Helios

Who hasn’t been there! You head out in high spirits with your CFRP super-soaring glider toward the local hill for an after-work flight. When you finally reach the top, all your clubmates are there, but unfortunately there’s no slope wind and hardly any thermals. So it looks like the planned after-work flight isn’t going to happen again. But wait! There is one model in the air after all, calmly circling. It’s the Helios light-wind glider from aero-naut.

The Helios is a four-surface model (flaps and ailerons) built using conventional wood construction. The only deviation from this principle is the carbon-fiber fuselage tube. Its compact dimensions and suitable engine make the Helios the perfect vacation companion, whether in the Alps or anywhere else.

The fun begins right from the start of the model-building process. This kit stands out thanks to its excellent assembly instructions—featuring numerous 3D drawings for each stage of construction—and its precisely laser-cut parts made of high-quality material. Not to mention the included slipway,

The wing is built on it in the tried-and-true aero-naut style. The slipway ensures that all components are positioned securely and allows for distortion-free assembly. The wing is partially planked and, depending on the choice of covering material, offers interesting visual design options.

Once the Helios is fully assembled, the control surfaces and flaps have been adjusted according to the instructions, and the center of gravity has been set by shifting the flight battery, nothing stands in the way of the maiden flight—except for suitable weather. Whether flying over flat terrain or on a slope, the Helios immediately offers great flying enjoyment. The power components recommended by aero-naut are finely tuned to the model and allow for relaxing flights in evening thermals or in light winds on a slope. With its four large flaps, the Helios can still be controlled safely even at low speeds, and the landing flaps provide reliable assistance during descent and landing.

With the Helios, aero-naut has once again produced a model that flies exceptionally well. Whether flying over flat terrain or on a slope, the Helios is a “joy to fly” that provides its pilot with plenty of flying fun. It’s also worth noting the excellent value for money offered by both the kit and the powerplant set, so the Helios certainly deserves at least a “sunburst crown”! ■

Photos: Bernhard Pasteka, Manfred Dittmayer