Thrust Vectoring

[MCO3024]

Doing some advanced planning for planes down the road. I've gone through trainers to war birds and am now flying my first EDF.

In looking at possible planes to buy in the future, the thrust vectoring thing seems daunting. So two questions. 1) if a plane has it, do you HAVE to use it? 2) Does Thrust Vectoring add to the difficulty and complexity of flying?

[xviper]

No, you don't have to use it. Just don't hook them up or do a mix and put the vectoring on a switch to activate or deactivate. You can also put the vectors on separate channels and dial down the response using mixes so they don't intervene as much. There are generally 2 vectors (or 2 directions) that the nozzles can move in. One is UP/DOWN and that works in consort with the elevator. If the plane has 2 moving nozzles, then you can mix to have both elevator and aileron coordination. The other vector is rudder and whether there be one or two nozzles, they both move LEFT/RIGHT.
All the vector nozzles do is to accentuate the ELE, AIL and RUD action of the plane. Because thrust goes through the nozzles, these control actions can have effect even when there is not enough airflow across the usual control surfaces for those to work. Vector nozzles are great for doing low airflow aerobatics like looping very tight circles, yaw control for spins and low airspeed flying or when there is no normal rudder (like in "bank and yank" planes). This allows the plane to "dog track" in cross wind flying (landing). The advent of vector nozzles has allowed EDFs to do 3D flying.
Here's a semi-professional vid a buddy of mine made of my Mig 29. Without thrust vectoring, some of these maneuvers couldn't be done on an EDF.

[Kloverzero]

Thrust vectoring enables the airplane to perform 3D maneuvers such as hovers, harriers, and flat spins. It is optional to use. The nozzles have datum marks on them, and can be cemented in a zero/zero thrust line. The programing is advanced to hook up, and you require two to three spare channels in order to do the mixing. We have a video on the website in the RC Blog section where Pilot Ryan will walk you through the set up on a Spektrum system. I am currently flying the F-35 Version II with the thrust vectoring hooked up, and I have to tell you, it is a ton of fun.

[MCO3024]

Thank you for the input. It seems less daunting now. Its also nice to know I can get a plane, not use it, then add it when I'm more comfortable/advanced.

[Evoman]

What EDF are you considering as your first?
I would only consider getting a plane with thrust vectoring if the real life plane was designed with it in mind like the SU-30 family variants or the F-22.
I am personally looking at the Freewing 80mm F-86 Sabre as my first EDF as it seems to be the best option for newbies because of its great stability and ease to fly.

[Evoman]

Here is a great video I had seen of an RC turbine powered Su-30 with thrust vectoring. It really shows how similar it performs like its real life counter part.

[MCO3024]

What EDF are you considering as your first?
I would only consider getting a plane with thrust vectoring if the real life plane was designed with it in mind like the SU-30 family variants or the F-22.
I am personally looking at the Freewing 80mm F-86 Sabre as my first EDF as it seems to be the best option for newbies because of its great stability and ease to fly.

I have a 70mm F-18 because it came with a radio I bought used. It in pretty rough shape, but its a good edf I can learn on without risking too much. I'm trying to decide what my first new purchase EDF will be.