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

[Aros]

When you get ready for your next and best F18, let me know, I'll give you all the settings and trims that will make your sorties a blast. Also, I'm balanced about 15mm behind manual so with a very active gyro it lands so easily.

The heck with Like...Where's our dang LOVE button!

Wait, don't answer that.

[f4u ausie]

In your telemetry screens after your flight you should be able to scroll over to one that shows Frame Losses and Holds. The IX14 has it and my old DX9 (and maybe my real old DX6) did, so I'm fairly certain
the DX 7 does. That should be basic information. I program alerts for holds (which is a complete loss of signal) and frame losses over 10. Frame losses are not as severe and I was told 50-100 in a 5 minute flight was OK. My older AR636 RX's used to get 100 to 150 on some EDF's, satellites helped, but now exclusively using the AR637T & 8 &10 channel AS3X with satellite's in all jets and most have 0 of each, my F18 had 1 frame loss after 6 minutes (but I think that happened on the ground when checking gains). Used to use RF chokes to eliminate ESC and battery cable interferance, which helped, but haven't had to with the newer RX's.

Thanx hugh so much 4 ya time and effort.. i will have a look.. im keen to see how many i have. Maybe i should not look might scare me,, the amount i get... lol... and thanx 4 info on avanti 90.. looks awsome as always

[Airguardian]

Yikes!

[Elbee]

Great aerial videography, How are you recording these amazing vids?

[skyhawknut]

Hi Guys,
Could someone please measure the length and width of the NLG bay, and also measure the distance from where the strut enters the retract and the end of the MLG bay please?
I have some idea I want to try for a scale gear.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Got my 2nd F18 out for the first time with the upgraded RX to Plus, and it flies just as well as the other I've been testing with Plus. Been holding this one off a while until I started feeling more comfortable with the airframe and mostly flew my F18 Canadian. But after about 45 flights, still wasn't confident until I upgraded the RX to Plus. The key is keeping the YAW gains down around 10% as the Plus is more active and smoother than non-plus. It's now probably the best flying EDF I have, along with the Mig on Plus.

This airframe is inherently unstable and it exhibited that behavior on the older AR637T without plus, but wasn't too bad, just a little exciting to fly and an adventure to land. It was like the aircraft was in command and I was trying to keep up with it. Landings were never consistent, some good, some not so. With Plus, it's totally in my command, takes off super smooth, flies absolutely rock solid and does whatever I command it to, and the landings are something to behold. After some 30-40 flights/landings with EDF's on Plus, I'm now completely at ease with landing. Absolutely stable, with the nose up about 10-15 degrees, slows without any wing drops and lands so smooth the other pilots at the field that know me are convinced I've been replaced by a terrorist spy and have called the FBI. The included pack voltage wires and telemetry are also a huge benefit as I know exactly what my flight pack voltage is when flying and don't have to rely on the pre set timer, but it's still a basic guide.

If you have any of the AR637T, 8 or 10 channel ones, you absolutely must upgrade to plus. Wind/no wind/crosswind/gusty wind, no problem, it just keeps up with anything. And the nice thing about an "easy" flying and landing F18 is that it is incredibly maneuverable and with the 12 blade fan and a HiV SMC pack, it's lighter and quicker that other EDF's. And Aros you gotta get another F18 and put that RX in, you will be flabergasted on easy it makes this fly. And if you don't like it, I guarantee I'll buy it back from you a cost (unless you continue to shoot

[Aros]

Dang Hugh Wiedman you definitely have me sold! I can't wait to grab a new one with that plus RX and report back. Stay tuned!

[jetpltrich]

With all the hype focused on the SR-71, I went the opposite direction and purchased the F-18… AGAIN. My stepson, LtCol Jesse McGough, gave me a tour of a VMFA-112 F-18, and a simulator flight. I was back into the purchase of an F-18, I had to give it another try.

