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

[f4u ausie]

Hugh just put the 1500 kV fms 8s in my f4.. the 454 is now a 500 cuber.
Same flight time and weight etc.. 2 flights so far

[Aros]

You got some real beauties there Hugh Wiedman. Mine is all ready for the re-maiden...You up for a phone chat later this week to walk me through my final gyro setting checks? Would be a huge help!

[jetpltrich]

You got some real beauties there Hugh Wiedman. Mine is all ready for the re-maiden...You up for a phone chat later this week to walk me through my final gyro setting checks? Would be a huge help!

Looking forward to a review of your maiden.

Rich

[Hugh Wiedman]

You got some real beauties there Hugh Wiedman. Mine is all ready for the re-maiden...You up for a phone chat later this week to walk me through my final gyro setting checks? Would be a huge help!

Absolutely, as they say, "If at First You Don't Succeed, Try Try Again"! A motto to live by in this hobby.

[Aros]

The drama continues.

Took off from a lovely paved runway and instantly upon rotation she torque rolled into some trees. I had no control. Luckily this bird has 9 lives apparently as she once again survived crashing into the woods without hardly a scratch.

Upon retrieval the left servo was jittering like crazy without any inputs. I don’t know if it’s a bad servo causing the uncontrollability or not. The onboard footage doesn’t show any violent flutter but it does show the left aileron trying to roll left without any ability to do so.

Finally, I can’t figure out why my iPhone ground footage shows up so tiny on the YouTube video. I use Adobe Premiere but can’t seem to fix the issue. If anyone has any ideas I’d appreciate it!

[xviper]

Are you using a gyro? Did you check that the gyro response for AIL was in the proper direction?
Hard to tell from the video but are your flaps even? It almost looks like the the left flap was down more than the right flap.
The left AIL jitter may have been a result of the impact with the tree. Could have stripped a few gear teeth which prevents it from centering.
When I do a hat cam video with my Iphone, I put it on 2x magnification. I make sure the picture is centered in the frame by checking on my Iwatch. I also load the video directly to YouTube from the phone and do any editing on YouTube.

[f4u ausie]

The drama continues.

Took off from a lovely paved runway and instantly upon rotation she torque rolled into some trees. I had no control. Luckily this bird has 9 lives apparently as she once again survived crashing into the woods without hardly a scratch.

Upon retrieval the left servo was jittering like crazy without any inputs. I don’t know if it’s a bad servo causing the uncontrollability or not. The onboard footage doesn’t show any violent flutter but it does show the left aileron trying to roll left without any ability to do so.

Finally, I can’t figure out why my iPhone ground footage shows up so tiny on the YouTube video. I use Adobe Premiere but can’t seem to fix the issue. If anyone has any ideas I’d appreciate it!

Just watched it todd. Boy theres some poisen or something in that foam.. just does not want to fly.. bad luck.. surely its a setup thing.. gota keep trying.. off in an hour 4 my day of reckoning(f16 maiden). Will let yas no

[Elbee]

The drama continues.

Took off from a lovely paved runway and instantly upon rotation...

]

Aros,

You, Sir, dare I even write it; seem to be cursed.

Have you angered any local indigenous peoples of ancient lineage?

If so, it is my understanding that there is a ritual that will end their curse, but only if one has the proper attire and coinage.

Just sayin'...

Best, LB

[Aros]

Are you using a gyro? Did you check that the gyro response for AIL was in the proper direction?
Hard to tell from the video but are your flaps even? It almost looks like the the left flap was down more than the right flap.
The left AIL jitter may have been a result of the impact with the tree. Could have stripped a few gear teeth which prevents it from centering.
When I do a hat cam video with my Iphone, I put it on 2x magnification. I make sure the picture is centered in the frame by checking on my Iwatch. I also load the video directly to YouTube from the phone and do any editing on YouTube.

Yes I am using the AS3X receiver/gyro that Hugh has had great success with. In fact we walked through the calibration together just the other day. Everything looks fine. Gyro is moving the controls in the right direction, all settings are where they should be.

The flaps were in the full up position and I don’t see any discrepancies with one being down more than the other. At least not in any real measurable way I can tell.

I think you’re right. The servo jitter was probably due to the impact. I never saw it do that before then.

Thanks for the video info, I’ll try that next time!

Appreciate the comments.

[Aros]

Aros,

You, Sir, dare I even write it; seem to be cursed.

Have you angered any local indigenous peoples of ancient lineage?

If so, it is my understanding that there is a ritual that will end their curse, but only if one has the proper attire and coinage.

Just sayin'...

Best, LB

I KNEW I FORGOT SOMETHING!!!!

[xviper]

If it's any consolation (and I'm sure it isn't), my 80mm A-10 V2 did what your F-18 did - rolled right just after take off and took a dirt nap, broke the nose off at the wing's leading edge. Still can't explain it. Flew well all season up till that point. New fuse came a couple days ago awaiting surgery.

[Aros]

If it's any consolation (and I'm sure it isn't), my 80mm A-10 V2 did what your F-18 did - rolled right just after take off and took a dirt nap, broke the nose off at the wing's leading edge. Still can't explain it. Flew well all season up till that point. New fuse came a couple days ago awaiting surgery.

I’ve flown long enough to know sometimes there’s just damn gremlins in this hobby of ours. Not everything can be chalked up to Dumb Thumbs.

[Hugh Wiedman]

The drama continues.

Took off from a lovely paved runway and instantly upon rotation she torque rolled into some trees. I had no control. Luckily this bird has 9 lives apparently as she once again survived crashing into the woods without hardly a scratch.

