Welcome to this edition of the Thermal Circle in this edition we have the new FX 32 by the German company Robbe Futaba and also three new competition models that are truly fine F3J competition gliders. I would also like to congratulate the Model Engines company on there new scale gliders the ASK 21 in two different sizes including a massive 40% version!!! These models are excellent scale gliders and are very realistically priced and very affordable!!!

The Hyperion Australia company are now Jeti radio dealers, providing the world class range of Jeti tray and hand held transmitters and other radio equipment and have also landed a new Vladimirs model shipment, with all models in stock and available, including the new DLG the Snipe and all versions of the Vladimirs Maxa as designed by Joe Wurts. The new Jaro Muller models the Egida and the Eldorado F3B have also landed and are available and in stock now with a full shipment of Jaro Muller models having just arrived. The new Strong Egida, a completely new lay up of this F3J model providing more strength for heavy weather and is available and in stock now and is an excellent well made model, suitable for windy Australian weather conditions. Hyperion Australia has also landed a full shipment of MKS Servos and carries the full range of these well manufactured and strong servos for competition and other soaring applications. All Hyperion products are available in Australia including the world class Hyperion brand of chargers and other products including ARF and other models as well as the high amperage Hyperion brushless electric speed controllers and high amperage Hyperion Li Po batteries for all electric and other model applications.

I would like to thank Perth RC Models and Hobbies and Brian Simpson for providing the new Robbe Futaba FX 32 for review all in this edition of the Thermal Circle!!

Robbe Futaba FX 32 Hayden Daley Dec 2013

The FX 32 is a well designed high quality 18 channel telemetry tray radio manufactured by Futaba for the Robbe company in Germany. This radio can be firmware updated, new programming and additional features can be added to this radio by software updates allowing the radio to evolve with the user. These firmware updates are done with an SD card from a laptop. The FX 32 can also be hardware updated with stick switches and other hardware such as larger/smaller switches, more switches. This radio uses a high capacity 3200 mah pack as its power source, It provides for long usage times and lots of flying with the one charge. I am a big fan of large battery packs in transmitters and as these radios provide a full day of competition flying. The radio can also be easily opened to allow for direct charging of the battery pack. The FX 32 has control adjust functions for winged and helicopter models including dual rates and exponential and control adjust function for helicopters including idle setting, throttle limit function and a stick mode menu in the programming. This radio features sophisticated programming for three model types and the flight modes can be named allowing a more accurate description of the flight mode purpose when used.

The FX 32 has built in stopwatches and timers, these are highly useful for competition soaring with alarms providing an audible warning as the time is reached. These timers can count both forwards and backwards allowing you freedom to time flights whilst practising by simply flicking a switch to activate these built in timer's. The gimbals are a dual ball bearing type providing smooth precise operation of the gimbals on this radio. The FX 32 utilises fully integrated 2.4 Ghz technology and is compatible with all receivers using Futaba 2.4ghz technology. This radio features sophisticated programming for three model types; aircraft, helicopters and sailplanes. The FX 32 uses a rolling selector input for programming and the flight modes can be named allowing a more accurate description of the flight mode purpose when used.

In aeroplane mode the radio has eight flight modes, all switches and levers are assignable, and triple rates are provided for the elevator, aileron and rudder that can be combined with the flight mode programming. The aircraft mode covers all different options for mixing and provides for many different wing types, such as flapperon and delta type wings set ups. Balance mixing also allows precise mixing of channels when needed on larger aircraft running several aileron servos for example. The radio has timers in aircraft mode; stopwatch, count down and an integrated timer. In airplane mode the radio has eight flight modes, all switches and levers are assignable, and triple rates are provided for the elevator, aileron and rudder that can be combined with the flight mode programming. All flight modes can be custom named allowing a suitable name to be displayed on the screen when using flight modes in your model setup. The FX 32 is backward compatible with FX 30 and the Futaba 12FG radios, all model memories can be copied into this radio from these Transmitters .Once the flight modes are assigned you can name these modes so that when the mode is changed the mode in operation is displayed on the screen. Flight modes are probably the best feature on this radio, it allows for complicated models to be set-up properly for all phases of flight.

In helicopter mode the FX 32 provides switch assignment for channels and functions, up to eight different flight modes and full custom naming of the flight modes and a warning system for various switches can assigned protecting your helicopter from a wrongly placed switch, it also has software to prevent over traveling on CCPM servos. The helicopter programming has free mixers and built in cyclic to throttle mixing for aileron, elevator and rudder, and there is also a governor mix. Programmable timers can be triggered by the throttle or switches. The radio has a mix monitor that displays all mixers as used. In helicopter mode the radio has all swash plate types making it compatible with all types of CCPM control. The FX 32 provides switch assignment for channels and functions, and full custom naming of the flight modes and it features triple rate allowing different exponential and flight mode settings on all main helicopter controls.

In sailplane mode this radio is optimised for multi function sailplane set ups offering a very high level of sophistication. The radio features switch assignment for channels and functions, up to eight fully programmable flight modes with name assignment for the mode. It has dual control functions for elevator, rudder, flap and spoilers and also has V-tail mixing. The system also has a fully programmable motor function for electric assist sailplanes and has camber programming for each flight phase. A warning system allows for programming of alarms for different switch and stick positions and programmable free mixers. There are timers that can be triggered by switch or throttle position and the mix monitor displays all mixers. In sailplane mode this radio is optimized for multi function sailplane set ups offering a very high level of versatility. The radio features switch assignment for channels and functions, fully programmable flight modes with name assignment for the mode. It has dual control functions for elevator, rudder, flap and spoilers and also has V-tail mixing. The system also has a fully programmable motor function for electric assist sailplanes and has camber programming for each flight phase. The FX 32 allows for the use of telemetry in the sailplane mode and allows for the use of Varios and voltage displays when flying sailplanes. The FX 32 also has inbuilt programming for an eight servo wing as used in modern scale models for example.