My attempts in the past with the F-18 were painful and excruciating failures. Crash after crash after crash, I finally gave up on the airframe. Simply put, the airframe is inherently unstable, and my experience level with EDF's at the time along with the gyro’s then weren’t up to the task.

Reading Hugh’s success with the Spektrum Plus Receiver in the F-18 gave me the courage to give the airframe another try. I messaged Hugh and did some research and gathered some technical data. I pulled the trigger and purchased the airframe, receiver, and GPS.

With the airframe all together (I even painted the gear white) and the transmitter/receiver all configured, she was ready to go, but I wasn’t. My memories of the experience with the previous F-18’s were still fresh in my mind and I was self delaying the flight. That didn’t sit well with Jesse, he was asking if I’d flown it yet. So I gathered up the courage yesterday and drove out to the abandoned airport near me. The runway surface is in horrible condition but for a maiden I wanted to be at a good spot away from anything should issues occur.

I was blown away how rock solid the flight went, nothing like the previous airframe. The only issue I ran up against was gyro wobble on the roll axis at 110mph. I landed and reduced the gain by 10% and went back up. Landing the plane was a true pleasure, a slight nose high attitude and speed of around 40mph, absolutely zero gotchas. I was super pleased and excited. I later took the plane out to the airport where I keep my Cessna 180 and flew off the super smooth surface of the runway and put the plane through some aerobatic maneuvers. Super tight turns exhibited the characteristics of the real F-18 with the skidding through the turn. That Spektrum receiver does wonders for the airframe.

I have nobody to take video for me so bare with the poor quality.

F-18 Version 2 maiden with Spektrum plus RX

[Aros]

With all the hype focused on the SR-71, I went the opposite direction and purchased the F-18… AGAIN. My stepson, LtCol Jesse McGough, gave me a tour of a VMFA-112 F-18, and a simulator flight. I was back into the purchase of an F-18, I had to give it another try.

My attempts in the past with the F-18 were painful and excruciating failures. Crash after crash after crash, I finally gave up on the airframe. Simply put, the airframe is inherently unstable, and my experience level with EDF's at the time along with the gyro’s then weren’t up to the task.

Reading Hugh’s success with the Spektrum Plus Receiver in the F-18 gave me the courage to give the airframe another try. I messaged Hugh and did some research and gathered some technical data. I pulled the trigger and purchased the airframe, receiver, and GPS.

With the airframe all together (I even painted the gear white) and the transmitter/receiver all configured, she was ready to go, but I wasn’t. My memories of the experience with the previous F-18’s were still fresh in my mind and I was self delaying the flight. That didn’t sit well with Jesse, he was asking if I’d flown it yet. So I gathered up the courage yesterday and drove out to the abandoned airport near me. The runway surface is in horrible condition but for a maiden I wanted to be at a good spot away from anything should issues occur.

I was blown away how rock solid the flight went, nothing like the previous airframe. The only issue I ran up against was gyro wobble on the roll axis at 110mph. I landed and reduced the gain by 10% and went back up. Landing the plane was a true pleasure, a slight nose high attitude and speed of around 40mph, absolutely zero gotchas. I was super pleased and excited. I later took the plane out to the airport where I keep my Cessna 180 and flew off the super smooth surface of the runway and put the plane through some aerobatic maneuvers. Super tight turns exhibited the characteristics of the real F-18 with the skidding through the turn. That Spektrum receiver does wonders for the airframe.

I have nobody to take video for me so bare with the poor quality.

F-18 Version 2 maiden with Spektrum plus RX

Man, this warms my heart. Like you, I was snake bitten by this model for years. You have officially given me the courage to try once again, and I will absolutely use that Spektrum Plus RX! Hugh has been an unbelievable resource for many, including myself. That video shows how it SHOULD fly and land! My experience is that the model was so inherently unstable in flight and landing, I could never quite figure it out.

What's the shopping list exactly?

