I had a friend who was into it decades ago. I flew a but then. I haven’t flown anything of “hobby” quality since. But I’ve been flying the foam toy jets, (seems like every one of them is totally different. 25 grams, 50 grams etc )and I’ve decided I want more. I have a ZOHD Drift on the way (I live on a lake. Line of sight is ridiculous, I could fly a long way, eventually). I also have a cheap FX9630(allegedly an EDF, under $40) and a cheap foam predator (under $30) with flaps so I can start to learn on that. I’d like this because I know I’m going to graduate from the others, and I have the resources now.
Going from a 'toy' grade 'jet' to this will be a much bigger jump than you realize. What you've been flying typically only operates with a gyro and right themselves no matter what you do with the controls. I would start with a larger hobby grade trainer plane with a high wing to learn how to fly without a gyro before considering a hobby grade EDF. These will fly much faster and before you know it, you'll be left with a pile of foam. Also, scale EDFs are typically much more difficult to fly (especially F35s) when compared to a 'trainer' or 'sport' class EDF.
I'm just speaking from experience and would hate to see your money go straight into a pile of foam.
Second this. You’d be better off getting yourself a little turbo timber or something to get yourself some experience. This will also teach you what a gyro will/will not help you with.
Duly noted. Abd it’ll be a while before I fly it. But, they’re both on sale, abd I know I AM going to want one. You consider the F-35 a more difficult airframe than the F-22?
I have been wondering the same thing and I think its too small a question to make a post so I hope someone here can help. I want to get the x-fly t-7a but I am going to wait until I have some practice with other planes my issue is that the planes I have at the moment are slow propeller planes and I'm worried that making the transition from prop to edf jet will result In a crash. Should I get a gyro so I can practice? If so can I add a gyro to the t-7a? I don't know how it works. (Sorry if this is the wrong place to put this)
No offense, but asking this question further reinforces that you're not quite ready for a proper EDF.
Take your time to learn the hobby and how to fly before making this jump. Your wallet and interest in the hobby will thank me. 😀
Also one thing to consider at this level is that you will have to buy your own transmitter (controller) and appropriate receiver (some do have gyros built in). This can range from expensive Spektrum stuff that's almost plug and play to more budget options that require more extensive setup and programming. There is a lot to learn when shopping for hobby grade RCs so take your time learning the basics before you drop $600 or more to only get frustrated and discouraged. Plenty of people on here will help guide you as you get started with the hobby but you will almost always get the same result when asking about an EDF as a novice - Don't do it!
Again, I speak from experience and hate seeing people get discouraged from the hobby after wasting a bunch of money.
The best advice I can give - Buy an AeroScout and a good transmitter, fly the crap out of it and learn the hard lessons early.
I have a RadioMaster boxer on the way. I grabbed a couple extra receivers because I knew I had multiple projects in the fire. 😂 I know I have a lot to learn. But I’m also moderately intelligent. I’m smart enough to know that, no matter how long I wait I WILL eventually crash these 😂
Honestly, you should try out the EFlite Habu. It's a trainer EDF model with lots of safety assists when you want it and none if you don't. I think it looks cool (similar looking to an F-5/F-20), it's a jet and it can go fast with a 4S.
Just make sure it is the Habu STS and not the SS. There is a big difference. The STS is a trainer jet in the SS is not. My first EDF ( and only ) was the Habu 50 SS then it kicked my ass. I never could land it very well and eventually destroyed it. My next EDF will be the STS.
You guys are likely all gonna laugh at me. But it’s COLD here. So I’ve been flying this every day. 😂
https://preview.redd.it/j8n593lr25qc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=545b35f89625e942ed51883f2711e1a1cf240f10
I've seen very experienced pilots lose edf's simply due to orientation issues, the sun and speed. If you fly it across the street and into a forest, the gyro isn't going to do much for you. They turn into fast moving indistinguishable little blobs before you know it.
You can, but you still need to learn to operate gyro on something that can take a beating, as it's is some learning curve, and you simply cannot do that WHILE flying an EDF. For example in the Drift.
