Cox Sky Ranger Micro Trainer Review

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Kurt Gornek

 


 
Most micros are durable due simply to their lack of mass. Not the case with the Cox Sky Ranger micro trainer. Made of super tough FlightFlex™ foam, this is the kind of “tough” that could handle a 1 year old’s teething fit (almost) and still fly. No, this is not safe for a 1 year old…anyway, on with the review!
 

Intro and Flight Footage
5X5 Review Scoring

 

Summary

Hard to sum up in just a few words (watch the review video to get the whole picture), the Sky Ranger is tough, plenty powerful, flies great with power on, glides not-so-good, and is best hand launched and belly landed with the gear removed.

This is the truly affordable, durable, first time micro trainer. You’ll spend more time in the air than you will repairing or fiddling with the Sky Ranger so your cost of ownership is of the lowest in the business. The run-times are good and the stability is trainer-class. No, it’s not the precision you’ll eventually want as your skills improve, but it’s always better to learn in an old ’69 Ford LTD four-door tank than a little Mazda Miata, right? The Sky Ranger will help you build good, basic flight habits and provide many, many hours of fun!

 

5X5 Review Scoring

Model Characteristics

Build as Advertised:

Build Instructions and Advertised Difficulty...
5 / 5

Finish:

Covering, Paint, Plastic and Decals...
4 / 5

Power:

Specified Powerplant Performance...
5 / 5

Ground Handling:

Landing Gear, Floats, and Hovering...
2.5 / 5

Durability:

Model Impact and Transportation Durability...
5 / 5

Pilot Experience

Flight as Advertised:

Flight Experience As Compared To Marketing
4 / 5

Flight Time:

Flight Duration Of Recommended Powerplant
4.5 / 5

Field Size:

2 Brothers Flying Site Recommendation
Small Park

Portability:

How Easily The Model Transports Without Damage
5 / 5

Skill Level:

2 Brothers Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Model Specifications

Model Type:

RTF

Wing Span:

20 in (508 mm)

Wing Area:

54 in² (3.48 dm²)

Weight:

2.2 oz (62 g)

Wing Loading:

5.9 oz/ft² (18 g/dm²)

Length:

15.5 in (393 mm)

Motor Design:

Brushed DC

Volt Range:

2S LiPo (7.4V)

Construction:

FlightFlexâ„¢

Radio Channels:

3

Included Radio System:

2.4GHz w/Digital Trims and Dual Rates

Included Charger:

AC Wall Adapter, Balancing LiPo CHarger

Included Battery:

2S 7.4V LiPo 180mAh

Needed Items:

Nothing - RTF!

Street Price:

$89.98 USD

Special Features:

FlightFlex Airframe, SafeProp propeller system (break-away)

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8 Responses to Cox Sky Ranger Micro Trainer Review

  1. avatar chris1956 says:
    July 9, 2011 at 2:44 am

    I have the Merlin Pilot 500,which is the same as this one and the Nine Eagles Cessna.

  2. avatar johnolund says:
    September 10, 2011 at 11:32 pm

    Thanks for the recommendation, fellas! The Sky Ranger was the first plane I put in the air…had 2 of them, in fact. Flew the wings off every sunrise and sunset for a week…great little plane in very calm weather for the newbie pilot whose palms get sweaty and knees shake a little ( like me). Literally burned both planes up learning how to keep them in the air. Great review, guys! Thanks!

  3. avatar guest says:
    March 30, 2012 at 5:02 pm

    I am looking to buy an RC plane, and I was just wondering if this one is three channel (ailerons, throttle, elevators) or two channel?
    thanks

    • avatar Kurt Gornek says:
      March 30, 2012 at 5:14 pm

      The Cox Sky Ranger is a three channel airplane. To clarify though, it has Rudder, Elevator, and Throttle. The main wing dihedral causes you to bank (turn) when rudder is applied. This is the typical 3 channel configuration. Good Luck!

  4. avatar guest says:
    March 30, 2012 at 5:19 pm

    thanks for the help :)

  5. avatar guest says:
    April 6, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    P.S. do you know of any three channel airplanes (ailerons, throttle, elevators) because a friend has both kinds and I found the one with ailerons easier to fly

    thanks again :)

  6. avatar az albino says:
    December 26, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    Does anyone know if there are alternate batteries that can be used on the Sky Ranger? Or is it only compatible with cox 2s 180mah battery that is provided? Would an e-flite 2s 180mah battery work? Thanks for any suggestions.

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