ParkZone’s Etomic

RTF VAPOR

The Indoor Tiger

By: Frank Granelli

Indoor RC has been one of the last “must build it yourself” bastions in RC model aviation. But several companies have been working hard during the last few years to open up this fascinating aspect of the sport to everyone; builders and non-builders alike. ParkZone for example, helped start this process with their indoor scale models, the Citabria and the Cessna RTFs. At about the same time, ParkZone also introduced the more aerobatic indoor/outdoor RTF airplanes, the Ember and Ember 2.

Vapor Photo 1 

But there have been few, if any, ultra-light indoor RTF airplanes available until the introduction of the new ParkZoneVapor. The Vapor is constructed along the lines of classic indoor airplanes in that its covering is a type of decorated, clear PET attached to a “stick” airframe made of carbon for light weight. In fact, the entire airplane weighs only 15 grams (1/2 ounce).

The ParkZone Vapor, 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. 

Vapor Photo 2 

As do the other ParkZone indoor RC aircraft, the RTF Vapor arrives fully assembled with everything needed to fly. Everything is packed inside a foam cradle designed to transport your Vapor while protecting it. Keep in mind that a 1/2 ounce airplane is sensitive to hangar rash. Only take it out of the case when you are ready to fly.

Vapor Photo 3 

There is no assembly needed on the Vapor. Even the wheels arrive attached. The only “work” left to do is to insert the supplied 4 “AA” dry cell batteries into the transmitter and the remaining 4 into the charger. Then charge the 70 mAh flight battery.

The supplied charger charges the 1-cell, 70 mAh Lithium Polymer battery at a 0.3A rate. If the battery were fully depleted, it would require about 20 minutes to recharge. However, this battery required just about 10 minutes to reach full charge the first time.

The accepted wisdom is that Lithium Polymer batteries should be stored at about 50% capacity for longest life. Looks like the ParkZone people knew this all along as the battery arrived at about a 50% charge level.

Vapor Photo 4 

The charger has a small LED on the top. When charging, this LED is a solid red. As the battery approaches full charge, the LED begins to blink rapidly. The blink rate slows down, indicating the battery is reaching full charge. When the blink rate slows to about once every 20 seconds, the battery is fully charged.

The battery has a small hook and loop button on it that hooks to the small strip of the same material on the small battery holder. When properly mounted, the battery connector should face to the rear and the label should point away from the fuselage. The battery connector from the servos/receiver/ESC has a butterfly fixture on one side. That side goes against the fuselage. Don’t get this connection wrong as a reverse connection will quickly toast the Vapor’s otherwise very sturdy electronics.

Those electronics are amazing. All on-board radio functions, including throttle, are all part of the one unit. This unit weighs about 6-7 grams, not including the pushrods. The geared motor makes up most of the remaining weight. This airplane is so light that it sometimes appears as if the airframe itself had a negative weight. It doesn’t of course, but it can’t weigh more than a few grams. Total RTF weight is 15 grams.

Vapor Photo 7 

The E-Tomic transmitter is one of those ParkZone gems that combines four channels, dual rates and servo reversing into one of the smallest, 6-volt powered, true 2.4 GHz units you have ever seen.

Video 1

There are no dual rate or servo reversing switches. Instead, simply press the right transmitter stick down until the transmitter beeps. Both elevator and rudder movements are now in the low rate. Press the stick again and high rate returns. The low rate appears to be about 80% of the high, but that is only a close guess. Regardless of the percentage number, there is a very noticeable reduction in control authority. Yet, more than enough control remained to hover at 80 degrees positive and to fly the Harrier landing. Every time the transmitter is switched on, the rates default to High.

As with its dual rates, there are no servo reversing switches. To reverse the servos, just press the trim button for that surface and hold for 5 seconds until a beep happens. The control surface movement is now reversed as follows:

ª Top elevator Trim Button = Elevator’s normal movement

ª Bottom elevator trim button = Reversed elevator

ª Left rudder trim button = Normal rudder

ª Right rudder trim button = Reversed rudder.

Preflight Checks

Before flying the ParkZone Vapor, some preflight checking is in order. Turn on the transmitter, wait five seconds, then connect the flight battery. Make sure the control surfaces move in the proper directions. The RTF Vapor has this preset, but check anyway. Be especially careful with the Bind N’ Fly version (BNF) as your transmitter may not be set correctly.

Once the directions are determined, make sure that both the rudder and elevator are in the neutral, centered positions when the transmitter sticks are centered. For the BNF version, use your transmitter’s sub-trim function to center the control surfaces. For the RTF version, use either the transmitter trims or adjust the control rod lengths to make sure everything is centered. The RTF was properly set at the factory, but checking is always a good idea as flying an out of trim airplane can really get your attention.