Telemetry is provided for in the FX 32, different options are available including RPM, receiver battery voltage and a Vario functions for scale and other sailplanes. Telemetry is definitely a highly usable and advanced feature and necessary for modern radios if they wish to compete with other RC companies and the Futaba telemetry function is a fine addition to this radio.

You can adjust trim, rates and mixers by the flick of a switch with the FX 32 and even name the phase on the radio when switched. This flight mode programming is a necessity for sailplanes as it allows for launch and other settings to be activated in flight. If you do not have flight modes on your radio, when you begin to use this setting you can have a pattern, 3D and sport setting on your engine power model adjustable by switch and you can change all parameters on the model to tune/ trim the model perfectly.

This radio also offers an SD card setup allowing the saving, and expanding of model memories and also a software update capability and 18 channels. The FX 32 is covered by a three year limited warranty providing peace of mind and trust that the radio is reliable and free from defects in workmanship or operation. The FX 32 also has a control stick tension adjustment, you can adjust the sticks to suit your flying style and the dual bearings gimbals are very smooth in operation. You can adjust trim, rates and mixers by the flick of a switch and even name the phase on the radio when switched. The radio also offers an SD card setup allowing the saving, and expanding of model memories and also a software updates. This transmitter also provides unique features for competition soaring. The narrow width of the radio allows for use by all model pilots whether they fly with a tray or with thumbs. The Robbe/Futaba line can be purchased from all hobby stores that deal with Perth RC Models and Hobbies and this company provides the full range of Futaba products. I would like to thank Brian Simpson for providing the FX 32 for review.

Vixen F3J

The Vixen was designed by Daryl Perkins as a no compromise F3J model. Everything about the Vixen was well thought out for the task. It was designed to be easy to build light, and to keep the weight out of the extremities - note the V-Tail and two piece wing. There is no joiner box structure or joiner weight at half span which reduces weight out at the tips. The section choices are designed to have a wide speed range, pull hard on tow, and slow down well for a slow controlled approach. Many of you will question the six servo wing - it must be flown to be believed! The control surfaces are quite short, enabling the use of very small and light servos and less prone to twist or flutter. The largest benefits here are in the landing circle and the ability to slow down, controllably, and work the clock for that last 10th of a second. F3J contests are won on tow, and in the LZ. The Vixen is optimized for both."The Vixen was designed by Daryl Perkins as a no compromise F3J model. Everything about the Vixen was well thought out for the task. It was designed to be easy to build light, and to keep the weight out of the extremities - note the V-Tail and two piece wing..”

Pike Perfection F3J

Perfection in name and design, the Pike Perfection from Samba Model is a superb glider. This F3J RC glider is built upon the foundation of Sama's Perfect and Perfect ET gliders, with the new platform giving you better penetration and tighter circles. The Pike Perfection has a new tail to give you extreme power in the elevator, with even harder pings off launch and precise turnovers to hit those vital landing points. The lower-positioned nose helps in the landings. The new shape and airfoils of the tail, combined with a better cross section of the fuse, gives you better strength, lower drag and better penetration. Thanks to the new platform, the fuses and wings are lighter and the new materials in the skin ensure that the weight comes down and centres in the model. This gives you improved circling; especially at low speeds. Together with ailerons at the end of the tip, Samba Model have created a more agile model.The moulds are completely new and Samba Model have used new building techniques that were not possible with their older moulds. This ensures that the Pike Perfection is not only lighter and stronger, but also has a better finish. The stiffness and resistance of its parts are stronger, thanks to the new materials and high-pressure production technology. Full carbon material is used in the wing, fuselage, rudder and elevator. This is consistent across all versions of the Pike Perfection.

Egida F3J

The EGIDA is the latest design from Jaro Muller. He designed the EGIDA to incorporate the successes of his past designs, while developing a model to take advantage of the latest material enhancements. Jaro Muller successfully made the EGIDA 63 ounces full strength with better handling than the RL, a better hang rate than the competition, and legs and L/D like the Satori. In our opinion the EGIDA is Jaro's greatest design to date. The EGIDA handling is much improved over the RL and the EGIDA is very easy to fly and while in a turn it required very little rudder, and can completely be flown with the right stick. This is because of the extra dihedral built into the tips. This creates a very user friendly model, and allows you to focus on the air more than flying the plane. The aileron area is also increased and they are extended all to the tip allowing for a less drag in a turn and increased roll rate. The most surprising part of the design was the effectiveness of the V-tail. Jaro put a very large V-tail on the EGIDA.and in the past V-tails where undersized and had some nasty characteristics like snapping and bad landing control. We were pleased to find that the EGIDA did not have any of the bad habits. The V-tail actually had more landing control at slow speeds than the X-tail Espada RL with big stabs. Also during tests we tried to snap the model and giving the model full up in a turn did not snap it, and also full up and full rudder did not snap the model. The EGIDA is a very stable platform, it grooves and locks into a thermal turn very well. The flap size was also increased compared to the RL. This allows for very slow landings and steep approaches. The big difference that we saw with the larger flaps was when a thermal came through on landing. In that condition the pilot needs to dive to stay at the same altitude, but with other models this greatly increases the approach speed.

Thats it from the Thermal Circle,I hope you enjoyed this edition, happy safe and successful soaring!!!

Hayden Daley December 2013