FMS Cessna 182 1500mm PNP - Model AV8R Review

[@frankdevine5831]

I’ve watch about 10 videos by various reviewers on this plane and this was by far the best IMO. Just found your channel and subscribed!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much! Welcome!

[@kahramankaraca7036]

A model to fall in love with

[@Retset]

The scale fidelity and ease of assembly are top notch. Testing it on 3 cell was a great idea; not setting your world on fire is the modus operandi of this sort of plane full size so 3 cell will be great for scale flying. If it will carry a pair of 2200 3 cell lipos in parallel, it would give some gas rivalling flight times. Gratz to FMS for the plane (ignoring the lights ...) and Adam & Heidi for another great test. Edit: I'd love you to review the Reflex V3, preferably on a non-FMS plane (ie no premade config)

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks man! Great flyer, and the lights are an easy fix.

[@purcellrcaviationchannel]

One beautiful model of the Cessna 182. Love it! I'd fly it 3S for the floaty, scale flying... but what a great review of the whole performance envelope, Adam. Really enjoyed this video.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

It is Gina! Thank you!

[@odwatchguy]

Nice review and flying of the FMS Cessna 182. The touch and go's reminded me of watching these planes coming into Oshkosh and the ATC telling pilots to hold it off till the purple dot, nicely done.I really don't like those squeaky wheels and hard tires, but looks like a really scale plane overall. Nice video Heidi, you really had the plane looking good. Thanks guys

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks a lot!

[@jollyroger2226]

Very nice presentation. I am really impressed with how FMS has designed this to go together. (without so many screws) I loved your smooth and scale like flying, and your attention to the scale details. Good show !

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much! Yep, well designed model.

[@sceadu498]

Nicely done Adam, was hoping you would do a review of it. You are my go to guy for reviews. Always look for yours first.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks very much! We appreciate that.

[@jayaustin3096]

What a great looking plane. Those tires make my teeth hurt when it lands. Lol. Shout out to your camera crew. Awesome job. That makes the video. I think Heidi makes you look like a way better pilot than you really are. Lol. Great job guys. Adams turn to cook dinner tonight.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Heidi really is masterful on the camera. Yep, my turn! Lol.

[@Bellairvideo]

Well presented Adam & Heidi. I found it hard to concentrate though as i was focused on the new AV8R Tee😊 Such a lovely aircraft. A real decision maker between the Super Timber & this.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Noel! Well, I know the clear windows are a factor for you.

[@Bellairvideo]

If it only came with a tee shirt!

[@alexandernentwig9596]

I also like the looks and all the tech details that FMS came up with to make the plane easy to transport in a smaller car and no fiddling with countless connectors. What I do not like at all is the wheels that make this rattling, super cheap sounding noise. A lot of of planes do this. As if decent bearings would cause a fortune. Furthermore, these cheap plastic on metal ‘bearing’ easily wear out and after a while the wheels do not track well anymore. The blinking nav lights are also super annoying, not only because the blink, but rather that they blink independently. That means (very likely) the LEDs themselves are blinking and the only way to change this is, to replace them with non blinking ones that are still bright. Finding a nice bright LED with low power consumption is actually harder than I thought it would be nowadays. Except for that: well done, FMS! And as usual, you and Heidi made the Cessna shine as bright as it could, Adam! 😊

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! The wheels sound much worse on camera due to our off camera mic than they do in person. That said Du Bros are available if anyone wants to replace them. FMS and other factories use the hard tires because they buy tires in the thousands and have a bunch still on hand. They're going to get everything out of that investment they can before they buy more and go with softer tires. I'm not sure why they did the lights that way.

[@rgsvidz]

@@ModelAV8RChannel I put Du-Bro low-bounce wheels on the earlier 1.4M version of this plane - highly recommended! There's a bit of a weight penalty but it is soooo much better otherwise. In case it's helpful, I installed Du-Bro 2" #200T on the mains, and Du-Bro 1.75" #175T on the nose gear. You do have to shim the Du-Bro wheel with small washers as the hub is slightly thinner than the stock wheels but that's really easy. I also put a dab of moly-lube grease on the spindle for good measure. As always, thanks for a great review! This new version addresses a lot of issues with the older plane and I'm tempted to upgrade. I'm very partial to scale Cessnas (my dad flew several of the different Cessna 17x series).

