is very easy to navigate, and you can take in a lot of information with a quick scan of the
display. When you select a model from the 30 model memories, a digital image of the plane is
displayed on the screen.
This revolutionary 14-channel system opens a new era in RC flying
As an all-around RC flier with decades of experience in the hobby, I was understandably
thrilled to have the opportunity to review Futaba’s new groundbreaking 14MZ radio. The new
14MZ crosses a threshold that advances RC flying to a new “interactive” level of functionality,
precision and fun. This radio is more than just a tool that connects the pilot to the aircraft; the
14MZ is a multi-media system that enhances the quality of your flying experience, taking it
beyond what was possible with any previous radio.
Dave Baron flies the Great Planes U-Can-Do electric conversion (Kontronik brushless motor
and ElectriFly
Li-Poly batteries) using the 14MZ radio. Dave says, “The radio has a great balance. I
especially like the silky-smooth sticks, which have a great feel to them.”
The 14MZ, which is the result of over two million dollars in R&D (10 patents pending), takes
advantage of the latest in computer technology. It has dual internal processors. The Windows
CE operating system is used on one chip for all non-flight functions, including setup and
programming of models, as well as management of digital image and audio files on the
included compact flash (CF) card. A Futaba Custom Processor with its own proprietary
operating system handles all critical flying functions separately. This combination gives the
radio remarkable versatility. It includes a simplified PDA-like interface coupled with the
reliability of the best of Futaba technology.
To describe the power and versatility of the radio, we will devote more than one article to the
14MZ. In our first installment, we will detail the primary features and benefits of the 14MZ and
begin to fly the radio in a Great Planes U-Can-Do 3D airplane. You will see how Futaba has
developed user-friendly menus with unmatched programming capability. In future issues, we
will install and fly the system in different kinds of powered aircraft as well as helis and gliders.
You will see the interesting ways in which this radio enhances both the quality of the flying
experience and the performance envelope of your models.
The receiver is of reduced size based on modern computer chip design. A layered PC board
and Ball Grid Array (BGA) construction eliminates space-wasting pins and reduces the receiver’
s overall size.
14 CHANNELS AND WHY YOU NEED THEM
My first impression was one of outrageous excess, but once I understood the premise of this
radio, I began to wonder if 14 channels were enough for the modern modeler. Every time we
eliminate a Y-harness, we are eliminating a potential problem (connections can go bad, and
some Y-harness applications require filters and amplifiers, especially with digital servos).
Ideally, every servo should have a dedicated port in the receiver to plug into—and its own
channel.
How many channels? If you have three servos to actuate control surfaces on each wing panel,
you have already consumed six channels. Add two more servos for the elevator and you are
up to eight. Adding two ganged servos for the rudder brings you to ten channels. Add throttle
and your preferred subset of smoke, retracts, gear door sequencers, sliding canopies,
spoilers, speed brakes or wheel brakes and you are already well beyond the capabilities of
any previous radio—without the need for any Y-harnesses or related matching and
sequencing accessories!
On a turbine jet, you often split the ailerons for two channels; split flaps for two channels,
elevators for another channel. Many of these models also have additional single channels for
each of the following functions: rudder, nose gear steering, sliding canopy, retracts, ordnance
drop, speed brakes, lights, drogue chute, wheel brakes and, in some cases, leading edge
devices or slats, and finally, throttle. We’re already at 16 channels. How have the jet jocks
been getting by?
A NEW APPROACH TO GANGING SERVOS
Consider the modern giant, a 30% or larger model, with ganged servos on multiple functions.
Those of us flying giant scale have all learned to accept the burden of dealing with this
situation. We match our servos with all types of peripheral devices so that the servos do not
fight each other and consume precious battery power. With the 14MZ, the balancing of the
servos in centering, speed and throw is simple, and entirely built into the transmitter.
This sailplane wing diagram illustrates the amazing programming power of the 14MZ. Control
surfaces can be coupled and mixed in ways that were not possible before the arrival of this
radio. For instance, you can now deploy two sets of ailerons and flaps, which would use a total
of eight channels. These control surfaces can be adjusted in unison to increase or decrease
camber, or they can be configured as conventional flaps and ailerons. You can set up crow
however you wish—or even configure drag-inducing “air brakes” at the tips of the wings for
yaw input on a flying wing. The radio supports seven different wing types, 4 tail types, and 3
motor types.
A function page allows you to assign the input channels from the transmitter directly to any one
of the channels of the receiver. Let’s say you are ganging three servos for rudder control on a
large model. You would already have your rudder channel assigned to rudder use, and would
then assign two of the auxiliary channels to the rudder as well. Then, using the 14MZ’s
programming, you individually adjust the centering, speed and throw limits of the three
different servos. The result is a simple and trouble-free system that, again, needs none of the
peripheral devices we previously couldn’t fly without.
back
page 2
