoothly with small stick inputs.
These are by no means room flyers. They
need some unobstructed space, like a small playground or small ballfield. Inside flying needs a decent space as well, at least a good- sized basketball court. Guillow’s makes the claim that the planes are capable of mild aerobatics and already I’ve done loops with them, some inadvertent and some inten- tional. There was plenty of power as well as control.
Haven’t gotten to the inverted flight yet because the wind hasn’t cooperated for quite a while but that’s next on the list. So, when first flying them, half or less throttle will al- low some time to get the feel for the control response. A simple preflight check guaran- tees good flights. Make sure both pushrods are engaged, the control surfaces are at neu- tral, and the correct mix is selected. These are neat little planes and as some
of the staff here commented, “They’re cute!” They also fly very nicely and with such a complete and well-thought-out package. And don’t forget the box they come in. It makes a very good storage and carrying case. It will be a thorough delight to see more of this class of airplanes.
PHOTOS: BRIAN MADIGAN
Most nimble of the three planes is the V-Tail Module (above left). Its mix setting is #1 on the transmitter’s mixing knob. That sets it up for steering and
FLYING MODELS
pitch on the right stick. Mix #2 sets up the same thing for the Biplane Module (above right) which is the easiest of the three to fly. Mix #0 is for the Canard.
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