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

@@rgsvidz Thanks man! BTW...this is not an upgraded version of the old sky trainer. It is a completely new...and larger mold.

[@rgsvidz]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Yes, I should have referred to this as "the successor to the SkyTrainer 182 1.4M". Unfortunately, my SkyTrainer 182 bit the dust today - coming out of a gentle loop (very much like the one you do at 17:34) the left wing snapped in half. I think that's the Achilles heel of the SkyTrainer 182 - the wing spar is just too short and it's just not engineered for high(er) G maneuvers. The new plane's airframe seems much more robust, and I love that it's 4S capable right out of the box. I wonder if FMS will give me a pity discount off a new Cessna 182? 🤣 Oh, one other thing that's gotta go on both the SkyTrainer 182 and this Cessna 182 - the plastic-geared servos (at least for the rudder/nosegear). I put a 15g metal-geared servo in my SkyTrainer after stripping 2 of the FMS servos and never looked back. Now if only I could upgrade my flying to look as good as you... 😁

[@Hype_RC]

Hope you’re enjoying your fms planes. As for the blinking lights there’s plenty of info on the web how to mod easily for fms. I’ve done it on my FMS A-10, And others. Simply remove each wing and unscrew the quick connect on the wings and gently pull the wires out until you find a simple blinking resister(no idea what it’s really called) unplug it and plug the wires back together. Reassemble, Done. No more blinking. Aside from the absorbent cost of some of the fms parts here and there they’re some of the easiest foam planes to work on. Hope this helps someone.

[@markstockie4140]

I just got mine so this really great information. I am so glad I can use 3S thanks for the info. I love this plane

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

You are gonna love it!

[@markstockie4140]

@@ModelAV8RChannel I do love it! The best plane I have purchased so far. Not a single crash or even a bad landing. I am just a novice so this plane has made me so happy to fly and come home in one piece. I wish I could say that about the first ones I have purchased. Such a great looking plane as well. Thank You FMS I now fly it every chance I get.

[@markbyfield7050]

Love the camera work on this, and all of your videos! Kind of weird they dropped the ball with the decals and lights but ....... looks like another 'plane I 'need'!!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! Yep...another keeper!

[@IansRCExploits]

I had the older version of this plane Adam before they called it the Cessna, flew amazing!! But the nise gear wasn't very strong, looks like theyv'e beefed it up a bit!! Lovely review Adam and Heidi 😀👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Ian! This one is actually a new mold altogether.

[@capitancairlblandford5785]

As always great review and great flights. Happy Flying

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks man! Happy Flying!

[@davidsnyder238]

Beautiful presentation of a beautiful model Adam.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks David!

[@SunriseRCAviator]

Nice review Adam! The only odd thing is they should have made a quick connector for the servo cables for the tail section just like with the wing.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks man! I think because you only do it once they just went with regular plugs.

[@SunriseRCAviator]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Most might not take it apart but I and some others store it in the box when not flying.

[@lwrandall]

Great review as always. The only thing stopping me from getting this are those good awfully loud wheels. It’s like nails on a chalk board. Can grease or Dubro soft wheels help?

[@AviatorJohn70]

Yep, they sound so cheap on the runway.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! Yes...you can always replace the wheels if you like. Du Bro foam wheels are fine, and still very light. I'd never not get a plane over wheels. The thing is...these factories buy wheels in the thousands. Every plane has to have them. They know the going gripe with people is hard wheels, and that will change eventually...but not before they get their moneys worth out of their investment by using what they already have paid for. In the mean time...wheels are a inexpensive and easy thing to change if you want.

[@jcb6713]

nice review and info...great flight !

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks!