[jetpltrich]

Man, this warms my heart. Like you, I was snake bitten by this model for years. You have officially given me the courage to try once again, and I will absolutely use that Spektrum Plus RX! Hugh has been an unbelievable resource for many, including myself. That video shows how it SHOULD fly and land! My experience is that the model was so inherently unstable in flight and landing, I could never quite figure it out.

What's the shopping list exactly?

Yes sir, don't hesitate. The Spektrum Plus receiver makes this airframe fly right. Like you I had lost confidence in the plane and my ability to fly it, I wasn't going to try. However, reading Hugh's success with the Plus receiver changed my mind and the plane flies so much better.

I fly ALL my planes with GPS speed (would like airspeed instead) and have the TX setup to transmit speed every 5 seconds. Retiring from the airlines and flying piston poppers to corporate jets to airliners, I have found that speed is a very important tool for the proper approach speed and situational awareness. I think that translate to flying RC aircraft as well especially EDF's. So many times, I see fast approaches which end up in disaster. When my stepson was gifted an F-86 this past Christmas I brought in my then, now his, T-33 and let him fly it. His skill level is top notch and the first thing he said to me was knowing the speed really helps. So, in cruise I just let her rip trying not to go below 75mph. Downwind I slow to 60mph and start configuring, you'll note a rapid reduction in speed, 50mph. I keep that speed until I line up for final and put landing flaps in. She slows to 40mph and that's where I keep it, roughly 30% power. Yesterday during the flare, the left wing started a stall and the Plus receiver input almost full aileron to correct and the left main settled down and the plane landed uneventfully. The speed during that event was 30mph so it looks like I'm really close to approach speed. 40mph to touchdown is what I aim for. If that had happed without the Plus it would've been another crash.

Nosewheel gyro! trust me when I tell you nosewheel gyro on this airframe is a must! The Plus has a nosewheel gyro in it though I'm using the Assan AG-61. I will eventually configure the Plus nosewheel gyro. A fast turn with this airframe will tip the airplane up on its wing, slow turn during taxi and do not use nosewheel steering to slow down after landing, it will be a disaster with this airframe. This brings up thrust reverse. A few of my planes have thrust reverse, the F-16 does and it's all noise no stopping. With the F-18 thrust reverse is very effective, she slows down very good. Be careful when to engage so you don't blow blades everywhere.

Let me see if I can copy those gyros gain setting in Hugh's message.

Flaps UP Gains: 45/55/10 (R/P/Y)
Take off Flaps: 50/60/10
Landing Flaps: 60/70/10

Those are the settings Hugh is using, and I really like them. Three different gain settings based on flap selection. Basically, cruise not so much, takeoff flaps more, landing flaps more. I've had roll axis wobble during cruise and have had to reduce gain, each plane will be different. That said that is the only change I've made from Hugh's settings. A good start.

If I think of anything else, I definitely post it. Questions welcome.

Richard

[Aros]

Fantastic, thank you!!

[jetpltrich]

Fantastic, thank you!!

I went out to the airport and got some more footage. It's just me with an old GoPro on my head and though the aircraft looks far away it's a lot closer than it appears. I really wish I had someone to film this so please bare with me. While I was flying an aircraft radioed on the unicom his intent to land. My agreement with the airport is A/C have priority, and I will have a radio. I did an abrupt chopping of the power, pitched up to shed airspeed, dumped everything and landed. Once he was on the ground I resumed flying. The final landing would've never have been possible without the Plus receiver.

video link
March 1, 2025

Link to shopping list:

Freewing F/A-18C Hornet "Gray Diamonds" High Performance 90mm EDF Jet - PNP [FJ31424P] Motion RC
Spektrum NX8+ 20-Channel DSMX Transmitter Only | Horizon Hobby
Spektrum AR8360T+ DSMX 8-Channel AS3X+ & SAFE Telemetry Receiver | Horizon Hobby
Spektrum GPS Telemetry Sensor | Horizon Hobby

[nuts-n-volts]

The Spektrum Plus is a great gyro for this bird as well as anything else really. The Plus or the Assan Nose Gear Gyro is a must for any narrow main gear. They both work great, taming the beast. Here's another little trick I've been using for almost 10 years now...

