I have managed to replace the control board that came with my Aerobird with one of my own creation. This allowed me to use my Futaba radio, saving me on AA batteries for the traditional Aerobird radio. Most importantly, and the reason that I did it, was to be able to connect a Buddy Box to my Futaba which would allow my kids to fly the Aerobird, with me as the "trainer".

"aeajr" touched on a interesting point in his last post and that is, that the Aerobird is now far more aerobatic, so much so that I have collapsed several sets of wings; even one with built in main spar. I have now added a piece of 20lb test fishing line to the underside of the wing, under the main body and back to the other side of the opposite wing. This line acts like a strut and seems to save the wing from folding during high performance turns which I can achieve using elevon mixing in my radio.

Certainly an expensive modification to an inexpensive plane but it has been a great learning experience for me.

Andy