The Leading Edge
December, 2008
Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 - NEW!
The long-awaited release of the Great Planes RealFlight Simulator G4.5 has finally arrived!
RealFlight G4.5 includes additional aircraft and flying sites, as well as enhanced graphics.
Read comparisons between G4.5 and older versions of RealFlight.
RealFlight Simulator G3.5 vs G4.5
RealFlight Simulator G4.0 vs G4.5
Get great deals on RealFlight Simulator - see RealFlight Simulator bargain deals.
Coming To A Field Near You - The 2.4 Gig Radio
Radio frequency management is a serious issue for any RC aircraft club. Interference is a deadly threat to any aircraft in the air - and unlike a buggy or boat, an RC plane which is subject to interference isn't safely at zero altitude and within 200 yards of the controller!
We have all seen the boards and plastic keys that clubs use to track frequencies which are in use. The new 2.4 gig radios open up a whole new world of opportunity - and of peril - for the RC club official.
Rather than operate on a fixed frequency set by a crystal, the new 2.4 gig radios are capable of operating anywhere within a range of frequencies. When switched on, they survey the spectrum in their area, and intelligently select a frequency which is not in use. Manufacturers generally advise that up to 20 2.4 gig radios can operate in an area, and Spektrum are advertising that they have tested up to 40 of their units operating concurrently. The MAAA advises that clubs allow a maximum of ten 2.4 gig radios to operate at the same time, leaving a wide margin for safety.
The MAAA has taken a cautious approach to 2.4 gig radios. Rather than approving 2.4 gig radios in general, the MAAA has approved a small number of specific brands and models.
This won't trouble you if you are using 2.4 gig radios with RC cars or boats, but if you want to fly at any MAAA-affiliated RC club field, you will need to ensure that your 2.4 gig radio is one of the MAAA approved models.
The models currently approved are the Spektrum DSM2, the Futaba FASST, the Xtreme Power Systems Xtreme Link, and the Sanwa RDS 8000.
There are a few other models of 2.4 gig radio which are approved for limited use, with smaller craft which are designed to stay within 150m of the operator at all times.
The full MAAA policies and procedures document can be downloaded from the MAAA website - click here to download the MAAA 2.4 gig policy document.
Share Your Stories And Pictures
We'd like to give our clients the chance to show off their models to an appreciative audience.
Send us pictures, and tell us about any challenges you have overcome in your modelling career. If you are flying in a particularly interesting location, we'd love to hear about that, too.
Simply use the contact form on this site, or reply to your newsletter email.
Attach your photos, and tell us your story!
The Dollar Dives - Time To Grab Your New Model Before The Price Rise Hits!
We have all been watching the spectacular instability in the global financial markets, and nowhere does it impact us more directly than in its effect on our currency.
From a high of almost parity with the US dollar in August 2008, the Aussie dollar has plummeted to the low 60s. Given that most RC gear is imported, and contracted prices are in US dollars whether suppliers are is the US or Asia, this means that the prices our retailers paid for their current stock were an all-time low, comparatively.
Once they sell their current stock, which was bought three or four months ago at almost dollar-for-dollar, retailers will be forced to charge much higher prices for the stock that's on its way to Australia right now - because it was bought at around 62c-65c.
What does this mean for you?
If you're thinking about buying a new model, or the latest RC flight simulator software - now is the time.
Prices will not be this low again for quite a few years.
GAMES HOBBIES WORLD CLEARANCE SALE
At Games Hobbies World, we have the interests of our customers in mind. When we saw the direction the dollar was moving, we contacted our distributor and bought out their ENTIRE stock of the most popular trainer aircraft, the Decathlon EP. We have cornered the market on this sturdy yet capable model - and at the old prices!
The Decathlon EP is ideal for learning to fly, or for learning aerobatics, as it is a scale model of a full-sized aircraft used for aerobatics training.
You are one of a select few customers getting a heads-up on this absolute bargain price for these stylish, robust and fun-to-fly Decathlons. At these prices, they won't last long!
See the Decathlon EP product information and clearance prices.