NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Edge 540 is an uncompromising unlimited aerobatic aircraft produced by Zivko Aeronautics Co. It has an airframe certified to take a continuous 10 G loading.
The 540 cubic inch engine of the aircraft is modified from the stock Textron-Lycoming AEIO-540 design. Special pistons are fitted to raise the compression ration to ten to one. A high performance cam is installed along with special porting to increase engine breathing. We are told that the modifications do not effect the life of the engine and actually increase reliability.
Flying the Edge 540 is like strapping on an engine with wings tied to it. A nice feature of the aircraft is that forward visibility is remarkably good for a tail dragger. Advancing the throttle for take off is like being catapulted from the deck of an aircraft carrier. The acceleration is blinding, and produces a 3,700 fpm climb rate.
Aileron response is instantaneous without being twitchy. Their slightest movement is immediately felt in the stick. Stick pressure is very light, yet there is sufficient travel in it so that full aileron control can easily be accomplished.
As benefits a well balanced aerobatic aircraft, stick forces remain the same in inside and outside maneuvers and at all speeds. Maximum aileron throws are difficult to reach due to the little ship quickly reacting to inputs with up to a 420 degree per second roll rate. Input response in all planes is also quick. Maneuvers can be stopped as quickly as they are started.
Hands-off inverted flight is easily accomplished with just a bit of down trim. The aircraft is equally responsive from maximum speeds to speeds just above stall. The large propeller up front acts like an anchor to quickly slow the aircraft when power is cut.
The Edge 540 has won numerous competitions including the 2004 and 2006 Red Bull Air Races. These timed races take place around a slalom course consisting of nine gates. Winning aircraft have negotiated the course in under 60 seconds.
There is also a tandem seating, two place version of the aircraft designated the Edge 540T.
Pictured right above is the rc Edge 540 for sale by E-flite with a 35 1/2" wingspan.
RCM&E Magazine published plans for a rc Edge 540 by David Royds in their December '08 issue. Its construction is primarily foam, with a wingspan of 55" and a 2 1/2 lb. ready to fly weight. David recommends a Hacker A30-16M motor for power.
The first picture below is for the rc Edge 540 ARF sold by Nitro Planes. Wingspan is 69 1/2" and length is 61 1/2". It has a light plywood fuselage with foam sheeted wings and weighs around 9 3/4 lbs. Motors from .90 to 1.08 two stroke or 1.20 four stroke are recommended.
The next picture down is of the rc Edge 540 ARF .46 size for sale by Seagull Models.
The third picture below is of the giant scale rc Edge 540 ARF sold by Nitro Planes. Wingspan is 79", and the fuselage is 71" long. It is made from balsa and plywood. Recommended engines are from 40 to 50 cc.
The fourth picture is an ad for the Seagull Models rc Edge 540 ARF in a .60 size.
Wendell Hostetler has rc Edge 540 plans for sale. The bottom picture on this page is of Wendell and his rc Edge 540 built from his plans. It is 34% scale with a wingspan of 103" and a length of 90". You can use from 3.2 to 6.0 c.i.d. engines to power the 26 lb. model.
Kyosho has a ARF rc Edge 540. Its wingspan is 55" and length is 53 1/2". You can power it with .46 to .50 two stroke or .52 to .63 four stroke engines, or from a 600 to 800 Watt electric motor. Weight is about 5 lbs.
Park flyers has a rc Edge 540 for sale that comes ready to fly. It has a 36 1/2" wingspan with a 33" length and weighs about 1 lb. 3 oz. Included is a 850 Kv motor.
Superior rc sells a rc Edge 540 ARF made from balsa and plywood. With a wingspan of 75" and length of 69", it needs a 26 cc engine for power.
Cyclone Technology in China wants to sell you a rc Edge 540 ARF with a 70" wingspan and 66" length. A 28 cc gas engine is recommended for the 8 lb. model airplane.
Hobby-EStore has a Walkera rc Edge 540 ARF for sale. Its wingspan is 63" and length is 54 1/2". Engines can be from .75 to .91 two stroke or .91 to 1.20 four stroke.
Stevens Aero Model has a rc Edge 540 kit. When built it will have a wingspan of 50" with a length of 45" and weight about 30 oz. A 350 watt motor is recommended for power.
Cyclone Technology has a larger rc Edge 540 Edge ARF with a 85" wingspan and 75 1/2" length. The 13 lb. model needs a 50 cc gas engine up front.
Edge 540
