AVIOS TWIN OTTER REVIEW

In Depth Review of the AVIOS Twin Otter (PNF) Scale Twin-Engine STOL Aircraft w/Wheels & Floats EPO 1600mm from Hobbyking

By: John Dueck Photos By: Mordeatti

The newly designed Avios Twin Otter from HobbyKing offers impressive scale fidelity, closely resembling the full-size de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter with realistic proportions and a generous 1600mm wingspan. This plug-and-fly (PNF) RC aircraft is a faithful representation of the well-known and highly regarded DHC-6. A cool feature in this kit is the nose uses magnets to change from short to long nose variants. I gave the Twin Otter high marks for its flight performance, scale accuracy, durability, and versatility. Below is my comprehensive review, incorporating all of my insights and perspectives.

Build & Design

The EPO foam construction is exceptionally well-finished, featuring sharp detailing such as panel lines and rivets that enhance the model's realistic scale appearance. Designed for versatility, it comes with optional floats that can be quickly swapped with the standard landing gear, allowing for smooth transitions between land and water operations. The robust landing gear setup includes large, soft foam tires and a sprung nose strut, providing excellent shock absorption and reliable performance across a variety of terrains. Additionally, bright LED lighting boosts visibility in different lighting conditions, adding both functionality and visual appeal.

 

 

Assembly & Setup

Assembly is straightforward throughout the build with around 24 hex head screws holding everything together. Thanks to the quick-connect wings past the engine pods, there are pre-installed ‘quick’ connectors within the removable wing tips for the servos and LED wiring (no more servo wire connectors) the removable wing tips make transport easier and allow for quick field assembly using just four hex-head screws. The battery hatch is magnetically secured for easy battery and radio equipment access. The build will only take around 20-25 minutes to complete, then add your RX/battery and your ready for flight. Below is all the parts laying out on the table ready for assembly.

Aerodynamics & Flight Envelope

As there is so much that the Avios Twin Otter offers to the pilot in the way of the flight envelope, I found it easier to break down the different areas that would be useful to the reader looking at adding the Twin Otter to their hanger. Lots to unpack:

Takeoff & Landing:

• Exhibits excellent short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance, getting airborne quickly even with moderate throttle.
• Reverse thrust, enabled by the Aerostar 30A G2 RVS ESCs, are particularly useful when operating from water.
   

Handling & Stability:

• The Twin Otter is extremely stable and forgiving, making it a great choice for intermediate pilots moving to their first twin engine aircraft.
• The flaps are very effective and provide a good amount of lift for slow-speed handling and controlled landings. The fantastic design of the wing allows for much of the flying you will do without the need of the flaps. It’s a very fun experience during such a slow flight around the field.
• The stability of the Twin Otter is fantastic, offering the pilot great control throughout the STOL flight attitudes. 
   

Speed & Power:

• The twin brushless 3020-800kv motors provide more than enough power for all aspects of the flight envelope, while the Twin Otter isn’t a speed demon as the airframe is quite draggy, it does allow for smooth climbs and scale-like flights with long flight times.
• Your radio can be setup for differential thrust for tighter ground or water maneuvering should you want it. 
   

Lift & Control Surfaces

• High-lift wing profile and large barn door style flaps increase lift at slow speeds.
• Responsive control authority across all axes due to the generous surface area and effective throws with the ailerons, rudder and elevators.
• Large rudder authority for doing those fun knife edge passes.
• Easy and effective inverted flight capability.
• The roll rate is Medium-fast; can be tuned via dual rates for scale or acrobatic flight.
• Pitch sensitivity is predictable and easy to change using expo to your liking.
• Yaw authority is solid thanks to the large authority of the rudder. Should you want to program into your TX, using differential thrust would have good potential.
• Stall behavior is gentle, with a slight wing drop at the break point; full flap deployment does not induce abrupt stalls.

 

STOL Capability

• Takeoff Rotation is easily attainable at ~35–40% throttle without flaps.
• Takeoff distance: ~10–12 meters max on grass with light headwind; even shorter with flaps deployed.
• Landing approach speeds can be reduced significantly without tip-stalling, thanks to the Twin Otters excellent low-speed handling, just like its full-sized counterpart.

