Radio Control Review

SuperStar 40 Select MkII RTF Reviewed by Jason Van Bergen 1/6/2004   Manufacturer: Hobbico

Aspiring pilots who do not wish to spring for the big bucks and big time required to pursue flying lessons and obtaining one’s pilot’s license have had a reasonable alternative for many years – building and flying model airplanes. The beauty of the model form lies in its relative lack of expense, its manageable learning curve, and the ability to gain airspace in most every rural or urban locale throughout North America.

As is almost always the case, there are a range of options available to aspiring air model-makers, ranging from the extremely cheap and easy, to the ultimate in hobby activity where one would build his or her own plane from scratch, fitting it with top-of-the-line components, and perhaps flying his masterpiece in speed or maneuverability competitions held on occasion throughout the U.S. Since we are assuming that readers of this column are approaching the hobby at a more casual level (at least at first), we will deal with two general options: obtaining a plane that can literally be flown in the local playing field, or assembling a larger plane that may require a special airstrip or license and certification to protect against potential legal liability for damage and injury that its flight might cause.

The ease of getting into the sport at present makes model planing more accessible now that it ever has been. The premiere North American distributor of planes and accessories is the aptly-named Great Planes Model Manufacturing Company, under its parent company Hobbico, and a range of subsidiaries that speak to the success the company has had in acquiring and consolidating the competitive landscape in recent years. While the dominance of a single player in the industry is not always healthy in terms of the pricing structure that it can offer its customers, there is very little doubt that Great Planes has provided a benefit to the hobby by virtue of the sheer range of product offerings within its stable.

I already mentioned the possibility of acquiring a plane that can be flown in one’s backyard (assuming that one’s backyard is larger than my own postage-stamp rectangle) through the purchase of a pre-configured plane that can very nearly be taken directly from its box and thrown into flight. Of course, a certain degree of assembly is required, but this is on the order of attaching wings and a propeller, and plugging in a battery pack, not exactly the most taxing of endeavors, even for the non-mechanically inclined. While my technical expertise rises slightly higher than this level, it is not much higher, hence my delight at the ease at which I could enter the hobby.

The absolute easiest products in which to get one’s feet wet are a couple of offerings under Hobbico’s “FlyZone” brand: “Sky Sailer” and “Sky Zap” are two fully functional Ready to Fly (RTF) planes, each which can potentially take to the skies within two minutes of unpacking their boxes. The choice of the model depends on one’s preference for a couple of unique features that each model exhibits.

Sky Sailer: While even the beginner might think that “faster is better” in tackling this hobby, the opposite is actually true. The same principle applies in terms of the air speed of one’s choice in models – the slower the plane’s flight, while still enabling it to retain maneuverability and remain airborne, the better. It is far too easy to launch even a beginner’s plane and watch it quickly disappear into the great beyond as its operator fights to find the correct controls to turn the plane or cause it to slow its ascent. FlyZone’s “Sky Sailer” is quite simply one of the slowest planes on the market, and paradoxically, that is perhaps its most saleable feature!

Moreover, “Sky Sailer” is inherently stable, by virtue of its nicely balanced design that keeps its weight nicely centered such that rapid ascents or worse, rapid descents, are not likely. The “Sky Sailer” is actually modeled after a hang glider with a propeller, complete with action figure rider attached to the glider’s body.

The wings of “Sky Sailer” are made of nylon material similar to that of a kite, meaning that the wings can be rolled up between flights for easy storage. Once unrolled, the wings simply clip to durable spars, achieving a tight fit for durability in the air. But the most innovative nature of the plane relates to a tiny servo that rotates the fuselage right and left, thereby causing the plane to turn in the appropriate direction. Some beginner planes use dual-propeller designs to steer the craft, but the beauty of “Sky Sailer’s” servo action relates to the incredibly tight turning radius – this machine can almost literally turn on a dime!

Sky Zap: The more traditional dual-prop design for beginning planes is exemplified by FlyZone’s “Sky Zap,” a slightly higher-level training plane than that of the “Sky Sailer,” but whose ease of use makes it just as appealing as any of FlyZone’s other entry-level products. “Sky Zap” is constructed of quality ABS and carbon-fiber parts that are typically not found in a model at this price level. Indeed, the space between wings and tail-fin, normally occupied by some manner of fuselage construction, is a simple carbon-fiber “boom” that is almost as thin as a pencil, but highly durable.

The simplicity of the components on “Sky Zap” are a blessing that you will realize after your first hard landing (trust me, it WILL happen!). The components are less likely to snap in half than the plane losing a plastic propeller, a much more forgiving bit of damage, especially if the prop falls off unbroken. Moreover, even if a part should be damaged beyond repair, Hobbico makes it very easy to order replacements, at appropriately low cost to that which be required of a higher-level plane.

In terms of flight, “Sky Zap” is easily hand-launchable, and sufficiently speedy to begin an ascent immediately upon becoming airborne. Some entry-level planes have a terrible tendency to nose-dive upon launch, a predilection that will have you buying more broken props than you would ever imagine – “Sky Zap” is largely immune from this tendency, as even if a nose-dive should occur, its props are hidden behind its front fuselage.

