First EDF?

[Kokopellimusic]

Hi guys, what would be a good first EDF to get into? I've been flying for prop planes for 5 years now, mostly 3 and 4 cell planes like the FMS T-28. I'm wanting to move up to something with a little more speed but being a first EDF, never flying one, I don't want to spend a ton of money. Would the Freewing F-16 4 cell be a good contender? Thanks for your time.

[themudduck]

There are hundreds of possibilities.

A really nice one in my opinion would be the Durafly DeHavilland Vampire. It's still available from HobbyKing. Its not very expensive, and its a really easy plane to fly. It has retracts and sounds terrific, like a jet is supposed to. It can be hand-launched. And it glides so well with the power off you'd swear its a glider - most EDF jets don't glide particularly well. You could start with this one and get used to EDFs before making a bigger investment. So this one would make a great first EDF in my opinion.

[Evoman]

I have also been looking to get my first EDF next that is fairly easy to fly. I don't want to spend too much but I also don't want something I am going to out grow quick.
The most affordable EDF I have found that meets that criteria is the 70mm Freewing Yak-130 that only cost $199. I might I have to by some new 6S batteries for the Yak-130 but at least I would already have them when I move up to my next EDF.
From what I have seen the Yak-130 had be flown reasonably slow and fast.

[Kokopellimusic]

One of the guys on the chat recommended this one. https://www.motionrc.com/collections...mm-edf-jet-pnp It's in stock right now. I'm wondering if I it will be to slow at 4cell. I guess I could always upgrade the motor later after I get used to it. It's a good price too.

[Rosytime]

I have flown numerous EDFs, both scale and sport. My suggestion would be the Dynam Meteor 70mm. I have seen this fly and it's a good flying jet. It uses a 4 cell which is a bit cheaper than the 6 cell the Yak 130 uses. I had the Yak and flew the heck out of it, but unless you put the upgraded gear on it, it's a bear to land nicely without a bounce or two. They also have changed the fan and motor from the original and it doesn't get as much flight time. The Meteor is a good one to start with and if you keep it you can upgrade it with different motor and fan combos. That's the fun of this hobby. If you want to spend a little more, the Freewing Avanti is a great jet. I have one and love it. The only down side is the cost of the 6s batteries. The Avanti has all the attributes needed, easy to fly, tough landing gear, slows down for landing with the flaps, and is a good size. It all comes down to how much you want to spend initially. Most foamy jets fly great nowadays and the sport type is made to fly better than the scale ones. I would also stay away from the Durafly Vampire since the tail booms flex too much without adding some carbon fiber rods. The elevator loses some control at speed without them. We have had 4 of them in our club and no one flies them anymore except for the one that was upgraded with rods, new motor and fan, to increase the speed.

[EDFjetpilot]

Koko...music,

Welcome to the Squawk!

First, I would not recommend an F-16 unless you've been flying some fast, pattern type prop aircraft. The F-16 is one of my favorites, I currently fly the Freewing 90mm. You need to keep the speed up and stay ahead if it.

Second, do you want to stay with your 3 and 4S batteries? If yes, then what are their C ratings? Ideally, you don't want anything less than a 40C. What are their mah? Usually you won't want less than a 4000mah battery.

I started with 64mm EDFs since I had 3S/2200 batteries from my props. I flew the 64mms for a couple years before I jumped to 6S batteries and the 80/90mms I fly today.

A friend of mine started with the Dynam Meteor since he had 4S/4000s. From his experience, I'd also recommend it.

If you want to jump (note the price jump as well) to 6S and 80/90mms, then I'd recommend a Freewing Avanti. Again, I haven't flown one, but know those that have and its a great flyer, slow and fast.

If you haven't figured it out, I'm a scale guy. So haven't flown the aforementioned sport jets. If you want something scale, then I'd recommend the Freewing F-86s...I've had both the 64mm and 80mm and they're great flyers.

EDFs are great fun...just don't get too fast too soon...and don't hesitate to use the Squawk to ask more questions. You'll find a lot of folks here willing to help you out.

Sean

[Trobinson99]

Hello and welcome

My first question is, are you flying off grass or paved? I feel this is important as EDFs and grass can sometimes fight each other.

In general EDFs tend to have smaller "jet scaled" wheels and can have trouble getting up to speed on grass. As well, the landing gear can take a beating.

As EDFjetpilot mentioned, the Dynam Meteor is a great starter. https://www.motionrc.com/products/dy...jet-dy8934-pnp

Solid flight characteristics, easy glide in landings, entry level price.

If if you are on grass, I highly recommend removing the landing gear and flying as a belly lander.

Below is a link to my maiden flight. I took the landing gear off after my initial maiden flights.

https://youtu.be/kMLDFsop7m4

T

[AZFlyer]

I've always thought the 70mm Freewing Rebel is a very good first EDF. It's light and very forgiving. It's also not expensive and easy/low cost to repair should you have an accident. Very easy to fly with no bad habits.

That being said, the Freewing 90mm Stinger is probably the best EDF out there. If you're a good pilot, you could handle that. Flying for 5 years, I would think you would be okay with that. It's quite a bit more expensive with much more expensive batteries, but you'll love that plane and it's very easy to fly.

