THE CHAMPION OF AEROBATIC TRAINERS!
The Decathlon is widely known to be one of the best aerobatic trainers in full-scale aviation! Its iconic design traces its roots back to the Aeronca Champ and Citabria but was upgraded with inverted fuel and oil systems plus a nearly symmetrical wing to allow it to perform “outside” and inverted maneuvers with ease. The E-flite® Decathlon RJG 1.2m is a conveniently sized replica of the Decathlon that RJ Gritter (RJG) flies. RJ is a nearly lifelong RC pilot who started competing in aerobatics at age 16 in both national and international events. His passion for RC aerobatic flying also led to a strong interest in full-scale aerobatic flying. RJ designed a new scheme for his Decathlon for the 2024 airshow season and was also involved in the development of this one-of-a-kind model that’s capable of smooth sport flying along with more aggressive aerobatic flying too! It features LED landing and navigation lights plus a variety of scale details to deliver an authentic flying experience perfect for low-time and intermediate pilots interested in honing their aerobatic skills, and experienced pilots focused on performing the most aggressive aerobatics. It’s equipped with digital, metal-geared servos all around, plus a 3S and 4S compatible power system featuring a 45A Spektrum Avian Smart Lite ESC. The BNF Basic version is also equipped with an AR631 receiver to deliver real-time telemetry data along with AS3X and SAFE Select technologies.
Features
- A scale model of the iconic full-scale aerobatic trainer that’s a replica of the Decathlon RJ Gritter flies in airshows across the U.S.
- Specially tuned motor compatible with 3S and 4S batteries without the need for modifications or upgrades
- Popular 3S and 4S 2200–3200mAh batteries deliver excellent performance and flight times
- 45-amp Spektrum Avian™ Smart Lite ESC provides real-time battery voltage, current, RPM, and other data via compatible receivers and transmitters
- Optional-use motor reversing for special ground handling and other capabilities
- Compatible with the Spektrum DXS transmitter included with many of the most popular E-flite and HobbyZone trainer airplane models
- Spektrum AR631 receiver with fly-by range telemetry and industry leading DSMX technology
- Easier to fly with innovative and optional-use SAFE Select flight envelope protection
- The unmatched stability and locked-in feel of exclusive AS3X technology
- Four factory-installed digital and metal-geared servos with ball-link-equipped linkages
- Tool-free wing assembly with quick-release struts for convenient storage and transport
- Fast and easy bolt-together assembly – no glue or special tools required
- Convenient top-mounted hatch provides easy access to the battery
- Functional LED landing/navigation lights for added scale looks
- Simple and durable aluminum landing gear with wheel pants
Overview
The E-flite Decathlon RJG 1.2m is one of the most capable and best-handling models of the iconic aerobatic trainer ever! It’s a replica of the Decathlon that RJ Gritter (RJG) flies in airshows across the United States and sports a classic yet modernized red, white, and blue trim scheme. It also features a variety of scale details including functional LED landing and navigation lights, wheel pants, and wing struts. The one-piece wing is easy to install and remove thanks to hands-free connections and thumbscrews, and the struts snap into/out of place without the need for any fasteners or tools – though it’s already conveniently sized to be easy to store and transport without disassembly! Digital and metal-geared servos along with ball-link equipped linkages provide precise and reliable control for smooth sport to aggressive aerobatic flying. The 3S and 4S compatible power system features a 45-amp Spektrum™ Avian™ Smart Lite ESC, and the BNF® Basic version is equipped with an AR631 receiver to deliver real-time telemetry data along with AS3X® and optional-use SAFE® Select plus motor/thrust reversing. All these details and features combine to deliver a very convenient and extremely capable scale model that’s a great choice for low-time and intermediate to experienced pilots!
“The son of a test pilot dad and a flight instructor mom, RJ has been in the cockpit his entire life. Growing up around the airport in Greensboro, North Carolina, he started flying before he was tall enough to see over the instrument panel! He soloed on his 16th birthday and got his private pilot license on his 17th.
