Official Freewing B-2 Spirit Bomber 86" Twin 70mm EDF Jet

[flyboy56]

Even at full deflection left or right the drag rudders on my B2 do not close all the way. I have removed the covers on the bottom of the wing and adjusted the push rods. I tried to make them short enough to get the doors to close at full deflection. The problem is that the push rods are not short enough to allow adjustment to fully close. I have my EPA set to 70 %. Gyro steady red light.Help

[GliderGuy]

Even at full deflection left or right the drag rudders on my B2 do not close all the way. I have removed the covers on the bottom of the wing and adjusted the push rods. I tried to make them short enough to get the doors to close at full deflection. The problem is that the push rods are not short enough to allow adjustment to fully close. I have my EPA set to 70 %. Gyro steady red light.Help

It’s not that critical. Mine don’t close all the way either. Get the movement “close” to the same at full rudder throw and go fly it.

Read prior posts about how to land it!!!!!

-GG

[flyboy56]

It’s not that critical. Mine don’t close all the way either. Get the movement “close” to the same at full rudder throw and go fly it.

Read prior posts about how to land it!!!!!

-GG

Thanks for the info !

[tclaridge]

Does anyone else have a problem with the pinned wire for the main LG for grass? They have the hole drilled right in the middle of the wire, and they are soft. I can bend them with my hand easily. Today, I just sheared the wire right at the drilled hole!

[flyboy56]

Does anyone else have a problem with the pinned wire for the main LG for grass? They have the hole drilled right in the middle of the wire, and they are soft. I can bend them with my hand easily. Today, I just sheared the wire right at the drilled hole!

I had one of the rotating grass gear retracts break where it was drilled for the pin. I removed the stock gear from the stock retract. I then filed a flat on the retract pin 90 degrees to the existing flat. I then took the lower leg and wheel assy from the rotating retract and installed it on the stock retract. Then I installed the stock retracts with the rotating retract lowers and wheel assy into the plane. the gear will retract just fine the only issue is that the gear doors will not close all the way due to the larger wheel.

[mitchdigger]

Does anyone know how to make the rudders on the B2 independent. There is only one wire that comes from the board. Are there individual wires that connect to the ribbon in the wings for each servo.

[tclaridge]

flyboy, I did the same thing, but I cut out little oval shapes in the gear doors to clear the wheel. They barely stick out, so it is a low drag solution.

[Rapier Jockey]

*First Post*

Hi forum, 👋

Looking into investing in one of these. I have a 6 channel fly sky radio that I was wondering if it would be sufficient since they advertise the bundle with an 8 channel radio that I hope I don’t need. I understand the gyro plugs into the receiver, and you need the 4 channels for rudder, pitch, aileron, and throttle, and 1 for the gear. My concern is how the gyro plugs in. Can you just plug it into any channel on the receiver and it works? This is the part that is unclear (plugging in the gyro) and how that works with the receiver. I didn’t see this explained in the manual I downloaded. Any info on this would be great, and your general opinions on the plane as well. Looks like lots of fun! Thanks! 🛫

[GliderGuy]

*First Post*

Hi forum, 👋

Looking into investing in one of these. I have a 6 channel fly sky radio that I was wondering if it would be sufficient since they advertise the bundle with an 8 channel radio that I hope I don’t need. I understand the gyro plugs into the receiver, and you need the 4 channels for rudder, pitch, aileron, and throttle, and 1 for the gear. My concern is how the gyro plugs in. Can you just plug it into any channel on the receiver and it works? This is the part that is unclear (plugging in the gyro) and how that works with the receiver. I didn’t see this explained in the manual I downloaded. Any info on this would be great, and your general opinions on the plane as well. Looks like lots of fun! Thanks! 🛫

Hi RJ, Welcome to the Squawk. I suggest you go to page #1 and read all the B-2 posts before making the investment. It’s fun to fly, but it isn’t a beginner’s EDF.
-Glider Guy

[Evan D]

You don’t need to plug the gyro in. It’ll default to basic gyro which is what you will want. It is nice to have a channel for gyro gain but it works without it.

