Official Freewing F/A-18C Hornet 90mm EDF Thread

[Carlbrainiac]

The second round is the same as the first. How could the factory change anything without feedback from the initial round, these are already on the water.

Yeah well they can swim cant they? Lol

[Pete Lane]

Lol...now with a can of Flex seal in every box !

[Pete Lane]

Still clear coating my BA . I am using a new 10 Channel Admiral with sat. On the plug and play version. Looking good so far.

[Pete Lane]

Gooniac burner.

[Pete Lane]

Gooniac EDF creations. Runs off of the 6s balance tap so no juice from the BEC or receiver.
Get yours today !

https://www.facebook.com/gooniacsrcedfcreations/

[Evan D]

Umm, you put the numbers on the wrong sides...

Still clear coating my BA . I am using a new 10 Channel Admiral with sat. On the plug and play version. Looking good so far.

[Pete Lane]

Hey Alpha....your bootys on fire !

[Pete Lane]

Good thing I posted then. Their not cleared yet
thanks ! Tail slant....check.

[Jetman64]

You can always buy cable and connectors bulk and create custom ones to your length & # of splits requirements.

That’s what I’ve been doing, you make exactly the length you need. I buy lead wire by the bundle from Hitec, it’s their heavy duty stock.

[Alpha]

We called in the flight team over the weekend to assemble and fly a dozen randomly selected F-18s. Spektrum DX9+Admiral 10ch rx, Futaba 8J+R2008 rx, FrSky X10+X8R rx. Eleven of the twelve models were flown 19-20 times, stock 6s PNP system, Admiral 6s 5000mAh. Aggressive flying. Consecutive rolls, full power dives and loops, everything we could think of. 213 flights over two days, no issues for eleven of the twelve models. Receiver function, MFCB function, servo function, structural integrity function. No problems.

However, one of the twelve models, on its 14th flight, during a full power corkscrew spinning dive straight down from ~600ft to ~100ft, had its port side plastic elevator mount lift up slightly during pulling up from the dive. Not enough to come loose, but enough to roll the aircraft over during the full up elevator pull-up to recover from the intended spinning dive. The model rolled over twice as its nose pointed upward (recovering from the dive), the pilot reduced all power, then glided back to the road for a short-field landing. After taxi back, the elevator linkage was still attached and the elevator still moved, but the mount was sloppy and had to be reglued down before its next flight.

I would not describe that flight pattern as normal --it's irresponsible. Nevertheless, we took that data point and spent this evening opening 203 F-18s at the factory trying to replicate the failure. We calculated the approximate force on that area during a pullout, then tried to pry up the elevator mount. Of the 406 elevators tested, only 2 of them were able to be pried up with between ~7lbs-8.5lbs of hand applied pressure against the elevator rod (~116oz and 133oz). This prying force applied during testing on the F-18 elevator rod is higher than the force tested on the F-14's and F-22's elevator rods, so again I would consider that above normal use.

So, data summary for this weekend's testing is: 12 newly assembled planes flown, 227 flights without any issues, 1 flight with 1 partially lifted elevator mount, 203 planes checked manually at factory, 1 elevator mount able to be manually pulled up with similar force. This is in addition to the hundreds of flights conducted during prototyping/production/destructive testing phases, which are conducted before the first shipment departs Asia.

Preliminary Result: No pattern established for physical failure points. One logged failure in 2,348 minutes of logged factory test flights. Flight testing continuing to try to replicate customer-reported crashes.

Action for existing customers: As an additional precaution, that statistically is frankly overkill based on the data so far, you might want to check your elevator mounts by gently trying to pry them up. There's a large plastic foot so I don't expect them to tear completely up. If you detect any lifting, take a photo or video and send it to the CS Team. If you can pull the mount up halfway like this with a three finger grip on the elevator rod exerting anything less than 7lbs of force, call the CS Team immediately and feel free to post here. It's a large plastic foot so a complete tear-out would likely crack the plastic. Reglue as needed.

[Pete Lane]

Service buliten for every outgoing unit.

[Alpha]

Hello guys. Offering my experience here with the F-18:
I reduced my full flap setting, and it hasn't happened since. Not sure if it didn't like the degree of flap I had set it, but it seems okay now (fingers crossed).

