The Sport Aviator’s aircraft photos that start each review, we call them “Lead Photos”, are always of the airplane in flight. Airborne pictures are just more interesting than box top photos. Flying pictures are better unless there is something very special about the box or its contents. The T-Hawk’s box is nothing special, just a plain brown wrapper so to speak. However, the box’s contents are incredible. (But we also included a flying Lead Photo [number 2] just for tradition’s sake.)

Ready To Fly Fun (http://www.masportaviator.com/activedit/../redirect.asp?website=ArticleLink_ReadytoFlyFun_THawk) has been a small aircraft specialist since 2001. They specialize in offering high-quality aircraft at affordable prices. All of their aircraft can be flown in school yards, parks and even at RC flying fields. But now, this company has put together a real Trainer Package designed to help every new pilot succeed. This is the most complete trainer setup we have seen to date.

Photo 1         Photo 2

The T-Hawk arrives in two separate boxes. One is a long triangular tube that contains both wings; there really are two wings. Attached to the wings are both stabilizers and both vertical fins. Yes, there are two of each of those as well. The T-Hawk Trainer Package contains an extra stabilizer/vertical fin assembly in case one is damaged during flight training. While other companies make replacement parts available by ordering, the T-Hawk supplies them with the airplane to avoid lost flying time if an unplanned aircraft/ground interface does occur.

The larger wing is the trainer wing. This 58-inch span wing is designed for slow flight, gentle turns and easy flight régimes. It is made from press-molded PVC laminated foam that is fabricated by splicing 3 sections of the standard high performance wing and then reinforced with wood and carbon fiber rods. This makes for a strong but light structure

The shorter, 40-inch wing provides higher airspeeds, more aerobatic performance and advanced training with a somewhat “hotter” aircraft. It is made from press-molded PVC laminated foam and stiffened with a wood spar.

The contents of the second box proved to be very different. Note in photo 2 that there are two (2) transmitters. Both are full-function, 72-MHz transmitters featuring servo reversing, V-tail and elevon mixing plus Travel Adjust on the elevator and aileron/rudder channels. Both transmitters have crystals; ours were on Channels 27 and 35. The Package also includes a 6-foot trainer cord to connect both transmitters together.

That is the idea behind two transmitters. The T-Hawk includes a complete “Buddy Box” system at no extra charge. Dual controls are a great way to learn to fly. The student pilot has more confidence and can concentrate more on flying and less on making a disastrous mistake. The instructor feels more comfortable allowing the student to get further into potentially bad flight areas before regaining control. Buddy Boxes are especially valuable during landing training.

In addition to the two transmitters, extra tail feathers and two wings, the T-Hawk Trainer Package also contains two flight batteries. These 8.4-volt Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) 1000 mAh batteries provide more flight time than we expected. Three propellers are included just in case. Although it is hard to imagine a situation that would break one of these tough, rear-mounted propellers, two extra are provided.

There are two landing gears in the Package. The heavier, more rugged gear is for grass takeoffs and landings while the other, much lighter one, is used for hand launches or paved surface operations. The battery charger includes an adaptor for 120 VAC operation as well as a 12-volt power cord that plugs into the standard car socket. Plenty of extra rubber bands and the instruction book complete the Package.

Assembly

The T-Hawk is a true Ready-To-Fly (RTF) aircraft that requires less work than the usual RTF. The assembled fuselage contains the 6-Channel receiver, two servos, the 15 amp micro-speed controller and the “improved” 480 motor. While I am not sure what the “Improved” means, this powerplant does seem to have more power than the usual 480 motor. Photo 3, a manufacturer’s cut-away picture, shows the position of each fuselage component.

The manufacturer’s cutout picture was used because we were not about to destroy the airplane just for a photo-op. Besides, the fuselage is made from very thick, very strong polyethylene and would be exceedingly hard for me to cut. It is also nearly impossible for a student to destroy.

Photo 3 also shows one of the T-Hawk’s best safety features. There really is an on/off switch. Most aircraft in this class do not have this feature. Without a switch, once the battery is connected, the motor can always start accidentally. This is not possible with the switch installed. The T-Hawk also has a delayed start safety feature. Before the motor will operate, the throttle stick must be fully advanced for about 5 seconds, and then brought back to off. Then the motor will obey the throttle inputs.

Photo 4 shows the entire fuselage assembly and the parts used to complete it. Not much work needed here. The first step is to install the propeller. Support the motor from the rear as shown in photo 5. Then press the propeller onto the shaft until it bottoms.

Remove the end cap from the carbon fiber, strong and light, fuselage boom. Note that there are two threaded rods on the bottom of the vertical fin. Thumb nuts are attached as shown.

Slip the twin threaded rods on the vertical fin’s bottom through the horizontal stabilizer as shown in photo 8. Make sure the elevator control horn is on the top side. Install the assembly onto the fuselage boom as shown in photo 8. Look into the boom through the end as in photo 9. Make sure that the antenna wire remains clear of the two rods.

Once the tail assembly is fully installed, slide the tail wheel onto the rod ends (photo 10). Secure the whole thing by hand tightening the two nuts as shown. There is no need to over tighten these nuts, hand tighten only. Once the rear assembly is complete, re-install the tail boom end cap. Allow the antenna wire to extend out the rear.