Upon retrieval the left servo was jittering like crazy without any inputs. I don’t know if it’s a bad servo causing the uncontrollability or not. The onboard footage doesn’t show any violent flutter but it does show the left aileron trying to roll left without any ability to do so.

Finally, I can’t figure out why my iPhone ground footage shows up so tiny on the YouTube video. I use Adobe Premiere but can’t seem to fix the issue. If anyone has any ideas I’d appreciate it!

I really just don't get it! Can't see anything in the onboard video, other than you trying to correct the roll right with left aileron. Although I really don't see anything from the crash that would damage that left aileron servo causing the insane jittering. As I said in my text to you after you informed me of the crash, I think you should make a claim with that rouge outfit that sold you this plane. I do believe I've solved the issue though. Since it is a well know fact that the F18 Blue Angel is your dream machine, someone in payroll at MRC (who mysteriously got a raise), most likely named "Karen", has figured out a way to get back all or a lot of the funds they send your way. She has instructed the warehouse to select "special" unflyable F18 Blue Angels and mark them FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF TODD B! You've gone through at least 10 of those, so the only question left is how many are still marked "Special"! You may need a proxy or undercover agent to start "buying" anything more at MRC!

Seriously though, if the problem is the gyro, you can dial it off and at least take off and fly it, then slowly dial in the gyro if all goes well. At least you can determine if it is the RX, but I have to say, I just really don't think it is. A wayward servo makes so much more sense.

[DCORSAIR]

I’ve flown long enough to know sometimes there’s just damn gremlins in this hobby of ours. Not everything can be chalked up to Dumb Thumbs.

Wow Aros, you don't have any luck with those F-18's that's for sure. I remember when they first came out a few years ago and I bought one of each livery, well both of mine almost crashed for no reason that I could find, using no gyros either so I will never know on that but I did replace the elevator servos after finding out some kits had sliced wires on the servos and both of mine had that issue. I replaced the servos and still had issues after that even, I sold both of them and never plan to get another one of those goofy jets, you may have to do the same and just forget the F-18...

[jetpltrich]

The drama continues.

Took off from a lovely paved runway and instantly upon rotation she torque rolled into some trees. I had no control. Luckily this bird has 9 lives apparently as she once again survived crashing into the woods without hardly a scratch.

Upon retrieval the left servo was jittering like crazy without any inputs. I don’t know if it’s a bad servo causing the uncontrollability or not. The onboard footage doesn’t show any violent flutter but it does show the left aileron trying to roll left without any ability to do so.

Finally, I can’t figure out why my iPhone ground footage shows up so tiny on the YouTube video. I use Adobe Premiere but can’t seem to fix the issue. If anyone has any ideas I’d appreciate it!

Hum, confusing. I've attached a video of my Artic Splinter F-18 and on the very first takeoff you'll note she takes a slight right bank after takeoff. I've looked the flaps and ailerons and there is such a super tiny difference between the left and right flaps that one would think it doesn't make a difference, but it does. I've tried adjustments but she either rolls the opposite way or makes it worse. My solution is 20 left aileron clicks left for takeoff and landing and 10 clicks to the right for a clean airframe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dnGzpgJZFo

My Gray F-18 had some hangar rash, and I decided to put a new Spectrum Plus RX in it and can make a video of the RX setup. This way you can see how I do it and maybe we can track down the issue.

Rich

[Aros]

Thanks for the input gents.

Chatting with Hugh in PM, I think he’s on to something. I likely rotated too soon which put her into a stall situation. I did this because I am nervous flying on an active runway (even with permission) so I was standing at the threshold versus somewhere in the middle. I didn’t want it to get too far away from me which is why I rotated a bit sooner than I might normally have.

Once I replace the left servo I am going to try again and this time extend the takeoff roll plenty so the rotation will be at optimum speed. Now if it acts wonky and crashes again? Then I will be convinced this particular model has gremlins.

Stay tuned!

[Hugh Wiedman]

Aros, when is the re-re-remaiden of your Blue Angel? I need to Mark it on my calendar as the "Aros Liberation & Excising of Demons Day"! I just finished installing a 12 blade 8S fan in one of mine, so looking forward to trying out my new "Super Hornet"

[Aros]

Aros, when is the re-re-remaiden of your Blue Angel? I need to Mark it on my calendar as the "Aros Liberation & Excising of Demons Day"! I just finished installing a 12 blade 8S fan in one of mine, so looking forward to trying out my new "Super Hornet"

Well my friend I am just waiting on that replacement left servo and then she’s back in business for a THIRD (re-)maiden attempt. Holy capers Batman, this model has proven to give me more fits than the LX SR-71 Blackbird did back in the day!

Weather looks decent so perhaps sometime later this week. I’ll post the results here first, good, bad or ugly!

Would love to hear the results of your 8S setup!

[Hugh Wiedman]

Well my friend I am just waiting on that replacement left servo and then she’s back in business for a THIRD (re-)maiden attempt. Holy capers Batman, this model has proven to give me more fits than the LX SR-71 Blackbird did back in the day!

Weather looks decent so perhaps sometime later this week. I’ll post the results here first, good, bad or ugly!

Would love to hear the results of your 8S setup!

Sounds Good, looking forward to your guaranteed successful mission, just let it power down the runway until it essentially starts to lift off with virtually minimal up elevator! I'm going to try to get out Thursday morning and try the 8S setup, as the afternoon is more rain. It's been raining the last week and it's forecasted to rain every day for the next 2 weeks, so the prognosis ain't great. Damn, you'd think I was living in London or the Pacific Northwest Coast!

[Aros]

I resemble that remark!