E-flite/Horizon Hobby EC-1500 1.2M
Versatile twin with a wide flight envelope
The E-flite Cargo 1500 Twin, or EC-1500, is a twin-engine electric cargo plane loosely based on the Alenia C-27 Spartan military transport. Like the C-27, the EC-1500 can be used for a variety of missions. It’s available in Plug-N-Play and in a BNF Basic version. Able to fly off just about any surface, the BNF Basic version of the EC-1500 I reviewed was equipped with AS3X and SAFE Select, so it’s stable and easy to fly. An impressive array of unique features and options allow a customized flight experience to suit just about anyone.
The revolutionary cargo plane is constructed of painted EPO foam and features removable plug-in wings and fixed landing gear. The color scheme is an eye-popping bright orange and white.
The EC-1500’s power system is comprised of a pair of E-flite Power 15 motors and 40-amp speed controls. The motors are counter-rotating and use modern-looking five-blade scimitar-style propellers. You can power the EC-1500 with either a 3S or 4S LiPo, but if you want to take full advantage of the capabilities and really wring it out, then 4S is the way to go.
The AS3X-equipped BNF Basic EC-1500 is easy to assemble in just a few quick steps and can be flown in a scale manner by anyone who has mastered a trainer, or cranked up and enjoyed by pilots of any skill level.
UNIQUE FEATURES
There is much to be excited about when you unpack the EC-1500 and lay out the parts. All of the hinging is complete, using either foam hinge lines, CA hinges, or pocket-style hinges, depending on the surface. Peel-and-stick decals are provided to customize your EC-1500 in one of several schemes. I chose U.S. Coast Guard markings to match the bright orange and white colors.
One of the cleverest features of the EC-1500 allows you to choose wild roll rate versus short takeoffs and landings. Between the inboard flaps and outboard ailerons, you will find a free-floating control surface that must be configured. If you want double ailerons, you leave the locking bar in place between the aileron and the center section. That will couple it to the aileron, nearly doubling the control surface size.
If you prefer really short takeoff and landing performance, you can remove the locking bar on the aileron side and insert the alternate locking bar provided (they have slightly different shapes) between the center section and the inboard flap, resulting in huge flaps and normal-size ailerons.
Another cool feature is the servo-operated rear cargo door. Since the EC-1500 has fixed gear, the cargo door can be operated in flight by the landing gear switch. Candy or paratrooper drops should be easy to accomplish, and I’m sure there are a few enterprising folks with a 3D printer working on dropping a Jeep or tank out the back. There are a lot of
possibilities.
If you want to take photos or video footage, the EC-1500 has a couple of options to make that project easier. Up front, the nose cone is held in place with magnets, and it has a compartment molded to hold a GoPro-type camera. A second magnetic hatch on top of the cockpit covers a mounting area for an FPV camera.
An LED lighting system is included that provides landing lights, colored navigation lights, and flashing beacon lights. I wouldn’t use it for true night flying, but it looks beautiful when flying early in the morning or at dusk.
The receiver included with the BNF Basic version can be flown in AS3X mode, or with SAFE Select enabled to limit pitch and bank (this can be turned on and off with a switch). The speed controls are wired to a single EC5 connector, which also works with the new Spektrum Smart Battery IC5 connector, and an external BEC powers the radio system. Factory-installed metal gear servos round out the radio installation.
The battery compartment is cavernous and will easily accommodate any of the recommended range of flight batteries. I used a 5000mAh 4S battery for the review, and the center of gravity worked out perfectly using that pack.
IN THE AIR
Field assembly is simple with hands-free connectors at the wing roots and thumb screws holding the wings on. If you need to remove the stabs to transport or store the EC-1500, they just snap off and on. The wing tube is a robust 10 mm-thick, solid carbon fiber rod.
The EC-1500 will operate off any reasonable surface, such as grass, dirt, or paved runways. A set of skis is included if you want to fly off snow, and an optional float kit (sold separately) allows water operations. Sadly, I won’t get much use out of those skis here in Florida.
There is plenty of power available with the twin motors and scimitar-style props cranking out 1255 watts, and the counter-rotating propellers mean no torque correction is required on takeoff. With or without flaps, the takeoff run is short and climbout is exhilarating! Landing occurs at barely more than walking speed, and once it touches it sticks to the runway.
The only issue I had on the ground was that the turning radius wasn’t very sharp, so I’ll probably modify the linkage for more control throw, but we have a narrow runway.
Stability: The AS3X-equipped BNF model I flew was quite stable. With SAFE Select enabled it was very docile, and if you opt to install FPV or a camera in the front it should make for a very stable camera platform.
Tracking: Fast or slow, the EC-1500 goes where you point it. SAFE Select works very well for setting up a candy or chute drop run, keeping the plane on track while you concentrate on working the door at the correct time and place.
Aerobatics: While it may not look the part, the EC-1500 is quite aerobatic. With plenty of power at your disposal it will hover, or perform large and small loops, rolls, stall turns, and spins.
Glide and stall: The big wing glides extremely well. The EC-1500 will drop a wing if stalled, but with the flaps deployed it is moving slowly when it happens. Recovery requires only relaxing the controls and adding power.
PILOT DEBRIEFING
The EC-1500 is a joy to fly. The variable aileron size is a clever way to tweak performance to the pilot’s preference, as is the capability to run either a 3S or 4S battery. The operational cargo door is a fun touch that looks awesome in flight and opens up a lot of possibilities.