Advertising image of the ‘Cessna 180′ by WattAge.

Top and bottom plan views of the ‘Cessna 180′.

The Cessna 180

The wingspan is around 24.5″. Included in the kit is a 4-channel transmitter, a 7.2V 300mAH battery pack, a 2.5 hour AC charger, and a spare propeller and rubber bands.

The Cessna with wing removed.

Assembly involves affixing the vertical stabilizer with a small screw, connecting the servo pushrods, attaching the landing gear, and attaching the one-piece wing with the provided rubber bands. The propeller slides snugly onto the motor shaft. This one was purchased from the Hobby People store in Pasadena for 129.99USD.

Detail of the electronics, tail section, and the rudder and elevator linkages.

The battery pack and AC charger, and radio transmitter.

Although the transmitter supports 4 channels, the plane only uses 3; throttle, rudder, and elevator. There are no ailerons.

The transmitter is a “real” controller, with trimming sliders, servo reversing switches, a battery volt meter, and a removable channel chrystal.

The broken prop.

Profile view of the Cessna with prop replacement.

Propeller Replacement

The first flight test ended with a ground collision that snapped a blade off the propeller. The repair was as simple as removing the broken prop and pushing on its replacement.