Aeroworks
is known to have termed the phrase "Quick Build" to
describe a high level of prefabrication with their ARF
models. A QB descriptor in the title of an Aeroworks
ARF indicates that the model will have a good amount
of the assembly such as pre-drilled motor mounts, hinged
control surfaces, drilled cowling, etc... done right
out the box. Staying true to this description, Aeroworks
has now introduced its first airframe with the moniker
QB-L. The -L indicates that the model will arrive with
all of the features of a QB aircraft but in addition,
special attention has been paid to making the aircraft
as light and strong as possible.
The first QB-L airframe that has been released by Aeroworks
is the ever popular Extra 260 in a 52" wingspan that
is targeted specifically for electric power systems.
The Extra 260 QB-L carries with it a long list features
that sport and 3D pilots desire such as strong but light
carbon landing gear, control horns and main tube, air-foiled
control surfaces, quick release canopy for quick battery
changes, a generous area to accommodate various sizes
of batteries and last but no least SFGs in both wingtip
and inboard positions. The QB aspect of the Extra
260 includes features such as hinged control surfaces,
pre-drilled cowl and a motor mount that is ready to
accept a variety of popular power options that is surely
to get you out of the garage and in the air as quickly
as possible.
Quick
assembly
Outboard
and Inboard SFGs
Easy
access hatch
Variety
of power options
Carbon
fiber landing gear, control arms and main tube.
The double
boxed shipping container did its job well and I was pleased
to see every component securely taped down and arrive
without any damage.
Once
all of the components have been removed, it is evident
that the assembly process of the Extra 260 QB-L will not
take too long which is a good thing as I cannot wait to
get out to the field and try out those new SFGs.
The
optional inner and outer SFGs were the first thing that
grabbed my attention as I was looking over the parts.
All
of the control surfaces are air foiled which should allow
for a wider flight envelope and a better looking model
in general. The elevator is a single piece assembly which
will only require a single servo to actuate.
Aeroworks
Freestyle Extra 260 QB-L
(Click to Rotate Image)
Price: $249.95 (Accurate as of review
date)
Key
Features
Complete
and Detailed Printed Instruction Manual
Air
Foiled Tail Section
Carbon
Landing Gear
Carbon
Wing Tube
Carbon
Non-Flex Control Horns
Strong
and Light Tail Wheel
CompleteHigh
Quality SAE Hardware Package Included
Removable
Inner and Outer SFG?s
Pre-mounted
Canopy with Quick Release Latch
Motor
Spacers Included to accommodate most Motors
Professionally
covered in ULTRACOTE?
CA
Hinges Pre-slotted from factory
Large
control surfaces double beveled for Maximum Throw
Pre
Mounted Fiberglass Cowl and Wheel Pants
Custom
Throw Deflectors Included
Extra
Ultracote? covering provided for small repairs
6
to 8 Hours assembly Time
Overview
Aeroworks
is proud to add the new Freestyle Extra 260 QB-L (Quick Build-Light
Series) to our growing line of airplanes. Designed with the demanding
3D pilot in mind, this new airplane features many exciting and
revolutionary concepts that are sure to make it the hit of your hangar.
The Freestyle Extra 260 QB-L is the first in the new QB-L Series and it
is sure to impress with its light weight build quality and its
impressive airframe strength and longevity. The new QB-L features all
of the Quick Build characteristics that Aeroworks has been known for,
assembling the new Freestyle Extra 260 QB-L can be done is as little as
6 hours!
Included with the new Freestyle Extra 260 QB-L is an
extensive hardware package that includes Carbon main landing gear, wing
tube and the new, non-flex carbon control horns. All of these
accessories are designed to be rigid and strong while providing the
lightest weight possible for an airplane this size. Ball links have
been provided for the smoothest in control surface movement while still
allowing for 50+ Degrees of surface deflection on the Ailerons and
Rudder with over 60 Degrees of deflection on the elevator! Motor
mounting hardware has been provided to aid in mounting most motors and
the firewall has been pre-drilled for many popular motor options!
The
airframe itself features a large wing to provide an incredibly low wing
loading, perfect for 3D flying! The new wing design also features both
outboard and inboard Side Force Generators (SFG's) these SFG?s are
pre-mounted and can be removed in seconds if desired. Along with the
new wing design are the air foiled tail surfaces that provide great
control authority even at low speeds. These extra features make the
Freestyle Extra 260 QB-L one of the most responsive 3D airplanes in its
class. The Freestyle Extra 260 QB-L extensive build features include;
pre-mounted cowling, pre-mounted wheel pants, quick release pre-mounted
canopy and a large battery tray that will accommodate 3 cell to 5 cell
batteries.
Aeroworks
is excited to introduce our new line of QB-L airplanes starting with
the Freestyle Extra 260 QB-L. With 20 years in the industry, you can be
assured that Aeroworks will be here to provide you with the amazing
product support that we have been known for.