[@JeffinLowerAlabama]

Adam great review and wow Heidi amazing video, go Team Model AV8R. Jeff in LA USA

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks brother Jeff!

[@SteffenRC]

Great review Adam. Its a nice flying plane and travels well... You know what I think of the wheels and nose gear.. 🙂. I messed with the lights and got the nav lights to stay solid, but I may move to the proper location later...

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks man!

[@SlowFlyer85]

Adam another great looking scale plane it looks great and can tell it flys nice😊👍👍👍👍

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

It really is Frank!

[@SlowFlyer85]

@@ModelAV8RChannel 😭I want it too lol

[@mikesteck7011]

Great channel! Subscribed now! I used to RC in the past…on RC simulator now getting back into the swing..this seems like a very stable and solid plane that is forgiving and solid. Do you suggest its a possibility for a slightly above novice who has been on a simulator and needs an interesting and nice looking trainer?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Hey thanks for the kind words and welcome! I would say absolutely yes...if you've flown before and you're getting the feel back on a sim, then this is a great plane to get back into it with. Looks good, nicely featured, and only slightly more complicated than a trainer.

[@mikesteck7011]

@ awesome! Thanks! i am just toooo addicted to scale and lights..i built a massive realistic pit lane for a 1/32 scale slot car system ..and having a clear canopy and nav lights makes a huge difference in feeling excited about a plane getting back into it. Your channel is so full of GREAT info! Going to watch more tonight, thank you for your dedication and passion to RC planes!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

I get it...love the scale stuff myself! Thanks again for the kind words, we appreciate it.

[@jerryc1491]

What a great model looks very nice however I do prefer the livery on the sky trainer but still looks nice! But what's up with the no n- numbers blue or the red? Nice presentation I just love Cessna's also I would have to change the nav lights to solid in stead of flashing just looks more scale to me.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

The lights are an easy fix. The red doesn't have an N number...so you can put a custom one on it. I kinda like that.

[@JeffsCustomRC]

Nice work Adam👊🏼👊🏼

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks man.

[@kajuta240]

I have this one coming in the mail soon. A really nice craft i am looking forward too. I am sorting out a list of 4s CNHL batteries that would be suitable. Do you have a weight recommendation to not exceed? Im considering 360-500gram batteries ranging from 2200-4500mah in 4s. That gear housing does grind really loud :( I would try to dampen the noise from the wheel cowl somehow i think.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Very nice flyer, you'll really enjoy it. In my opinion, the 2200 4s are the best choice. The lighter battery lowers the wing loading and allows easy nose high main first landings. The power system is efficient, and the less weight it carries, the more that is prevalent, so the flight time with throttle management is still very good with the lighter pack. It flies fine with the larger 3200's, but not as well. The more weight you add, the more nose heavy it feels in the air and on landing. I would never go any larger than that, with a 4000 that is just too much weight. Again, this is my opinion and that is preference based, so others may tell you different. Softer tires would cut down on the noise.

[@kajuta240]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Thanks for the input. Won it in a raffle last night during a live stream, I got into RC Helicopters 6 months ago and that has been my drive in 2024; I do have an Aeroscout 2. Wife and I fly together and we were planning on getting into Fixed wing this next season, so I am hoping this and an FMS PA-18 will be complimentary 2nd and 3rd craft for us. Will focus on 2200 mainly and a single 3200 as an experiment to learn how to feel/fly as you described will be like.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Enjoy it man! Great that you and your wife can share this! I think your plan is solid. If you ever have questions or need help don't hesitate to ask.

[@ironmover5800]

Good looking plane , great flying

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks!

[@johnbaker2060]

Kinda off topic But how and what do I look for when propping up ? I want run the super timber on 4 cell but not sure what to do with the watt meter .

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

First do a pull on the watt meter with the stock prop on 6s. The amps you pull on that test is your base. You want to get the amps on 4s as close as you can to what it did with the stock prop on 6s without going over. Start with a 15 x 10. We have a video on Watt Meters 101...check that out.

