E-flite Decathlon RJG 1.2m BNF Basic
E-flite Decathlon RJG 1.2m BNF Basic
Emulates the role of the full-scale Decathlon as a capable aerobatic trainer and air show performer
By | [email protected]
Photos by and the author
As seen in the August 2024 issue of Model Aviation.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT
AFTER ATTENDING the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the world’s largest air show, last summer, my buddies and I were discussing our favorite parts of the show. We each named a few classic warbirds and a variety of ear-splitting jet fighters, but we all agreed on our favorite aerobatic routine. It was RJ Gritter in his scrappy little Decathlon.
The E-flite Decathlon RJG can perform just about any maneuver you ask of it. Exercising good rudder control will make those maneuvers shine.
The Decathlon is generally considered just an aerobatic trainer aircraft. Indeed, RJ’s routine was far from the fastest, loudest, or flashiest aerobatic show that week. We were more impressed by RJ’s finesse. RJ and the Decathlon performed maneuvers that were smooth, precise, and oh-so-close to the ground! We were all thoroughly captivated.
Two significant things have happened since that 2023 AirVenture show. The first is that his air show mount has been given a colorful new paint job. It looks stunning! Secondly, E-flite has released an electric-powered RC rendition of RJ’s Decathlon. That new release is the subject of this review.
At a Glance
Specifications
Type: Semiscale aerobat
Wingspan: 47.7 inches
Length: 34.6 inches
Radio: Spektrum iX12 2.4 GHz transmitter; Spektrum AR631 receiver (included); four 9-gram digital, metalgear servos (included)
Components needed to complete: Six-plus-channel DSM2/DSMX transmitter; 4S 2,200 mAh 30C LiPo battery and charger
Minimum flying area: RC club field
Price: $249.99
Power system: 3536-1030 Kv outrunner brushless motor (included); Avian 45-amp Smart ESC (included); Spektrum 4S 2,200 mAh 30C LiPo battery; 10 × 5 propeller (included)
Power output: 33.4 amps; 508 watts; 171 watts per pound
Flying weight: 47.6 ounces
Flying time: Six-plus minutes
Pluses
- Very impressive color scheme.
- Broad aerobatic abilities.
- Many compatible batteries.
Minuses
- Twitchy with the recommended control settings.
Manufacturer/Distributor
Horizon Hobby
About the E-flite Decathlon RJG
E-flite’s version of RJ’s Decathlon is a molded-foam model with a wingspan of 1,212 mm (slightly less than 48 inches). The first thing I noticed on this airplane is its fabulous trim scheme. It matches the full-scale example perfectly. All of the edges are crisp and the colors are bright. I do not think I have ever seen a factory color scheme this intricate and well-executed on any model. It is exceptional.
The Decathlon RJG is available in a PNP variant or as a BNF model. The only difference is that the BNF model includes a Spektrum receiver. Owners of the PNP version will have to provide their own receiver with four or more channels. Both models of the Decathlon require a compatible transmitter and a flight battery.
All four of the digital 9-gram servos that actuate the control surfaces are factory installed. Every pushrod utilizes a Z-bend at the servo and a ball link on the control horn. It is a solid setup. My example has no slop at all on any of the controls.
The power system consists of a 1,030 Kv brushless motor spinning a 10 × 5 propeller. A red, plastic spinner adds to the model’s scale accuracy. Even the propeller is painted to match the full-scale airscrew. Throttle control is provided by an Avian 45-amp Smart Lite ESC. My power system runs true with no vibration whatsoever, while producing more than 500 watts of power.
E-flite recommends a Spektrum 4S 2,200 mAh 30C LiPo battery for this model. Access to the battery compartment is provided via a large, magnetically secured hatch. The lifting points are plastic, so you don’t have to worry about gouging the foam with your fingernails when you remove the hatch. There is a lot of room inside for the battery. Two hook-and-loop straps are used to secure the battery in place.
Assembling the Decathlon is quick, thanks to its prebuilt components with factory-installed electronics.
Assembling the Decathlon RJG
Assembling the Decathlon requires little effort or time. The landing gear and tail feathers are held in place with screws. The one-piece wing is also secured with screws. Knurled thumb screws are provided, so you will not need any tools when you remove the wing for transport or storage.
The Decathlon includes this clever clip that secures the wing struts to prevent damage while the wing is removed.
The bottom end of the wing struts snap into plastic mounts on the fuselage. There are slots in the wing for inserting the wire jury struts. On my model, those slots had a thin film covering them. I cleared this film from the slots using a few careful swipes with a hobby knife.
When the wing is removed from the fuselage, the wing struts are intended to stay attached to the wing. E-flite includes a handy clip that hooks to the wing and holds the bottom ends of the struts. This prevents the struts from flopping around and potentially becoming damaged. It’s a clever little gadget. There is a spot in the battery bay to store the wing clip when not in use.
It is interesting to note that the Decathlon easily fits into my car with the wing attached, therefore, the novel wing clip has not yet seen much use. I am almost disappointed by that.
