A Second Airplane That Offers Cardiac Thrills.

When the Hangar 9 Pulse XT 40 was brought home, the first thing my veteran of 5-years solo RC but 11-year old pilot asked was, “What’s that airplane supposed to fly like?” It seemed that his first impression of the sport model was that because it didn’t look like an Extra 300 or aK-5000-something what was so interesting about it?”

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The fault is mine. Apparently I (the self appointed RC instructor and daddy) taught him that only cool aircraft look like those seen at the Red Bull air races. (Ed. Note: Michael, has he seen a Pattern airplane fly yet? That will change his mind!) My younger son Jacob actually thought the Pulse looked good and agreed to help assemble the model.

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The Pulse XT is a very cool looking RC sport model, as far as “sport” models go. Its design, in more ways than one, is a leap beyond the average sport model. It’s designed by Mike McConville (MM) who is well known for developing everything from trainers on up to NATS winning International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) Giant-scale RC models.

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The Pulse features modern appointments like an attractive tinted canopy, an easy-breathing fiberglass cowling, plus a must-have in my book if the model is to be attractive, sleek looking wheel pants. Because it’s an MM design, besides its looking attractive, in the air the pilot can expect treatment also enjoyed by Precision Aerobatic aficionados. “What’s that airplane supposed to fly like,” [pift!] indeed.

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In a manner he could comprehend, I simply answered my son’s question by telling him the Pulse XT would be everything he wanted his trainer fly like, but couldn’t make happen due to normal trainer aircraft limitations. To you, the reader and fan of Model Aviation’s Sport Aviator magazine, the Pulse is what I would recommend as the perfect second RC aircraft.

Photo Courtesy of Horizon Hobby

Before you take my word for it (and you shouldn’t, but instead take our success story for what it’s worth), check out the other Pulse aircraft Hangar 9 and E-Flite offers. The various sizes of this model suit the Park Pilot on up to the serious Sunday flyer and fan of the larger 60-class of engines. Wouldn’t it be cool if they offered a larger 1.20 class size of this model? Just in – coming soon is the Pulse 125 from Hangar 9. I called it!

Photo Courtesy of Horizon Hobby

The Pulse XT (I have no idea what the XT stands for – perhaps extra tough?) 40 and 60 are the only models in the series to offer the user the option of either glow or electric power for the job of spinning the propeller. Okay, the 125-size will also. The point is that it’s nice to have options.

       
Photos Courtesy of Horizon Hobby

We debated quite a bit about how to review this model for you. The short version of the story is that we decided to build the model with a glow engine for everyone out there looking to enjoy the glow engines they already have. Even though the popularity of electric power is growing, it seemed to us that a lot of club members and returning RC hobbyist would consider the practicality and tradition of a two-stroke engine.

Photo Courtesy of Horizon Hobby

In closely examining the model, it appears that those who go electric with this model won’t be troubled at all with the success that choice would bring.

Photos Courtesy of Horizon Hobby

The correctly tuned and maintained glow engine is a treasure, and frankly the grunt from the engine sound and smell of the burned fuel captivates this author reminding that the weekends scooting through the air with RC club buddies is still a practice that’s alive and well.

Photo Courtesy of Horizon Hobby