HOBBICO NEXSTAR SELECT RTF
PRODUCT REVIEW
by Jerry Festa

SPECIFICATIONS
Aircraft Type: Primary Trainer
Mfg. By: Hobbico
Dist. By: Great Planes Model Dist., P.O. Box 9021, Champaign, IL 61826-9021, (800) 682-8948, www.hobbico.com
Expected Street Price: $399.99
Available From: Both Mfg. & Retail
Wingspan: 68-3/4 Inches
Wing Chord: 10-3/4 Inches
Total Wing Area: 722 Sq. In.
Fuselage Length: 56 Inches
Stabilizer Span: 23-3/4 Inches
Total Stab Area: 144 Sq. In.
Mfg. Rec. Engine: .46 2-stroke (Included)
Rec. Fuel Tank Size: 9 Oz. (Included)
Rec. No. of Channels: 4
Rec. Control Functions: Rud., Elev., Throt., Ail. (Comes w/Active Flight Stabilization Sys.)
Basic Materials Used In Construction:
Fuselage: Balsa & Ply
Wing: Balsa & Ply
Tail Surfaces: Balsa
Building Instructions on Plan Sheets: No
Instruction Manual: Yes (28 pages)
Const. Photos/Illus.: Yes

RCM PROTOTYPE Radio Used: Futaba Skysport T4YBF (Included), 4 Servos (Included) Engine Used: O.S. Max .46 FXi (Included) Fuel Tank Used: 9 Oz. (Included) Weight, Ready to Fly: 109 Oz. (6 Lbs. 13 Oz.) Wing Loading: 21.7 Oz./Sq. Ft.

SUMMARY
WE LIKED THE: Complete "Package," Speed brakes, high quality "brand name" engine and radio.
WE DIDN'T LIKE THE: Nose wheel steering too sensitive.

If first impressions are any indication, then Hobbico's NexSTAR has raised the bar when it comes to offering new pilots a "Complete Package"! Words like "Wow," "That's also included?", and "Hey, look at this" were just a sampling of the comments overheard when the NexSTAR's box was first opened at a local hobby shop.

The colorful and very large box measured slightly over 10" x 12" x 54". And just what was contained in this package? Glad you asked because the list is extensive but let's start with a large ".40 sized" trainer, with the engine (O.S. Max .46 FXi) and radio (Futaba Skysport 4YBF) already mounted. Also included was a (CD-ROM) "lite" version of Real Flight simulator (which features the NexSTAR), the instruction manuals and warranty papers for the radio, and engine, and of course, the "assembly" manual for the airplane itself! Additional paperwork included an updated Product Improve-ment Sheet as well as instructions for the "Active Flight Stabilization" system and installing the engine's high-speed needlevalve limiter attachment.

Does that sound like a lot? Maybe "Data Swamp" rings a bell? Well, how does putting this whole package together in less than a half hour sound to you? That's the claim on the box - "Ready to Fly in 20 Minutes" and that might be attainable providing the batteries were already charged! But what's the hurry? It should take longer than that to just READ one of the manuals! (And you should read the manuals!)

Features:

This plane has many new and innovative features that are not currently found on other trainers. In fact, the airframe itself is a product of some "new" thinking. Features like "SpeedBrakes" and Spin Control cuffs. The radio equipment includes the AFS module, and then there is a flight simulator for your computer. This package has been well thought out. In the past, teaching yourself to fly R/C without an instructor has been nearly impossible, this package is clearly intended to increase the self-taught RC'er's chance of success.

First of all, let's evaluate the equip-ment. The engine supplied is an O.S. Max .46FXi which is NOT a low budget engine. Installed are the muffler, glow plug, and fuel lines (color coded), but the "special" prop and spinner have to be mounted - gee, that ought to take up two or three of those 20 minutes. Alas, nowhere does it instruct you to actually install that prop, but maybe that belongs in the common sense arena.

The radio comes with NiCd batteries installed in both the fuselage and transmitter. By using the supplied battery charger, the NexSTAR should be ready to fly after the initial 24-hour charge. The four servos are Futaba's standard S3003. The transmitter (4YBF) is an adequate radio for the first-time modeler featuring servo reversing switches on all four channels. Unfortunately, the transmitter also has a "new" plug for Buddy Box connections - it is square, not round like previous models. So a trip to the hobby shop might be necessary if one would like to connect with an instructor's transmitter. Also included are two items that attach to the antenna, a channel number tag and a red flag indicating this frequency is only to be used for aircraft, not boats or cars. Surprisingly, these items and their installation are not referred to in any of the manuals.

