QIDI 580 SR22 RTF RC Airplane — Hands-On Review by Tim McKay
By Tim McKay — RC pilot, instructor, and lifelong modeler. In this hands-on review I cover unboxing, sub-5-minute assembly, gyro modes, first flight results, why coordinated turns matter on this model, and who the QIDI 580 SR22 is best for.
✅ Buy the product: QIDI 580 SR22 4CH RC Plane (Brushless, LED, RTF) | 🔧 Spare parts: QIDI 580 SR22 Spare Parts Collection
Video Review
Quick Take
I reviewed the QIDI 580 SR22, a four-channel, essentially ready-to-fly sport model styled after the Cirrus SR22. Assembly took me under five minutes. It has a brushless motor, onboard gyros, and LED lighting. In flight it’s quiet, has plenty of power, and tracks well—provided you use coordinated turns. I recommend the middle gyro setting for best control. Overall, I consider it an intermediate model rather than a first trainer.
Disclosure: The airplane was sent to me for review.
What It Is
- Category: RTF sport RC airplane
- Controls: Aileron, Elevator, Rudder, Throttle (4-channel)
- Styling: Modeled on the Cirrus SR22
- Power: Brushless motor
- Stabilization: Gyro assistance with multiple modes
- Lighting: Integrated LEDs
Everything for the aircraft is included in the box; you’ll supply four AA batteries for the transmitter.
Unboxing & In-The-Box
Inside the foam tray, I found the fuselage (brushless motor, screw-on prop hub), a one-piece wing with pre-installed aileron servo and wiring for ailerons and wing lights, landing gear (main gear plus a non-steerable tailwheel), two single-cell 1000 mAh flight batteries (one came in the plane, one in the parts pack), the transmitter (add 4×AA), a USB charger and tools, and a well-illustrated manual showing the receiver “motherboard,” gyro switch, and the single wing screw fitting. The EPP foam is tough and practical for everyday flying.
5-Minute Assembly
- Connect two plugs from wing to fuselage board: 3-wire (ailerons) and 2-wire (lights).
- Bolt the wing with the single screw.
- Insert landing gear into the slots.
- Install the flight battery under the front cowl (supplied tool pops the cowl off cleanly).
- Arm per manual: throttle up (beep), then back to idle to arm.
There’s ample room in the battery bay and the LEDs conveniently confirm power-on.
Transmitter & Gyro Modes
The left-side switch cycles stabilization/control authority:
- Forward: “Novice 6G” beginner mode (gyro assist, reduced authority).
- Middle: My recommended setting; the best balance of stabilization and authority.
- Rear: “Gyro auxiliary/expert” with more authority—easy to over-control.
A function button exists for preset aerobatics; I focused on standard flying for this review.
Flight Test Notes
Conditions: Light wind, sunny—ideal for a maiden.
- Takeoff: From the runway it leaps off quickly and climbs with confidence. Power is smooth and quiet.
- Handling: Responsive and rewarding if you fly it actively; I wouldn’t call it a first trainer. The gyro smooths out bumps.
- Adverse yaw: Present with aileron-only turns on this long-aileron wing. The fix is simple: use coordinated turns—add rudder with aileron.
- Landing: Keep some airspeed on approach. If you slow too much, it can settle abruptly; fly it onto the runway.
- Detail: Styled after an SR22 but uses a tailwheel (non-steerable). I left it as delivered for the review.
Who It’s For
- Intermediate pilots, or confident beginners stepping up from stabilized trainers.
- Flyers wanting quick assembly, brushless power, LEDs, and gyro assist in a compact sport platform.
- Pilots comfortable with rudder + aileron for coordinated turns.
First-Flight Tips
- Start on the middle gyro setting for balanced control.
- Practice coordinated turns: aileron + matching rudder.
- Arm the ESC correctly (throttle up for the beep, then down).
- Maintain approach speed; don’t try to float in too slow.
- Use the manual’s board diagram to plug the wing correctly (3-wire ailerons, 2-wire lights).
Verdict
The QIDI 580 SR22 is a well-executed RTF sport flyer: fast to assemble, tough EPP, effective gyro stabilization, and lively brushless performance. It shines when flown with coordinated inputs and a bit of speed awareness. For me, the middle gyro mode is the sweet spot. Recommended for intermediate pilots wanting a quick, capable field companion.
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FAQ
Is the QIDI 580 SR22 suitable for a first-time RC pilot?
I consider it an intermediate model. New pilots should start with a true trainer first, then step up to the QIDI 580.
Which gyro mode do you recommend?
The middle gyro setting gave the best balance of stability and control in my flights.
How long does assembly take?
Under 5 minutes after plugging the two wing leads correctly—3-wire for ailerons and 2-wire for lights—then bolting the single wing screw and inserting the landing gear.
Any flight quirks to know?
There’s some adverse yaw with aileron-only turns. Use coordinated turns—add rudder with aileron—for clean, predictable handling.
About the Reviewer: Tim McKay
I’ve been flying RC model aircraft since 1972. Over the years I’ve designed, built, and flown a wide variety of models, with some designs published in RC Modeler and Quiet and Electric Flight magazines, and many more shared on my YouTube channel. I also bring experience from flying in the US Air Force, working as a Certificated Flight Instructor, and most recently as a B-777F airline pilot. On my channel I cover a range of aviation topics drawn from decades of flying.