Precision Aerobatics XR-52 ARF, Blue

For the Precision Aerobatics XR-52 ARF RC plane, the aim was to take the best-looking bird in the sky and enhance its flying characteristics – to suit more flyers, from intermediate through advanced – all based on customer feedback.

Borrowing only styling lines from their successful PA Bandit, Precision Aerobatics approached this project with an otherwise clean slate. The new XR-52 is not only larger but features unique custom-designed airfoils, a longer fuselage and numerous other design elements that were completely engineered specifically for this project – giving the XR-52 a fresh and exciting feel. The unique design expands and enhances the flight envelope, allowing you to perform manoeuvres one would only expect from a much larger model.

The XR-52 comes in different colours: Green, Blue, Red/White and Red, and is an exciting addition to the NEXT Generation PA series of planes, giving you a perfect balance between precision flying and slow 3D capabilities. Versatility is the name of the game: with just a swap of a prop, you get a completely different flying plane. Use a Vox 13×5 wooden propeller for amazing low and slow 3D performance, for sport flying or a smaller field. Swap to a Vox 13×6.5 wooden propeller and get ready to experience the ultimate show-stopping Freestyle machine!

This right-sized 52″ wingspan design will surprise you with its impressive giant-scale feel: being capable of stable, true and straight lines with unlimited power to recover from any situation. The XR-52 is incredibly lightweight and rigid. Couple its huge control surfaces with its feather-like lightweight and incredibly low wing loading proves the XR-52 to be a floater that will respond immediately to your stick inputs.

To reach peak performance, Precision Aerobatics meticulously tested the set-up components together with the airframe to deliver the exact flying experience we were after. They ended up developing a new Thrust motor for the XR-52 to reach its targeted performance level- a ballistic 2.5:1 power-to-weight ratio (approximated).

With this level of power, it’s easy to get out of trouble if your thumbs make a mistake – which is crucial when flying slow 3D right on the deck. This intensively-tested power set-up makes the XR-52 an extremely responsive model, allowing for absolute control, predictability, and extreme performance.

The XR-52 performs best with the iPAs Xtreme – a PA Thrust 45R motor, a PA Quantum 45 Evo ESC (with a switching BEC), together with a single PA 2600mAh 14.8V (4S) Lipo, and either of the VOX 13×5 or 13×6.5 wooden propellers. With the iPAs packages, we have made it dead simple to get the setup right the first time out. Not only that, it will give you the identical setup (and potential performance) as their Team Pilots demonstrate in their videos.

Here is what Precision Aerobatics lead team pilot said about the XR-52:

“I was amazed by the tightest waterfalls I’ve ever seen, the most axial and easy-to-do rolling harriers, completely FLAT spins, beautiful slow rolls the length of the field, easy-to-do rolling circles, EASY hovers and elevators, the list of maneuvers is endless.. this plane is designed to make you feel comfortable with all maneuvers and make you look good while doing them!”

- Daniel Dominguez

The XR-52 is pre-assembled by Precision Aerobatics' skilled staff, each specifically trained in building models using their most advanced FiberFusion® construction techniques to date; using only the finest grade material, all cut by state-of-the-art laser and CNC machines. To attain uniform performance for each and every model manufactured, each plane is consistently crafted on highly sophisticated and accurate jigs. Further, each set of wings is individually matched to their fuselage and all receive matching serial numbers (something most factories don’t do even in giant-scale production). We test-assemble each airframe before shipping and ensure precise wing incidence, alignment and fit.

Two wing halves are removable making it easily transportable for a model of this size. The wings are joined together with a CF wing tube and CF sleeve which makes the XR-52 a compact and durable aircraft. All flight surfaces are fully airfoiled, and the ailerons are already pre-hinged with the gaps sealed. For maximum aerodynamics, the aileron design and construction in this model are exceptional, made in such a way that the hinge gap is completely sealed as part of the wing, similar to the full-size high-performance aerobatic planes. This is indeed quite complex to produce: the ailerons fit into the wing trailing edge tunnels being glued and aligned in the factory. Despite the laborious production of this design we insist on producing the ailerons this way, as it ensures perfect aerodynamic flow over the airfoil resulting in maximum efficiency of the control surfaces. To us, it is the aerodynamic performance that counts most.

Following PA tradition this model too gives the word QUALITY a whole new meaning. From the design through the construction, the hardware, level of finish, and attention to detail are second to none. The Precision Aerobatics XR-52 is a TRUE ARF, 99% built for you in their factory. The brief assembly is a joy and most modellers will have it set up in just a few evenings with the help of their online video build guide series, PA Builds.