RJ developed a passion for aerobatics through radio-control (RC) flying. He started competing in RC aerobatics at age 16 in national and international events, representing the US in indoor precision and freestyle aerobatic championships. RC flying gave him a strong background for “full-scale” aerobatic flying.
RJ earned his bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from North Carolina State University. After graduation, he moved to northern Virginia, just down the street from the Bealeton Flying Circus! He got his Decathlon at the end of 2015 and has since flown over 800 hours in the airplane, flying his first airshow in 2016. Since then, he’s flown hundreds of performances and has loved every minute of it!”
Video Overview
Skill Level 2 – Next Step After a Trainer aircraft, like this one, are suitable for RC pilots who have successfully learned to fly a trainer model and those with the skills to assemble, set up, and fly similar class models. Although this is one of the best-handling and easiest-to-fly Decathlon models, it’s not a suitable first-ever RC aircraft for new pilots. You should have the experience and skills necessary to successfully fly a trainer model like the HobbyZone AeroScout 1.1m and Carbon Cub 1.3m, or models like the E-flite T-28 Trojan 1.1m, Valiant 1.3m, Turbo Timber Evolution 1.5m and other similar class models before attempting to fly the Decathlon RJG 1.2m.
Are you new to flying RC (Radio Controlled) aircraft? If you are, the Decathlon is not a suitable first-ever RC model, and we recommend learning to fly with one of our purpose-built trainer aircraft, such as the HobbyZone® Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m (www.horizonhobby.cc/CarbonCubS2RTF). It’s equipped with exclusive and innovative SAFE technology that makes it possible for almost anyone to learn to fly successfully! The Ready-To-Fly (RTF) Basic version includes nearly everything needed to fly (except for a compatible LiPo battery and charger that are sold separately, or together in a money-saving Powerstage bundle) and is a perfect choice if you’re a new RC pilot. You can even use the DXS transmitter and the 3S 2200mAh battery used for the Carbon Cub to fly the Decathlon RJG 1.2m BNF Basic version after you learn to fly RC!
This BNF Basic version is equipped with exclusive Spektrum AS3X and SAFE Select technologies. AS3X works behind the scenes to smooth out the effects of wind and turbulence to deliver a locked-in feel that makes it seem like you’re flying a much larger airplane. Optional-use SAFE Select offers pitch and bank angle limits plus automatic self-leveling that can be turned on and off at the flip of a switch! If you don’t want to enable the SAFE Select features, bind the receiver normally and only AS3X will be active.
The Decathlon RJG 1.2m is equipped with an exclusive Spektrum Avian Smart Lite ESC that can provide a variety of real-time power system-related telemetry data, including motor RPM, current, battery voltage, and more – with Smart and non-Smart batteries – via compatible receivers (including the AR631) and Spektrum AirWare™ equipped transmitters (including the DX6e and 8e, DX6 G2/3 and 8 G2, the DX9, NX6 to 20, iX12 to 20, and others) while you fly. It also features optional-use motor/thrust reversing that offers special ground handling and other capabilities!
The factory-installed brushless power system features a 45-amp Spektrum Avian Smart Lite ESC plus a specially tuned motor that delivers an abundance of thrust with a 3S 2200mAh LiPo battery, or more speed and unlimited vertical performance with up to a 4S 3200mAh battery – without the need for any modifications or upgrades!
Functional LED landing and navigation lights, wing struts, and wheel pants are scale features that take your experience to another level.
Factory-finished in the classic yet modernized red, white, and blue trim scheme featured on the full-scale Decathlon RJ Gritter (RJG) – a lifelong full-scale and RC pilot – flies in airshows across the United States.
No glue is required for final assembly, and you can have the Decathlon RJG 1.2m ready to fly in less time than it takes to charge a battery! And although it’s conveniently sized to fit fully assembled in almost any vehicle, you can remove the one-piece wing for easier storage and transport. Thumbscrews, hands-free connections, and quick-release struts mean you can remove/install the wing in just a few minutes without using any tools.
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