 

Water Operations
 

Equipping the Twin Otter with floats transforms it into a capable and exciting amphibious model. While the floats add around 300g, the aircraft remains impressively responsive thanks to its powerful motors. Reverse and differential thrust greatly enhance handling on the water, making taxiing and docking smooth and controlled. Rudder extensions on the floats further aid in water steering, giving pilots confident directional control. Once hydroplaning kicks in—typically around 40–50% throttle depending on conditions—the takeoff run feels effortless. And although there's a slight increase in drag when flying with floats, the Twin Otter’s ample power easily overcomes it, maintaining strong flight performance and making it a fun and versatile seaplane.

 

 

The LED landing lights are bright enough to see in the daylight. The scale 3-blade props with the white stripes add to the realism of the Twin Otter. The fit and finish of the is fantastic, with one exception….

 

 

Above is a top-down picture where you can see the color difference between the  fuselage and the center of the wing. Since this is the only issue I found with the aircraft, its an easy fix for me.

 

 The left picture shows the simple embedded quick connector for the servo/LED wiring and the right shows the ample room available to the pilot for battery and electronics.

 

Power System Performance (A more technical look)

Thrust-to-Weight Ratio

• With dual 3020-800KV motors on 4S: ~1.2:1 thrust-to-weight ratio.
• Static thrust per motor: ~1260grams with the 9.3X6 3-blade scale props.
• Total static thrust: ~2520grams using a Turnigy 4S 2200mAh Lipo battery = enough for unlimited vertical climbs.
   

ESC Sync & Motor Control

• Dual Aerostar 30A G2 RVS w/instant reverse ESCs are calibrated identically to prevent throttle imbalances.
• Many users are recommending using a Y-harness with the signal wire from one ESC removed or using dual outputs with matched curves for precise control, however I have not tried this during the testing.

Battery Draw
I used a variety of battery sizes and brands throughout my flights. The mAh range was from 2200-3300. I received the most performance from the Turnigy Graphene and the new Turnigy BoltX HV Lipos. 
 

• Average current draw in level cruise: ~18–22Amps combined.
• Peak draw during full throttle climb outs: ~40–48Amps total.
• Using the new Turnigy BoltX HV 2400mAh 80C Lipo battery provided me around 7–9 minutes of mix-use flights consistently.
   

Receiver/Transmitter Suggestions
 

• Only a 6-channel RX is needed for the Twin Otter, you can use the Turnigy/FrSky TWIN X14 ACCESS 2.4GHz Transmitter (Orange) - Exclusive to HobbyKing with the FrSky TW R6 Dual 2.4GHz 6ch TW Protocol SBUS/FBUS/S.Port Receiver

Reverse Thrust (Programmable via TX)
 

• Controlled via a transmitter switch or throttle stick mixing, pilot preference.
• The thrust reverse greatly assists in braking on landing, should you need it, and adds differential thrust when maneuvering on water.
   

 

Final Conclusion

The Avios Twin Otter proves to be an exceptional all-around performer in the PNF RC aircraft category, especially for pilots seeking a reliable and capable twin-engine STOL platform. Its blend of scale realism, stable flight behavior, and innovative features—such as functional reverse thrust and float compatibility—positions it as a standout model for both land and water-based operations. The Twin Otter’s generous wing area and strong thrust-to-weight ratio ensure excellent low-speed handling and short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance, making it particularly suited for rough terrain and confined spaces.
While minor issues such as servo inconsistencies might require the rare replacement, this far outweighs the aircraft’s strength in my opinion. The Twin Otter offers a satisfying flying experience for intermediate to advanced pilots who appreciate technical refinement, control precision, and scale aesthetics. Its versatility makes it suitable for a variety of environments and flying styles, from casual recreational use to more demanding operations like bush flying or float landings.
In summary, the Avios Twin Otter is a high-quality, well-balanced aircraft that checks all the right boxes for pilots looking to expand their hangar with a dependable and exciting twin-engine STOL model. Whether you're navigating tight runways, enjoying water takeoffs, or simply admiring its realistic presence in the air, this model delivers both performance and enjoyment in equal measure.
 

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