Getting into edf jets

[jordan1387]

I've been flying for a little over a year now, and the planes I have are a few ultra micros, a large glider and the eflite p-51. I consistently have good landings with all of them and I feel confident in my flying skills and I was wondering if you guys think I have enough experience to try an edf jet? I'm looking at getting one of the 64mm Freewing jets from motion rc. If there are any other planes you think I should be flying first then please tell me, I'm in no rush to get a jet if I'm not ready.

Also I was wondering if racers (like the rochobby voodoo p-51) would be good practice for jets because of their speed. Thanks in advance for any help!

[Sky Wolf]

RE: Getting into edf jets

Hello Jordan, and welcome to the forum. Getting into jets is a load of fun!

The biggest thing to remember about jets is that it's not the same response of thrust level that you're used to with prop planes. Meaning, there is a bit of a lag from the time you use the throttle input to actual forward movement. This is important to remember when landing.

The second thing I would say is that with many jets the roll axis is not the quite the same. Some turns have to be made somewhat wider than a prop plane. Just be careful in your turns until you get used to how the jet flies.

A great starter jet, in my opinion, is the FMS F-15. It's not a speed demon, but seems fast when it's your first jet. It's extremely forgiving and can actually crawl in on your landings. It's very stable, and is simply cool looking.

T of others that you can't go wrong with are the F-18 and the F-35, both in the 64mm size.

It's an inexpensive way to have a fun jet that you're learning jet characteristics on. You definitely don't want to get into a very fast jet first. Keep stepping up after that. 70mm, 80mm, 90mm, etc. Trust me, you'll understand why if you step up too quickly.

Again, this is my opinion, based on my personal experience, as well as what I've seen in my many pilot buddies experiences.

Hope this helps! And good luck in your next adventure. Let us know how it goes.

[Cudaguy]

RE: Getting into edf jets

Jordan, once ya go EDF ya won't go back!
I started with the Rebel 70. Less pricey batteries and flies like it's on rails. With flaps it will slow up real nice and float in for landings.
I went from that to the Super Scorpion 80mm whick is a little trickier to fly and requires the more expensive 6S batteries. But it is also a great flier. The only drawback to EDFs is the short flying time but with the Rebel I get to set the timer at 4minutes and then I drop the gear and flaps and land with enuff power left for ONE go around. This keeps the batteries at 3.7 volts per cell which will help with the longevity. The Scorpion gets a timer set at 3min 15 sec before landing sequence] using the Admiral 4000 60C and the 5000 50Cs.
Both airplanes are my goto birds and make a great hit at the field.
The Scorpion also has that great turbine whoosh on flybys unlike the Rebel which has more of a hairdryer sound.
Right now debating between the Stinger90 or the F18 for my next jet.

Happy flying you'll love EDFs!

Rich

[ryramZ]

RE: Getting into edf jets

I put together the T45 just now, WOW.

Rebel is a good choice if you want retracts and flaps right away. It's lightly loaded and still quick enough to be fun. The 64mm jets can be a blast as well. The Freewing F22 comes with either a 3s or 4s power system to suit your needs or future goals. Flies nice too!

[Sky Wolf]

RE: Getting into edf jets

I put together the T45 just now, WOW.

Rebel is a good choice if you want retracts and flaps right away. It's lightly loaded and still quick enough to be fun. The 64mm jets can be a blast as well. The Freewing F22 comes with either a 3s or 4s power system to suit your needs or future goals. Flies nice too!

Ryan, 
Sweet! I get my T-45 tomorrow (today). Was the build pretty straight forward? Any hiccups at all? Just got another build out of the way to make room for this new beauty's arrival.
When are you and Mike planning to maiden and shoot video?

[ryramZ]

RE: Getting into edf jets

The build was easy. Make sure your esc bullets are nice and tight before you put the wing on. It's easier that way. I put heat shrink on mine to help keep them together. If you don't want your nav lights to blink separate them from the wing's harnesses and put them on a y, then feed it up through the fuse and plug it into one of the solid light ports on the integrated circuit board.

We can't wait to film this one. It will be a little while as I want to get more familiar with it, and we have other projects ahead of it.

Thanks,
Ryan

[Pheonix]

RE: Getting into edf jets

The build was easy. Make sure your esc bullets are nice and tight before you put the wing on. It's easier that way. I put heat shrink on mine to help keep them together. If you don't want your nav lights to blink separate them from the wing's harnesses and put them on a y, then feed it up through the fuse and plug it into one of the solid light ports on the integrated circuit board.

We can't wait to film this one. It will be a little while as I want to get more familiar with it, and we have other projects ahead of it.

Thanks,
Ryan

Other projects? Give me a hint, please.  I am hoping mu T-45 arrives today.  I live on the West coast and it takes shipments a long time for some reason to get here.  I have ordered stuff from Hong Kong and got it in 7-days.  Oh, I know, UPS uses this route to the West coast :).