When taking off or landing, you really don't need a bunch of steering input. In fact, almost none! You also don't ever push down elevator, or need to, while taking off or landing, unless you have brakes. However, this program can work with brakes too. First, I make a switch out of the elevator stick in "Analog Switch Settings". You want it to turn on Taxi Steering when you push elevator forward at 10% down, or your preference. Anywhere behind this point or at Elevator Neutral or UP, the NGS is minimal to help keep you straight down the runway. This Elevator Switch, the Gear channel, and the Rotary Knob will control TO/Landing Steering, Taxi Steering, and NGS Trim. The Switch Positions I quote are for example. Yours may differ, but are probably the same. Obviously, check mix + and - values, each side, to to get your directions correct.

Analog Switch Setup: Highlight the first % block (Pos 0-1) of the Elevator. Move the Elevator forward until this changes to 10%. While holding steady, click it to save. You should now see Pos 0 highlight in any mix whenever you move Down Elevator Switch past 10%. Pos 1 and 2 highlight when the Elevator Stick is behind this value.
Mix#1 for NGS Taxi: Rudder to NGS at 100%(or preference). Combo Switch: Gear Down (Pos 0) is ON - AND - Elevator slightly down (Pos 0) is ON.
Mix#2 for NGS TO/LND: Rudder to NGS at ~30%(or preference). Combo Switch: Gear Down (Pos 0) is ON - AND - Elevator (neutral or UP) less than 10% down (Pos 1 and 2) is ON.
Mix#3 for NGS Trim: Rotary Knob to NGS at ~25%(or preference). Switch: Gear Down (Pos 0)

When you first taxi out, check your NGS Trim with the Rotary Knob. You could also put this control on a digital trimmer to save the position from plane to plane, but I find that the mechanical connection on any plane is subject to the terrain. They almost always need to be trimmed from flight to flight anyway. While rolling out this first time, remember, your NGS at Neutral Elevator will be very small and only give you enough motion to gently go from side to side down the runway.

Pushing 10% down Elevator will give you Taxi Steering. It should be set just enough to get turned around on the runway and lined up or whatever you need for your flightline/pits. It is like riding a bike after one uses it a few times. I put it on every a/c I own. The cool thing is that it also gives another feature. Pushing down elevator to turn around at slow speed "plants" the nose gear, making it more effective. It's only used at very low speed for taxing. Note: One could also create a mix for Brakes to come on AFTER this mix. In other words, pushing further Down Elevator to activate brakes.

You can fine tune TO/LND Steering Travel with its mix, however you need it. I keep it very small. Max travel should only be enough to feel the runway at speed. Any more and a/c can dip a wing. It does a magnificent job keeping you right down the centerline. The Rudder is unaffected during any of these mixes and swings at full travel as long as you have the NGS on a separate channel. If not, this program will still function for you. In this setup, the Rudder will travel less when taking off and landing. It will resume full travel with the gear up.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Aros jetpltrich nuts-n-volts

So happy you're enjoying the F18 with Plus. I agree that possibly since the airframe is so inherently unstable, the RC model would be a to fly, and both of mine were. Since I spent weeks redoing each ones livery, and loved the result, I was severely disappointed in my ability to enjoy flying them (even with the Ar637T AS3X). They both turned into hangar queens until I came upon Plus. Now I look like a semi competent pilot even with the F18 and it's a blast to fly.

I converted all my aircraft (military jets/props/3D) to plus and it significantly enhanced each one, especially with landing. My Mig/SU/F4 etc are now incredibly easy to fly and land. No more fly for an hour, repair for a week.