The transmitter will also be used when "flying" the simulator (Real Flight), so the carryover feeling will make the novice's first flights less intimidating. Everything needed to install and run the simulator is included - with the only exception being the computer itself.

Also installed and explained in great detail is the Automatic Flight Stabilization (AFS) feature. When this feature is powered up, the plane will return to straight and level flight anytime the transmitter's joysticks are released! The pilot has the ability to disable this feature by disconnecting one set of wires from the receiver. The AFS uses a light sensor mounted on the bottom of the fuselage to determine the horizon and will move the appropriate control surfaces to maintain level flight! Therefore, if a student becomes disoriented, all that has to be done is simply letting go of the trans-mitter's joysticks and within a second the plane will be flying straight and level - pretty cool, huh?

Another feature found on the NexSTAR is the "SpinControl" Airfoil Extensions found on the outboard section of each wing panel. These leading edge extensions assist in preventing an accidental spin and can be easily removed at a later time when the trainee is more experienced. They are secured to the wing with tape.

SpeedBrakes attach to the wing with three screws. Flying with them installed produced the best stability of all the options available.

The wing also has optional plastic "SpeedBrakes." These are also called Training Flaps and can be installed/removed whenever desirable. They have to be initially installed and are held in position with six screws. Their purpose is to limit the top speed of the flight and permit the plane to quickly slow down when the throttle is reduced. This helps prevent the airplane from "getting ahead of" the student.

Center of Gravity's range is marked on the bottom of the wing. Also note how the aileron pushrods are arranged. In this manner (called "differential"), the aileron will move UP more than DOWN. This makes the airplane turn much smoother and virtually eliminates the need to coordinate rudder with ailerons in a turn.

The wing is mounted in a unique fashion. Hobbico calls this their "PivotFlex Wing Mounting System" and consists of one nylon bolt to secure the wing to the fuselage. This method replaces the traditional rubberbands to hold the wing in place, but permits some movement if the wing accidentally strikes the ground in a landing attempt.

The supplied CD-ROM permits the new pilot an opportunity to install an abbreviated version of the "Real Flight" simulator. This program is a model airplane simulator that will assist the new pilot in learning how to fly the NexSTAR. The only aircraft "option" included in this version of Real Flight is the NexSTAR but an offer to upgrade to the full version is also included. Many instructors firmly believe the more hours spent flying on the simulator will result in a faster learning curve on the flight line! The computer requirements are printed on the box and are pretty "average" by the 2003 standards.

Assembly:

That ought to give you SOME of the neat features of the NexSTAR Select! Next, let's discuss assembling this bird! The wing comes in two sections. To join them only requires inserting a metal wing rod, pushing the two wing halves together and installing two 3/4" screws. Then one aileron pushrod is connected to the control horn (the second aileron pushrod is factory installed) and the wing is done - unless you want to install the two "SpeedBrakes." If selected, this additional activity should consume another 3-4 minutes while you install the three screws that hold each of the "SpeedBrakes." Just to make sure you have them in the correct location, the screw holes are predrilled!

Next, the two-piece main landing gear is slid into position and locked in placed - all automatically. No need for any tools to mount this gear - and remember, the nose gear is already mounted. Time consumed for this task - maybe a minute?

The tail feathers are next and probably took the longest time to install - three, maybe four minutes! Self-aligning holes assure the proper orientation of the horizontal stab and inserting the vertical stabilizer and tightening, both items are secured on the fuselage. My model required some bending of the connecting rods in order to fit the vertical stabilizer in place. All that was left to do was connect the clevis to the control horns. Both pushrods have labels on them to verify their function.

As previously mentioned, the batteries need charging. The flight battery is not connected to the switch for shipping, so by connecting the "Battery 1" connector into the "Battery 2" connector, the switch on the fuselage side becomes functional. Also, the "Charge" connector that comes out of the switch can now be connected to the wall charger for charging.

It is a standard procedure to charge any new battery for 24 hours - after that around 16 hours is normal. The NexSTAR was shipped with batteries that needed charging so make certain they receive the correct length of charge, as reference to this is NOT obvious in the instructions and perhaps is this entire package's most serious deficiency.

With the plane assembled and charged, all that is needed to begin flying this plane is the typical "flight line" equipment. That would include items like engine starter, fuel, fuel pump, glow starter, flight box, etc. These items are listed in the instruction manual and have to be purchased separately.

Flying:

The first day of flying was limited to six flights. With the "SpeedBrakes" and airfoil extensions installed one tank of 5% Cooper's Custom Blend fuel was run through the NexSTAR. The engine cooperated and started relatively easy considering it was hand-propped.