[kallend]

*First Post*

Hi forum, 👋

Looking into investing in one of these. I have a 6 channel fly sky radio that I was wondering if it would be sufficient since they advertise the bundle with an 8 channel radio that I hope I don’t need. I understand the gyro plugs into the receiver, and you need the 4 channels for rudder, pitch, aileron, and throttle, and 1 for the gear. My concern is how the gyro plugs in. Can you just plug it into any channel on the receiver and it works? This is the part that is unclear (plugging in the gyro) and how that works with the receiver. I didn’t see this explained in the manual I downloaded. Any info on this would be great, and your general opinions on the plane as well. Looks like lots of fun! Thanks! 🛫

What are you currently flying?

[Rapier Jockey]

Hi RJ, Welcome to the Squawk. I suggest you go to page #1 and read all the B-2 posts before making the investment. It’s fun to fly, but it isn’t a beginner’s EDF.
-Glider Guy

Thanks Glider Guy. I will absolutely be binging the entire forum, and have read quite a bit so far. There is plenty to learn. Why I'm here :)

[Rapier Jockey]

You don’t need to plug the gyro in. It’ll default to basic gyro which is what you will want. It is nice to have a channel for gyro gain but it works without it.

This is the confusing part for me. If you don't plug the gyro into the receiver, how can it automatically adjust control surfaces? It looks like the 6 channel flysky I have already will work. I checked out the setup video by "Admiral", but he didn't go into how the gyro was connected to the radio I will put in. I must be missing something.

[Rapier Jockey]

What are you currently flying?

Hi kallend.

Been a bit, but I have been flying a grob 103 electric glider just like glider guy's avatar. It has quite a wide wingspan, and I went through the trouble of putting rc solar panels on the wings just for fun. (That was a pain in the ***). Was still fun to just set the plane on the table and recharge it though lol. I "Tim Allen'd" the ESC to give it a bit more power due to slightly adding weight for the MPPT and some reinforcement I did. If you have never seen a sailplane flap its wings on takeoff, just add enough power and it will happen! The torque was absolutely insane! 🤣

So I have been flying a large wingspan RC that goes extremely fast, and have many years flying RC slope soarers and such. I have no trouble floating landings and making sure the wings stay level. I did some work for an airline flight simulator outfit in Vegas in the 737-800NG (Las Vegas Flight Ventures). I would rate my skills as "advanced" with RC's, with piloting slightly higher skill.

I have not done any edf flying, but the way that last sailplane flew has to be close! No doubt I could handle the B-2 as far as flying it goes, my main issue is confusion about how the gyro works/connects. I know the light needs to be solid red for it to operate properly from other pilots, but still no idea how it connects. I downloaded and read the whole manual and still don't see it. It has to connect to the receiver to have access to the control surfaces right?

Since I have been flying rc for decades and know how to properly set them up, I don't have any doubts about being able to operate the plane properly once I set it up, even without the clear fin. I was born to fly! You know what I'm talking about right? 😎

Even with my healthy pilot ego, I know to check into things and get all the info I can from those with more experience than I have. I will be reading the entire forum over the next couple of days, but feel free to elaborate on things that trip up newer pilots with this plane. I thought about the A-10, but when I saw the B-2 I knew that was for me. Just fun flying patterns and landing. I've done enough rolls and loops etc. I'm 46 now, so looking to have some fun circling and landing with this and chatting up the other pilots at the field, even though I am sure I could do some fun tricks with this B-2, it feels like it is the wrong plane for that kind of flying. They have a Blue Angels EDF for scratching that itch I think. I might do that at some point as well if I feel like doing all the acrobatics and inverted flight stuff.

I did some work for an aviation shop in Carmel, CA back in 2000 (I got out of CA in 2004, thank you for your concern), and did the displays for the main window and such. I have plenty of practice hanging planes, and this will look quite awesome on my ceiling when it isn't flying to keep it safe and out of the way. I know once I set it up properly it will be a lot of fun. Since I haven't flown anything with a gyro before, that is the confusing part (connection). I will also be refreshing my skills with a good rc simulator prior to flying.

