Official Freewing 90mm Ares 3D EDF Jet Thread

[Alphonso]

Yep, self deprecating humour. Allows one to kick off whilst pointing the finger at ones self. I've always thought our peoples get on well, distant cousins if you will with many shared values. Just keep religion and politics out and we're good.

[xviper]

No I meant bitterness on my part due to the wait.

Haha! I've lost my edge in figuring out how you folks express yourselves.

[Alphonso]

Bitterness? None here. (Yeah, I know, I'm used to that Brit humor, having worked 1/2 my life with many visiting scientists from your side of the "pond".) I "could" have gotten one via AliExpress by now but some of those sellers use dubious selling and shipping methods. Since I have 50+ RC models to fly at any given time, I'm not in a hurry either. In fact, I'm in the process of updating and upgrading my old SebArt MiG-29 3D jet. You could also get one from a seller on AliEx and I could always hit the buy button on MotionRC, but due to the tariff that MRC has paid on their stuff imported into the US from China, it's cheaper for us to buy from sources like RC Castle, who will have it around the end of this month. Winter, I hope, is at least 2 months away, so there is a chance I can still fly a new plane before the snow flies. If I can do the "catch and release" method for the Ares, I'll fly it all winter long (which is usually reserved for float planes and other VTOLs).

No I meant bitterness on my part due to the wait.

[xviper]

Bitterness? None here. (Yeah, I know, I'm used to that Brit humor, having worked 1/2 my life with many visiting scientists from your side of the "pond".) I "could" have gotten one via AliExpress by now but some of those sellers use dubious selling and shipping methods. Since I have 50+ RC models to fly at any given time, I'm not in a hurry either. In fact, I'm in the process of updating and upgrading my old SebArt MiG-29 3D jet. You could also get one from a seller on AliEx and I could always hit the buy button on MotionRC, but due to the tariff that MRC has paid on their stuff imported into the US from China, it's cheaper for us to buy from sources like RC Castle, who will have it around the end of this month. Winter, I hope, is at least 2 months away, so there is a chance I can still fly a new plane before the snow flies. If I can do the "catch and release" method for the Ares, I'll fly it all winter long (which is usually reserved for float planes and other VTOLs).

[Alphonso]

This thread and the one on the other forum has gone very quiet lately. Not much about new owners. Still "in stock" - all versions. Not "SOLD OUT" as we've seen in other past popular models. What's happening? Have peoples' expectations been dashed? I don't even have mine yet.

May have something to do with it not being available elsewhere yet. Hmmm I detect a little bitterness there ha ha.
If it was available here on release day, I would've hit the buy button but I'm kinda not excited now I've watched you all fly it. Soon be winter so I can wait.
I have a spare Jetfan 10 and 12S to go in it and am interested to see if the higher RPM fan will lessen the torque roll.

[Evan D]

No

[Conguero39]

Can the 8s be flown with a 6s for regular non 3D maneuvers?

[Evan D]

Every flight I did some hovering but my hovering is 100' up, well maybe not that high, but certainly not where others are in videos. I am using reasonably light non HV packs and some of the videos show much more pull out power than I have. Landing gear removed or a 6S fan run on 8S have been shown.

I haven't been able to get the "spinny tricks" down as some have done in videos but to be honest I really haven't spent time trying to. I like how it just flies around the most. It is fairly fast, probably not much slower than the Zeus. It has a fantastic roll rate and just flies really well, sort of between the Avanti and Zeus as far as regular flying but with a faster roll rate than either (with full span ailerons).

I had been taking it out most times and this weekend decided it was time to take a break from it.

[xviper]

I got bored with mine but I have about 30-40 flights on it.

Really? Did you do much hovering with it? I love the fact that it can hover. All the spinny "tricks" also appeal to me. I don't think I would find this jet to be that entertaining for just "flying" around. It's resemblance to the Avanti and other sport type jets is too close.
30-40 flights is actually pretty good for me. If I can get that many flights before I get bored with it, I still want one.

[Evan D]

I got bored with mine but I have about 30-40 flights on it.

[xviper]

This thread and the one on the other forum has gone very quiet lately. Not much about new owners. Still "in stock" - all versions. Not "SOLD OUT" as we've seen in other past popular models. What's happening? Have peoples' expectations been dashed? I don't even have mine yet.

[Evan D]

One controls flight surfaces and one the TVs. No to SBUS but FW says a future upgrade will allow it.

[RC Ari]

Hello I'm about to buy a new Ares, watching the photos it uses 2 gyros for controlling the surfaces, and seems that both has the capability to receive PPM signals.
Can it be setup using only one wire to connect each gyro sending all the channels in PPM format and use 4 wires sending PWM signal for flaps, gear, throttle and thrust reverse instead of 13 wires with PWM signal?
I have a bunch of receivers that can output 5 pwm signals and 1 PPM with 16/24 channels and I think they are capable to operate the Ares with all 13 channels

If it's possible can anybody explain a bit the changes I have to do ? I think at least configure the gyros to read the PPM signal

Thanks

[xviper]

A lot of talk about the Ares torque rolling/wing rock during harriers and hovering. That's just physics when there isn't enough flowing air to make the wings "fly". Some people don't seem to understand this concept. The only way to stop torque rolling is to have twin (preferably counter rotating) vectored thrust on a light airframe. 14 years ago, the first commercially made hovering EDF came out and this guy was the first one that I remember having mastered the hover. And back then, it was also made by Freewing. I even heard someone say, "I have no torque roll in my 3D plane". Well guess what you've got in a 3d prop job that you don't have in an EDF? ..................... You guessed it ................. PROP WASH! Like "Jon" said (paraphrase), "Ya gotten love people who fly airplanes that don't understand how airplanes work".
An EDF lifting off like a rocket on a launch rail is a thing to behold. Onlookers still love it. Still have the MiG but the fans are getting "tired".

The MiG29 was designed tail heavy so it could go into the vertical easily but still flew well horizontally (just like the Ares). It had one gyro but after a while, I put a second one in to control just the nozzles. Due to my elevation of over 3200', it has barely enough thrust to lift off vertically but it worked. The Ares 8s should have that aspect beat. I've wished for a powerful hovering EDF for over 10 years and here it is. So what if it torque rolls and has only one fan? I'm looking forward to it when I can finally get my hands on one. (I'm wondering if it could have worked with one fan and twin nozzles after a bifurcation?)

[Evan D]

Basic, auto level and off but FW said they are creating all new firmware so maybe it’s coming.

[Woody218]

Yeah, that’s what I said…

I was referring to their programmer. There is not a way to program a heading hold mode.

[Evan D]

Yeah, that’s what I said…


”The two gyro modes that it comes with are simply basic gyro (not heading hold) and off.”

None of which are heading hold...

[Woody218]

The two gyro modes that it comes with are simply basic gyro (not heading hold) and off. The gyro has different modes available if you get their programmer.

None of which are heading hold...

[xviper]

I'll also use SMC and Coddar HV bats. Haven't weighed them yet, but the Coddars are pretty light - they don't seem to have the same punch as the SMCs. The wire gear is an option, but most planes I've seen with wire gear just look "odd" when flying.

[Evan D]

He is using HV batteries that are about 880g. I am using older non HV ones that are 895g. His has more pull out trust than I have. FreeWing, Antholy, has said they will have optional wire non retractable gear available mostly for the 6S version that will help with thrust to weight.