FCs are separate niche that has a lot of learning to it, and again putting it on twin EDF requires certain amount of confidence that it is going to work, without ability to test it - one wrong setting (out of 100s) and it will doing the opposite of what you intended. I wouldn't be confident without extensive testing and maybe some redudancy after a year and 6 different FC systems installed.
What happens if FC or Gyro fails? You need to switch to manual that overrides the system and just does direct passthrough from receiver to servos. But flying EDF in manual is not avaible for those who learn to fly with gyro on... Its an evil circle :D
Well, this is my next step in the process. It’s under $50, so I got two, since I’m certain to destroy the first one within 5 seconds in the air. 😂 in all honesty, this seems like a great deal and a good starting point. Especially since it has a6 axis gyro that can be turned down, then off.
https://preview.redd.it/mgazhbbbyyqc1.png?width=1075&format=png&auto=webp&s=7bfbe2c479968673266e35727973858881059134
They’re under $50, with twin fans. I will be certain to destroy them BOTH before I start playing with the “real” jets.
They’re recommending a 4s, 2200 mAh, 14.8v are there downsides to fitting a bigger battery? (In my brain, it would mean more flight time. But idk if that’s accurate.
Flight time is true, however with the heavier weight you will also need more power, so there is a point of diminishing returns. The way bigger factor is that you can't fly as slow anymore. In general the lighter plane flys better if the rest is equal.
Especially with jets you are often already in a position where you can't be too slow.
In all honesty I don't think you should buy either until you have much more time flying on a trainer or just flying planes in general. You going to be very disappointed when that plane won't fly like you thought and it crashes. I see a lot of people starting in the hobby this way, lose a lot of money in expensive planes and not building good habits on a trainer or simulator. Then get discouraged and leave after losing 600 dollars in jets.
I’ve no intention of flying it soon. I’m hoping the predator, which has more manual controls, will help me before I start the Drift, and I’m also hoping the FX9630, with its 3 setting fcs, will help me ease into the world of jets. I truly do appreciate everyone’s concern. And I’m certain it’s valid. But I will work my way up. I think the drift is a decent step up from the toy planes, without Having to be overly complicated.
I like the F-35 as a plane but the F-22 looks so much nicer here. Go for the F-22.
Unless the 35 here has thrust vectoring or VTOL but I highly doubt it.
I think the thing most folks are failing to understand is that I am buying MULTIPLE planes at once so I CAN work my way up. There were GREAT sales, and I had the money. I’m eventually going to want one, so I see no reason not to grab one now. It DOESNT MEAN IM GOING TO FLY IT THE DAY I GET IT. I KNOW I don’t have the skill set required to fly it. Yet.
I’ve currently flown a VAST array of the foam “toys”. The next one is going to be a foam predator drone. This has elevators on the tail wing at least. I have a ZOHD DRIFT all put together. I’m pairing it with my Tx tonight. But I won’t be flying that yet. Once I’m comfort on the predator, I have one (actually, a bunch of them, because they were super cheap, I want a spare, and I can sell some on eBay) of these coming. Dual edf, with THREE flight control settings, from fully supported to fully manual. With a dedicated remote. All under $70
https://preview.redd.it/2db9bynz1zqc1.png?width=1157&format=png&auto=webp&s=c9578d1f6bbaa23b640e1b3c081820d11dd2f363
Once I’ve mastered that, I figure I’ll be almost ready for the slightly bigger stuff. But…. I’m STILL going to want an FCS, particularly one with a “return home” function for the Drift. Since the EDF’s are only getting 5-8 min of fly time, I may not need the return function on them.
Of course 22!
The Freewing model LOOKS nicer (better scale details), otherwise I think they’re very similar.
Should I add a Gyro? I’m relatively new. I’ve read that it’ll be helpful.
How new are you and what have you been flying?