Spektrum initiated the Plus enhancements to compete with the "Gold" standard gyro: Cortex. All turbine and expensive gas Modelers tend to use Cortex, but that's a $350+ investment, a small fraction of the overall cost. So the AR637T/8/10 are more in our pocket book.

[Aros]

Hugh Wiedman Behold fine sir! For I have the key to unlock this girl's mysteries in hand!

[Elbee]

[QUOTE=Aros;n421977]Hugh Wiedman Behold fine sir! For I have the key to unlock this girl's mysteries in hand! :laughing[/QUOTE

Ahh, is there anything more beautiful than a 'mysterious woman'? I think not. Best, LB

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hugh Wiedman Behold fine sir! For I have the key to unlock this girl's mysteries in hand!

Way to go. I also put a satellite RX in, just to be safe, although maybe not necessary. If you nee the gains I set up, let me know. jetpltrich has refined my gains even better, so don't hesitate to copy. Additionally don't forget to set up the in-flight battery voltage telemetry using the included wires, plugged into the RX and all you need is to splice the red + to the battery cable (- black is already wired into the RX). And try getting all the wires and the RX under the battery tray for a nice, clean set-up. I'm balanced around 100mm back, gear down.

Tally Ho!

And Elbee, it seems all women are mysterious to me!!

[Aros]

Way to go. I also put a satellite RX in, just to be safe, although maybe not necessary. If you nee the gains I set up, let me know. jetpltrich has refined my gains even better, so don't hesitate to copy. Additionally don't forget to set up the in-flight battery voltage telemetry using the included wires, plugged into the RX and all you need is to splice the red + to the battery cable (- black is already wired into the RX). And try getting all the wires and the RX under the battery tray for a nice, clean set-up. I'm balanced around 100mm back, gear down.

Tally Ho!

And Elbee, it seems all women are mysterious to me!!

Absolutely will take you up on the gains!

You lost me on the wires. Is that a soldering thing? Sorry but my electrical ineptitude is showing.

[jetpltrich]

Absolutely will take you up on the gains!

You lost me on the wires. Is that a soldering thing? Sorry but my electrical ineptitude is showing.

I took Hugh's suggestion and tied the Gains to the flaps switch. With it on the flaps switch you'll have three settings, and the gains tightens up with full flaps and with flaps up not so much. I found with Hugh's flaps up gain setting I was getting aileron wobble so I reduce that gain down to 28% and it stopped, I first start with 35% then lower. With Takeoff and Landing flaps settings I increased the rudder gain an additional 10% to 20%.

Flaps UP Gains: 28/55/10 (R/P/Y)
Take off Flaps: 50/60/20
Landing Flaps: 60/70/20

As far as the wires you can unscrew the battery floor and put the RX below it. This will clean everything up. However, I didn't do that because I want to have access to the RX for a future configuration to Full span flaps and Tailerons plus I switch the GPS from plane to plane. If anyone has the configuration setup for the Full span flaps and Tailerons for the F-18 let me know.

Richard

[Hugh Wiedman]

Absolutely will take you up on the gains!

You lost me on the wires. Is that a soldering thing? Sorry but my electrical ineptitude is showing.

As jetpltrich stated, not a soldering thing. Just remove the battery tray and put everything including the RX under there, although Richard has a good reason to not put the RX under.

Jandro suggested it to me first a couple years ago and now I do it on everything, including the Mig 29 which REALLY cleaned those rats nest up.

See below picture:

[Hugh Wiedman]

Sorry, don't know why it posted twice or how to delete one, just severely disabled when it comes to anything newer than a rotary phone or Cobalt programming!

The battery bay of my other F18 and the Mig 29. Nice to have open areas to install the batteries. All you need is a hydraulic press to squeeze everything under the floor boards. The Mig has an AR10360T RX, along with all the TV wires and RC Geek AB wires and controller, all below deck, so with a will there is a way.





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