RD8000 & VG6000

Airtronics

The next generation of easy-to-program computer radios

Whether you're interested in buying a new, high-end computer radio or one that's more basic (and less expensive), Airtronics has you covered with its new VG6000 and RD8000. The VG6000 offers the functions and mixes needed for most planes. The VG6000's up-front programming has everything on one screen, thereby eliminating the need for pilots who are programming novices to learn complicated menu structures (see the sidebar, "Airtronics RD8000 rotary roundup"). For pilots who want to expand into competition flying, the RD8000 offers an easy-to-follow menu structure with a large assortment of functions and mixes for every type of flying. So many options are available that this could be the last radio you'll ever need to buy.

RD8000 MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE

The RD8000 is the successor to the very successful RD6000 Sport and Super radios. Offering more features, more model memory and the new 92778Z 8-channel FM receiver, it was developed for use with aircraft (both powered and sailplane) and helicopters and is available in both 72 and 75MHz.

In addition to its 8 channels, the RD8000 has a 10-model memory that can store any combination of fixed-wing planes and helicopter programming. Airtronics offers the RD8000 with seven flight-pack combinations; the setup I reviewed included the new 8-channel dual conversion narrowband 92778Z receiver and five, 94322Z heavy-duty servos rated at 46 oz.-in. of torque. It has a 0.19-second/60-degree rotation speed on 4.8 volts. Also included are a rechargeable 1100mAh, 4.8V Ni-Cd battery, a dual-output battery charger, a switch harness, a servo extension and mounting hardware with an assortment of servo arms, a frequency flag and a very detailed, 79-page operation manual.

FEATURES

The transmitter has two dual-axis control sticks, the length and tension of which may be adjusted to suit your hand. The digital trim levers beep for each trim movement, and the amount of trim movement for each beep is set in the trim-step menu. The liquid-crystal-display (LCD) screen shows the value and direction of each trim input.

The large LCD screen is used for all the programming. During normal operation, it displays the transmitter battery's bar graph along with the current voltage in numbers, trim-lever values and directions, model number, model type (aircraft or helicopter), model name (if entered), current transmitter voltage, transmitting modulation and whether the basic programming is on or off.

Retracts are controlled by the switch at the top left of the case. If you use Airtronics' new proportional retract servo (item no. 94739), you'll be able to control the endpoint adjustment, thereby giving precise tuning to mechanical retracts and virtually eliminating gear binding. The switch at the top right is a 3-position flap switch that allows you to control the throw for all three flap positions. All of the menu selections and adjustments are accomplished by using the eight keys at the bottom of the transmitter. You can move left, right, up, or down in the menus by pressing one of the function keys. To change the values in any menu, use the "INC+/YES" or the "DEC-/NO" buttons. Pressing the "END" key always returns you to the previous screen.

The RD8000 has a built-in warning feature that won't allow you to use the transmitter if you turn it on when the throttle stick isn't in the lowest position. This is a special safety feature for electric-powered planes that prevents accidental startup when you turn on the flight pack. The built-in training system is compatible with most of Airtronics' other radios, but to take advantage of it, you will need to purchase a trainer cord.

EXPANDABILITY

The RD8000 is a radio control system that's designed to grow as your piloting skills advance. At first, you may need only the basic menu features that are available on all channels-dual rates (aileron and elevator), servo-reversing, or center and endpoint adjustments. As your piloting skills and planes evolve, you may need more advanced functions; just turn off the basic programming menu, and you'll have a wide selection of mixes, differentials and options. If you want to try helicopters, just select "Heli" from the choices of model types, and you'll find many control features specifically for helicopter flying.

COMPUTER CONTROL FEATURES

With more than 86 menus to cycle through and 39 functions to choose from, it would be difficult for me to detail all the control features that are available with this radio, so I'll just cover some of the ones that I like to use.

* Option menu. No pilot will ever need all of the screens that are available with this radio; for example, if you don't have a delta-wing plane, you'll never need to use the delta-wing mixing screen. The option menu screen enables you to turn off unused programming screens. This means that there are fewer screens to cycle through when you need to adjust settings on the plane. If you need to use a programming screen that was turned off, use this menu to turn it back on. The option menu turns off only the screen, not the feature; any activated functions will remain active with the screen off, but you won't see that screen in the programming menu. When you've established certain setups, they may never need adjusting again. Simply turn off that screen, and you'll never have to worry about accidentally entering bad data. For example, after all of the servos have been set with the proper direction in the servo-reversing screen, turn off that screen. Now you can never accidentally reverse them as you cycle through the programming screens.