Report: Speedmodels GmbH: Innovator Day 2009 in Langenthal

Speedmodels GmbH held a one-of-a-kind event on November 8 at the MFV Langenthal airfield. Under the title “Innovator Day,” ThunderTiger’s new model helicopter concept in the 450-class electric helicopter category was showcased. Speedmodels GmbH secured the use of the Langenthal Model Flying Club’s grounds and facilities and put on an impressive event.

Models could be flown at two outdoor fields, either independently or in instructor/student mode. In addition, attendees could fine-tune their models, with experts on hand to offer advice and assistance. The helicopter models were sold on-site by the three specialist retailers in attendance, and guidance on the latest software—

installed on a PC with a demo, was presented very competently by Stefan Dähler.

The focus was on the new product, the Innovator electric helicopter from ThunderTiger—a completely new and unique concept. MFS had asked me beforehand to write an article about the event, so I first had to do some research to figure out what it was all about! After a phone call with the event’s main organizer, Stefan Raiser from Speedmodels, I received the first details about the concept behind this event. I also found additional information about the product online, which really piqued my interest.

Here are a few highlights:

• High-Performance SUPER COMBO R/C Helicopter
• The safest system
• Next-generation fun
• Collective Pitch Control System
• 3-in-1 servo electronics
• Key Features of the Intelligent Control System (ICS)
• Automatic Shutdown
• Innovator’s proprietary 2.4 GHz iFHSS system
• Innovator Software and Flight Simulator

• Easy to Use
• Alarm Analysis
• Customizable Configuration
• Reading and analyzing the flight data recorder and much more

If you can’t wait any longer, you can find information at: http://www.thundertiger.de/innovator.html

I arrived at the airfield around 11:30 a.m. and was curious to see what awaited me. There were already numerous interested visitors present, and the airfield was a hive of activity. All booths and workstations were labeled, and staff members and officials were identified by their first and last names. The MFV Langenthal grounds surrounding the Schützenhaus provided the ideal infrastructure. An exhibition and sales area for the models, as well as an aviation-themed bar, were set up in the interior spaces. In the basement, the models were on display—

presented, including the spare parts lineup. In addition to the MD 530, other compatible fuselages are available that can be “adapted” to the Innovator.

.” Here I met Stefan Raiser and got to know him personally. He took the time to answer my questions and introduce me to the venue and some key people.

I looked forward with interest to the brief opportunity to fly an Innovator myself. When the time was right, Mr. Raiser lent me his JR transmitter and an Innovator Expert. RF modules featuring the Innovator-proprietary 2.4-GHz iFHSS system are already available for other products. After making a

few adjustments on the transmitter, we had programmed Mode 1 with right-pull pitch. I was able to perform a “hover” and quickly get a feel for the model. Since I’ve been used to a control panel for years, I didn’t attempt any flying experiments with the handheld transmitter. My first impressions were very positive, and the model lived up to a large part of its description—not a single word of which was an exaggeration.

The event was a great success; it was perfectly organized, with nothing left to be desired, and the

deserves praise. There was also a daily contest with three prizes. The approximately 20 volunteers—including the entire staff of Speedmodels GmbH (6 employees), Mr. Jork Hennecke from Thunder Tiger Europe, Stöckli Tech. Spielwaren GmbH, Spiel&

Flugbox AG, and Hobby Shop Ritter—deserve our heartfelt thanks. I’m eager to see how things will unfold in 2010. Stefan Raiser has assured me that he will build on this event—the only one of its kind in Switzerland—and continue it next year. Walter Heller