The humble Bixler has been around for a long time and it's no doubt helped tens of thousands of people to take to the skies and the newly released Bixler 1.1 is no exception to that.
The Bixler is well known as one of the best gliders on the market today. Although I love warbirds and larger scale planes I still have a Bixler. There are those times when you can't be bothered dragging everything down to the field. You want a plane that you can drop on the back seat and head to the field with a bag of 2200mah packs and catch up with the lads. It's not a show pony or a hanger queen. Nor is it a scale aircraft. It is, however, a joy to fly and it glides on forever. In fact, the landing will be the most difficult part as you circle around trying to lose height.
You'll be amazed at just how much of a floater the Bixler 1.1 is. Hobbyking has offered this model for years and I'm glad they took the time to make it better if that was even possible. There is a reason that the Bixler, including the new Bixler 1.1, continues to be popular with hobbyists. It a model that almost anyone could fly and afford. It flies slowly and is renowned for its stability. A trainee pilot can slow it right down and focus on learning to fly and have plenty of time to react to situations as they change. The rear-facing prop means it's very difficult to break a prop as it's up and out of the way which is great for beginners. The model can be assembled in about half an hour. The tail feathers need to be glued on and the wings screwed on. The clevis and control horns are simply screwed in and the model I ready to be flown.
Features:
- Easy and Fun to Fly
- Upgraded to a more powerful and efficient brushless motor
- Agile and smooth handling characteristics
- The brushless motor, ESC, and servos are pre-installed in the factory
- Plug-in wings for easy transportation
- Colorful decals are factory fitted
| Specs: | |
|---|---|
| Material: | EPO Foam |
| Wingspan: | 1400mm |
| Length: | 925mm |
| Wing Area: | 26dm2 |
| Wing Loading: | 25g/dm2 |
| Flying Weight: | 650g |
| Motor: | 2212-1900KV Brushless Outrunner |
| ESC: | 20A w/BEC |
| Servo: | 4 x 9g |
| Propeller: | 6x4 |
Required:
- 4 Channel Radio (Tx/Rx)
- 2200mAh 3s Lipoly Battery
Flight-Report
As expected the model flies very well and the CG is a 3rd of the wing cord or 70mm from the leading edge. The stall is predictable as the controls become mushy the nose dips but can be recovered easily. A 2200mah 3S is my preferred battery for this model. Some suggest you could use a 1300mah battery, however, I wonder how you could balance the model properly. A 2200mah 3s battery gives great flight time and the model can glide forever. The model loops, rolls, and even flies inverted with ease. It can be an easy flying aircraft or flown harder if desired. The aircraft has no horrible tendencies that I noticed. Make sure the ESC is getting cool air as the ESC may heat up if you thrash the model. Remember that it's a glider and not a hot liner. So what did I like and not so like
Pros
- Great flying model
- Easy to assemble
- Low cost but not low quality
- Good quality electrics parts throughout
- Good quality hardware included with the model
- Great bright color scheme
- Rear-facing prop
- Fast assembly time
- Spare parts availability
Cons
ESC can get hot if not getting cooled properly, If you intend to fly the model hard you might consider modifying the model so the ESC gets better cooling. That said the Bixler is a slow-flying aircraft. Enjoy it for what it is.
Summary
Great flying model and one that I enjoy flying immensely. Happy Landings.