When taxiing out to the runway it was noted the steering was very sensitive - too sensitive I feel for a beginner. Sadly, it was set up at a minimum therefore no adjustments could be made to de-sensitize the steering, so very little inputs on the rudder would be necessary for ground steering.

The throttle was gently advanced and the NexSTAR was quickly gaining speed when it suddenly broke ground and was flying! No elevator input was needed. As altitude was being gained it was noted the plane was flying rock solid - and the AFS system was OFF! After gaining approximately 100 feet, the throttle was reduced to about 1/2 and level flight commenced.

Flying most of the flight at this speed indicated the lack of any concerns - stalls were impossible to induce (the plane would simply begin to descend); high banked turns (with nose held high) did not produce a stall/spin as would be expected; rolls were nice and slow with some drop in altitude when inverted, and the fuel system seemed to last forever!

Flights upwards of 15 minutes resulted in a tank 1/4 full of fuel when landing. The next flights were done using full-throttle flying and there was still fuel in the tank after the 15 minute mark! Good economy.

With the "SpeedBrakes" installed a couple of observations were made by those flying the plane at various times. The most frequent comment was that at full-throttle, the speed of the plane was very "comfortable" for learning to fly. Also overheard was references to the solid nature of the flight - this plane was "rock solid" in the air. Mild aerobatics were tried as the transmitter was passed among various instructors and club members and the conclusion was the same ... yep, it will do 'em!

It was interesting to watch the landings as the airspeed would decrease quickly when the throttle was reduced to idle. This plane would almost land itself - smoothly - by just adjusting the throttle (which is the correct method!). A couple of real slow landings were made in a no-wind condition and I almost ran out of "up" elevator as the flair started. The NexSTAR didn't mind, it just made a three wheel landing.

Next the "SpeedBrakes" were re-moved and the elevator readjusted to neutral as mentioned in the instructions. The take-off this time was a whole lot different!

The NexSTAR quickly gained flying speed and the ailerons became much more sensitive! This was like flying a different airplane - much faster and much more aerobatic. Rolls were quite rapid and inverted flight required less down elevator to maintain level flight.

Stalls were straight ahead, but the nose did drop. Spins weren't really spins but more of a spiral nature. Landings were naturally faster and used up more runway to slow down and twice tipped up on one wing when taxiing, striking the nice red-tipped prop and stopping the engine. Personally, I liked the way it flew, but not for the beginner. For them I'd highly recommend the "SpeedBrakes."

Once, when handling the plane in the pits, one of the landing gear came out! No damage to the plane, but my pride sure was hurt. Guess one shouldn't carry the plane by its landing gear! No big deal, as the metal gear was slid back into place until it "locked."

The next day the AFS system was activated. That took some work because the connectors were buried deep in the fuselage and required the assistance of some medical hemostats to connect. The factory "preset" adjustment was about the recommended 35%.

The "Active Flight Stabilization" system was built into the receiver and uses light as the stimulus to control the servos. As the plane dives, the sensor found on the bottom of the fuselage detects less light coming to it from the front, more from the rear, and gently moves the elevator "up" until both amounts of light are equal (meaning the plane is flying level). Likewise, when one wing is higher than the other, more light will be sensed from the raised wing. The aileron servo will correct this so that level flying can continue.

There are a few conditions that may confuse the AFS (snow covered ground, lakes, setting sun, etc.) and these are adequately explained in the manual. Because the amount of control needed to override the AFS can be adjusted, the novice pilot can decrease the sensitivity as their skills increase. This adjustment is made on the receiver itself so all that is required will be the removal of the wing and a small screwdriver. The receiver is wrapped in foam and a hole is already there so this adjustment could be made - nice touch!

The first impression of the AFS was positive and only one situation developed that could cause some concern. It seemed the plane would occasionally want to fly toward the sun. It would gently turn on its own (if permitted)! In our case (flying in the desert with cloudless skies) this was not a problem, but might be of come concern if flying at a site where there is a "No Fly" area and that area is between the plane and the sun. It is nothing to be overly concerned with, just be forewarned.

If you get confused while landing all you have to do is merely release the transmitter sticks and the wings will level out. It turned out most landings that day were smoother while using the AFS. But don't tell the pilots - their pride might get hurt.

In conclusion I have to say the "new" thinking that was put into the NexSTAR is well worth it. Their concept of "all in one box" for the beginning pilot is excellent. Their choice of radio, engine, airframe and AFS make this com-bination hard to beat. Then with the inclusion of the NexSTAR version of Real Flight, it's like adding frosting to the cake!

So, if you want to learn to fly with or without an instructor, put the NexSTAR at the top of the list! One feature not mentioned is the fact that this plane can be DIS-ASSEMBLED and transported with you when on vacation! Now about adding some floats or skis...