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Aito V2 by Hobby-Lobby Aito V2 by Hobby-Lobby

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Aito V2 Product Video

Product Review:
Aito V2

Perspective By:
Dave "Cracky" Fick

Manufacturer Contact:
Hobby Lobby International
5614 Franklin Pike Circle
Brentwood, TN 37027
Phone: 1-866-WE-FLY-RC
(1-866-933-5972)

Manufacturer Website:
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/

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Kit Quality:
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Introduction

Highslide JS       Highslide JS


Over the past couple years "Foamy" models have evolved into some of the best flying R/C airplanes available. Ultra light weight indoor precision flight has become the off-season flight style of choice for many modelers. Battery technology has allowed models to be lighter and more powerful than ever before. Low weight and large wing area allows a model to fly very slow and still be very maneuverable. This is where Donuts Models comes in. They have created a lightweight and very sturdy full fuse bi-plane to meet the demand of today's modelers. Meet the Aito V2.


Out of the Box:

Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS

I took the airplane box out of the outer shipping box and grabbed my knife to open up my newest foamy. Upon opening the box I quickly realized that calling the Aito V2 just a foamy doesn't do it justice. This a work of art. The first thing that I notice are all of the components to the airframe. I gently pull out all of the airframe components and lay them out on my glass top. I really like the printed scheme that they put on this plane. I then unpacked the electronics and set their boxes aside. The package that I received is the "Short Combo". The equipment that I have listed above is all from the combo that Hobby-Lobby offers. I only need to supply my radio and a charger and then I'm in business. Offering a complete package is sure nice. There is one-stop shopping and then there is "get it all here and save some cash doing it". I really like the second offering.

Product Specifications

Wingspan: 34-5/8"
Length: 37-1/8"
Wing Area: 504 sq. in.
Weight: 7oz
Wing Loading: 2 oz. per sq. ft.



Construction
This is my first full fuse plane so there are many pieces of foam that I don't recognize and I began to wonder where they go. I reach over and grab the manual. Whoops, its not in English. I know about ten Spanish words and I didn't see and of them in the manual so I knew that I needed some help. I go and grab a soda and sit down in front of my PC and check out Hobby-Lobby's website at www.hobby-lobby.com. I do a search for Aito and get a link. http://www.hobby-lobby.com/aito.htm Just past the product description I see the link for the instruction manual in PDF format. I was in business.


Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS

OK, first the wings. Typical construction here. Trim the ailerons at about a 60 degee angle using a metal ruler and a Xacto knife. Use hinge tape to put them on. Just remember to leave one of the bottom ailerons off for now. It has to slide through the fuse later on. Next is trimming the elevator using the same method as the aileron. Simple stuff so far. Make sure you have fresh blades to use. It makes the cuts that much nicer. Putting the fuse together isn't hard, its just a little different. By following the pictures and thinking things through I was able to get it together with pretty good results. This is by far the most time consuming part of the build. Because of the two wings there is bracing string that must be threaded through the struts. I used a heavy sewing needle to run my string. It worked great. One thing that I liked about the rudder was that it used actual hinges, similar to CA hinges. Just had to cut a slot on the vert. fin and in the rudder and CA the hinge in place. Something that was nice was that they give you a pushrod length cheat-sheet. Just set your pushrod down on top of the sheet and cut it to length. They were sized accordingly to the diameter of the pushrod. Made for quick cuts. To save weight all of the connections between control horn and pushrod are done with heat shrink. Simple, lightweight and it works. The electronics installation was uneventful. The only tricky part is that during the construction of the fuselage the rudder servo is mounted in the front of the fuse that gets covered up. Make sure that you have your servo arm on correctly as it would be a pain to get to it later.


Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS



Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS Highslide JS

Now lets fly it!
Here in the Midwest the outdoor flying season is just about over and indoor is just about to begin. Since there weren't any golf domes or gymnasiums immediately available, I decided to try my luck at flying it outdoor on a calm evening. The other night I saw that the sun was setting and I didn't see any movement in the trees. I grabbed the plane and told the wife to grab the video camera. The wind was almost non-existent. Every now and again there would be a little hint of air moving. I put the plane down and advanced the throttle, she was airborn. I did two quick laps and landed. I can already tell that I'm going to like this plane. I told the wife to turn the video camera on and I took off again. I did a couple of rolls and hammerheads. This plane definitely flies better than I can. I did some more laps getting more comfortable with the plane. I've had a few foamys before and none of them felt as good as this one did for locking in and going where I pointed it. After a fast couple of minutes the sun was setting fast so I brought it in just as some more wind reminded me that it is November. I look forward to getting more flight time on the Aito V2. It is definitely going to make me a better pilot. Please check out my flight video. To see what this plane is truely capable of check out the video located on Hobby-Lobby's website