Specs
Wingspan:
52
in
Length:
47
in
Flying
Weight:
52-53
oz (no bat)
Wing
Area:
560
in2
Radio
Requirements:
Minimum
4-channel
Recommended
Engine Sizes:
Hacker
A30-12XL or Torque 2814T/820
The
"Light" aspect of the Extra 260 QB-L will become apparent
as you start looking over the fuselage and the perfectly
laser cut parts that have an abundance of lightening
holes. The canopy is held on with a turn screw that
is very easy to remove and attach. The latching mechanism
should make sure that the dreaded canopy blow off
doe snot occur under violent maneuvers.
Another
nice feature can be found in the horizontal stabilizer
where an alignment pin has been installed to make
installation and alignment of the tail easier on the
modeler. Covering has already been removed from the
stabilizer and all that is required is a bit of work
to align and CA the assembly in place. The carbon
landing gear should help in reducing the overall weight
of the Extra 260. The sturdy tail wheel will bolt
on to the bottom of the airframe to help absorb the
shock from those harrier landings. Only a handful
of parts and a few hours of assembly is all that stands
between you and the airfield.
Manual
Aeroworks
has some of the best manuals in the industry and the manual
of the Extra 260 QB-L does not deter from this statement.
A detailed manual that covers the quick assembly process
in a step by step manner is provided inside the box to get
the assembly process going. The manual calls out the
C.G. point along with the recommended throws on all surfaces.
To help setup the control surfaces, three throw meters are
included with the ARF which is a nice touch.
The
assembly process of the Extra 260 QB-L starts in the usual
ARF fashion by going over the covering then hinging the ailerons.
The CA hinges have already been slotted and inserted for
you so all that remains is to make sure that they are
centered and set them in place using a few drops of thin
CA.
For
the ailerons, I have chosen to use the recommended Hitec
HS-65MG servos. I chose to use a 3" extender which eliminates
the need for further extenders on the receiver as the
lead then becomes long enough to reach the receiver inside
the fuselage without any issues.
The
servo is then mounted in place using the hardware provided
with the servo.
The
control horns and push rods can then be installed per
the manual. The control horns that are supplied with the
kit are advertised as being lighter and stiffer carbon
arms. They fit perfectly in the pre-slotted area on the
aileron and all that is required is to slightly sand the
surface and set them in place using medium CA. The push
rods utilize ball links on both sides making the connection
ultra smooth and slop free.
Electronics
Overview
The
original 8FG was already the best 2.4GHz radio value available. Now,
for the same cost, the 8FG Super offers six additional channels ? plus
new software with menus tailored to Futaba's super-fast CGY750 gyro.
Recommended by Bobby Watts, Matt Botos and Kyle Stacy, it's the first
radio that really supports flybarless helicopters. And it's perfect for
all other applications, too...a smart choice for ANY forward-looking
flier.
Key
Features
Expanded
with 14 total transmitter channels ? 12 proportional and two switched.
Included
R6208SB receiver's PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) channels support up to
8 standard analog or digital servos ? and it handles up to 18 channels
when used with an S.Bus system.
Gyro
menu supports 3-axis gyros and is perfectly tailored to the CGY750.
User
menu allows pilots to customize and display frequently used functions.
VPP
(Variable Pitch Propeller) compatibility can be set to three conditions
for throttle and pitch curve.
Numerous
factory-defined mixes help you program like a pro.
Low
latency and cutting-edge 2048 resolution combine for fast, accurate
Real-Time Response?.
Accepts
32MB to 2GB SD memory cards* ? add as much memory as you want.
Key
Features
High
sensitivity receiver weighs only .25oz (7g) without case yet is a full
range system for all aircraft from giant scale to park flyer
applications-no need to buy separate receiver for
specific aircraft
Simple
one-touch linking - no plugs to mess with or loose
Dual
Antenna Diversity allows 2.4GHz FASST Futaba transmitter to select the
best reception between the two receiver antennas with no signal loss
Rubber
grommets installed where antennas exit to eliminate stress and fraying
of the two antenna wires
One
year limited warranty
The
side force generators are installed next. The installation
of the inner SFGs require a small section of covering
to be removed from both the top and bottom of the wing.
The SFGs then simply slide in place. The outer SFGs are
held in place using 4-40 bolts and bonded washers.
With
the wings completed, the focus of the assembly shifts
to the tail section. The single piece elevator is routed
through the opening in the fuselage before the horizontal
stabilizer is inserted. The horizontal stabilizer utilizes
a locator pin to make sure that the stabilizer is centered
in the fuselage. The manual explains the process of aligning
the stabilizer in great detail and once the stabilizer
has been centered, thin CA is used to set it in place.