[@RichieRich980215]

Adam, does this plane have metal gear servos? Nice flying Adam! 👏👏👍😃

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Nope, plastic gears....but it is a 182. For sport/scale flying they are fine.

[@Didjeridoolove]

Father’s Day is coming so,I’ll lay it on thick to the Mrs.😂.. if that doesn’t work,then it’s definitely up to me!! Great review as always.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Ha! That will probably work! Thanks man!

[@tonydarst8211]

Great review, flying, and as always, outstanding camera work! The scale fidelity on this one is absolute. The only complaint I have is rather generic and applicable to far too many models: Please, for the love of all things holy, figure out how to quiet down the wheels/landing gear. That noise is almost as bad as fingernails on a chalk board!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! Lol, the sound is greatly intensified by our off camera mic. Wheels are easy to replace for the end user. The factories will eventually go with softer tires, but only after they have used the ones they have on hand that are already paid for. They buy them in the thousands.

[@capitancairlblandford5785]

Whats your flaps settings? Takeoff flaps and landing flaps? Also are you using elevator mixing with the flaps?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

07:56 is our full set up including flaps. If you click on the number it will take you right to it.

[@TheBandit59]

My wife bought me an apprentice 1.2m S RTF, it went together easy, but when you try to move the ailerons , the vertical stabilizer move left and right at the same time, even when the stick for the vertical stab also works. Help, I am clueless

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

That is a programmed in mix to help coordinate turns for a beginner.

[@TheBandit59]

@@ModelAV8RChannel So it is ok to fly like that? Thank you

[@TheBandit59]

@@ModelAV8RChannel My wife surprised me with this one, but if I learn to fly well enough, i’d like to get a Super Timber, can I buy one through a link to your channel, or do you have a code to use to link it to you? I appreciate you getting back to me, I have been waiting to fix this issue to fly, and apparently its me not the plane? Thanks again!

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Yep, that is normal. The mix is there to help you. If you can, contact a local club and get some assistance from someone experienced before your first flight. Having a knowledgeable set of eyes to look the plane over, maiden and trim it, and give you some pointers is always a big help. I know they (Apprentice) are marketed as "Teach yourself to fly", but I've seen a lot of people crash them. This is a particular skill set, and while it will get easy, it isn't at first. Best of luck and happy flying! When you're ready for a Timber you can just go through any link to Horizon on any of our videos.

[@TheBandit59]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Thank you so much for your videos and info, I live in rural Wyoming, your videos and comments are the best I can hope for, and I do appreciate it !

[@DavidKing-planes1567]

Very nice video on this thank you

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks!

[@mradcliff]

I purchased the red model. I set it up with a Spektrum receiver with AS3X and it flies beautiful. Mine has the crooked decals. I contacted FMS customer service complete with pictures of my model including pictures of a full scale 182 showing how the decals should look. My suggestion was send me a new vertical fin and decals and I will correct the problem. They see nothing wrong. HA! They offered me $10 off. I tried the ice cube method and it did not work. If I can come up with paint to match I would pull the decals and repaint the fun and replace the decals.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Interesting. I'm not sure how I'm going to fix mine. I think for 10 off I might just get a vertical and print the decal myself. I think a Cricket will do it. I can do the work like you said and Heidi can match the paint, but a new vertical would make it so easy. Time is money I guess, Lol.

[@railfanWV]

Based on photos and my experience with real 182s, I think the placement of the lights is good. The Cessna 182 has one landing light, in the leading edge of the left wing, the nav lights are in the leading edge wing tip clear housing, generally with the anti collision strobe in the same housing. The main gripe I have with the lights is that the white anti collison light on the wing tip should be flashing and the red/green nav lights should be constant on. Hopefully that is something that can be easily corrected by the purchaser.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

I have a buddy with a 182 (full scale). His Tips have forward facing landing lights on the leading edge of the tips in addition to the two in the center of the left wing...so 4 total. It has the strobe and nav lights in the center of the tip. There are multiple tip options for Cessnas. Easy fix on the model.

