Pilot’s Choice Product Review
E-flite UMX Whipit DLG This simple design provides lots of fun
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Flying gliders is probably the most relaxing RC discipline, and although it is easy to
accomplish, it can be difficult to master. Hi-starts, winches, and aerotowing are all fun, but they require setup, tear down, lots of walking, and occasionally at least one other person. HLGs and DLGs (hand- and discus-launch gliders), however, are less cumbersome to store and transport and you can do a lot more flying while expending less effort. The Whipit is a UMX (ultra-micro)
DLG or HLG. Its construction is carbon- fiber reinforced foam. Guidance is
provided by a brick-style receiver that incorporates a two-channel DSMX receiver and two linear-action servos that barely occupy as much real estate as a quarter. Power is provided by a single- cell 150 mAh LiPo battery. Unlike some of the other UMX airplanes, there is no AS3X stabilization incorporated in the Whipit’s receiver. Neither the battery nor the charger is included, but I own several small, single- cell E-flite chargers, and the batteries are extremely inexpensive. The Whipit is well protected inside
The E-flite receiver brick has integrated linear actuators. The foam hatch cover is provided for the receiver compartment and the plastic nose cone slides into place to secure the battery and the hatch.
The recommended 150 mAh battery installed all the way forward perfectly balanced the Whipit. Despite its small size, the battery can provide at least 45 minutes of flight time.
34 PARK PILOT [Winter 2016]
its packaging and I retained the box to safely store the delicate parts. It is a pod-and-boom-style glider with the electronics contained up front in the pod. A lightweight carbon rod comprises the tailboom and supports the rudder and elevator. Assembling the Whipit requires nothing more than fastening the wing to the fuselage assembly with four small screws. The nose cone simply slides off to access the tiny battery compartment. The 150 mAh, single-cell LiPo battery goes all the way up front and I double- checked the center of gravity by balancing the Whipit on a dowel. With the recommended battery in its nose pocket, I didn’t need any additional weight to balance the model. Binding a UMX model is accomplished by connecting the flight battery first and waiting approximately 5 seconds for it to go into bind mode, indicated by the rapidly flashing LED light on the receiver. With a blank model set up in my DX18 G2 radio, I waited for the light to flash, then put the transmitter into bind mode. It connected using DMSX at 22ms. The rudder and elevator were already moving in the correct direction. The Whipit will bind with any DSM2 or DSMX transmitter.
SPECIFICATIONS: TYPE: Ultra-micro DLG or HLG SKILL LEVEL: Beginner WINGSPAN: 24.4 inches LENGTH: 24.2 inches WEIGHT: 1.5 ounces PRICE: $69.99 INFO:
horizonhobby.com
FEATURES: >> Simple rudder and elevator control >> Removable, carbon-reinforced wing >> Carbon-fiber boom with internally located pushrods
>> Spektrum DSMX 2.4 GHz receiver/servo unit, installed
>> Long flight times on a 1S LiPo battery pack
Black stripes in the form of water-slide
decals can be placed on the bottom of the white wing to help maintain orientation if the Whipit catches good lift and starts gliding out of site. I topped off a couple of batteries and
headed out to give the Whipit a try. Turn on the transmitter first when you’re ready to fly or the model could revert to bind mode if left to sit without receiving a signal for more than a few seconds. Connect the battery and slide the nose cone into place and you’re ready to toss the Whipit. I gave the Whipit a few gentle overhand tosses to make sure the trim
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