“Sky Zap” is not as maneuverable as “Sky Sailer,” but the included radio transmitter allow for fine-tuning of thrust such that slower flight can be accomplished for as long as necessary. Right and left turns are quick, tight, and seamless, although the relatively light weight of the entire plane makes it a likely candidate for longer turns than expected if the plane is slightly off balance. This problem is usually easily counteracted with a flicking of the turn control on the radio.

“Sky Zap” is a worthy choice for the modeler who has some comfort with the thought of flying, and wishes to avoid the cost and difficulty of a higher-level model. A lesser model like “Sky Sailer” is by no means necessary to graduate to “Sky Zap” – even kids should have no trouble picking up the skill needed to fly the plane in short order.

Hobbico Superstar 40 Select MkII RTF

An investment in the time and money required to purchase one of “Sky Zap” or “Sky Sailer” is worthwhile, as there is really no more forgiving means of gaining entry into this hobby. But once a minimal level of familiarity with flying is obtained, the next step up the ladder is not necessarily as daunting a progression as one might immediately think.

Once again, Hobbico makes the learning curve relatively flat and quite easy on the pocketbook with a series of “trainer” aircraft that are designed expressly to ease one’s entry into the hobby with the hopes that beginners will become avowed converts once they have been hooked on the charms of model planning. The training craft with which you are likely to first become familiar are Hobbico’s line of “SuperStar” planes, and its brand new “NexSTAR” craft.

Toy Critics, Hobbies & Collectibles has had opportunity to test one of the models within the “SuperStar” line, the “Superstar 40 Select MkII RTF.” There are a number of attributes of this particular model that make it especially appealing, even before you decide to plunk down your hard-earned cash at your local hobby shop.

The Price: The “Superstar 40 Select MkII RTF” is listed at $350 at Tower Hobbies, making it perhaps one of the most aggressively priced full-fledged trainers on the market. Adding an extra strike in its favor, this price literally includes everything you will need to fly on the same day that you buy the plane, including a ready-to-assemble kit, a 4-channel Futaba R/C system with rechargeable batteries, and an O.S. LA .40 engine. A typical entry into the hobby would require the acquisition of each of these parts separately, for easily hundreds of dollars more than the complete “Superstar” package.

Ready-to-Fly: Trumpeted on the box of the “Superstar 40 Select MkII RTF” is the exultation that the plane is ready to fly in only 20 minutes! As would be expected from such a bold assertion, the truth is not quite as clear-cut as the marketers would have one believe, as it will take most modelers slightly longer than 20 minutes to complete the assembly of the plane. Indeed, those with little experience in the hobby, and little familiarity with the setup of a plane (the types of customers that Hobbico is targeting with this model) will inevitably want to expend a bit more time familiarizing themselves with the parts and operations of the plane than a simple, hurried assembly would imply. After deciding to take the plunge, it is quite enjoyable, anyway, to spend more time with the parts and appreciate the quality of Hobbico’s engineering and manufacturing.

Forgiveness of Flight: Before you can hit your local airstrip, place your newly assembled model on the pavement, and throttle up into the great beyond, there are a few bits of research that you will want to accomplish. First, it is absolutely essential that you research the available model flying airspace in your area to see whether or not you will be able to fly the “Superstar 40 Select” in your locale of choice. My first choice in airstrips was a conveniently close location that was popular with hobbyists in the area, including some acquaintances of mine. Upon further exploration, however, I learned that this particular location has banned the flying of gas-powered planes (ostensibly for environmental concerns surrounding the bird habitat in the area), and allowed only electric planes in the region. I was therefore forced to jump onto the Internet to find a more suitable locale, which I was able to do with only a slight expenditure of energy – it required a few minutes more driving, but at least I will be keeping the local wildfowl immune from the ramifications of undue emissions released into the air.

Learning: The “Superstar 40 Select” is a true RTF plane in that it contains all of the essentials for getting up and flying the very day that you buy it. Included in the package is a Futaba® 4VF Radio System, a radio that compares favorably with any moderately priced radio system that you might purchase independently from the plane itself. The most significant feature on this radio in relation to the “Superstar” package is the ability to connect a trainer system via the Futaba’s trainer jack. Most areas of North America play host to one type of model airplane club or another, and once you have identified a club in your area, you are almost guaranteed to make acquaintance with one or more than one experienced flier who would be more than happy to hook-up next to you, and show you a few moves, or take control of your plane should you run into difficulty. The training port is also nice if you wish to avail yourself of the available flight training software packages, including Hobbico’s own line of customizable “Reflex” training software.

For achieving one’s entry into the world of fly-boys (and girls), one need not only live vicariously through Tom Cruise and buddies on one’s home theater copy of “Top Gun.” A much more interactive (and thrilling) option to hit the skies is more accessible than ever before courtesy of Hobbico’s complete line of entry-level and advanced model planes. Moving up the ladder from bare-bones backyard fun are “Sky Sailer” and “Sky Zap,” followed by the more serious-minded “Superstar 40 Select MkII RTF.” Future articles in this space will pursue the hobby to greater heights (pun intended) with even more advanced models than the “Superstar” line, but for now, graduating to the “Superstar 40 Select MkII RTF” would be a significant accomplishment in its own right.

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