I also hinged the elevator at this point and made
sure that I was getting the advertised 60 degrees of throw
before I set it in place using thin CA.
The
tail wheel is then inserted and glued in the pre-drilled
and slotted section in the rudder. The rudder is attached
to the fuselage using three CA hinges and set in place
using a few drops of thin CA. The tail wheel assembly
is then affixed to the fuselage using three wood screws.
For
the elevator, I chose to use the HS-82MG that is recommended
for the ARF which installs in the pre-cut bay in the tail
without any issues. I used a 12" servo extender to
reach the receiver and mounted the servo in place. The
control horn and push rods can then be installed and the
throws checked. The rudder utilizes a pull-pull setup
to get weight off the tail. I used another HS-82MG servo
inside the fuselage and routed the rudder cable through
the openings in the fuselage to make the connections to
the control arms. Ball link connectors are used throughout
to get a nice and tight connection to the rudder which
allows for full deflection in either direction.
The
main landing gear is then installed by attaching the axles
to the carbon landing gear. The wheels are held in place
using wheel collars on each end and the whole assembly
is then attached to the fuselage. The wheel pants simply
slide on and are locked in place using the pre-drilled
locations using a 4-40 bolt that bolts to a pre-attached
lock nut in the wheel pant.
Power
System
Key
Features
The
New A30 V2 series motors are designed for Larger Parkflyers,
3D-Aerobatic, Scale models and Helicopters using 2 to 5 series LiPoly
batteries.
They
now feature a new rotor cooling design with an integral cooling system,
as well as better stator efficiency design. The A30-12XL V2 is designed
for 40 to 60 oz. 3D-Aerobatic and Scale models with 2-3 cell LiPoly
batteries. This 14 pole, Outrunner design creates MASSIVE TORQUE,
therefore larger direct drive props can be used without the need for a
gearbox. This motor features Oversize bearings, Curved Neo-magnets, and
a High Efficiency stator design. These motors produce more power with
lower current consumption than other popular Outrunner designs!
Includes
back mount, prop adapter and all screws. 3.5mm gold bullet connectors
are provided.
Specs
Diameter:
1.46"n
Length:
2.04"
kV:
700
Peak
Watts:
700W
Weight:
6.3
oz
Key
Features
The
X-Pro Series of Controllers, are sensorless speed controllers
especially designed for the 'Hacker Brushless A-Series' motors and
other Brushless motor designs. Special programming options are provided
to ensure the best possible power and performance from your motor
system.
Length/Height:
2.95"
x 1.1"
Weight:
1.94
oz
Output
Current:
70A
For
this review, I was supplied with the Hacker A30-12XL
a 70A ESC which is one of the recommended power systems
that will help keep the overall weight as low as possible.
One
of the unique features of the Extra 260 QB-L is the pre-drilled
motor mount locations and the wooden spacers that help
in setting the perfect distance of the spinner back plate
to the cowling. The Hacker installation required 5 spacers
to be utilized. I trimmed the mounting bolts to make sure
that there were no sharp edges which could pierce the
battery in case of a mishap.
The
ESC is then mounted to the bottom of the motor mount and
held in place using double sided tape and Velcro ties.
A cooling duct is attached over the ESC to help route
air over it and keep it cool.
The
installation of the cowl is very straight forward and
utilizes 4-40 bolts and bonded washers. The use of bonded
washers through out the assembly is also a big plus when
it comes to making sure the bolts stay tight but at the
same time do not damage the component that they are holding.
The
cowl being pre-drilled was a nice touch and lined up perfectly
giving me a very small gap between the spinner and the
front of the cowl. The recommended 13x6.5 prop is can
then be installed using the provided white spinner. The
C.G. point is conveniently placed right on the wing tube
and a handy balancer is provided with the ARF to check
overall balance. With the 4S2800mAh flight battery installed
mid point in the battery tray, I was able to get perfect
balance as recommended in the manual. The Extra came in
right around 54 oz without the flight battery which was
in the advertised range for this airframe.
With
the assembly nearing completion, I binded my Futaba T8FG
to a 617FS receiver and mounted the receiver to the vertical
support of the battery tray. Using this location, I was
able to connect the aileron leads without having to use
additional extenders. The wings are held on using a single
bolt on each side. To complete the assembly, a cooling
hole is cut in the bottom of the fuselage and the Extra
260 QB-L is ready to be setup and taken out to the field.
The
provided control throw gauges come in very handy when
setting up the recommended triple rates in the manual.
I was able to achieve all of the recommended rates using
the triple rates feature of my Futaba 8FGS without any
issues.
For
the maiden flight of the Aeroworks Freestyle Extra 260 QB-L,
we headed out to our usual weekend hangout at Scobee field
on a calm and comfortable fall day. Having a convenient
52" wingspan, the Extra 260 QB-L is small enough to be transported
without having to take the wings off but can be broken down
by simply removing the wing bolts and aileron servo leads
if desired.