[Evan D]

There is both a controller and gyro. The receiver sends the normal aileron, elevator, rudder signals to the gyro that then does corrections based on the modes that are set in the gyro. There are three modes in the gyro set from Free Wing, from memory they are off, basic gain gyro and heading hold gyro. If you connect the modes on the gyro to a three position switched output channel on the receiver you can control this but if left unattached it is basic gyro by default. There is also a gain port on the gyro and you can connect this to a channel (two or three position switch or rotary knob) on your receiver if you want to vary the sensitivity of the gyro. I do suggest this as mine was a bit overly sensitive out of the box.

Then the gyro outputs go to the controller that does all the mixing for elevons and drag brakes converting the receivers aileron, elevator, rudder output (through the gyro) to do what is needed. It also has a Y built in for the retracts.


When I set mine up I had the extra channels so I had a three position switch for the modes but I can suggest only fly in basic gain mode. I also mixed my landing gear switch and a side slider to the gain on the gyro where I could vary the gain with the side slider and it also reduced the gain with the gear up. This way I had a bit more gain landing and didn't have the waggle from high gain at speed flying.

Bottom line a 6ch radio works okay with this plane.

Let me add that I am not asking what experience you have or other planes you have flow as others have. They have a good point, while this looks like a very easy to fly flying wing, it really isn't especially on landing. I expected it to fly like the few Klingberg wings I have had and it did in flight but not landing.

This is the confusing part for me. If you don't plug the gyro into the receiver, how can it automatically adjust control surfaces? It looks like the 6 channel flysky I have already will work. I checked out the setup video by "Admiral", but he didn't go into how the gyro was connected to the radio I will put in. I must be missing something.

[Rapier Jockey]

***
(Evan D)

“There is both a controller and gyro. The receiver sends the normal aileron, elevator, rudder signals to the gyro that then does corrections based on the modes that’s are set in the gyro… Then the gyro outputs go to the controller that does all the mixing for elevons and drag brakes converting the receivers aileron, elevator, rudder output (through the gyro) to do what is needed. It also has a Y built in for the retracts.“
***

This was helpful to begin to understand this. Thank you for this well written response. I have no doubt it will help many others as well looking to fly this unique rc plane. I am guessing when you plug in all the control inputs to your receiver that they are somehow already routed from/through the gyro first. Please let me know if I have this correct. Seems to be the source of confusion.

Adding a mix to the gear for the gyro sensitivity is a stroke of genius! I will certainly look into that option since I have the extra channel to plug it in. Sounds like a great way to fly this plane! I will look into doing this as well, and will likely have some more questions when the time comes. I’ve only mixed a touch of rudder for the ailerons for the glider. I am hoping to order within a month or so before it gets too cold to enjoy it this year. Doing the due diligence research first.

From the videos I have seen so far it does look like it gets a bit squirrelly in the ground effect, and some extra help from the gyro in landing is a great solution. I have also heard cutting off a couple of links in the rear gear springs helps with smoother takeoff. Not sure if I want to do this out of the gate until I have done a few to see. I don’t think I will have the sensitivity too high so I don’t overcorrect and have a tip strike. That’s what 95% of the pilots who flew out B737-800NG sim would do. They would slip off the centerline before or during the flare, and try to steer like a car just before touchdown Slap and burn! 😂. I don’t want to do this to my B-2 one day! 😄 Almost all of the planes I have flown have wide wingspans, but I can always use more help if it means saving the aircraft.

Once I have this all set up it will be pure fun! Plenty to learn first. Thank you for helping with making it a bit easier to understand for someone who has not set up an rc with a gyro before. Have you ever considered doing a video to show the gyro setup on this plane? Might do quite well if you are into that kind of thing.

[Evan D]

You are over thinking it right now. Once you get the plane and look at the wiring it's obvious how it's wired and everything is labeled. There is a manual for the airplane and one for the gyro. Unfortunately there isn't really a step by step radio set up since Free Wing doesn't know what radio you'll be using. They show what your radio has to do on the plane but not the actual programing so you do have to know your radio.

"I am guessing when you plug in all the control inputs to your receiver that they are somehow already routed from/through the gyro first. Please let me know if I have this correct. Seems to be the source of confusion."

