All-New Freewing PJ50 Twin 70mm EDF Jet - Official Thread

[Evan D]

PB&J does have a counter rotating on one side. I usually try programing/ calibrating twins together and it usually works. On the rare time It doesn't I'll unplug one ESC at the Y, do it then plug in the other and do it... no issue.

[Gilatrout]

Would it damage anything if both power wires were left intact? Or does this cause problems with programming both ESCs for reverse?

yes, it is possible to damage the electronics by having two becs sending power to the receiver. To be clear I'm talking about the center wire in the throttle cable connected to the receiver.

Programming the escs don't have anything to do with the Bec, so it is not a problem to disconnect it. You will need to program each esc independently and not when both are connected. Program one first, then disconnect it, then program the other, then you can connect both to the receiver. I used the programming box, but you can also use your transmitter.

One thing to keep in mind is the motor rotation setting. I don't know if the PJ has counter rotating fans or not. If so, then be sure to keep track of this setting and which motor it is connected to when putting everything back together.


Edit...
I realized that I didn't really answer the question.

If you are using the programming box, you can disable the Bec before programming because the throttle cable isn't connected to anything.

However if you use the transmitter, since each ESC must be programmed separately and must be connected to the receiver to work, then yes the Bec must be connected to power the rx. Just be sure to disable one of the Becs after programming and when hooking it all back together.

Also, I guess I can't really.say for sure if you can or cannot program both escs at the same time. My instinct is that this could be problematic. I'm my case because.i wanted a counter rotating setup, it was impossible. To be safe, program each esc one at a time.

[xviper]

FWIW, Horizon's statement for twin reversing "isn't possible". This is 100% horse crap as Ali demonstrated as much on the H9 Bronco.

I set it up my twin Otter. Details are in that thread. Basically it just works if you set it up so the throttle is on a Y and are using a Smart receiver. Separate channels and you will run into issues with configuring throttle cut and failsafe settings. Not insurmountable, but not trivial. Therefore my advice is stick to the Y configuration. Be sure to also disable (remove) the power wire from one of the ESCs. It works, but there maybe some issues with telemetry etc from the ESC. I haven't done extensive testing to see.

Would it damage anything if both power wires were left intact? Or does this cause problems with programming both ESCs for reverse?

[Gilatrout]

Yes, it was the same with my AL-37 tail. Luckily, the WestJet theme had a similar blue on the tail section, just not the patterned effect of the stock decal. I just painted the part that needed paint and left the tail as it was. The vertical tail, I had the Callie decal to cover it all. If I were quicker thinking and a bit smarter, I would have used the spare vertical tail that RC Castle sent as a gift along with the whole plane. It was a blank canvass.
I've got the Avian reverse on 2 of my other jets and there doesn't seem to be much drag when "coasting" as I rarely have zero throttle while in flight and when I do during those brief moments, any additional drag is hard to detect. With near "idle" throttle, the fan still turns. My only unknown is that I'll be programming 2 ESCs "Y'd" together. I think it won't be a problem but won't know till I try it. I've read someone else has already done it with twin Avians. If it works out well, I may do the same on my AL-37.

FWIW, Horizon's statement for twin reversing "isn't possible". This is 100% horse crap as Ali demonstrated as much on the H9 Bronco.

I set it up my twin Otter. Details are in that thread. Basically it just works if you set it up so the throttle is on a Y and are using a Smart receiver. Separate channels and you will run into issues with configuring throttle cut and failsafe settings. Not insurmountable, but not trivial. Therefore my advice is stick to the Y configuration. Be sure to also disable (remove) the power wire from one of the ESCs. It works, but there maybe some issues with telemetry etc from the ESC. I haven't done extensive testing to see.

[f4u ausie]

I too have been suprised at the possible livery 4 this jet .. some of the multie color corprate graphics r amazing,, being an auto painter,, i can appreciate the time, money involved,,, 4 those that hav way to much money... michey also seemed to hav a little up elev.... but not as much as james.. is that nose heavy or something else...??

[xviper]

My Only issue with this bird, so far, is that they pre-applied a Freewing logo on the tail.

