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.
The rc Edge 540 ARF for sale from E-flite. Wingspan is 35 1/2", length is 36 1/2" and weight is about 15 1/2 oz. Construction is from balsawood and ply.
A Park 400 or 450 can fly it.
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 for sale 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 for sale by Nitro Planes. Wing span is 79", and the fuselage is 71" long. It is made from balsawood and ply. Recommended engines are from 40 to 50 cc.
The fourth picture down is an ad for the Seagull Models rc Edge 540 ARF in a .60 size.
Great Planes has a rc Edge 540 ARF for sale. Its wingspan is 78" and length is 74 1/2". Construction is balsawood and ply. You will need from 1.6 to 1.8 two cycle, 1.8 to 2.1 four cycle or the equivalent electric motors.
There is a giant scale rc Edge 540 ARF for sale from Hangar 9. It has a 97" wingspan with a 88" length and weighs about 23 lbs. A GT 80 engine is the suggested power.
Extreme Flight has a 48" wingspan rc Edge 540 ARF for sale that weighs about 3 lbs. A 2814/820 motor is the suggested power.
Extreme Flight has a 70" wingspan rc Edge 540 ARF for sale. It needs from 26 to 30 cc engines to pull its approximately 10 lb. weight.
Hyperion has a ARF Edge 540 rc airplane for sale with a 46 1/2" wingspan and 42" length. Recommended is a Z3019-12 motor. Weight is about 2 1/2 lbs.
Art-Tech has a rc Edge 540 RTF for sale with a 36 1/2" wingspan and 33 " length. Included are a radio, motor, ESC, batteries, and chargers. Weight is about 1 lb. 3 oz.
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 rc Edge 540 RTF for sale. It has a 48" wingspan with a 45 1/2" length. It weighs about 2 lbs.
Kyosho has a ARF rc Edge 540 for sale. 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 has a rc Edge 540 ARF for sale 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.
Cyclone Technology has a larger rc Edge 540 giant scale ARF for sale with a 85" wingspan and 75 1/2" length. The 13 lb. model needs a 50
cc gas engine up front.
Cyclone Technology has a giant scale Edge 540 ARF sale. Its wingspan is 106", length is 98 1/2" and weight is about 27 lbs. It needs a 100 cc gas engine.
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 for sale. 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.
Huayu Hobby, China has a rc Edge 540 ARF scale model radio control airplane for sale. It has a 73" wingspan with a 66 1/2" length and weighs about 11 lbs. It needs from .91 to 1.20 two stroke or 1.10 to 1.40 four stroke engines.
Huayu Hobby, China has a giant scale Edge 540 ARF for sale with a 88" wingspan, 77" length, and about a 15 1/2 lb. weight, that uses 50 to 60 cc engine power.
Shenzhen Fms Hobby, Hong Kong has a rc Edge 540 ARF for sale made from all wood. It has a wingspan of 49" with a length of 48" and a weight of about 42 oz. A motor is included.
Shenzhen SDS Electric Co., China has a ARF giant scale Edge 540 for sale with a 106" wingspan. It has a length of 98 1/2" and uses a 100 cc engine to power its approximately 28 lb. all up weight.
Dongguan Hangpin Trading Co., China has a rc giant scale rc Edge 540 ARF for sale. Its wingspan is 89" and its length is 82". It needs from 50 to 60 cc engine power.
Hasan Cahlia RC, Malaysia, shows a 1/3 scale Edge 540 ARF for sale. They do now show its wingspan, length, or recommended engines.
Cerebus RC, South Africa is selling their giant scale ARF Edge 540. Wingspan is 130" and length is 124". It required 150 to 200 cc engines.
Xtreme Machines, Pakistan, makes a rc Edge 540 ARF. It is giant scale with a 88" wingspan, a 78" length and a weight of about 15 3/4 lbs. Engines can be from 50 to 62 cc.
Acme, GmbH, Germany has a rc Edge 540 RTF for sale. Its wingspan is just 20 1/2". Included is a 2.4 GHz radio. The scale rc model is exported from China under the name AirAce.
Edge 540
