One of the most popular, and effective, Ready-To-Fly (RTF) Basic Trainers of recent times is the Hobbico NexSTAR. The glow-powered NexSTAR is actually a complete training system that can propel a non-RC pilot through simulator practice, flight training and on to some advanced maneuvers. The System includes a great airframe complete with speed brakes and leading edge cuffs for better aileron control at low airspeeds. It is also an airframe that can grow along with the pilot’s piloting skills.

The glow-engined airframe is also equipped with the Futaba PA-2 Pilot Assist Link. The PA-2 is basically a flight stabilization system that returns the airplane to level flight once the controls are released (more on the PA-2 later). The system also includes a limited version of the Great Planes “Real Flight” Simulator (also more later on).

Simulator practice speeds the learning process. While it is not a substitute for learning with an instructor, it does provide the student pilot with extra “flying time” that does translate to real world skills. RC simulators have been in common use for several years now. As an instructor, I can safely say that student pilots with simulator access, as well as real-world flights, learn faster, encounter fewer difficulties while being easier to teach.

In the past three years since the NexSTAR has been available, I have enjoyed teaching three new pilots how to fly using one. The airplane flies so slowly, handles so exceptionally well and so exactly translates the pilot’s inputs into visible reality, warts and all, that it has proved a truly great learning tool.

Photo 1              Photo 2

The glow-powered NexSTAR (photo 1) remains in service and has become an important part of learning to fly RC. But many of today’s pilots prefer the quiet advantages of electric power. Until the introduction of the NexSTAR EP Select, there just wasn’t an equivalent electric-powered Basic Training System available. Now there is (photo 2).

The glow and electric photos have set next to each other twice for a reason. Most electric conversions of existing glow airplanes sacrifice durability, airframe size and/or performance. The electric-powered version is usually smaller and more lightly built. Flying times are shorter and all-round performance usually suffers. Not so for the new NexSTAR EP.

The airframes are identical. There are no differences apparent to the naked eye. Size and outward appearance are the same with one major exception. The electric version is trimmed in blue while the glow-powered airplane sports red trim. Maybe the color difference is designed to prevent pumping fuel into the battery charge port? Only kidding on this but honestly, that is the only difference found.

The EP airframe is just as strong as the glow version’s. Rough landings, student errors and general “hangar rashes” will have the same non-effects on the EP as they do on the very robust glow version.

Hobbico was able to use the rugged glow-powered airframe because first, there is a very powerful electric power system installed. Second the airframe itself has surplus lift from its large wing equipped with the leading edge cuffs. Because the NexSTAR fuselage is not as boxy as other trainers, there is less drag for the power system to overcome. It looks better too.

The NexSTAR EP Select Training System

Photo 3                       Photo 4

Of course, the strong, easy flying NexSTAR airframe is included as is the PA-2 Assist Link system. The three servos are the time-tested Futaba S3003. These standard servos produce 44 oz. in. of torque while weighing just 1.3 oz. Their 0.23 second transit time (60 deg.) is quick but will not overwhelm the new pilot by reacting too quickly. These same servos are used in the glow NexSTAR as well.

Even though the EP is electric powered, a separate Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery pack is used to power the radio system. Larger airplanes like the EP require a lot of current to move the control surfaces. The Battery Eliminator Circuits (BEC) used in many smaller aircraft to save weight are not a great idea in these larger airplanes. Current draw could exceed the BEC’s limits causing slow response or outright Electronic Speed Control (ESC) failure. The EP uses a rechargeable 4.8 volt, 700 mAh Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery pack. A charger for both the receiver battery and transmitter is included.

The ESC is factory installed and connected. The black aluminum heat sink, about the size of Pittsburgh, provides a clue to just how powerful the EP’s motor is. That motor is the RIMFIRE 42-50-800KV brushless outrunner. Outrunner means that the case rotates while the armature remains stationary. Think of a WW I Rotary engine. The 10 x 5 in. propeller is bolted to the spinning case just as a rotary’s was bolted to the spinning cylinders. The motor is strong enough to turn the propeller at nearly 12,000 rpm.

The transmitter is the Futaba T6XAP 6-channel computer transmitter. Having 6 channels means that the sixth channel, a proportional channel normally used to raise and lower the flaps, can be used to control the PA-2’s sensitivity while the NexSTAR is airborne. The glow version does not yet have that feature as its transmitter remains the 4-channel analog Skysport. Having an adjustable PA-2 System is a real help when the sun sinks too low in the sky for reliable PA-2 operation.

Before starting the airframe assembly, put the transmitter and receiver Ni-Cd batteries on charge for at least 5 hours. The final 16-hour charge is performed before the first flying session. The 5-hour charge provides more than enough “energy” to complete the assembly process, setup and testing.

NexSTAR EP Assembly

This airplane is a true RTF and only needs a few assembly steps to complete. Photo 8 shows all the parts needed to “build” the wing. The aileron servo is already installed and connected to one aileron. Photo 9 shows the center nylon “rib” that holds the aileron servo. It also serves as the center joint rib of each wing half and the front hold-down “dowel” that slides into a corresponding mounting hole in the fuselage.

The metal bar in the photo is actually the wing spar. It slides into holes factory drilled in each wing half. A steel anti-rotation pin is factory mounted in one of the wing panels. It slips into a hole in the other panel preventing the wing from rotating around the larger metal spar. This is common RTF construction.

The first step in building the wing is to install the spar in one wing half. The pictorial instructions (photo 11) are excellent and explain every assembly step in so much detail that there are no questions left unanswered. Insert the spar into one wing half as far as it will go. Mark the spot where the spar exits the wing (photo 12). This is good practice to insure that the spar fits entirely inside both wing panels. This NexSTAR EP had no problems and the spar fit perfectly.

But just in case it doesn’t, the mark will identify the problem. While the spar is still inside the wing, mark the protruding end. Remove the spar and insert the marked end into the other wing panel. It must slide in at least as far as the mark for both wing panels to fit completely together, as they must. If the center mark sticks out of the second wing panel, use a drill bit slightly smaller than the hole’s diameter, at least 1/32 in. smaller, and deepen the hole in the wing panel until the spar inserts to the center mark. This airplane’s spar fit perfectly.