Hobbico Aero Cruiser Questions

[p-zag]

Does anyone have any experience with this kit? Can you comment on performance, flight times, quality, etc. Thanks.

I am looking for an all included RC electric plane kit for my father to learn to fly RC planes. The Hobbico Aero Cruiser looks like a good kit to train a new pilot. It comes with everything including radio, at a decent price $169.99.

[Wings]

I don't personally own one, but I've yet to hear anyone say it's worth anything (except the merchants, of course).

I think the model's worst problem is that it is underpowered to the point where it might fly but probably won't fly well. So, in regard to your requests:

performance: poor to decent
flight times: (no data; guessed to be under 5-minutes)
quality: "poor" (compared to "real" r/c models)

That said, your mileage may vary. I personally wouldn't invest in the model because I'm conservative with my r/c budget and can't afford to spend $170 to risk a disappointment.

There are many other all-in-one packages that will serve your needs much better anyhow.

If your dad has no experience with r/c whatsoever, a Firebird II/XL or Toytronix E-Gull might be best. They are 2-ch. elevon (v-tail) models that are simple to fly and quite durable. The Firebird II and E-Gull (NiMH version) are about $100 each, and the Firebird XL is about $120.

If your dad wants something more challenging to start with, you might take a look at the Hitec Sky Scooter Pro (about $170 I think). Do the gearbox add-on mod described by owners of the model.

For more ideas, search for "beginner" in this forum and the E-Zone forum (http://www.ezonemag.com). You'll be overwhelmed at the info that's out there!

Good luck. I'm still trying to talk my Dad into the hobby. :)

Wings

[dswenson]

Got the Aero Cruiser for Christmas. It's my first R/C aircraft, never flew one before. I am a licensed pilot, & I liked the look of the Aero Cruiser over the other great choices mentioned by Wings.

Construction was simple & takes less than a half hour. Good documentation & a video on assembly & first flights are included.

My first two flights ended quickly - crashing due to over controling, and once I re-attached the rudder & elevator linkages to the outer-most position (and applied a little glue & tape) I hand-launched & flew for about TEN minutes with the included NiMh battery.

Since I'm new at this I don't think I'm qualified to comment on performance, but it did climb strongly. I flew around a baseball outfield for about 5 minutes at 75% power, made a landing, hand launched again, flew 3 - 5 minutes more at various power settings. It did not have enough power to takeoff from short grass, but it will off a paved surface.

It is a bit fragile so maybe not a good idea for a first timer. But I just wanted something quick & easy to get into, & with two extra batterys this gives lots of fun. Replacement parts are easily available from a local Hobico dealer or Tower.

Once I have logged some more time with it I'll be able to better report on battery life etc.

Dave

[Wings]

I never would have dreamed you could over-control an Aero Cruiser like that. ;)

Most park flyer models aren't capable of ROG from grass, either lacking the power to do so or (more commonly) lacking the landing gear capable of handling rougher terrain. Many park flyers can ROG from a hard, flat surface though. Of course, models without gear do not ROG period!

Apparently my suspicions about durability (or lack thereof) were accurate. 'Tis a bad day in the making when a model is both weak and marginally powered...

As noted by the folks at Backyard Flyer, the Aero Cruiser and its siblings have a fairly high wing loading for park flyers. The Speed 380 motor is quite expected for the 37.5" wingspan featured, but the model is quite heavy (over 22oz.) and the wing area rather small (est. 213 sq. in.), resulting in the reported wing loading of over 15oz./sq.ft. Compare that to the Soarstar, which also has a Speed 380 motor: 40" wingspan, 400 sq. in. of wing area, 7.2oz./sq.ft. wing loading.

10-minute flights are probably about right for the 8.4V 1300mAh battery pack. I can fly my Soarstar for about 15-minutes without being too conservative and net a power consumption of about 1400mAh...but the Soarstar will float and glide a lot better due to the lower wing loading.

I look forward to hearing more flight reports, dswenson. Sounds like you got the best production unit out there. :)

Wings

[rcairplane4lfe]

Wow dswenson, i am vey impressed how long you could fly it for that long, I do not own one or plan on owning one, but from what i have read it doesn't seem very stable. From just looking at it in pictures it looks like any sort of wind would nock it out of the sky. The hitec sky scooter is very prone to wind, both planes have about the same wing span so i figured you might have the same problem.

[Wings]

Wingspan isn't the only factor in wind-handling. In fact, almost everything factors!

One thing going for the model is its high wing loading. It also appears to have a rather slim fuselage. Based on that, I think it should handle a decent amount of wind (say 10 or 15MPH). Of course, experience is the best advice. :)

Wings