My model is the BNF version, with an included Spektrum AR631 receiver. The receiver is buried deep in the fuselage. A built-in extension allows you to insert the bind plug near the lip of the battery hatch. I set up a new model profile on my Spektrum iX12 transmitter with the exact settings outlined in the Decathlon’s manual.
The SAFE Select stabilization feature of the AR631 receiver is deactivated by default. I suspect that most pilots will choose to keep it that way. For those who want the self-leveling and pitch/roll limits of SAFE Select, the manual outlines the simple process for activating SAFE and assigning it to a switch. I recommend that you either remove the propeller or anchor the airplane in place while making this change.
The large top hatch provides easy access for battery swaps.
The included ESC and receiver provide built-in telemetry features when paired with a compatible transmitter. I used the steps outlined in the manual to configure my iX12 transmitter to receive this telemetry data. I then created an alarm that will notify me with voice warnings and vibrations if the flight battery ever gets below 3.4 volts per cell. It’s a nice safety net to help ensure that I do not over-discharge the battery.
Flying the E-flite Decathlon RJG
My club field is all grass. Even with the included wheel pants, I do not have any trouble taxiing the Decathlon. The steerable tailwheel does its job well. I just have to hold a little back pressure on the elevator to keep the tail on the ground. This is also true for the start of the takeoff roll.
This aircraft has tons of power. It will quickly get in the air and climb away at any angle you choose. The ornate trim scheme that looks so great on the ground also works well in the sky. Those bright colors really pop and provide excellent in-flight visibility.
I think that most modelers who purchase this airplane will have aerobatics in mind. You will not be disappointed. With the recommended high-rate throws, all of the control surfaces have excellent control authority. In fact, I initially thought the Decathlon was somewhat twitchy in cruise flight. I increased the exponential settings for aileron, elevator, and rudder from 10% to 25%. That did the trick for me.
Just as the full-scale Decathlon is an aerobatic trainer, so is E-flite’s version. It will do just about any maneuver you can think of, but you have to fly it. This airplane doesn’t let you take shortcuts. One example of this is in knife-edge flight. The Decathlon has tremendous rudder authority to perform knife-edge on either side, across a wide range of speeds. Just be prepared to counteract the resulting coupling with a healthy dose of opposite aileron and some elevator. When you put all of the pieces together correctly, it is a thing of beauty.
The author has never seen a factory color scheme that is so vibrant, complex, and well executed!
Speaking of yaw control, get ready to exercise your rudder thumb. This airplane prefers coordinated turns. You will also need rudder input to track straight when you get heavy on the elevator because of the angle at which the air meets the propeller.
Interestingly, my model yaws to the right when up-elevator is applied, rather than the more commonly seen left pull. The first few loops I tried with the Decathlon were big messy spirals. I eventually got the feel for adding just a touch of left rudder to keep things on the correct path. Overall, this airplane requires more attention on the rudder than your average sport model, but it will definitely make you a better pilot.
My favorite maneuver to perform with the Decathlon is an inverted spin. It goes into the spin easily and makes a smooth, manageable descent. When I am ready to exit the maneuver, I simply return the controls to neutral and fly out of the resulting dive. It is a fun trick to do, and it looks fantastic.
Aerobatic purists should probably skip this paragraph. I have to confess that I often find myself just throwing the sticks around to see what will happen. I might instigate a snap roll or some unnamed spar-bending gyration, but I never feel like the Decathlon is going to bite me. As soon as I settle down on the controls, peace is restored. This is the kind of model that you can experiment with and feel safe while doing it.
Enabling SAFE Select makes the Decathlon a different airplane. It is still nimble and powerful, but the pitch and bank limits preclude any aerobatics. The airplane will also return to level flight when you release the control sticks. This could be handy for pilots who are getting acquainted with high-performance models.
Even with wheel pants installed, the Decathlon has no trouble using a grass runway.
Most of my flying has been with the recommended Spektrum 4S 2,200 mAh 30C LiPo battery. I think it provides the best combination of performance and flight time. It climbs like the space shuttle, and I routinely get flights of 6 minutes or more.
I have also flown the Decathlon with 3S batteries of 2,200 mAh and 3,300 mAh. The battery tray is large enough to fit any of these batteries and still provide the correct center of gravity without adding ballast.
Frankly, I am surprised by how aerobatic the Decathlon is with the 3S batteries. The power system still produces more than 240 watts of power. If you can’t have fun with that much power in this little model, you’re just not trying! Likewise, the Decathlon is still an agile aerobat with a larger, heavier 4S 3,300 mAh battery. The extra flight time with this battery is a nice bonus.
With a 1.2-meter wingspan, the Decathlon is a convenient size. You might not even have to remove the wing for transport and storage.
Final Approach
From a purely aesthetic standpoint, I can’t say enough good things about E-flite’s Decathlon RJG. The complexity and quality of the color scheme is outstanding. This airplane is not just a pretty face. It emulates the role of the full-scale Decathlon as a capable aerobatic trainer and air show performer. This model has all of the power and control authority you could ever ask for. You can have fun twisting through the sky or showing off your flying skills with finesse and precision.
Spektrum RC
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