Hold the phone here. Several years ago, I was getting started in pattern. My plane was a Tiger 60 and my radio was an Airtronics RD6000. Everyone I was working with including Dave Lockhart and his dad Ron Lockhart, said that what I had was plenty for what I was trying to do and I would never need anything more in the realm of a radio until at Master class. The radio would be fine from the Sportsman through the Intermediate level. In fact, I flew the Tiger for quite a while until I bought a Venus 40 to try to progress in pattern, and found it was no better or worse than the Tiger at my level. AND, I used my Airtronics RD6000 radio in that plane.

Since then, I bought an RD8000 (not the RDS8000) from a friend that won it at an event and used it while my RD6000 went back to Airtronics for service. A fine radio and the basis for the RDS8000.

The RDS8000 is based on the RD8000, which has been out for several years. The operations of that radio (RDS8000) are basically identical with the same limitations as the original RD8000. Saying that the Airtronics reps were shocked is just plain not true. They all know the products and are aware of their strengths and weaknesses.

The RDS8000 is a good mid level radio operating at 2.4GHz and will do just fine for just about anyone, with possible exceptions. Consider that the radio sells for $229 and comes with two receivers AND will work with most all of the servos on the market makes it a fine choice for anyone looking for an entry to mid level radio.

CGr.