TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT, ELECTRIC POWER

Joint winners: Hacker USA and Thunder Power, for leading the development of larger, high performance aerobatic electrics

Sean Plummer, owner of Hacker USA, has put the Hacker brand at the forefront of people's minds when discussion turns to brushless motors. He has invested in sending his top pilots, perhaps most notably Jason Shulman, to numerous high-visibility modeling events to demonstrate how large models can replicate glow and gas performance while powered by Hacker motors and Thunder Power batteries. Jason was the first to take top level awards at the FAI Worlds while flying an electric ship.

Thunder Power, led by Charlie Wang, has built a significant Li-Poly battery business that has rapidly expanded in 2004. Thunder Power was the first company to market very large Li-Poly batteries in a single unitized block (e.g., 4S4P 14.8V 8200mAh packs) and was one of the first to include charging safety chips in such packs. Together, Hacker and Thunder Power have been market leaders for advanced, larger electric plane applications.

MARKET DEVELOPMENT MILESTONE

Joint winners: Hobby Lobby and Model Motors, for AXI brushless motors

Model Motors and Hobby Lobby have teamed to market brushless outrunners in a way that has led the development of an entirely new, enhanced-performance park flyer and 3D market segment. Numerous small companies have sprung up to market their own 3D foamies and other aircraft powered by the new generation of AXI outrunner motors and the latest Li-Poly batteries. These motors efficiently spin larger props without the need for a gearbox. They are simple, relatively affordable and reliable. Marketing spark plug Jim T. Graham and the HL R&D team have also developed a new generation of 3D aircraft including the Hobby Lobby Raptor and Hell Raiser. These aircraft are among the leading foamie designs that define a new era in the hobby. These AXI-powered models and their kindred across the industry have inspired a new generation of pilots.

BEST VALUE

Winner: Grand Wing Servo (GWS), for its increasingly broad array of affordable, quality RC products for the sport modeler

In recent years, GWS has brought to market a host of affordable ARF model airplanes as well as inexpensive radio and power systems. By providing inexpensive but reliable components, GWS has done an outstanding job advancing the small electric flyer market. Because of GWS, the ability to fly at the local park or schoolyard is now available to many more sport modelers.

GWS 2004 releases include the Tiger Moth 400, Tiger Moth 3D, DC-3, new electric ducted fan units and multi-colored transmitters designed to attract younger modelers, just to name a few. GWS continues to update existing products with improved power systems; recent examples include the Tiger Moth, Islander, Formosa and A-10 Warthog. GWS USA opened its doors in 2004, a further demonstration of its commitment to market growth. Many believe that by offering more for less, GWS has substantially contributed to the park flyer revolution. Because of GWS’s lightweight, inexpensive electronics and power systems, scratchbuilt aircraft are now more affordable and accessible to anyone who cares to experiment.

BEST ENTRY LEVEL AIRCRAFT, ELECTRIC POWER

Winner: Horizon Hobby Distributors, for the unique HobbyZone Firebird line

In recent years, 2-channel Firebird aircraft have introduced hundreds of thousands of newcomers to RC park flying. The Firebird line has continued to expand in 2004 with the release of the Firebird II ST and Firebird Commander—both 2-channel birds for rank beginners. The Commander also introduced a plug and play port for optional bomb and parachute drop modules, as well as sonic combat.

These ready-to-fly models come with instructional videos on CDs, transmitters, batteries and chargers. They offer beginner and experienced flight control radio settings that moderate how the airplane handles (the Smart-Trak computerized flight control system). These aircraft have created a new niche for absolute beginners to get their toes wet—an independent instructional environment that is distinct from the traditional RC flying field. Given the large numbers of units sold, it is likely that these products have helped inspire untold thousands of people to pursue the next step in RC, whether in glow or more advanced electrics.

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