PickGuideAtomRC Beluga Review: 1270mm Twin-Motor FPV Cockpit Fixed Wing at $129–$299
The AtomRC Beluga fills a gap between the Swordfish's single-motor efficiency and the Dolphin Pro's compact agility — a 1270mm twin-motor fixed wing with a full-size fuselage cockpit, independent double elevators, rudders, and flaps, and a cabin large enough to fit the FPV stack without creative mounting. It runs dual 2807 1300KV motors on 6S 50A ESCs, climbs to RTH capability with the F405 NAVI Dulex flight controller, and optionally adds electric retractable landing gear. At $129 for the KIT and $259 for the RTH build, the Beluga is AtomRC's multirole platform for pilots who want a bigger airframe with twin-motor redundancy.
The AtomRC Beluga is a 1270mm wingspan twin-motor FPV fixed wing with a conventional layout and cockpit-style fuselage. Wingspan is 1270mm, length 1110mm, wing area 29dm². Motors are dual 2807 1300KV; ESCs are dual BLS 6S 50A. Servos are S09M 9g metal (7 in PNP+S, 8 in RTH LG). Propeller is Gemfan 7040-3. Flight controller is F405 NAVI Dulex with INAV 7.0 preset (RTH and RTH LR only); GPS is BE220. Electric retractable landing gear available as RTH LG configuration or optional add-on. AUW with standard FPV kit is approximately 1800g. Wing has pre-embedded carbon fiber rods for torsional rigidity. Navigation lights included. Four configurations: KIT at $129 (airframe), PNP+S at $199, RTH at $259 (F405 NAVI + GPS, INAV 7.0), RTH LR at $299. Available through atomrc.com.
Pros
- Twin 2807 1300KV motors on 6S provide power redundancy and strong thrust margin for the 1270mm platform
- Independent double elevators, rudders, and flaps deliver precise full-envelope flight control
- Large fuselage cabin provides proper FPV stack housing without cramped mounting compromises
- F405 NAVI Dulex with INAV 7.0 preset in RTH/RTH LR — autonomous navigation ready out of the box
- Electric retractable landing gear available for proper wheels-up takeoff and landing
- 29dm² wing area at ~1800g AUW provides balanced wing loading across cruise speeds
- Mid-wing prop position reduces landing damage risk versus nose-mounted single motor designs
Cons
- Twin motor 6S setup requires sourcing two motors, two ESCs, and four props
- At ~1800g AUW, the Beluga needs more open space to operate than lighter fixed wings
- RTH build at $259 is significantly more expensive than the Swordfish RTH at $168
- KIT requires building out a dual-motor electronics set — more complex than single-motor platforms
- Battery not included in any configuration — 6S pack adds to total build cost
Who It's For
Good For
- FPV pilots who want twin-motor redundancy and a full-size cockpit fuselage in a fixed wing
- INAV/Arduplane builds that need a larger, more capable platform than the 1200mm Swordfish
- Pilots who want electric retractable landing gear and proper wheel-up takeoff capability
- Long-range cruising with autonomous navigation in a more payload-capable airframe
Skip If
- You want the lowest entry price — the Swordfish KIT at $85 covers basic fixed-wing INAV builds
- Your electronics stock is 4S — the Beluga's dual 6S requirement means different batteries and ESCs
- You fly in space-limited areas — 1270mm at ~1800g requires more room than the Dolphin Pro
How It Compares: AtomRC Beluga FPV Cockpit Fixed Wing vs AtomRC Swordfish Fixed-Wing FPV Plane
| Spec | AtomRC Beluga FPV Cockpit Fixed Wing | AtomRC Swordfish Fixed-Wing FPV Plane |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129–$299 | $85–$168 |
| Wingspan | 1270mm | 1200mm |
| Motor | 2807, 1300KV ×2 | 2004~2306 ×1 |
| Wing Area | 29dm² | 15.35dm² |
| Landing Gear | Electric Retractable (optional) | None |
| Flight Controller | F405 NAVI Dulex (RTH) | INAV compatible (pilot sourced) |
| Best for | Twin-motor redundancy, cockpit fuselage, retractable gear | Single-motor efficiency, lower cost, INAV navigation |
The Beluga is the twin-motor cockpit platform at $129–$299 with dual 2807 1300KV motors and a 29dm² wing. The Swordfish is the efficient single-motor cruiser at $85–$168 optimized for long-range INAV navigation at lower cost.
