Hobbico NexStar Select 46 gas trainer
The Hobbico NexStar Select 46 is a new glow plug powered trainer that has been carefully thought out and designed to give the beginner rc pilot a big head start in learning to fly radio control.
Packed with unique and unusual features, the NexStar Select 46 is a great first IC (Internal Combustion) rc airplane that makes learning to fly as uncomplicated as possible, on a decent size classic high-wing trainer.
The HobbiCo NexStar Select 46 comes completely RTF and is ready for flight in just 20 minutes (as stated by Hobbico...) thanks to the assembly methods that have never been used on production model airplanes before, such as the PivotFlex™ Wing Mounting and the EasyAlign™ Tail Mounting System. These are just two of the main features of the NexStar but the biggest feature on the model is the Active Flight Stabilization (AFS).
AFS is not a new idea, in fact it's been around for quite some time, but it's never been put in place by manufacturers on an RTF gas trainer airplane before.
So, what is AFS? Well, it's basically a small electronic system located within the model that recognizes the attitude of the airplane at any given moment and sends signals to the receiver to help maintain the model's flight stability.
Within the AFS unit is an electronic meter that can measure the airplane's attitude in relation to an artificial horizon; if the AFS thinks that the airplane is in an attitude that it shouldn't be, it will self-correct the model and help get you out of trouble. The sensitivity of an AFS unit can be adjusted of course and once you've mastered the basics, AFS can be deactivated completely.
This is a great thing to have in your first rc airplane and it will give you good peace of mind during those early flights. As you progress up the learning curve, however, you'll probably find the AFS to be more of an annoyance as it tells the airplane to do things that you don't want it to! That's the time to switch it off.
The radio gear that is pre-installed in the HobbiCo NexStar Select 46 is the 4YBF 4-Channel Radio System from Futaba, one of the world's leading rc manufacturers, while the engine is the 46 FXi™ Engine from OS, again one of the top manufacturers. Using these kinds of products further proves that the NexStar really is a top quality RTF gas rc airplane.
NexStar Select 46 simulation software
The NexStar package includes a RealFlight software disc and transmitter interface that combines with the Futaba transmitter. This means that you can practice handling the model in a virtual and safe environment, before you fly it for real!
This is a great product to include in the package, and is one of the reasons why the NexStar Select has proved to be such a popular choice for beginner rc pilots - for a gas rc trainer to be supplied with its own flight simulation system is yet another first in the world of rc flying.
Other NexStar specs & features include:
- Wingspan: 68.75" (1746mm)
- Wing Area: 722 sq in (46sq dm)
- Weight: 6.5lb (2930g)
- CenterCore™ Main Wing Rib
- SnapGear™ Quick Landing Gear Mounts
- NexSTAR™ Precision Airfoil
- NexSTAR™ SpinControl™ Airfoil Extensions
- SpeedBrakes™ Training Flaps
In summary: the Hobbico NexStar Select 46 is an unprecedented gas rc airplane package that's quite possibly the best value trainer around. The Active Flight System, Futaba radio gear, OS engine and flight simulation software all go to show that Hobbico is very serious about making this airplane as attractive to the newcomer as possible, and it's pretty clear that they've succeeded.
You should seriously consider buying the NexStar if you're thinking of learning to fly a multi-channel gas rc airplane - see Hobbico's flight training success guarantee!
See the HobbiCo NexStar Select 46 in more detail.
Watch the official NexStar flight videos.
Related pages
Gas rc airplanes - overview of popular gas planes.
Gas rc trainer airplanes - popular examples of gas trainers.
