The Bottom Line
- Tough, durable but lightweight construction
- Long runtime of 20-25 min on a single charge
- Fun as heck to fly for 8 years + with adult supervision and older kids too
- Reasonable li-po battery charge time of 45-60 minutes
- Classifies as a RC car or RC plane. Hey! Two RC toys for the price of one.
- Doesn't come with required battery and charger; must purchase separately
- Some small plastic parts will break upon rough landings or crashes
- Not suitable for winds of more than 5-7 mph
- Canopy covering the battery cracks easily, requires strengthening with a bit of electrical tape
Description
- The Fly Wheels XPV comes in two awesome color schemes of red and black 27MHz and silver and black 49MHz.
- 2-channel radio system -- one channel for steering and one channel for throttle.
- Requires a Lithium Polymer Rechargeable battery kit and 6 AAA alkaline batteries, sold separately.
- The Fly Wheels XPV can drive on smooth cut grass or on asphalt but cannot go into the water.
Guide Review - Fly Wheels XPV
Constructed of styrofoam-like material and some plastic, the Fly Wheels XPV takes a beating and keeps on going. It has held up well and after a few crash landings it still flies great although the body has a fair sprinkling of scratches and gouges. While it doesn't come with the batteries and charger -- a required purchase that bumps the total price up closer to $100 -- the durabilty sure makes up for it.
Most toy RC planes I've tried have been disappointing to fly, in part because they are difficult to control and distintegrate upon crashing. But the wing and body design of the XPV makes it easier to steer, easier to keep in the air, and less likely to fall apart during a rough landing -- even in moderate winds.
Although I haven't quite reached the 20-story heights mentioned in some of the XPV promotional material, it has soared well above the treetops, performed swooping and looping maneuvers, and landed (mostly) rightside up over and over again. On the ground the Fly Wheels XPV will slide, spin, and speed across the surface until it gains enough speed for take-off. You can also hand launch it if you have limited "runway."
It does take some patience and practice for sustained flights, but if my 8 year old son can fly it so can I and so can anyone with the desire to experience RC flight without investing in hobby-grade aircraft.
Share your opinion of the Fly Wheels XPV RC Car / Plane. Tell us what you think about the price, durability, ease-of-use, and "fun factor" of the Fly Wheels XPV.