[Sky Wolf]

RE: Getting into edf jets

The build was easy. Make sure your esc bullets are nice and tight before you put the wing on. It's easier that way. I put heat shrink on mine to help keep them together. If you don't want your nav lights to blink separate them from the wing's harnesses and put them on a y, then feed it up through the fuse and plug it into one of the solid light ports on the integrated circuit board.

We can't wait to film this one. It will be a little while as I want to get more familiar with it, and we have other projects ahead of it.

Thanks,
Ryan

Ryan, after many hours fussing over the T-45's problems arming the esc, I finally went back to your first suggestion. The first time I must eyeballed the esc to motor bullet connectors. They seemed just tight and snugly. 
After exhaustive other troubleshooting I decided to go over the esc again, but this time I actually unplugged them. Voila! The esc armed immediately. 

Dang it! Could've gotten an extra 5 hours sleep last night if I had tried that earlier.

Thanks again for chiming in on the subject. Will maiden once we have cooperative winds. 

[Alpha]

RE: Getting into edf jets

Jordan, if you're looking at Freewing's 64mm jets, I personally prefer the Panther for pilots making the transition to jets. To me, it's like the Parkzone T-28 of Jets. Easy to control, pleasant to fly, cost effective to operative, and it will teach you rather than fight you. The F22 is very floaty, although hand tossing it is somewhat difficult if you don't have a wide grip. The FMS F-15 is a blast to fly, as is the RocHobby F-16, if you're open to 64mm jets from other manufacturers.

Flying the Voodoo will help acquaint you with speed, but there are still differences between jets and prop planes --throttle response and power in turns as two examples-- which are better learned on a proper EDF.

[rc4ever]

RE: Getting into edf jets

Jordan, i started out with a 4s Stinger64 and used 3s 2200mah batteries to learn the basics, then i switched to 4s after 20 flights and now i have 10 Jets anywhere from 50mm to 105mm edf units and im not looking back......the other jets mentioned here are also fine beginner jets, just wanted to add my 2 cents

[jordan1387]

RE: Getting into edf jets

I've been flying for a little over a year now, and the planes I have are a few ultra micros, a large glider and the eflite p-51. I consistently have good landings with all of them and I feel confident in my flying skills and I was wondering if you guys think I have enough experience to try an edf jet? I'm looking at getting one of the 64mm Freewing jets from motion rc. If there are any other planes you think I should be flying first then please tell me, I'm in no rush to get a jet if I'm not ready.

Also I was wondering if racers (like the rochobby voodoo p-51) would be good practice for jets because of their speed. Thanks in advance for any help!

[jordan1387]

RE: Getting into edf jets

Thanks everyone for the help! I've decided to go with the f-22 raptor for my first edf which I should be getting soon, then once I'm comfortable with it I'll get the 4s stinger 64. I'll let you all know how it goes when i get them! I should be able to get them within the next couple weeks, I just need to save some extra money

[Alpha]

RE: Getting into edf jets

Good choices, Jordan!

[jordan1387]

RE: Getting into edf jets

I got to maiden the f-22 today and it went very well! I was nervous because it was my first edf but in less than a minute into the flight I was comfortable enough to do rolls, loops, stall turns, and full speed low passes. I'm surprised at how easy it was! I flew it twice and was able to come in for a perfect landing both times. I already feel ready to try the 4s stinger 64 lol.

[Pheonix]

RE: Getting into edf jets

Congrats.  Watch out now.  The mid to big ones are next once you get the EDF bug. 

[Sky Wolf]

RE: Getting into edf jets

I got to maiden the f-22 today and it went very well! I was nervous because it was my first edf but in less than a minute into the flight I was comfortable enough to do rolls, loops, stall turns, and full speed low passes. I'm surprised at how easy it was! I flew it twice and was able to come in for a perfect landing both times. I already feel ready to try the 4s stinger 64 lol.

Jordan, that is "Awesome"! Congratulations, you're hooked now! Watch those tailwind turns on the 64mm Stinger, if you move up.

[Alpha]

RE: Getting into edf jets

I'm glad to hear you're enjoying your F-22, Jordan. If you can fly the F-22 though those series of maneuvers with consistent confidence and control, I'd think you won't have too many challenges in operating the Singer 64 successfully.

[jordan1387]

RE: Getting into edf jets

I'm glad to hear you're enjoying your F-22, Jordan. If you can fly the F-22 though those series of maneuvers with consistent confidence and control, I'd think you won't have too many challenges in operating the Singer 64 successfully.

I'll definitely fly it for a little while longer just to be sure, but I should be getting the stinger 64 by sometime next month. I'm a college student on a budget otherwise I'd be getting it sooner. I'll let you know how it goes.

[jordan1387]

RE: Getting into edf jets

I have a question about the stinger 64. I was looking through the specifications and it uses the exact same battery, esc, and motor as my f-22. Would it really be that much faster?

[jordan1387]

RE: Getting into edf jets

I got to maiden the stinger 64 today and just like with the f-22 it went very well! Only a couple clicks of trim and it flew perfectly straight. Didn't take long until I felt comfortable with it. I love it!

One question. Would the stinger 90 be a good step up? I would like to get it someday and I was wondering if that would be a good next step or if I should get an 80mm size jet first.