[@railfanWV]

@@ModelAV8RChannel Mine will be here next week. I plan to vinyl wrap it as a Civil Air Patrol ship. Decals are already on order from Callie. I'm hoping changing the flashing nav lights to constant on and the wing tip anti collision lights to flash is an eay fix, but I have a feeling it will mean manually cutting and changing the wires in the wire trough in the wing. If you find a better way. let us know. I appriciate your review, well done.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Check this out...not perfect, but it worked and looks good. kzbin.infoUgkxT73QJL3Js7N9IGDpAsQWy70YQ6BGkaMY

[@manuelbeltranmeza]

Very nice plane, greetings from Mexico

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Glad you liked it!

[@davegillespie3948]

Great video and nice flying of a super nice model.,....just wish these manufacturers would put better tyres/wheels on. The noise ruins a really nice experience. Nitpicky? Maybe, but surely a cheap enough solution for them .

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! Actually, these factories buy tires in the thousands, every plane has to have them. They have a bunch of the harder ones on hand as tires have only recently became something a bunch of people complain about. They will go to softer tires, but only after they get their moneys worth out of the ones they already paid for. Thankfully, in the mean time it is also a cheap enough solution for us...

[@M4rkmcc21]

Hi Adam great review. I'm thinking of this or the FMS Maul. Which do you think is the better plane or are they very similar with in-flight performance?

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks! The Maule is a bit more aerobatic and you can bush fly with it. Both fly great though and depending on the type of flying you do the 182 may be the better choice.

[@douglascorley6630]

All I can say is wow dang it

[@dja1353]

Hay Bob Hoover! I think I see the cowl flap or flaps. This is my way of distinguishing a 182 from a 172. The 172 has none.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Ha! Very cool.

[@EvilMerlin]

It is almost 2x as much to ship this plane here to me in Hawaii as the model actually costs.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

I imagine that is the case shipping a lot of larger packages to Hawaii.

[@43rocket]

wish they would make this motors sound less hi pitch.

[@raybrown2771]

I have this model and it’s very nice. Only negative is the tires. They sound terrible, like a garbage bin rolling out to the curb. I wish they’d design better tires.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Lol. You've been watching Jon I see. Replace them. $15 for Du Bros. Good to go.

[@simoneguanziroli3310]

want it

[@markculp6126]

Here are the lights after I did surgery on this plane and made circuits to better handle strobe and rotating beacon simulation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnebepyrfqeAqbssi=HlVswk8sbWGwedBi

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Sweet!

[@marcellowithtwols]

Why no battery telemetry in 2024? The annoying thing about FMS planes is that you have to throw away the crap ESC/giro, and $witch to spektrum so you have BASIC safety/telemetry functionality. If you don't vote with your wallet, they'll keep thinking this is OK.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

A lot of people are confused by misinformation that has been put out there. So, while it is popular to believe that Horizon owns FMS...that is incorrect. They do not. They work with FMS on certain projects they are paying FMS to manufacture for them...airplanes specifically, as in the airframes, but not certain components. The Spektrum SMART tech, Avian ESC's, AS3X/SAFE are all proprietary technology developed by Horizon for their own product lines. When FMS makes an airplane of their own design...like this 182, they are not at liberty to use the Horizon components reserved for Horizon name branded product lines any more than Freewing or Hobbyking could. FMS is not the only factory in China Horizon works with. You will only ever see Avian esc's and Spektrum RX's come as standard equipment in E-Flite, Hangar 9, and other product lines specific to Horizon Hobby. They are sold as components by Horizon so you can equip whatever you want with it, but it isn't anymore realistic to expect those components to come in an FMS plane than it would be to expect them to come in a Freewing plane you buy at Motion RC or a Skywing plane you buy from Extreme Flight. Horizon didn't develop that technology as a selling point for everybody's airplanes, they developed it as a selling point for their own planes...which makes sense.

[@DadsRCHangar]

Great review of an another great plane from FMS. 🫡

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Thanks Chris!