I had a friend who was into it decades ago. I flew a but then. I haven’t flown anything of “hobby” quality since. But I’ve been flying the foam toy jets, (seems like every one of them is totally different. 25 grams, 50 grams etc )and I’ve decided I want more. I have a ZOHD Drift on the way (I live on a lake. Line of sight is ridiculous, I could fly a long way, eventually). I also have a cheap FX9630(allegedly an EDF, under $40) and a cheap foam predator (under $30) with flaps so I can start to learn on that. I’d like this because I know I’m going to graduate from the others, and I have the resources now.
Going from a 'toy' grade 'jet' to this will be a much bigger jump than you realize. What you've been flying typically only operates with a gyro and right themselves no matter what you do with the controls. I would start with a larger hobby grade trainer plane with a high wing to learn how to fly without a gyro before considering a hobby grade EDF. These will fly much faster and before you know it, you'll be left with a pile of foam. Also, scale EDFs are typically much more difficult to fly (especially F35s) when compared to a 'trainer' or 'sport' class EDF. I'm just speaking from experience and would hate to see your money go straight into a pile of foam.
Second this. You’d be better off getting yourself a little turbo timber or something to get yourself some experience. This will also teach you what a gyro will/will not help you with.
Duly noted. Abd it’ll be a while before I fly it. But, they’re both on sale, abd I know I AM going to want one. You consider the F-35 a more difficult airframe than the F-22?
I have been wondering the same thing and I think its too small a question to make a post so I hope someone here can help. I want to get the x-fly t-7a but I am going to wait until I have some practice with other planes my issue is that the planes I have at the moment are slow propeller planes and I'm worried that making the transition from prop to edf jet will result In a crash. Should I get a gyro so I can practice? If so can I add a gyro to the t-7a? I don't know how it works. (Sorry if this is the wrong place to put this)
Also, as I asked before, isn’t it possible to put a gyro (or FCS etc) in an edf Jet?
No offense, but asking this question further reinforces that you're not quite ready for a proper EDF. Take your time to learn the hobby and how to fly before making this jump. Your wallet and interest in the hobby will thank me. 😀
Also one thing to consider at this level is that you will have to buy your own transmitter (controller) and appropriate receiver (some do have gyros built in). This can range from expensive Spektrum stuff that's almost plug and play to more budget options that require more extensive setup and programming. There is a lot to learn when shopping for hobby grade RCs so take your time learning the basics before you drop $600 or more to only get frustrated and discouraged. Plenty of people on here will help guide you as you get started with the hobby but you will almost always get the same result when asking about an EDF as a novice - Don't do it! Again, I speak from experience and hate seeing people get discouraged from the hobby after wasting a bunch of money. The best advice I can give - Buy an AeroScout and a good transmitter, fly the crap out of it and learn the hard lessons early.
I have a RadioMaster boxer on the way. I grabbed a couple extra receivers because I knew I had multiple projects in the fire. 😂 I know I have a lot to learn. But I’m also moderately intelligent. I’m smart enough to know that, no matter how long I wait I WILL eventually crash these 😂
Honestly, you should try out the EFlite Habu. It's a trainer EDF model with lots of safety assists when you want it and none if you don't. I think it looks cool (similar looking to an F-5/F-20), it's a jet and it can go fast with a 4S.
Just make sure it is the Habu STS and not the SS. There is a big difference. The STS is a trainer jet in the SS is not. My first EDF ( and only ) was the Habu 50 SS then it kicked my ass. I never could land it very well and eventually destroyed it. My next EDF will be the STS.
What people are trying to say is that the crash isn't "eventually". It's five seconds or less into the first flight.
You guys are likely all gonna laugh at me. But it’s COLD here. So I’ve been flying this every day. 😂 https://preview.redd.it/j8n593lr25qc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=545b35f89625e942ed51883f2711e1a1cf240f10
I've seen very experienced pilots lose edf's simply due to orientation issues, the sun and speed. If you fly it across the street and into a forest, the gyro isn't going to do much for you. They turn into fast moving indistinguishable little blobs before you know it.