I'll be doing some sort of custom scheme work to it. Just haven't decided what yet.

I know with the Avian reversing ESCs, you have to have the electronic motor braking on, if you are going to use reversing. Not sure how much drag that might create in flight, during "coast" throttle setting.

Yes, it was the same with my AL-37 tail. Luckily, the WestJet theme had a similar blue on the tail section, just not the patterned effect of the stock decal. I just painted the part that needed paint and left the tail as it was. The vertical tail, I had the Callie decal to cover it all. If I were quicker thinking and a bit smarter, I would have used the spare vertical tail that RC Castle sent as a gift along with the whole plane. It was a blank canvass.
I've got the Avian reverse on 2 of my other jets and there doesn't seem to be much drag when "coasting" as I rarely have zero throttle while in flight and when I do during those brief moments, any additional drag is hard to detect. With near "idle" throttle, the fan still turns. My only unknown is that I'll be programming 2 ESCs "Y'd" together. I think it won't be a problem but won't know till I try it. I've read someone else has already done it with twin Avians. If it works out well, I may do the same on my AL-37.

[GliderGuy]

New flight video from a reviewer down under. He's done an unboxing vid as well. Looks promising so far. He's using a 72oomah lipo. Didn't look like it flew heavy at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUGiq5tgzQc

xviper Looking forward to your impressions, when you get it.

Thanks for the video link, TW. I can hardly wait!

I'm gonna maiden mine without a gyro (as is my AL37), and I am also going to evaluate whether or not adding internal carbon bracing to the top skin near the fuselage (max bending moment area) might be needed to better withstand the acrobatics I will be doing with it...and also the likely high number of flights it will be making.

Without the added stress of the engine nacelles, my gut feeling is that the internal top-skin bracing won't be needed. But, if I can add it easily, I will probably add it just to make sure I don't get the top-skin cracking I saw in my first AL37 which I retired after many, many flights due to the ugly cracks that developed and then kept getting worse even after an attempted repair. See photo below:

Added note: The AL37 I am currently flying with the added internal top-skin bracing is showing only a few very tiny hairline cracks in the paint, but they are not growing in size. A quick sanding and brushing on a new paint coat over the area will make them easily disappear. I've proven to myself that the internal carbon bracing to the top skin is a valid mod for the AL37 to better withstand acro + lots of flights. It might be a valid mod for the PJ50....this remains to be seen.

-GG

(First repair attempt didn't work and the paint didn't match. Photo below was taken at #1 bird's retirement.)

[Twowingtj]

My Only issue with this bird, so far, is that they pre-applied a Freewing logo on the tail.

I'll be doing some sort of custom scheme work to it. Just haven't decided what yet.

I know with the Avian reversing ESCs, you have to have the electronic motor braking on, if you are going to use reversing. Not sure how much drag that might create in flight, during "coast" throttle setting.

[xviper]

New flight video from a reviewer down under. He's done an unboxing vid as well. Looks promising so far. He's using a 72oomah lipo. Didn't look like it flew heavy at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUGiq5tgzQc

xviper Looking forward to your impressions, when you get it.

That was a terrific "post-promo" flight, as good as I've seen, maybe even better than what's been seen in videos of either Bizjet so far.
It should be landing in Vancouver any day now and a few more days to get to me. It can sit there for days before the customs guys take a look at it. I won't do any unboxing vids as they've been done already. I'll pop a couple pics along the way and do a quick vid from inside my garage showing the thrust reverse (assuming I can figure out how to do it). The two Avian ESCs and 637T are on the table waiting.

[Twowingtj]

New flight video from a reviewer down under. He's done an unboxing vid as well. Looks promising so far. He's using a 72oomah lipo. Didn't look like it flew heavy at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUGiq5tgzQc

xviper Looking forward to your impressions, when you get it.

