ParkZone Slo-V

The Slo-V is an electric powered, radio controlled aircraft designed and distributed by ParkZone, a division of Horizon Hobby of Champaign, Illinois.

The ready-to-fly Slo-V is intended for beginner RC pilots and consists of a carbon fiber "stick" fuselage with foam wing, a foam v-tail and a 370-series electric motor with gear reduction. Power is from a 7.2v nickel metal hydride battery pack. The gearbox is a universal configuration found on several brands of "park flyer" model aircraft, which means the Slo-V can be upgraded to a brushless electric motor system and lithium polymer batteries for increased performance.

Designed not for all-out performance but for slow, stable flight, the Slo-V's large wing area means it can be flown at extremely low speed without stalling. This ability makes the Slo-V suitable for indoor flight in a gymnasium, enclosed golf driving range or similar large indoor venue. The lack of ailerons limits the maneuverability but (In some opinions) makes the aircraft easier to fly for a beginner.

It also comes equipped with Horizon Hobby's proprietary "X-Port" feature which allows the use of "bomb" drops, parachute drops, high-intensity night illumination and even air-to-air combat with a sonic device that "hits" a similarly-equipped aircraft with a sonic pulse that temporarily disables the stricken craft's drive motor.

The Slo-V is sold as a complete, pre-assembled package which requires little more than attaching the wings and landing gear and charging of the onboard battery. The necessary charger and even eight AA batteries for the transmitter are included. All ParkZone aircraft utilize a proprietary three-channel 27 MHz FM radio system, but the models will accept radio gear from other manufacturers.

Specifications

*Price Retail : 179.99 Available For 99.99 ( parkzone website )
*Wingspan 45 7/8" (1170mm)
*Length 36" (930mm)
*Weight 14.5 oz (410g)
*Propulsion 370-series electric motor with 6.6:1 gear reduction driving an 11 x 4.7 propeller
*Speed control FET proportional electronic speed control/receiver combination
*Battery 7.2v, 600mAh preassembled pack constructed of six sub-AA Ni-Mh cells; a seven-cell, 8.4-volt version is available as an upgrade
*Battery charger 12VDC with peak detection circuit designed to plug directly into an automotive cigarette lighter socket
*Control Steering is visual up is up down is down instead of standard reversed flying controls, which are hard to adjust to for experienced flyers.

Modifications

* Snow-V : Enables the Slo-v to start and Land on snow. Made out of styrofoam, thin wooden sticks and rubber bands. The tracks are wrapped up in plastic foil in order to reduce friction.

External links

* [http://www.parkzone.com Official ParkZone website]
* [http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=307371 Review at Ezonemag]
* [http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=426 Review, photos and video from rcuniverse.com]

* [http://gunnerson.homestead.com/files/slo-v8.zip Flying Model Simulator (FMS) version of the ParkZone Slo-V ]