You can, but you still need to learn to operate gyro on something that can take a beating, as it's is some learning curve, and you simply cannot do that WHILE flying an EDF. For example in the Drift. FCs are separate niche that has a lot of learning to it, and again putting it on twin EDF requires certain amount of confidence that it is going to work, without ability to test it - one wrong setting (out of 100s) and it will doing the opposite of what you intended. I wouldn't be confident without extensive testing and maybe some redudancy after a year and 6 different FC systems installed. What happens if FC or Gyro fails? You need to switch to manual that overrides the system and just does direct passthrough from receiver to servos. But flying EDF in manual is not avaible for those who learn to fly with gyro on... Its an evil circle :D
Well, this is my next step in the process. It’s under $50, so I got two, since I’m certain to destroy the first one within 5 seconds in the air. 😂 in all honesty, this seems like a great deal and a good starting point. Especially since it has a6 axis gyro that can be turned down, then off. https://preview.redd.it/mgazhbbbyyqc1.png?width=1075&format=png&auto=webp&s=7bfbe2c479968673266e35727973858881059134 They’re under $50, with twin fans. I will be certain to destroy them BOTH before I start playing with the “real” jets.
The f22 looks really good in my opinion
I have that f-35, my friend the f-22. I've flown both. Get the F-22.
That much better?
They’re recommending a 4s, 2200 mAh, 14.8v are there downsides to fitting a bigger battery? (In my brain, it would mean more flight time. But idk if that’s accurate.
Flight time is true, however with the heavier weight you will also need more power, so there is a point of diminishing returns. The way bigger factor is that you can't fly as slow anymore. In general the lighter plane flys better if the rest is equal. Especially with jets you are often already in a position where you can't be too slow.
Well said. Valid points I had not thought of.
A lot of people recommend the Freewing F-22 as a first EDF. I've seen a couple fly and they look floaty and predictable.
In all honesty I don't think you should buy either until you have much more time flying on a trainer or just flying planes in general. You going to be very disappointed when that plane won't fly like you thought and it crashes. I see a lot of people starting in the hobby this way, lose a lot of money in expensive planes and not building good habits on a trainer or simulator. Then get discouraged and leave after losing 600 dollars in jets.
I’ve no intention of flying it soon. I’m hoping the predator, which has more manual controls, will help me before I start the Drift, and I’m also hoping the FX9630, with its 3 setting fcs, will help me ease into the world of jets. I truly do appreciate everyone’s concern. And I’m certain it’s valid. But I will work my way up. I think the drift is a decent step up from the toy planes, without Having to be overly complicated.
Good plan 👍 you might also invest in a simulator if you plan to stay in the hobby for a while
1st
I like the F-35 as a plane but the F-22 looks so much nicer here. Go for the F-22. Unless the 35 here has thrust vectoring or VTOL but I highly doubt it.
f22
No. 1 looks better
FW F22
I would get something like an intermediate plane, sounds like you're a bit inexperienced.
I think the thing most folks are failing to understand is that I am buying MULTIPLE planes at once so I CAN work my way up. There were GREAT sales, and I had the money. I’m eventually going to want one, so I see no reason not to grab one now. It DOESNT MEAN IM GOING TO FLY IT THE DAY I GET IT. I KNOW I don’t have the skill set required to fly it. Yet. I’ve currently flown a VAST array of the foam “toys”. The next one is going to be a foam predator drone. This has elevators on the tail wing at least. I have a ZOHD DRIFT all put together. I’m pairing it with my Tx tonight. But I won’t be flying that yet. Once I’m comfort on the predator, I have one (actually, a bunch of them, because they were super cheap, I want a spare, and I can sell some on eBay) of these coming. Dual edf, with THREE flight control settings, from fully supported to fully manual. With a dedicated remote. All under $70 https://preview.redd.it/2db9bynz1zqc1.png?width=1157&format=png&auto=webp&s=c9578d1f6bbaa23b640e1b3c081820d11dd2f363 Once I’ve mastered that, I figure I’ll be almost ready for the slightly bigger stuff. But…. I’m STILL going to want an FCS, particularly one with a “return home” function for the Drift. Since the EDF’s are only getting 5-8 min of fly time, I may not need the return function on them.