[Rapier Jockey]

Makes me feel quite a bit better. I do have a habit of over-planning and thinking things prior to anything major. Just trying to understand all I can beforehand so I don't make a rookie mistake and introduce my plastic pilots to the gophers! 🦔Like you said, I am sure it will all come together once I have it out of the box and can play around with all of the setups. It was similar to the glider when I went to do all the modifications to put rc solar on it for fun. If I were to try and explain all that it would have been quite difficult, but when you can see it, not so much so. People say this plane is pricey, but for what it does, and because of the mystique the aircraft, it seems to be well worth it to me. This one will be almost as much fun on the ground as in the air. I recently got an M1 Abrams RC, and added some realistic crew sounds with a 1" bluetooth speaker from my phone. Made all the difference with the fun factor! 😮

In that old aviation shop (Wings America - Long closed down... Very sad), they had a cool P-51 engine sounds CD (Top of the line tech in 2000 lol), playing on a tiny radio, and some Sinatra music playing on the big overhead speakers. Once I had worked there long enough, I switched it, and put Mr. Sinatra on the tiny old timey radio we sold, and put the P-51 sounds on the overhead system... After Marty Mcfly'n the stereo. I can't describe how cool it sounded!! Like a P-51 flew right through the store!!! People coming in to shop weren't expecting it, and the reactions were absolutely priceless! Even after I had left there, they never took the airplane sounds off the main stereo until they closed down. Brought in way too much foot traffic, so they couldn't change it back!

I mention that to say this... That adding realistic engine sounds to an RC is cheap and simple for some fun while on the ground at the field. You can bet my B-2 will be purring to the realistic sounds while on the ground just like my M1 has men shouting realistic firing orders (I got mine from gunner heat PC). If you are looking for the tiny speaker, it is called a MOMOHO (No I'm not joking) world's smallest mini bluetooth speaker. I found it on amazon. I don't want to link anything since I am new here and I am not trying to sell stuff, just learn and have fun. I love coming up with fun ideas, and the RC hobby is the perfect place for that!

My first glider I had built for me when I was around 18. The guy that built it didn't CG it, and I didn't know what that was yet. So I took it to the beach and tossed it off the hang glider ramp. It was tail heavy so much I couldn't lower the nose. Added full down elevator trim too. Nope. Tried turning it out of the wind to lower the nose, and once the wind got ahold of those wings it pitched all the way up and flew behind the hill I was flying on.

After some choice words I won't repeat here, I went through an hour of searching for this plane behind the hill. Just before I gave up, I looked down the beach to the right side of the hill I had launched from. There was my glider, at least 200 yards away. without a scratch on it, with a set of tracks in the sand where it had landed itself and come to a stop. 100% true. That was my first time flying an rc plane, and I have been hooked ever since!

That might be why I ask so many questions before hand about these planes, and what is going to happen when I put it in the air. Now I can CG planes so they balance on top of two pencils erasers up! Live and learn! 😂

[GliderGuy]

As noted…she’s a challenge to land. Order some spare parts for the nose gear area. You will need it. Gear, mounts, servo, door, etc.

Even after several thousand flights on the B-2, I find myself concentrating HARD on every landing to make as perfect a landing as possible. Light winds are IMPORTANT. She’s a special day bird.

If you ever get a crow hop started, kiss all the front end assembly hardware goodbye…or at least the nose gear servo.

Sooooo….Would I get another one if I crash? The cool factor says YES. In fact, I am flying B-2 number 3 for me (one had an impact with a wire, one had a weird radio glitch very possibly solar flare related).

Gotta have a B-2 in my stable of EDFs.

-GG

[Rapier Jockey]

Great advice. I’ll order the spare parts with the plane. I didn’t do that with the tank and ended up waiting 2 weeks for springs. I am glad to hear that it remains challenging after flying it for that long. Congrats on 1,000 flights with that plane. 🏅

Have you modified your gear in any way? Such as shortening main gear springs etc? I’ve seen people land these on grass, but I cringe every time. Must be rough on the gear even in short grass. I plan on only using the runway to keep the gear ok.

I totally agree that this is a special day bird. Mornings when wind is non existent kind of thing. Appreciate these tips. If you have any more they most certainly won’t go to waste. 👍