Official Freewing Twin 70mm SR-71 Blackbird with Gyro EDF Jet Thread

[EDF-Jetpilot]

I bought one and wanted to discuss grass ops and/or mods to allow it. I have a very manicured short grass runway at my field, and I noticed a review from James H. stating that it takes off very well, around 200 feet. Does anyone else have any input? Thanks

Nino

I think everyone should finally realize that this beautiful machine simply isn't made for grass. Anyone who dares to do so will sooner or later end up ruining the machine. There are much better things to do than punishing an SR-71 with grass, right?

[Aros]

There’s a reason we insist this bird is not meant for grass. Unless your field’s grass is as short as a golf course, it’s definitely not recommended.

[GliderGuy]

I bought one and wanted to discuss grass ops and/or mods to allow it. I have a very manicured short grass runway at my field, and I noticed a review from James H. stating that it takes off very well, around 200 feet. Does anyone else have any input? Thanks

Nino

Watch his attempts to use grass.

They Warned Me About This Jet.. Freewing SR-71 Maiden - YouTube

Looks “IFFY” at best.

-GG

[Nino]

I bought one and wanted to discuss grass ops and/or mods to allow it. I have a very manicured short grass runway at my field, and I noticed a review from James H. stating that it takes off very well, around 200 feet. Does anyone else have any input? Thanks

Nino

[Nino]

[Aros]

Im gonna brag about your technique in RCG so deal with it.

[DCORSAIR]

Alright, you, fine sir get the GOLD Star!! I don’t know for sure if it’s the fold half and then half again thing but I followed your instructions to a tee, powered her up, hit the switch…

It flew out of that compartment like it was running from a crime scene!

Thanks bud! I feel a video is worth creating to show others who are having issues with chute deployment a sure-fire method that works!

Well hopefully it works for you more than once...

Not bragging but I would have had 28 out of 28 times that it worked but I left the chute packed all week one time and it did not like that at all, on the next flight it flew out of the door and did not do anything but tumble behind the bird and would not open, so after that I just stuffed it loosely in one of the exhaust nozzles for storage and it worked every time after that so good luck......

[Aros]

Well my chute deployed 27 out of 28 flights with no issues so I can't figure out what your doing wrong. All I did was stretch out the chute, then fold it in 1/2, then again in 1/2, wrap the strings around the chute not to tight until you get to the cord but don't roll the orange cord around the chute, just stuff the chute in first and then the cord on top and hold it down with one finger and close the doors quickly, lol.

Alright, you, fine sir get the GOLD Star!! I don’t know for sure if it’s the fold half and then half again thing but I followed your instructions to a tee, powered her up, hit the switch…

It flew out of that compartment like it was running from a crime scene!

Thanks bud! I feel a video is worth creating to show others who are having issues with chute deployment a sure-fire method that works!

[Aros]

Well my chute deployed 27 out of 28 flights with no issues so I can't figure out what you’re doing wrong. All I did was stretch out the chute, then fold it in 1/2, then again in 1/2, wrap the strings around the chute not to tight until you get to the cord but don't roll the orange cord around the chute, just stuff the chute in first and then the cord on top and hold it down with one finger and close the doors quickly, lol.

Man I can’t figure out what I am doing wrong? The only thing I haven’t tried is folding the chute in half AND then another half before wrapping the string around it. Otherwise I’ve tried the cord on top and on bottom. I am going to figure that darn thing out for the life of me!! LOL

[DCORSAIR]

Always trying to sneak a flight whenever possible if weather permits, I took my lunch break to get a quick flight in. Trouble was, it was way windier than weather.com reported. Had one approach that put my heart in my throat as I severely underestimated the head wind gusts. So the 15-25% of throttle for landing was far too low. Went around, came in with more power and the landing was fine.

However, second flight and second time the dang parachute didn't deploy fully! I even tried a different technique I read about online and still didn't deploy. I think the chute/strings got caught on the deploy mechanism. Next time I am going to do some fast taxi work up and down the runway and deploy the chute until it works.