The last step is to check the airplane’s Center of Gravity (CG). To set the CG, make sure the front wing mount is 23 mm (0.9 in.) back from the fuselage front; not from the propeller. Slide the battery tray until it is 13 mm (0.5 in.) back from the front wing mount. Using the 70 mAh battery sets the CG to the correct first-flight position. After the pilot is comfortable flying the Vapor, sliding the battery tray rearward moves the CG aft for more aerobatic performance at the cost of some stability loss.

Vapor Photo 8

Vapor Photo 9

The Vapor is a very attractive airplane for its size. It somehow seems bigger than its 14.75 inch wingspan would imply. This might be because the Vapor’s fuselage is longer than its wingspan at 15.25 inches. In any event, this is a nice looking airplane. The covering keeps the “microfilm flavor” of an indoor but has sufficient colored trim to allow the pilot to know exactly what the airplane is doing at all times. This may not seem important when flying in a gym, but get into a big dome like the one in Muncie, PA and visibility becomes very important.

Video 2

Flying the Vapor in the standard-sized gym is fun and very easy. The airplane can perform most of the basic aerobatic maneuvers in such a limited area. Tight turns, Chandelles and Immelmann turns are good for this class aircraft. Small loops are possible.

Vapor Photo 10

Vapor Photo 11

Takeoff and landing speeds are in the slow walking category. The little airplane can almost hover and Harrier type landings are very easy to do. A small surprise is that the hover-to-a-landing Harrier is best flown on Low Rates.

Video 3

But having a larger, higher area like the dome lets the Vapor really show its aerobatic stuff. Move the CG rearward by sliding the battery tray back until it is against on-board radio equipment and the Vapor becomes a little tiger. Tight spirals, small loops and a fast climb rate make the Vapor an ideal airplane for larger flying areas. Even though it can perform, the Vapor retains its slow flight abilities and is easy for most pilots to handle. This is true even with the rearward CG.

If this is your first airplane, have an experienced RC pilot fly the first flights for trimming. Then set the low rates, keep the instructor handy, and try it for yourself. Do not move the CG back until you have a lot of experience flying the Vapor.

Video 4

But on high rates, the Vapor will surprise most pilots. While it should not be performing the maneuver, the Vapor can fly real outside loops from the top. The video above shows the airplane flying three consecutive outside loops. However, the airframe and wings exhibit severe shimmy on the back, upside part of the loop. Over time, this vibration could cause the wing covering to separate from the wing’s leading edge.

To prevent this, put on some rubber gloves and, outdoors or in a well ventilated area with a fan blowing, apply a small amount of medium CA adhesive to a small rag and run it lightly only over the leading edge area on the bottom where the covering edge meets the carbon wing frame.

Vapor Photo 12 

My recent travels have taken me to several indoor events and “fields”. Without exception, a significant percentage of the aircraft flying have been ParkZone Vapors. One of the reasons is that the Vapor is an extraordinary value. The RTF version reviewed here provides everything needed to fly, including the battery and charger, for just $130. The Bind N’ Fly version (BNF) (PKZ3380) includes everything in the RTF version except for the transmitter.

If you already have a JR and/or Spektrum transmitter using DSM2 technology, this might be the way to go. The BNF price is just $100 and you might be using an even more sophisticated transmitter that would allow some mixing.

Remember that only DSM2 JR or Spektrum transmitters will work with the BNF version. I use a Spektrum DX6i with my BNF Vapor. About all the JR/Spektrum 2.4 GHz transmitters use DSM2. These include, but are not limited to, the DX 5 and 6i’s, the DX7, the JR 9303 and 12X. About the only two JR/Spektrum transmitters I am aware of that are not DSM2 are the original Spektrum DX 6 and the original RTF Ember’s E-Tomic transmitter; not the RTF Ember 2 which is a DSM2 unit.

Vapor Photo 13 

Easy to fly, takes off in 3 feet, lands at a slow walk, performs well, flies for 20 minutes and good looking, a great combination for a $130 airplane. Look for yourself at: http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PKZ3300 for the RTF version or at: http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PKZ3380 for the BNF version. And Horizon Hobby (www.horizonhobby.com) backs up this little airplane with available spares of every part that’s in it. No matter what gets broken, a replacement part is available.

Additional Aircraft Specifications Manufacturer: ParkZone                    Length:           15.25 in.          Cost: $130.00                                     Wingspan:       14.75 in. Radio: 3-Channel DSM2 2.4 GHz       Wing Area:     ~65 sq. in. Servos: Open                                                  Wing Loading: 1.1 oz. /sq. ft. Engine: Geared Brushless                   Weight:           0.5 oz. Airfoil: Under cambered                     Battery: 1-cell, 3.4 V 70 mAh Flight Time: 15 to 20 minutes per charge Special Airframe Features: No Assembly; Easy to Fly; Has 2.4 GHz technology; Available in a BNF Version

Notable Positives Excellent aerobatic abilities No Assembly Very good looks Excellent aerobatic performance Very Easy To Fly Available as a BNF version Notable Negatives Fragile airframe, especially the rudder.