I would absolutely not go with an F-16 for your first EDF. That plane is great (my favorite), but it's high performance and not near as stable as the others I've mentioned. I almost guarantee you'd wreck the F-16 trying to master it.

Also, go 6S and get it over with. Don't go 4S EDF. I've done a few of those and always unsatisfied after a short time. Go EDF with retracts and a 6S power system.

If price is an object, go 70mm Rebel. If not, go 90mm Stinger.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[AZFlyer]

Regarding the Dynam Meteor, they guys that have that at my flying field had to add a lot of weight to get it to balance. I've never had a Freewing plane that I had to add weight to.

One other plane to consider is the Freewing 80mm F-86. That is a fantastic plane in all respects. It could be your first EDF without problem. Not as forgiving as the Rebel, but it would get you into the 6S business and then upgrade to an F-16 or Stinger and use the same batteries. The F-86 is not all that fast, but it looks and sounds great. Easy to take off and land. Wouldn't be a problem. It's priced mid-way between the Rebel and Stinger.

I haven't seen or flown the Avanti 80mm, but I assume it's a good plane. Don't know anything about it's flying qualities.

Good luck!

[TiredIronGRB]

The TiredIron guys got me one of the FW F-86s for my 365 day celebration and it is an awesome plane and is very easy to fly...highly recommend as a first EDF.

[wvrailfan]

My first recommendation would be the Dynam Turbojet. I have one and think if you have flown some prop war birds you can transition to it easily. It will also take your 3 cell batteries, though I have also flown mine on 4 cell with no issues.

I kind of hate to recommend something from other than MRC, but I have to second MudDuck's vote for the Durafly Vampire. It was my first jet and it is a very easy to fly EDF. It has retracts and can take off from very short grass or be hand launched then landed on the wheels if necessary. I recently saw they HK is coming out with a V2 of the plane in Canadian colors but it is not listed yet. The original version is still listed and at a reasonable price.

[Hardway]

I have also been looking to get my first EDF next that is fairly easy to fly. I don't want to spend too much but I also don't want something I am going to out grow quick.
The most affordable EDF I have found that meets that criteria is the 70mm Freewing Yak-130 that only cost $199. I might I have to by some new 6S batteries for the Yak-130 but at least I would already have them when I move up to my next EDF.
From what I have seen the Yak-130 had be flown reasonably slow and fast.

The Yak is a great plane!!! For the 199.00 you can't beat it. I fly it with the Admiral 3300 6 cell. The C rating is just fine for 4 minutes of mixed throttle. Have a CC 10 amp BEC and a A3L gyro... It rocks! It is my warm-up jet for any others...

[MCO3024]

From personal experience I can recommend the rebel as a good, stable plane the get started with. It was not my first EDF, but it was my first sport plane. It has lots of capabilities but can also be quite gentle on new get pilots. If you have lots of 3 cell 2200 mAh batteries, the 64mm edfs would be something to look at. My fist EDF was the FMS f-15. It's not a common first EDF but it was easy to fly and get started. Maybe a little underpowered so you won't have unlimited vertical or anything, but with throttle control it floats in and lands nice.

[Evoman]

From all the research I have done I think the Freewing 80mm F-86 Sabre will be my top choice for my first EDF. I have also been flying the Sabre in the DCS flight simulator and its a great flying jet. Its my 2nd favorite to fly in DCS after the AJS-37 Viggen.
I don't have any 6S batteries but if I am going to get into EDF's I will need to start getting some eventually anyways, even if it will probably only be one battery to start with.

Here is the F-86 Sabre in action in DCS for those unfamiliar with this flight sim.

[Kokopellimusic]

I've always thought the 70mm Freewing Rebel is a very good first EDF. It's light and very forgiving. It's also not expensive and easy/low cost to repair should you have an accident. Very easy to fly with no bad habits.


If price is an object, go 70mm Rebel. If not, go 90mm Stinger.

Good luck and keep us posted.

How are the decals on the Rebel? I've read that they come off easy. They look good.

[Kokopellimusic]

Wow, lots of great info here, thanks guys. I have also looked at the Rebel V2. I would be flying off pavement, we are fortunate to have a 400x20 paved runway here in Nashville. I guess I have some decisions to make here, lol. Thank you for the input.

[runway14left]

How are the decals on the Rebel? I've read that they come off easy. They look good.

My first rebel they flaked pretty bad. I have since purchased another (2 months ago) and they seem much better.

[AZFlyer]

Wing and vertical tail decals on the Rebel will start to peel off after only a few flights. I wouldn't let that stop you, though. It's a great plane. Very good choice for a 1st EDF. Price is right, too. And you fly it on 4S batteries, so that's a savings.

You can't go wrong and won't regret it. Good luck!

[doctormike]

A coat of Varathane will seal those decals on permanently. Doc

[Kokopellimusic]

Hey guys, I just discovered this EDF on HH's site. I wonder why Motion RC doesn't sell this Avanti? It's 4 cell too. https://www.horizonhobby.com/product...red-fmm097pred