Conclusion
Precision foam airplanes are here in force and Donuts-Models has created an excellent flying plane for competition. If you're not in competitions this is still an excellent model for you to take out and impress the heck out of your friends and enjoy flying. Hobby-Lobby has created a complete package that is a great way to get everything that you need for the plane at once. Assembly was just a little more difficult than a flat fuselage but came out ten times as strong. A little extra care during assembly is all that is needed to have an awesome flying plane. For anyone wanting to get into a good flying indoor precision model I'd recommend that they go to Hobby-Lobby and order an Aito V2.

Hobby Lobby International
5614 Franklin Pike Circle
Brentwood, TN 37027
Phone: 1-866-WE-FLY-RC
(1-866-933-5972) http://www.hobby-lobby.com/
 
Default Aito V2 by Hobby-Lobby
Aito v2

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Old 11-12-2007, 07:54 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Default Re: Aito V2 by Hobby-Lobby
Nice review Crack Master!!!! Like the video too! Thanks!
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Old 01-25-2008, 09:14 AM   #3 (permalink)
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Default Re: Aito V2 by Hobby-Lobby
I just wanted to post again about the Aito, I made a trip to Chicago and got to fly it in a golf dome. I really enjoyed flying the plane. In my review video I was using an APC 8x3.8 on a 2 cell 400. power was very marginal I thought. I tried the 8x3.8 APC prop on a 3 cell 450 and it worked out great. Pleanty of punch for messing around. Then changed to I think it was a APC 9x3.8 or a 4.7 (it was at midnight and I don't quite remember) with a 2 cell 400 and 450 and that too was a good combo for the slower stuff. In the build I messed up and had to use a 6" servo extension (std duty) which was a weight killer. I stopped by the LHS and got a 3" lightweight e-flight extension. Made a big difference. I'm definitely looking forward to more gym flying with it. It is at home indoors.
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Old 01-25-2008, 10:22 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Default Re: Aito V2 by Hobby-Lobby
Sweet dude! Are you going to have the aito at the e-fest? I'd love to check
it out up close. Which axi motor is that?
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Old 01-25-2008, 10:42 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Default Re: Aito V2 by Hobby-Lobby
I can't make the E-Fest, having friends over for a little b-day thing with the girls on the Saturday.

its got a 2204 in it

When I make it to the gym (hopefully next wednesday) you can take it for a whirl.
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Old 01-25-2008, 11:00 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Default Re: Aito V2 by Hobby-Lobby
Awesome! I'll be there gimme a call if you need directions. Nice review by the way! Very complete and informative
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Old 02-13-2008, 09:33 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Default Re: Aito V2 by Hobby-Lobby
How did you determine where to cut the exit hole for the rudder pull pull cables?

The instructions on this thing is one of the worst I've seen. A beginner would have a very hard time building this one... very little text but alot of pictures.
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Old 02-14-2008, 12:04 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Default Re: Aito V2 by Hobby-Lobby
I believe that it was the instructions that came with the plane that had dimensions/positions for the slots unless I am mistaken for the elevator servo. I can't seem to find the kit instructions to review.
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Old 02-14-2008, 02:18 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Default Re: Aito V2 by Hobby-Lobby
I almost bought one up at the e-fest, but i just couldnt spend the 85 bucks for it then. Are you coming to the Gym next wednesday?
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Old 02-14-2008, 11:32 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Default Re: Aito V2 by Hobby-Lobby
I would sure like to.... free time isn't very plentiful now...
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Old 02-15-2008, 05:58 PM   #11 (permalink)
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Default Re: Aito V2 by Hobby-Lobby
Quote: Originally Posted by Cracky
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I believe that it was the instructions that came with the plane that had dimensions/positions for the slots unless I am mistaken for the elevator servo. I can't seem to find the kit instructions to review.
I didn't see it at all but I managed to get them ran. Maiden flight comes tomorrow indoors.
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Old 02-16-2008, 09:49 AM   #12 (permalink)
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Default Re: Aito V2 by Hobby-Lobby
good luck with it!!!
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