EFlite F-18 Landing Gear

[AZFlyer]

Have flown my new Elite 80mm F-18 about 10 times now, and it's obvious that the landing gear needs upgrading. Have any of you ran into this yet?

It's a great flying plane (although I did upgrade the motor to the FMS 2100 kv and it makes a YUGE difference :O).

What I'm running into is: After every flight, the nose gear needs adjusting. It has a lot of play in it and gets bent very easily, and I've tightened every screw there is. It seems to be something in the design. Even when it's freshly adjusted, it will get out of alignment just taxing to the end of the runway. After every landing, it's out of whack, and I haven't had any hard landings. It's just not able to handle the weight of the plane, it seems. If it's just slightly out of alignment, it won't retract all the way.

I've even seen one of the mains not fully retracting (the wheel is not fully in the well).

Any tips on this, especially the nose gear. It's a real problem.

Thanks all!

[4qr1hu9n7]

Hello; I don't know if this question was answered. But I had the same problem. On retraction the nose gear was " skewed" entering the wheel well. This prevented full retraction and not allowing the doors to close fully. The fix was to make a couple of bends into the steering pushrod. This allowed the gear to find it's center to complete the retraction.

[AZFlyer]

Yes, that's the problem. When the gear gets a little skewed off center, it won't retract all the way and then the door won't shut all the way.

I'm a little hesitant to bend the push rod. If that gets messed up, I'm thinking it won't work right.

[Gecko 17]

Yes, that's the problem. When the gear gets a little skewed off center, it won't retract all the way and then the door won't shut all the way.

I'm a little hesitant to bend the push rod. If that gets messed up, I'm thinking it won't work right.

Yea... these is possible fix for it. I couldn't find a better picture but, on the opposite side of the circled area is a screw with like a big Phillips head type head on it. Its notorious for getting a bit lose and cause that issue. Make sure all the set screws are snug as well. I've been flying the Eflite F16 and A10 and this F18...I'm not really thrilled with it. Flies heavy and the 80mm EDF seems to lag on spool up. Also...are you aware of the elevator issue? Terrible design but...the connection can separate and when it does... you are screwed with only one elevator. I would suggest fixing that if you're gonna do anything elevator intensive lots of people are having issues resulting in crashes. Good luck and...I hope this helps your nose gear issue.

[Gecko 17]

Have flown my new Elite 80mm F-18 about 10 times now, and it's obvious that the landing gear needs upgrading. Have any of you ran into this yet?

It's a great flying plane (although I did upgrade the motor to the FMS 2100 kv and it makes a YUGE difference :O).

What I'm running into is: After every flight, the nose gear needs adjusting. It has a lot of play in it and gets bent very easily, and I've tightened every screw there is. It seems to be something in the design. Even when it's freshly adjusted, it will get out of alignment just taxing to the end of the runway. After every landing, it's out of whack, and I haven't had any hard landings. It's just not able to handle the weight of the plane, it seems. If it's just slightly out of alignment, it won't retract all the way.

I've even seen one of the mains not fully retracting (the wheel is not fully in the well).

Any tips on this, especially the nose gear. It's a real problem.

Thanks all!

On the main gear... I've had the servo stall as well. Just took it apart and kind of messed with it and it resolved as well. There's to like..forks on either side of the control board and it's like they hit the plastic case. I grinded them down just a bit...not much. No problems since.

[AZFlyer]

Good tips, guys. Thanks. I like the way it flies, but I did upgrade the motor to the FMS 2100kv motor and fan unit. Makes a big difference. I found the stock 2000 kv unit to be a little sluggish. I'm no expert, but I'm questioning the 2000kv label. I've had that same fan in the Havoc, and it was the same sluggish performance. An upgrade is a must with these planes.

Thanks!

[Gecko 17]

Good tips, guys. Thanks. I like the way it flies, but I did upgrade the motor to the FMS 2100kv motor and fan unit. Makes a big difference. I found the stock 2000 kv unit to be a little sluggish. I'm no expert, but I'm questioning the 2000kv label. I've had that same fan in the Havoc, and it was the same sluggish performance. An upgrade is a must with these planes.

Thanks!

So, are you in Arizona? I'm in Phoenix and fly out at ASU west Campus.

[AZFlyer]

We fly at Speedworld. Great field!

[SWOFLY]

Yea... these is possible fix for it. I couldn't find a better picture but, on the opposite side of the circled area is a screw with like a big Phillips head type head on it. Its notorious for getting a bit lose and cause that issue. Make sure all the set screws are snug as well. I've been flying the Eflite F16 and A10 and this F18...I'm not really thrilled with it. Flies heavy and the 80mm EDF seems to lag on spool up. Also...are you aware of the elevator issue? Terrible design but...the connection can separate and when it does... you are screwed with only one elevator. I would suggest fixing that if you're gonna do anything elevator intensive lots of people are having issues resulting in crashes. Good luck and...I hope this helps your nose gear issue.

What are you doing to resolve the elevator issue?