Hi AZFlyer, thanks for your maiden report! Regarding your flap setting, would you please post your current (good) flap setting? Also, are you slowing your flap servos?

[Pilot.Vrf201]

We called in the flight team over the weekend to assemble and fly a dozen randomly selected F-18s. Spektrum DX9+Admiral 10ch rx, Futaba 8J+R2008 rx, FrSky X10+X8R rx. Eleven of the twelve models were flown 19-20 times, stock 6s PNP system, Admiral 6s 5000mAh. Aggressive flying. Consecutive rolls, full power dives and loops, everything we could think of. 213 flights over two days, no issues for eleven of the twelve models. Receiver function, MFCB function, servo function, structural integrity function. No problems.

However, one of the twelve models, on its 14th flight, during a full power corkscrew spinning dive straight down from ~600ft to ~100ft, had its port side plastic elevator mount lift up slightly during pulling up from the dive. Not enough to come loose, but enough to roll the aircraft over during the full up elevator pull-up to recover from the intended spinning dive. The model rolled over twice as its nose pointed upward (recovering from the dive), the pilot reduced all power, then glided back to the road for a short-field landing. After taxi back, the elevator linkage was still attached and the elevator still moved, but the mount was sloppy and had to be reglued down before its next flight.

I would not describe that flight pattern as normal --it's irresponsible. Nevertheless, we took that data point and spent this evening opening 203 F-18s at the factory trying to replicate the failure. We calculated the approximate force on that area during a pullout, then tried to pry up the elevator mount. Of the 406 elevators tested, only 2 of them were able to be pried up with between ~7lbs-8.5lbs of hand applied pressure against the elevator rod (~116oz and 133oz). This prying force applied during testing on the F-18 elevator rod is higher than the force tested on the F-14's and F-22's elevator rods, so again I would consider that above normal use.

So, data summary for this weekend's testing is: 12 newly assembled planes flown, 227 flights without any issues, 1 flight with 1 partially lifted elevator mount, 203 planes checked manually at factory, 1 elevator mount able to be manually pulled up with similar force. This is in addition to the hundreds of flights conducted during prototyping/production/destructive testing phases, which are conducted before the first shipment departs Asia.

Preliminary Result: No pattern established for physical failure points. One logged failure in 2,348 minutes of logged factory test flights. Flight testing continuing to try to replicate customer-reported crashes.

Action for existing customers: As an additional precaution, that statistically is frankly overkill based on the data so far, you might want to check your elevator mounts by gently trying to pry them up. There's a large plastic foot so I don't expect them to tear completely up. If you detect any lifting, take a photo or video and send it to the CS Team. If you can pull the mount up halfway like this with a three finger grip on the elevator rod exerting anything less than 7lbs of force, call the CS Team immediately and feel free to post here. It's a large plastic foot so a complete tear-out would likely crack the plastic. Reglue as needed.

Awesome work Alpha and the whole Motion Team!

Great customer support!

[Carlbrainiac]

We called in the flight team over the weekend to assemble and fly a dozen randomly selected F-18s. Spektrum DX9+Admiral 10ch rx, Futaba 8J+R2008 rx, FrSky X10+X8R rx. Eleven of the twelve models were flown 19-20 times, stock 6s PNP system, Admiral 6s 5000mAh. Aggressive flying. Consecutive rolls, full power dives and loops, everything we could think of. 213 flights over two days, no issues for eleven of the twelve models. Receiver function, MFCB function, servo function, structural integrity function. No problems.

However, one of the twelve models, on its 14th flight, during a full power corkscrew spinning dive straight down from ~600ft to ~100ft, had its port side plastic elevator mount lift up slightly during pulling up from the dive. Not enough to come loose, but enough to roll the aircraft over during the full up elevator pull-up to recover from the intended spinning dive. The model rolled over twice as its nose pointed upward (recovering from the dive), the pilot reduced all power, then glided back to the road for a short-field landing. After taxi back, the elevator linkage was still attached and the elevator still moved, but the mount was sloppy and had to be reglued down before its next flight.