Once
at the field, we double checked the control surface, the
C.G. and the throws before heading out to the runway for
the maiden flight. Ground handling with the steerable
tail wheel did not present any issues and I was pleased
with the amount of control the Extra provided on the ground.
With a freshly charged 4S2800mAh flight battery, I lined
the Extra 260 QB-L in the center of the runway and increased
the throttle and watched as the Extra picked up speed and
lifted gently off the ground.
Once
airborne, I proceeded to switch to mid rates and gain some
altitude and trim the airframe. My immediate reaction to
how the Extra 260 QB-L handled was very positive. I felt
a strong connection to the airframe and was comfortable
enough to try a few low passes without fear of a stall.
Rolling the Extra inverted, I was pleased to see the airframe
pull through without a drop of the nose which indicated
the C.G. was right on spot for my flying style. As I rolled
the Extra on its side and attempted a few knife edge passes,
I was pleased to find how little coupling the Extra exhibited
and was immediately able to notice how much lift and control
the SFGs provided. Within a few minutes, I was performing
low and slow knife edge passes over the runway in complete
confidence that the Extra would pull through without any
issues.
I
found that the recommended low rates could be reduced even
further to allow for more control in the precision department
as I continuously over controlled the elevator and rudder
while trying to make precision maneuvers. After reducing
the low rates a touch, I was pleased to find the Extra 260
QB-L tracked straight and true through loops, rolls,
hammer head turns and various other maneuvers I put it through.
I was especially pleased with the Extra 260 QB-L in its
capability to flat spin in both the upright and inverted
orientations.
After
coming out of an inverted flat spin, I switched to high
rates and attempted and elevator to loose some altitude
and bring the Extra in low and close over the runway. I
was very pleased to see that there was minimal wing rock
in the upright orientation and was able to harrier the Extra
around with ease and total confidence. To transition to
a hover, I had to give a burst of power which brought the
nose up vertical and I found that I was over controlling
the rudder again as I initially struggled to keep the Extra
perfectly still. On later flights, I increased the rudder
exponential which helped greatly in achieving easily controllable
hovering maneuvers. I also noticed that there was minimal
torque induced by the motor while hovering which can be
easily countered by the large throws provided by the ailerons.
Rolling
maneuvers were a pleasure to perform with the Extra 260
QB-L. I really like the way an Extra looks while doing rolling
harriers and this Extra did not disappoint. Inverted harriers
were virtually rock stready and the Hacker A30-12XL provided
enough power to rocket the Extra back in the sky in any
sign of trouble. On subsequent days where the field was
flooded from heavy rains, I particularly enjoyed flying
the Extra over the flooded areas as I attempted to dip the
rudder in the water.
When
it comes to landings, the Extra provides a nice glide ratio
and can come in with power off to settle on the mains without
any issues. Flight times with the 4S2800mAh battery were
in the 7-8 minute range which was long enough to provide
for a mix of precision and 3D flying.
Check
out the video to see her in action!
Aeroworks
Freestyle Extra 260 QB-L ARF
(Pilots, Stills & Video: Burc Simsek and
David Smith)
I
think that the Freestyle Extra 260 QB-L is a great new addition
to the offerings that are available from Aeroworks. The
QB-L aspect of the airframe seems to provide a good balance
between all up weight and airframe strength as the Extra
exhibits a flight characteristic that is floaty when it
comes to 3D but carries enough mass to help track through
precision maneuvers as well. I think it provides the perfect
mix of sport, precision, and 3D which is rare in an airframe
of this size. I am usually not a big fan of how SFGs look
on an airframe however I think that the size of the provided
SFGs are just about right and I can tell that they really
do work. One of the more impressive maneuvers that can be
performed with the Extra 260 QB-L is small radius flat turns
both upright and inverted which are no doubt aided by the
SFGs.
I
was very pleased by the looks and the performance provided
by the Freestyle Extra 260 QB-L and can easily say that
it has earned its place in my hangar for months to
come. In the meantime, I look forward to what Aeroworks
have up their sleeve with regards to the new QB-L build
line.
Incorporated
/ Hacker Brushless USA
2122 W. 5th Place, Tempe, AZ
Phone: 480-726-7519 Fax: 480-682-1215
Website: www.aero-model.com
Futaba
Corporation of America
Distributed by: Great Planes Model Distributors
P.O. Box 9021
Champaign, IL 61826-9021
Phone: (217) 398-8970
Website: www.futaba-rc.com
The comments, observations and conclusions made in this review are solely with respect to the particular item the editor reviewed and may not apply generally to similar products by the manufacturer. We cannot be responsible for any manufacturer defects in workmanship or other deficiencies in products like the one featured in the review.
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