Revell’s

Piloto

The $10 RC Ready to Fly Airplane

By: Frank Granelli

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Revell, long the highly respected manufacturer of exact scale static models has recently been entering the micro-RC world. Their Fire Strike Pro RC helicopter features twin co-axial rotors and a Chinook style look. The Fire Strike Pro’s safe flying characteristics, ease of flight, low $70 cost and the non-standard appearance makes this a perfect first helicopter for young, aspiring RC pilots eight and up.

The new Piloto fulfills the same role for potential younger, fixed wing pilots. It is even easier to fly, looks great and different as a “pusher” biplane (motor behind the cabin pushing instead of pulling the airframe). But the cost is even more surprising. How about just TEN DOLLARS? That’s right. Only $10 for a complete, Ready to Fly (RTF) airplane designed with younger pilots in mind.

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What makes this airplane so well suited for younger flyer? First is the pusher design. Having a rear mounted propeller works to keep smaller fingers away from the spinning propeller. This is an important safety factor.

Second is that, while the motor is powerful enough to comfortably fly the Piloto, it is not so powerful as to hurt, or even cut, smaller fingers. I ran the motor at full power on a fresh battery charge, and then stuck my finger in the way. The propeller slowed down quickly but didn’t cause any pain or cuts. It quickly threw my finger out of the propeller arc as it was facing backwards. Even if the finger enters fully from the front side and remains in place, the tiny plastic gearing that turns the propeller will just strip, stopping the spinning propeller.

However, this airplane is designed to be used under adult supervision for young children so take care to teach the new pilot to keep hands and things out of the spinning propeller.

Third, the throttle control is spring loaded to the “off” position. It would require a 4-handed alien to hold the airplane, hold the throttle on high, turn on the airplane’s flight system and then stick the fourth hand into the propeller. But even the alien will have a problem here. The Piloto’s throttle control prevents the airplane’s motor from turning on if the airplane is switched on while the throttle is in any position except off. This is about the safest propeller system we have seen yet on a model airplane.

Fourth, the airplane is an attractive biplane; different and appealing to younger pilots. The additional lift from the extra wing reduces flying and landing speeds enough so that younger beginners are more able to “stay with the airplane” and pilot it. Note the slow landing speeds in the videos.

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This is a rugged airplane. Indoor airplanes such as the Piloto are destined to slam into walls, hit ceilings and land nose first at times. Since the Piloto is a pusher, the propeller and drive systems are never damaged in such unplanned airplane/surface interfaces. Not having the spinning propeller as the lead contact point when hitting an object also protects that object from damage.

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Fifth, the front fuselage, or the “interface point” is a balsa wood strip laminated on both sides with soft, decorated foam to further protect objects from damage. The rear of the fuselage is a carbon fiber rod that is nearly unbreakable. Carbon fiber is very light but stronger than steel. The Piloto is a tough little airplane.

The only weak part of the airplane is the foam vertical fin. But damage to this fin is easily repaired with school or white glue. DO NOT use CAA glues such as “Crazy Glue” as they will damage the foam. Use glue sparingly if needed and avoid tape.

The Piloto does not have pitch, or elevator, control so tail weight can cause too much climb. Fortunately, the airplane has fixed control surface trim tabs (photo 5) that can compensate for some extra tail weight.

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Sixth, the airplane is compact. The flight battery, a Lithium Polymer, 1-cell, 3.7 Volt battery is charged using a transmitter lead. The lead is stored inside a hatch in the transmitter. There is no separate charger to keep track of or to lose. If you have the transmitter, then you can fly and recharge the Piloto.

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(Photo courtesy of Tower Hobbies)

The transmitter that came with the red Piloto is on an FM channel Revell calls “A”. Revell also offers another Piloto, this time in blue, which is on channel “B”. Having two separate channels allows both versions to be flown at the same time. So, if you are going to be working with two or more young pilots, get a blue and a red Piloto; not two of the same color.

Safe and rugged are big advantages for an airplane designed for the younger pilot. But a safe and rugged airplane also has to be easy and fun to fly. The Piloto is certainly both. Once trimmed, the Piloto can cruise around at a respectable airspeed but not so fast as to be difficult to fly or to require a very large space in which to fly. A small, grammar school gym, as shown in the videos, is more than room enough.

The rudder does a great job of turning the Piloto but can not over-control the airplane. About 45 degree banks are the most that can be achieved. The airplane will simply not roll over to inverted. The Piloto can’t be over controlled by young pilots to the point of hitting the ground nose first.

Flying the Piloto

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The Pilot is a simple airplane to fly and is designed to be so. A simple toss into the air is all it needs. It will not take off from the ground as there is no elevator to pull it away from the floor. Nor is there landing gear on which it can roll. But a forceful hand launch is not required. Just a small push, apply some throttle and away it goes.

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The two channel transmitter manages the throttle and the rudder for turn and bank control. Pitch is controlled using the throttle. The airplane is factory trimmed to maintain level flight on about 60% throttle. Applying more power than that causes the airplane to pitch up and climb. Applying less power causes a slight nose-down descent.

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It may be necessary to hand-trim the tail surfaces for level flight. The Piloto contains excellent instructions on how to do that. It is much like trimming an inexpensive balsa glider except you don’t have to “breathe” on the surfaces. A simple bend does the job.

The Piloto will fly Figure Eights, steep-ish climbs, Chandelles, and sharp turns with ease. It does not have sufficient power to loop from level flight. In order to loop, a taller flying site than a small gym is required. From about 50 feet high, cut the power completely, let the airplane enter a moderate dive to pick up airspeed, then apply full throttle just a few feet off the floor. If the wings were held level, this should result in a small, figure “L” type loop. If the wings were even slightly banked, the maneuver results in a very pretty, and tall, Chandelle.

We are not looking for outstanding aerobatics here. We are looking for an inexpensive, safe, strong and easy to fly starter airplane that younger pilots can fly with confidence and have a great time doing it. The Piloto fills this need and at $10, it should be in every modeler’s hangar for those times when the grandkids or nephews/nieces come to visit.

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There is not much to landing the Piloto. Level the wings, have about 30 feet of clear space in front of you, then lower the power. The airplane settles down at walking speed into a nice, smooth landing. Video 2 has two good landing parts that illustrate how easy the Piloto is to land.

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(Photo courtesy of Tower Hobbies)

For even more fun once the new pilot masters the Piloto, Tower Hobbies has a stunt kit available for only $12. The kit includes a “limbo” bar; two pylons for setting out a flight course and two 10-point targets for those “spot” landings or target practice. We told you this was a very rugged airplane, remember? The stunt kit is product number LXSND5.

Along with confidence and attention to detail, the Piloto instills a love of flying and a sense of achievement in younger pilots far easier than can many other airplanes. At $10, this is the cheapest fun time that can be had in RC model aviation.

For more information about Revell’s Piloto, go to: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0095P?FVSEARCH=Revell+Piloto+RTF+Red&search=Go for the red Piloto and to http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXSND3&P=ML for the Blue version.

Specifications:

Length = 10.5 inches

Wingspan = 8.4 inches