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Even More of a Fun Thing!
The new Firebird XL takes all of the simplicity and fantastic
flying manners of the first Firebird and adds more size, more
power, and legs-that's right, landing gear! Now you can launch
with a rolling take-off and shoot touch-and-go's. Not since .
. .well . . . the first Firebird has ready-to-fly been this much
fun.
Buy and fly
Like the original, the Firebird XL includes everything you need
to fly in one package. This includes a 2-channel transmitter and
a 900mAh NiMH battery pack with a 300mAh wall charger. It also
features the same super simple 2-channel flight control system
that the original Firebird uses.
You can assemble the Firebird XL and have it
flying almost as soon as you get it home from the shop. The whole
assembly process only takes about 15 minutes, and you may need
an hour or two to charge up the battery for the first flight.
The included instructional video takes you step-by-step through
the assembly process and offers some useful flying tips. So even
if you've never flown an R/C airplane in your life, you can experience
a successful start on your own.
More is better
The main differences between the first Firebird and the new XL
version are size and power. The XL's larger 40" wingspan,
bigger fuselage, and more powerful Mabuchi 380 motor allow it
to be flown in windier conditions. Beginners shouldn't fly it
with any more wind than about 8 mph, but experienced pilots should
be able to fly the XL with confidence in 12-15 mph winds.
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Climb performance is outstanding-almost
twice that of the original Firebird, in fact. In several of
our test flights, a straight-out climb at full throttle for
about 45 seconds would put the Firebird XL at about 800 feet
and almost out of sight.
With this much excess power, it was easy to loaf along at
1/2 to 3/4 throttle without losing any altitude at all. |
To go with the increase in size and power, the
Firebird XL features a larger, redesigned V-tail with bigger control
surfaces. In addition to providing more authority in turns with
the power on, the beefy tail surfaces produce better turn performance
with the power off too. This is appreciated most during an approach
to landing or when thermalling with the power off. Instead of
using wire, high-test nylon fishing line is connected to control
horns on top of the control surfaces. A rubber band on the bottom
of the V-tail mounting bracket balances out the tension from the
nylon lines and helps keep the control surfaces level when not
in use.
What else is new?
The larger size and a more powerful motor aren't the only improvements
the Firebird XL has going for it. It sports a few other new design
features, such as dual-wing braces for the polyhedral wing and
a lightweight plastic spar rod. These work together to substantially
strengthen the wing and help prevent any warping. The wing is
further strengthened by a factory mounted wing cap on the trailing
edge that keeps the rubber bands from digging into the foam on
the wing.
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The coolest of these little
additions, has to be a wing shim that can be inserted under
the trailing edge of the center portion of the wing.
This reduces the wing's angle of incidence and is really handy
for those breezier days, because it allows the Firebird XL
to climb into a stronger breeze without porpoising. |
Since reducing the angle of incidence also decreases
induced drag (drag from the creation of lift), the shim can be
used on calmer days for a little extra speed in straight-and-level
flight, at the cost of a little climb performance.
Like the first Firebird, the Firebird XL is
great fun for just about anyone of any age. While the first Firebird
was recommended for ages 8 and up, the increased power and larger
size of the Firebird XL comes with a slightly higher minimum recommended
age of 12. We suspect, however, that the vast majority of folks
who will want the Firebird XL are those who got hooked on the
first Firebird and are ready for something with a little more
zip. If the fun that our staff of experienced R/C pilots experienced
with the XL is any indication, many seasoned wing nuts will probably
want one also.
Reviews: "Ripmax's Firebird
XL is a great way to get flying R/C"
Specifications: Wingspan: 40in (1m); Weight:
16 oz; Supplied complete with radio: FM 27MHz, 6 available frequencies,
7.2V battery and with both AC240 & DC12V input chargers &
8x AA batteries; Range: 1,500 ft; Flight Time: 15 minutes; Steering:
proportional; Throttle: proportional. Virtually ready to fly electric
model that everyone will be able to fly successfully; Flight-Trak
Control System; Ready to fly in minutes;
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