Official Freewing 64mm F-16 EDF Jet PNP Thread

[SanExup]

I did as well, similar to Evan but his flat mount is cleaner. I plunged into the foam with a vertical mount, if that makes sense. I'll post a photo tomorrow if you want to see that but Evan's method is what I would do next time. I used a z bend too, I made use of some control rods that were missing its plane.

[Evan D]

I did it. Pics early in this thread…

[JohnStamos]

I have this F16 and plan on installing elevator servos, there is plenty of foam real estate to do it cleanly.

Did you actually end up doing it? If yes, please share some pictures!

[serpentracer]

well guys, I almost gave up. I kept at it and figured it out! it only took me like 6 hrs 🙄
I was trying everything this crazy radio has for tail and aileron options.
this time i had set the plane up with 2 ailerons. this turned out to be another mistake because I couldn't get the throttle reverse feature to work. but all the control surfaces worked. so I saved that experiment and started over with a fresh plane this is an interesting setup, that to me, doesn't make sense, but it works.

Receiver,
ch 1 aileron
ch 2 aileron
ch 3 throttle
ch 4 rudder
ch 5 reverse

Radio settings. (here's where it gets weird)
Wing= 1 aileron
Tail= Ailevator
Linkage,
ch 1 elevator= stick J2
ch 2 elevator 2 = -- (no stick assignment)
ch 3 throttle = stick J3
ch 4 Rudder = stick J4
ch 5 Aileron = J1 (without this assigned to a channel I got no aileron movement)
ch 6 Gear = to a switch. (this is actually unused in the receiver but assigned to a switch to work the reverse function, and it works, but I don't know how)
ch7 Air brake= (no assignment) but seemed like it was needed to make the controls work. futaba actually says assign the channels something anyway even with a gyro.

model menu,
Ailevator,

ELE +100% up +100% down
ELE 2 +100% up +100% down
aileron
Left ELE= +100%
Left ELE2= +100%
Right ELE +100%
Right ELE2= +100%

isn't that the worst thing you've ever seen?🤨

hey futaba, try harder at making a more simple setup jeez.

I wanted to post this for anyone else with a over complicated radio. or am I just really dumb?🤣 probably just dumb...

[Evan D]

Correct and you have to have the reverse plugged into a channel for the ESC to work.

[serpentracer]

yeah I thought buying this radio would be a good idea lol. it's a mess. I was super close setting it all up manually. i'm going to keep trying. it allows you to literally set up any channel how you want etc. it seems easier than trying to figure out a model already programmed. what futaba has makes 0 sense to me. but i'm not very smart lol I also don't see how this plane can operate on only 4 channels. you need channel 5 for the throttle reverse.

[Evan D]

Sorry. I’m just seeing what the manual says. I fly Spektrum.

[serpentracer]

yes but I don't think I have the receiver connected the the correct stuff. theres 2 ail connectors, 2 rudder connectors, throttle. and the yellow reverse wire. when I use the ailevator tail setup I have rudder control on J1. with elevator on j2 (both servos move in the same direction)and no aileron controls at all. no rudder control on j4.
this radio is a convoluted nightmare.
I can set all these up manually. which I'm about to try because I've done all of futabas preset controls and they don't seem to work.

if you had that receiver how would you hook this plane up?

[Evan D]

Did you look at your manual, pg101?

[serpentracer]

so how would I connect the servos to the receiver? this is where I think i'm screwing up. or do we need 2 y adapters? should I connect the rudder and front wheel together?

[Evan D]

Looks like the important thing is elevator 1 and 2. Think tailerons since they are linked.

[serpentracer]

what do you select for wing type 1 ail or 2 ail?

[serpentracer]

I was about to ask about the throttle reverse. found out the hard way as it flew right off my table when I switched to a different wing type🤣

[Evan D]

If you cut the threaded end you may not have enough threaded part.

Ailevator, pg 101 of your manual.

Futaba typically needs the throttle channel reversed for these ESCs and then needs the ESC to be calibrated.

[serpentracer]

Make a new Z bend?

easier to cut off the extra threads

im also having a hell of a time getting the controls to operate with this futaba radio I have. 12FG. using the R617FS receiver. my radio doesn't have the option of a wing like this. so i'm lost lol.
I also had the esc working until I realized I forgot to plug in the reverse wire. now it wont work and gives me a bunch of beeps that doesn't seem to go with the manual. listening for beeps is the most annoying way to program an ESC ever. they're using the hobbywing skywalker esc.

[Evan D]

Make a new Z bend?

[serpentracer]

so I ran into a problem. the aileron control rods are 16mm too long. they made them 329mm overall. but it's only supposed to be 323mm. the started measuring at the z bend instead of tip to tip.

[serpentracer]

got mine in the mail today. didnt get real far into building it. just taking my time. I don't have the vertical stabilizer in yet. just sitting there for a picture. anyone add a pilot? think it would look better. if so, what did you use?

[Evan D]

Too funny Vic!

[vduniec]

I’m surprised by how little activity this thread gets for this little gem. I followed Evan D’s upgrade approach to upgrading it to a 6S. I’m using a Hobbywing 100A ESC with an X-Fly 64mm from the Arrows F-15. I also put a RC-Castle center burner in it and it’s a rocket ship!

I’m making some 3D printed upgrades and will post as they come along. I’ve already designed an intake protector and ventral strakes for grass landings but am considering putting small replaceable wheels on the strakes and the bottom of the intake for landing on a paved surface after a hand launch without the kit supplied gear.

I keep aiming for the grass next to the runway but somehow keep missing the grass and end up on the runway. Funny, because I seem to hit the grass a lot when I’m intend to land on the runway with my planes with landing gear.