I would not describe that flight pattern as normal --it's irresponsible. Nevertheless, we took that data point and spent this evening opening 203 F-18s at the factory trying to replicate the failure. We calculated the approximate force on that area during a pullout, then tried to pry up the elevator mount. Of the 406 elevators tested, only 2 of them were able to be pried up with between ~7lbs-8.5lbs of hand applied pressure against the elevator rod (~116oz and 133oz). This prying force applied during testing on the F-18 elevator rod is higher than the force tested on the F-14's and F-22's elevator rods, so again I would consider that above normal use.

So, data summary for this weekend's testing is: 12 newly assembled planes flown, 227 flights without any issues, 1 flight with 1 partially lifted elevator mount, 203 planes checked manually at factory, 1 elevator mount able to be manually pulled up with similar force. This is in addition to the hundreds of flights conducted during prototyping/production/destructive testing phases, which are conducted before the first shipment departs Asia.

Preliminary Result: No pattern established for physical failure points. One logged failure in 2,348 minutes of logged factory test flights. Flight testing continuing to try to replicate customer-reported crashes.

Action for existing customers: As an additional precaution, that statistically is frankly overkill based on the data so far, you might want to check your elevator mounts by gently trying to pry them up. There's a large plastic foot so I don't expect them to tear completely up. If you detect any lifting, take a photo or video and send it to the CS Team. If you can pull the mount up halfway like this with a three finger grip on the elevator rod exerting anything less than 7lbs of force, call the CS Team immediately and feel free to post here. It's a large plastic foot so a complete tear-out would likely crack the plastic. Reglue as needed.

Sweet now you can ship one of the good ones out to me £100 off second hand 👍 lol

[Dannythiessen2@gmail.com]

Wow I missed alot over the weekend so far I have 4 freewing models I have never had a single issue so far I've all run spectrum receivers and dx8 gen2 controller I've had 2 flight with my F18 so far amazing slowed my Flaps down to 6 second deployment I landed it so smoothly you couldn't even hear the touchdown

[Evan D]

I agree. I was told I should fly for Motion since my landings are slower and smoother than their pilots. Had to explain they do not have any paid professional pilots and I do have more experience than most.

Wow I missed alot over the weekend so far I have 4 freewing models I have never had a single issue so far I've all run spectrum receivers and dx8 gen2 controller I've had 2 flight with my F18 so far amazing slowed my Flaps down to 6 second deployment I landed it so smoothly you couldn't even hear the touchdown

[Bobaroo]

Wow I missed alot over the weekend so far I have 4 freewing models I have never had a single issue so far I've all run spectrum receivers and dx8 gen2 controller I've had 2 flight with my F18 so far amazing slowed my Flaps down to 6 second deployment I landed it so smoothly you couldn't even hear the touchdown

But I bet you heard that Clanky Roll-Out !! I try to Eliminate that Clinky Rattling Plastic sound on mine. Every Time I manage get them quieted, they just Roll' on Forever !! And Brakes are 'Heavy... Brass Bushings on the Axels work but keeping them Lubed and Quiet is a Pain !!

[Bobaroo]

I agree. I was told I should fly for Motion since my landings are slower and smoother than their pilots. Had to explain they do not have any paid professional pilots and I do have more experience than most.

But could you be happy and more importantly, 'Comfortable' flying one of these Jets completely 'Stock' ?? 'I'mJustSayin' Most of the more successful Flight' reports here are coming from Dudes that have spent a considerable investment in Modding their new Hornets. Tightening them up considerably seems to be the only way to go with these.

[Dannythiessen2@gmail.com]

I agree. I was told I should fly for Motion since my landings are slower and smoother than their pilots. Had to explain they do not have any paid professional pilots and I do have more experience than most.

Haha yeah we should get ourselves hired there that'd be my dream job hahh

[TiredIronGRB]

But could you be happy and more importantly, 'Comfortable' flying one of these Jets completely 'Stock' ?? 'I'mJustSayin' Most of the more successful Flight' reports here are coming from Dudes that have spent a considerable investment in Modding their new Hornets. Tightening them up considerably seems to be the only way to go with these.

The stock Blue Angel we had at Joe Nall has close to 400 flights on it now, half of which were in China ;)