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Introduction
The GWS FORMOSA ARF is a full-function foam R/C airplane. (GWS stands for “Grand Wing Systems”). By full-function we mean that it employs four channels that use throttle, ailerons, elevator and rudder. Its primary construction material is a strong, white molded foam.
The GWS FORMOSA meets all the aircraft requirements of the Academy of Model Aeronautics’ (AMA) Park Pilot Program. The aircraft weighs less than 2 pounds (the Program’s upper weight limit) and has a level top speed under 60 mph (the Program’s upper speed limit). For complete Park Pilot aircraft details, follow this link.
The AMA Park Pilot Program offers non-AMA members the opportunity to become AMA members at a much reduced cost. Park Pilot membership includes a great magazine “Park Pilot”, $500,000 personal liability insurance, $2.5 million liability insurance for the flying field owner (see insurance details) and membership in the world’s largest sport aviation association – the AMA. For complete information and details about Park Pilot membership, just click here.
GWS promotes the FORMOSA as follows: ”GWS brings the fun of precision aerobatics to the park flying scene with the new F3A Formosa. The Formosa is modeled closely after larger scale F3A pattern planes and offers extreme aerobatic capabilities. All parts are injection molded for precise fit, allowing the Formosa to go together easily in about six hours. Styling is F3A design”
F3A is the world Precision Aerobatics level of FAI world-class competition. The airplanes used in F3A aerobatics are specifically designed to perform smooth and accurate aerobatic maneuvers. The GWS FORMOSA is a miniature version of these big cousins which usually span around 2 meters (78-5/8”).
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Photo 1 Photo 2
The box lid shows a very colorful and sleek-looking airplane. A bold yellow starburst clearly states that the GWS FORMOSA is intended to be flown by an advanced pilot. The initial question was going to be what did advanced really stand for? This is a lightweight electric-powered white-foam airplane that looks like it should fly well and be fairly easy to manage for a pilot just out of a basic trainer.
 
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The box also had some really good shots of the GWS FORMOSA in action.
 
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GWS leaves you in no doubt about what you will get and the specifications of their aircraft.
Photo 9
They are also very clear that you will need a transmitter, a receiver, three servos, a battery pack for the motor and a speed controller. This GWS ARF comes without any radio or flight system. However, GWS does supply the electric motor, gearbox and the propeller. Most Electric ARF airplanes do not include these latter items.
 
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The manual contains clear color pictures of the parts and photo-cross-referenced to the instructions. The photographs really help you to the match the parts.
 
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The box lid shows a really good photo of all of the parts and accurately depicts what you will get inside the box (photo 13).
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The pre-molded fuselage comes in two separate halves. The fin is part of the molding and one half had the rudder attached to it.
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Inside the lid was a somewhat arbitrary warning about the airplane’s being only for use by those pilots over 14 years old. While written in “Chinese: English, the warning should be heeded as the Formosa has a very powerful motor spinning an over-sized propeller with authority. (Ed. Note: There are many RTF airplanes designed just for younger pilots. These are safer than higher performance Park Pilot airplanes. Sport Aviator will soon be opening a new Section just for such aircraft.)
 
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The wing comes in one piece. Molded into the wings are recesses for a wing spar, the forward wing retaining pins and the rear 3-mm wing retaining bolt. Two wells are present for the main landing gear.
Photo 20
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