The Ultimate Flight Training System?
In the mid-fifties, I went with my uncle to an air show at Mitchell Field in New York. He had flown P-47’s in Europe during WW II. After the show, we walked the flight line. We stopped next to a then new Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, bristling with rotary cannon and early Sidewinder missiles. His thoughts must have drifted back to those gray 1944 European skies as one thought slipped into words. “Just two of these for me and my wingman and we could have beaten the entire German Air Force. Alone.”
In different form, Hobbico’s new NexSTAR Select flight training system gives an instructor similar feelings. “Give us a couple of these and we could teach the World to fly RC.” This is not just a good trainer. This is a total, advanced, ready-to-fly, flight system.
The system includes an advanced airframe, a pre-run and factory adjusted O.S MAX FXi 46™ engine, an installed Futaba SKYSPORT ™ 4-channel radio, an on-board, three-axis autopilot, a complete instruction DVD, six instruction manuals and a Real Flight™ 3-D computer flight simulator featuring the NexSTAR. Construction time can be a short as just 20 minutes. Each part of this Flight System is important enough to look at separately.
Charge the transmitter for several hours before beginning assembly. The flight simulator uses the NexSTAR’s transmitter so the batteries need to be charged before flying the simulator.
 
There is a lot of technology inside this one box
A Truly Advanced Airframe
The autopilot sensor is pre-installed on the bottom of the fuselage. These few parts quickly assemble into a very good-looking airplane. The top and bottom of the fuselage are rounded. The NexSTAR resembles a Cessna 206, not the usual straight-sided trainer.
The NexSTAR ‘s wing has several advanced features. The outer 30% of the wing has NASA drooped leading edges. NASA developed these leading edges for full-size light planes to prevent accidental spins. The drooped edges increase the lift created by the outer wing panels. The wing’s center section stalls, loses lift due to decreased airflow, first, while the outer wing panels keep lifting. The stall becomes gentle and the wing stays level.
The wing also features bolt on speed brakes. The speed brakes look like flaps but have numerous quarter-inch holes. The holes prevent the airbrakes from creating extra lift, as a flap would, while allowing them to function as excellent drag devices. The excess drag prevents the plane from gaining speed if the nose should drop in a turn.
Can You Say “Manuals”?
The NexSTAR Select comes with six instruction manuals, A DVD Instruction disc and a “Real Flight” simulator. Watch the DVD first, then read the assembly instructions. Read the AFS (Automatic Flight System) instructions carefully before flying. It may be necessary to adjust the AFS depending on the weather and time of day.
Fly the simulator for several hours before going to the field for the first time. It’s fun and instructive. In the beginning, turn off all the scenery except the runway. Keep the winds and thermals calm to start. Add some 5-8 mph crosswinds when you feel ready.
And don’t hit the water tower!
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