See AtomRC Swordfish Fixed-Wing FPV Plane →
Verified Ratings
Key Specs
| Wingspan | 1270mm |
| Length | 1110mm |
| Wing Area | 29dm² |
| Motor | 2807, 1300KV ×2 |
| ESC | BLS 6S 50A ×2 |
| Propeller | Gemfan 7040-3 |
| Servo | S09M 9g Metal ×7 (PNP+S) / ×8 (RTH LG) |
| AUW | ~1800g (with FPV kit) |
| Flight Controller | F405 NAVI Dulex (RTH/RTH LR) |
| GPS | BE220 (RTH/RTH LR) |
| Landing Gear | Electric Retractable (optional / RTH LG) |
| Firmware | INAV 7.0 (RTH/RTH LR) |
| Navigation Lights | Included |
| Construction | EPP + Carbon Fiber Rods |
In The Box
- Beluga airframe (EPP with pre-embedded carbon fiber rods)
- Navigation lights
- Wood chips, screws, and tie rod accessories
- User manual
- KIT: airframe only; PNP+S: dual motors, ESCs, servos, receiver; RTH: fully assembled with F405 NAVI Dulex and GPS (INAV 7.0 preset); RTH LR: RTH + extended range capability
Frequently Asked Questions
What flight control surfaces does the Beluga have?
The Beluga uses a conventional layout with independent double elevators (two elevator servos on the horizontal tail), rudder, and flaps — giving full three-axis control plus flap authority. This is more than a simple V-tail ruddervator setup and allows separate trim on each elevator surface. Total servo count is 7 in PNP+S and 8 in the RTH LG variant.
Does the Beluga come with a flight controller?
The F405 NAVI Dulex flight controller and BE220 GPS module are included in the RTH and RTH LR configurations, preset with INAV 7.0 for Return-to-Home and autonomous navigation. KIT and PNP+S do not include a flight controller — pilots supply their own. The INAV 7.0 preset means RTH buyers can fly autonomous modes without manual firmware configuration.
What battery does the Beluga use?
The Beluga runs on 6S power through dual BLS 6S 50A ESCs. Target all-up weight with a standard FPV kit is 1800g ±200g. Battery is not included in any variant. A 6S 3000–4000mAh pack is a typical choice, but the right capacity depends on the FPV stack weight and target flight time.
Does the Beluga have retractable landing gear?
The Beluga reserves a mounting position for electric retractable landing gear. Gear is available as the RTH LG configuration or as a $50 optional add-on to any base variant. This enables proper wheel-up takeoff and landing rather than belly operations, which is relevant for pilots using the Beluga on paved surfaces or who want cleaner launch and recovery.
How does the Beluga compare to the Swordfish?
The Beluga is the twin-motor cockpit platform at $129–$299 — 1270mm, dual 2807 1300KV motors, 29dm² wing area, optional retractable gear, F405 NAVI Dulex in RTH versions. The Swordfish is the single-motor long-range cruiser at $85–$168 — 1200mm, single 2004–2306 motor, 15.35dm² wing area, INAV/Arduplane compatible with pilot-sourced flight controller. Choose the Beluga for twin-motor redundancy, a larger cabin, and full control surface authority; choose the Swordfish for lower cost and single-motor cruising efficiency.
Verdict
The Beluga is AtomRC's fullest fixed-wing FPV platform — 1270mm twin-motor with a cockpit fuselage, full-authority control surfaces, and a clear path from KIT to fully autonomous flight. The price premium over the Swordfish is real, but the twin-motor configuration, larger cabin, and retractable gear options put it in a different class. At $129 KIT and $259 RTH, it's the choice for pilots who've outgrown single-motor efficiency platforms and need the capability that comes with a purpose-built 1270mm twin.