Too windy for the gyro to be as much help as I wanted, but I can only imagine how bad it would have been without a gyro. Not a speed demon by any stretch but good luck finding a cooler presence in the air!

Well my chute deployed 27 out of 28 flights with no issues so I can't figure out what your doing wrong. All I did was stretch out the chute, then fold it in 1/2, then again in 1/2, wrap the strings around the chute not to tight until you get to the cord but don't roll the orange cord around the chute, just stuff the chute in first and then the cord on top and hold it down with one finger and close the doors quickly, lol.

[Aros]

Always trying to sneak a flight whenever possible if weather permits, I took my lunch break to get a quick flight in. Trouble was, it was way windier than weather.com reported. Had one approach that put my heart in my throat as I severely underestimated the head wind gusts. So the 15-25% of throttle for landing was far too low. Went around, came in with more power and the landing was fine.

However, second flight and second time the dang parachute didn't deploy fully! I even tried a different technique I read about online and still didn't deploy. I think the chute/strings got caught on the deploy mechanism. Next time I am going to do some fast taxi work up and down the runway and deploy the chute until it works.

Too windy for the gyro to be as much help as I wanted, but I can only imagine how bad it would have been without a gyro. Not a speed demon by any stretch but good luck finding a cooler presence in the air!

[Aros]

I plan on trying some dawn flights at the beach this Summer before it gets crowded (and the tide is low). I've flown early at the beach on low tide a couple times and it's fabulous. And the dawning Sun would be at my back. Even better.

[EDF-Jetpilot]

I also do those pre sunrise flights on all the jets and helis I have owned, I love getting that first flight in right before the sun peeks over the mountains. I flew the SR-71 a little too early one time and it was a little nerve racking, I didn't know which way it was heading a couple of times. I also just did the maiden flight on the new 90mm F-16 at sunrise, the camo paint works very well on it for sure....

Nothing beats those sunrise flights......

Oh yes, that could be. But I don't like getting up that early, so I've never done that. It's nice to fly during the day too, and in the summer I usually fly in the evening until shortly after sunset.

[DCORSAIR]

I wait for 15 min prior to sunrise. By then, the SR-71 presents a good silhouette once airborne and is easy to see. Much earlier…it can be a problem. Clear sky is best.

Same goes for all my RC planes which are often flown 15 min prior sunrise for flight #1. 15 min post sunset is the latest normally flown.

-GG

I also do those pre sunrise flights on all the jets and helis I have owned, I love getting that first flight in right before the sun peeks over the mountains. I flew the SR-71 a little too early one time and it was a little nerve racking, I didn't know which way it was heading a couple of times. I also just did the maiden flight on the new 90mm F-16 at sunrise, the camo paint works very well on it for sure....

Nothing beats those sunrise flights......

[Aros]

Braver than me, GG...lol!

Looking forward to my next sortie with her and seeing the dang chute deploy would be nice! I can't believe how well Freewing did with her flight characteristics. Obviously the gyro helps, and keeping the ailerons limited a bit in throw really makes this bird a pleasure to fly.

[GliderGuy]

Must be hard to see b4 sunup

I wait for 15 min prior to sunrise. By then, the SR-71 presents a good silhouette once airborne and is easy to see. Much earlier…it can be a problem. Clear sky is best.

Same goes for all my RC planes which are often flown 15 min prior sunrise for flight #1. 15 min post sunset is the latest normally flown.

-GG

[f4u ausie]

Must be hard to see b4 sunup

[GliderGuy]

After far too many windy and rainy days, this morning dawned cool and calm. Made 2 pre-sunrise and 3 post sunrise flights before heading to work.

This bird is such a thrill to fly, and it looks so awesome in the air.

-GG

[Aros]

As far as I know? Video?

[Shaun Evans]

Am I the first one to convert this?