[xviper]

not sure how that works since motian eta is march... guess its a shorter plane or ship ride.. from china

My PJ went from Hong Kong via Singapore Post to Singapore. It sat there for a week and just left Singapore yesterday, so it should be over the ocean now. When it gets to Vancouver, it'll probably sit there for another few days waiting for the the customs guys to sniff at it. I should have it in a week or so.
By contrast, the ones bound for MotionRC USA have been in a container on a ship dealing with departure regulations and then arrival regulations and then unloading hassles from port before heading to MRC's warehouse in IL. MotionRC Europe, well, that's another story.
Some of those "older gents" at one of my clubs here used to be the same way (some still are) about things new. Years ago, they hated anything foam, electric and didn't make a huge irritating amount of noise and smoke and stink. Pretty much all of them now have a few electrics and some even got into EDFs. Remember what Lee Iacocca once said, "Lead, follow or get out of the way". Change (and crap) happens! You have a choice.

[Twowingtj]

f4u ausie Well said. Good luck with the new club.

[f4u ausie]

Just chiming in on early posts,,, this thread,, finally im joining a club.. its on old club, varms.. a glider club ,,mmm.. they have been moved by the local council.. new runway real soon.. starting build jan or feb... anyway point being they are older gents and dont really like powerd craft.... but they r smart enuf to no if they want the club to go forward,, they need accept and embrace change.. . So to the ne sayers on the pj 50 i say hong kong fooi ,, aussie 4 crap... a dragracer can learn from a road racer.. and vice verse u r all doing basically same thing...and hopefully all learning about the hobby.. mickey brc on u tube here in australia has just done unboxing.. not sure how that works since motian eta is march... guess its a shorter plane or ship ride.. from china ...almost lastly i have an old 90 mm fan outa my mig 17,, old rx and esc,, i run dwn my lipos that way... way quicker.. if ya dont get to fly and lastly will post pics,, when runway under construction,,, with the many kangaroos in the backgroun,,,, but will find better thread 4 that cya

[xviper]

Good find. Interesting you need a separate card though... I like that it has two aileron and two elevator inputs.

I wouldn't be surprised if very soon, it'll have a PC configurator just like the HE A3 S3. The HE config tool for PC may even be the same and work on the E52, not that anyone should try it just yet.

[Evan D]

Good find. Interesting you need a separate card though... I like that it has two aileron and two elevator inputs.

[xviper]

Neither can I. I'd like to know what upgrades they made from the E51. From the looks of the port labelling, it's almost a copy of the high end HobbyEagle.

This just showed up on the RC Castle site:

https://www.rc-castle.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=277&product_id=9491

You can also buy this gyro with the programming card. In fact, at the moment, you must have the programming card to be able to do anything with it, so those who order this plane with the gyro, should also consider the programming card if you want to change anything. It should come pre-programmed to fly the PJ50. At this moment, I can't see that it's possible to hook it up to a PC to do what you want to do to it.
Having read the specs and owner's manuals for both this E52 Freewing gyro and the old HobbyEagle A3 Super 3, I would hazard to say that the E52 is almost a carbon copy of the A3 S3. They both have the same features and have similar pins IN and OUT. One can be mounted with screws while the other relies upon the traditional double sided sticky cushions. Personally, I've never had an issue with the sticky cushions.
Both are within pennies of each other if you buy the complete kit with card. Purchased alone, the HobbyEagle is a few bucks more because it comes with the cable while the E52 doesn't. However, the A3 S3 appears to be discontinued although it can still be bought (remaining stock) if purchased with the card. MotionRC has one left in stock if you only want only the gyro. Not sure what will replace it. Maybe the new "A3 Mini"?

[xviper]

I'm hungry, I will be back

We'll be waiting.

[xviper]

Man just got the Xfly , looks better in person. Sorry Freewing I want a refund

The only way you can get the Xfly so soon is if you are an Xfly "insider" or Banana Hobby insider or the like. I think the BH guy on RC Groups was stating that he's was about to get his very soon. I guess it wouldn't be too hard to figure out your IP address and compare that to the IP of the guys on RC Groups to see if you're the BH shill. Go get your refund, if you even actually ordered a Freewing. Ever since you signed up here, you've been confrontational, arrogant and anti-PJ50. Nice little bit of drama you've tried to start. Nobody's buying it.

[xviper]

Not even close. Hobby Eagle don't have mounting holes on the case

And you think having mounting holes makes it "not even close"?

[Twowingtj]

For those that may be considering going with a military version........