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Flite Test STEM

I want to buy the Freewing F9F 64mm as my first EDF, anything I should consider?

short_nathan

short_nathan

Active member
You may know I tried to design my first EDF, but for several reasons, I didn't. I then changed my focus to the E-Flite Habu SS 50mm, but the price was way out of my reach. So I did my investigation and found that the Freewing F9F 64mm was the cheapest good option I could find. SInce I am not used to flying without gyro, and the F9F doesn't necessarily come with one (which would be out of my price range), are there any things I should consider, and to get used to fly without gyro, could I take one off my Aeroscout and put on the F9F? Or anything to help me learn? This would be my first jet and 3rd (or 4th) RC plane. And if anyone wonders why I don't go the FT way, it sadly hasn't worked for me 😢
 
Last edited:
quorneng

quorneng

Master member
short_nathan
If you are not used to flying without a gyro I would say don't even attempt to fly F9F until you are really confident of flying without one!
As an EDF it will fly fast and likely not be "kind" if you get too slow or "out of shape".
Remember fast planes crash hard so repair costs can be high.
I suggest you disconnect the gyro on at least one of your planes and fly it as much as you can. The fact it will not have a gyro will add to the stress of flying until you get confident you can handle the plane in any likely situation.
Even then the F9F will be quite a change.
 
telnar1236

telnar1236

Elite member
Which planes have you flown? And by gyro do you mean AS3X or SAFE? If you have flown some decently sporty designs and the using only AS3X, the F9F won't be too much worse. AS3X just damps out wind and makes the plane handle a bit easier but isn't a huge help in calm conditions. On the other hand, if you have only flown in SAFE or only flown slower easier flying planes like the Aeroscout, an EDF probably needs some more experience. Out of curiosity, what trouble have you run into with FT style planes? In general, foam board jets actually fly much gentler than their storebought (or balsa or 3D printed) counterparts since they're lighter.
 
L Edge

L Edge

Master member
Watched the F9F flight video from MotionRC, did you see the 5-10 mph wind that he threw it into or the speed about 60-70mph (88+ or more ft/sec? and that nice smooth landing? That's a pro flying that.

Now, add your gyro either in safe or AS3X or without it. Can you line up for landing?, flare, most EDF's require some throttle on approach, and many other factors(no sharp turns, limited flight times, go around time for another approach)?

Or should you try a foam trainer EDF first?
I know of 3 shapes that you could use to train yourself and save money. Any F-22, Bobcat and a delta. Videos if interested. You have to build them. Real easy.
 
short_nathan

short_nathan

Active member
telnar1236 said:
Which planes have you flown? And by gyro do you mean AS3X or SAFE? If you have flown some decently sporty designs and the using only AS3X, the F9F won't be too much worse. AS3X just damps out wind and makes the plane handle a bit easier but isn't a huge help in calm conditions. On the other hand, if you have only flown in SAFE or only flown slower easier flying planes like the Aeroscout, an EDF probably needs some more experience. Out of curiosity, what trouble have you run into with FT style planes? In general, foam board jets actually fly much gentler than their storebought (or balsa or 3D printed) counterparts since they're lighter.
Click to expand...
I am already used to AS3X (at this point SAFE is uncomfortable). Also, the FT problem is that I have only been able to succesfully fly the FT Bloody Baron. I have tried to fly the FT Simple Cub, FT Tiny Trainer, FT Storch. The only one that still works but haven't tried is the FT-22. I am just waiting for someone trusted to maiden fly it.
 
telnar1236

telnar1236

Elite member
short_nathan said:
I am already used to AS3X (at this point SAFE is uncomfortable). Also, the FT problem is that I have only been able to succesfully fly the FT Bloody Baron. I have tried to fly the FT Simple Cub, FT Tiny Trainer, FT Storch. The only one that still works but haven't tried is the FT-22. I am just waiting for someone trusted to maiden fly it.
Click to expand...
Ok, that's definitely some important context. If you can fly the FT Bloody Baron reliably on a heavier setup, you should have a fighting chance with the Freewing F9F. If you don't have experience programming AS3X, I would recommend against using a gyro. EDFs fly smoother than prop planes as a whole, so you probably don't need one. It will be a learning curve since EDFs are, as a whole, faster than prop planes and have less static thrust, so you need to stay ahead of the plane, but it sounds like you're at about the same skill level I was when I first started flying EDFs successfully. Find a large space to fly and you should be ok.
As an aside, it's worth trying to understand why you're not having success with the FT planes. All three you listed as having trouble should be easier to fly than the Bloody Baron. If you tried to put a gyro in them, that could explain, since the gyro needs to be carefully oriented relative to the plane, and the rates and gains need to be set appropriately.
 
Houndpup Rc

Houndpup Rc

Master member
short_nathan said:
I am already used to AS3X (at this point SAFE is uncomfortable). Also, the FT problem is that I have only been able to succesfully fly the FT Bloody Baron. I have tried to fly the FT Simple Cub, FT Tiny Trainer, FT Storch. The only one that still works but haven't tried is the FT-22. I am just waiting for someone trusted to maiden fly it.
Click to expand...
BTW my brother said the FT F - 22 is pretty easy to fly.
 
Mr Man

Mr Man

Mr SPEED!
short_nathan

short_nathan

Active member
Also one thing to you all, I still use my DXS transmitter and have attempted to use it with the cheapest spektrum receiver in an FT Storch. Everything worked fine except the throttle, anyone know why? My theory is that the motor and ESC were both of those offbrand amazon motors. The one I used in the FT Viggen (I forgot about that, never finished it because the battery couldn't reach the ESC and all the servos stopped working because they were also offbrand cheap ones). Also, I have heard that the Freewing F9F Panther 64mm has no good place to hand-launch it. Should I try to make a catapult like a guy in youtube with that same jet? And I only have 3s Batteries, could that work?
 
Houndpup Rc

Houndpup Rc

Master member
short_nathan said:
Also one thing to you all, I still use my DXS transmitter and have attempted to use it with the cheapest spektrum receiver in an FT Storch. Everything worked fine except the throttle, anyone know why? My theory is that the motor and ESC were both of those offbrand amazon motors. The one I used in the FT Viggen (I forgot about that, never finished it because the battery couldn't reach the ESC and all the servos stopped working because they were also offbrand cheap ones). Also, I have heard that the Freewing F9F Panther 64mm has no good place to hand-launch it. Should I try to make a catapult like a guy in youtube with that same jet? And I only have 3s Batteries, could that work?
Click to expand...
I don't use Spektrum.... @Mr Man ?
 
Mr Man

Mr Man

Mr SPEED!
@short_nathan , I believe your problem is that the Dxs was meant for an Flite airplane programmed for that transmitter, while your storch, was not. Idk, I use a dx6e which has programming and setup functions.
 
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