The
Maxa Pro 3.5e Megalight is the 3.5m version of Vladimir's Models latest and lightest version of the Maxa, specially optimised for F5J competitions. It features an advanced design by Joe Wurts, the legendary Word Championship winner of all glider classes, and professional aerodynamicist. Joe spent many months optimising the Maxa for the F3J thermal soaring class, but the large size, light weight, high aspect ratio, and well cambered airfoils also makes it ideal for electric thermal soaring, especially the new FAI F5J class and the popular UK eSoaring class. Previously the Maxa was a bit heavy, in comparison to the latest European F5J planes, but this latest
Megalight version has about 25% lighter than the previous lightest layups, making it much easier to core low level thermals, while still retaining enough toughness to be a workable all-weather F5J model.
This 3.5m span version is reputed handle better than the 4m Maxa and its performance is not noticeably affected by the lower wingspan. For F5J competitions the smaller 3.5m span helps with coring in the smaller thermals found low down. Also its slightly higher wing loading makes the Maxa Pro 3.5e Megalight ideally suited to windier conditions, where better manoeuvrability, and a higher wing loading allows the model to penetrate and be flown accurately in a breeze.
The extreme light weight have been made possible by a new spread carbon fabric perfected by Vladimir Gavrilko and made by specially designed machines in his impressive fabrication facility. The wing is a monocoque structure with a skin of a double layer of spread carbon strengthened with a F5J strength spar made with a multi-ply 45º balsa and carbon shear web between substantial IMS 65 carbon spar caps.
Most of the models we order have IDS sets already fitted to the wings, so aileron and flap servos can just be slotted into place in the Servorahmen
bearing fames. We generally order the frames for
MKS DS6100/
HV6100 or
Robbe/Futaba S3173 SVI servos, though other servo options may be ordered. These IDS sets include ready fitted optimised linkages, see
Vladimir's site and the photo below, showing how the wing is delivered. The suppy and installation of these servo frames and linkages is shown by the IDS info below the colour option, below the price.
The latest Maxa Pro 3.5 Megalight models feature a tailplane mounted on a short pylon to reduce drag. The tailplane (horizontal stabiliser) has a separate elevator to further increase stability and controllability. The tailplane, fin, and rudder are now molded from lightest weight spread carbon to improve strength and minimise weight - previously the rudder and tailplane were film covered built-up structures.
Cut away drawing of the Maxa "Light" wing construction.
Cut away drawing of the Maxa spar, showing the IMS 65 carbon spar caps, and the +/- 45º balsa/carbon/balsa ply spar web.
The fuselage is a well engineered Kevlar and carbon pod, with a diagonally wound spread carbon boom, and fin mounted cruciform tail. The model is totally complete, and almost no assembly is required. The tail pushrods are ready installed, and all the hardware is supplied for the wing servo installation. The model comes with a ballast tube (for windy conditions) and a wiring harness.
- The Maxa’s aerodynamic qualities have been modelled to a new level of accuracy and by Joe Wurts. In the process Joe designed a new family of airfoils and optimised the shape of the model to get the best from the new spread carbon composites being developed by Vladimir. The result is a very low sink rate that ensures the longest duration in no-thermal conditions, while also maintaining gentle handling that inspires confidence from the first flight.
- The Maxa’s low wing loading and inertia makes it very respond to tiny air disturbances, allowing small bubbles to be detected and worked from low down, allowing low Start heights and high F5J scores.
- The Maxa 3.5’s more manageable size allows it to be flown in a wider range of conditions than larger, more lightly loaded models. The excellent lift/drag ratio, especially at higher speeds, gives good penetration, and thus the ability for the glider to return from distant thermals with little altitude loss.
- The long nose moment allows very lightweight powertrains to be used to balance the model.
- As the electric version retains the ballast system of the glider version, the model’s weight can be tuned to the conditions, allowing the Maxa to shine in even the strongest wind.
This combination of state of the art aerodynamics, low weight, and a good size makes the Maxa 4e the best model for competitive F5J soaring, bar none. See this
RC Groups Maxa 4e thread and the Vladimir's Models
Maxa 4 EL page for a lot more info.
| Maxa Pro 3.5 Megalight Specifications |
|---|
| Wing span |
3.5 m |
138 in |
| Wing area |
73.8 dm2 |
1144 sq in |
| Length |
167 cm |
65.7 in |
| Flying weight from |
1185 g |
41.8 oz |
| Wing loading |
16.1 g/dm |
5.3 oz/sq ft |
| Aspect ratio |
16.6 |
| Wing airfoil |
rt01/td19sag/j00/j01/j02/j03 |
| Dihedral (EDA) |
7.7º |
| Spinner Diameter |
32 mm |
| Centre of Gravity |
105-114 mm from wing leading edge |
| Controls |
Rudder, elevator, ailerons, flaps, throttle |
| Maxa Pro 3.5 Megalight Typical Weights |
|---|
| Pod |
110 g |
3.9 oz |
| Boom |
59 g |
2.1 oz |
| Wing c/s |
330 g |
11.6 oz |
| Wing tips |
255 g |
9.0 oz |
| Tailplane |
30 g |
1.1 oz |
| Fin 30 g |
1.1 oz |
| Accessories |
40 g |
1.4 oz |
| Total structure |
884 g |
31.2 oz |
| Wiring |
24 g |
0.8 oz |
| Receiver |
10 g |
0.4 oz |
| Tail servos |
21 g |
0.7 oz |
| Wing servos |
42 g |
1.5 oz |
| Speed control |
36 g |
1.3 oz |
| Motor |
70 g |
2.5 oz |
| Prop & spinner |
28 g |
1.0 oz |
| Battery |
70 g |
2.5 oz |
| Flying weight |
1185 g |
41.8 oz |
| Maxa 3.5 Pro Megalight Powertrain Recommendations |
|---|
| Powerline Micro 1015 |
3S 700mAh LiPo, 15x8 prop (8 m/s, 1500 fpm, 37A) |
| Powerline Micro 1025/F5J |
3S 1Ah LiPo, 16x8 prop (10 m/s, 2000 fpm, 43A) |
| Leomotion L3007-5000R |
3S 1Ah LiPo, 13x7 prop (9 m/s, 1700 fpm, 39A) |
| Leomotion L3007-5000 |
3S 1Ah LiPo, 16x8 prop (9 m/s, 1800 fpm, 39A) |
| Leomotion L3013-4550 |
3S 1Ah LiPo, 15x9 prop (11 m/s, 2200 fpm, 57A) |
| Hacker A20-6XL geared 4.4:1 |
3S 1Ah LiPo, 16x9 Aeronaut prop (10 m/s, 1900 fpm, 46A) |
| Mega 16/25/4E direct drive |
3S 1Ah LiPo, 12x6 prop ( 9 m/s, 1800 fpm, 59A) |
