RC jets - the ultimate radio control rush?
RC jets, whether gas (IC) or electric powered, are the ultimate radio control flying experience if you're looking to fill that need for speed!
However, larger scale gas turbine jets are, unsurprisingly, not for the beginner! They are very serious model aircraft that you have to work up to after gaining much rc flying experience, and an equally large amount of cash.
But if you do like the idea of flying a radio control jet, then there are options available; the basic 'entry level' models. These jets are still fast because of their inherent design, but they've been designed to fly slower and be more stable than their larger cousins.
Electric Ducted Fan jets
The best introduction to flying true rc jets are the electric ducted fan (EDF) models.
A ducted fan is a small but powerful unit (shown right) that houses a multi-bladed propeller, called an impeller, spinning at very high RPM (revs/minute). Because the impeller spins so fast, and all the air taken in by the impeller is forced through the small funnel-shaped unit, ducted fans generate a lot of thrust for their size, hence the faster flying speed of the model.
There aren't too many Ready To Fly quality EDFs on the market at the current time but a nice example of one due for release December 2009 (although not quite RTF) is the ParkZone Habu EDF, shown below:
Offered in PNP and BNF (Plug-N-Play and Bind-N-Fly respectively) versions, the Habu certainly fills a gap in the current EDF market.
While for an ARF (Almost Ready To Fly) example of an EDF, there is the E-flite F-15 Eagle, pictured below...
The F-15 Eagle is a very popular scale subject for rc jet fans, and this example is a nice introduction.
Of course, jets like these aren't suitable as first-time radio control aircraft, but if you've already had some experience flying faster rc airplanes such as the ParkZone F27C Stryker, for example, then you'll already have gained good reaction times and flying an rc jet like an F-15 shouldn't pose too much of a problem.
Gas turbine jets
These represent the pinnacle of radio control flying but, as mentioned earlier, an rc jet that is powered by a true model gas turbine, such as the F14 Tomcat in the following video, is definitely best left alone until you have:
1] lots of confidence...
2] endless hours of rc flying experience and...
3] more importantly, lots of money!!
Here's the video (reproduced, copyright unknown)...
Even a smaller size model turbine unit can cost over a thousand dollars, and that's before you've purchased the jet and radio gear! So a twin engine model, like the Tomcat in the video, is going to cost you a good few month's salary!
RC gas turbine jets are, however, the ultimate in radio control flying. Large scale jets look and sound amazingly realistic in the air, and a properly built scale model is very impressive to watch in action.
If you ever get a chance to see some of these on display, then do. RC club events that feature such aircraft are becoming more and more common, and it's worth trying to locate one if you can.
RC jets on a simulator
There is, of course, a cheaper option if you want to try your hand at flying proper gas turbine powered rc jets...
The very realistic RealFlight G4.5 rc flight simulator, from Great Planes, offers a few turbine models for your flying pleasure!
The options that come with the standard G4.5 package are a turbine powered Sabre, an L39 and - the most impressive of all - a Harrier jump-jet; it's worth buying the sim for this one alone! The realism of the G4.5 is incredible and on a modern, fast computer the experience of flying these scale gas turbine jets is quite exhilarating!
A couple of screenshots of the Harrier and L39 are shown below...
One advantage rc jets have - whether virtual or real - is that they are not adversely affected by wind like many rc airplanes are, due to the higher airspeeds and smoother aerodynamics. This is a big plus when you're flying, although obviously every model has its own limitations and flight characteristics.
A downside is that because of this speed, they need extra airspace; a faster flying model requires much more space for turns and aerobatic maneuvers than a slower flying propeller airplane, and you need to remember this when flying one. This consequently brings in the problem of your jet being flown at a distance where it's not always easy to see exactly what it's doing, and that in turn brings the serious risk of disorientation - a proven killer of rc aircraft!
But flying any type of rc jet is always an adrenalin-filled experience, and with radio control and electronic technology forever improving and reducing in cost, more and more rc jets will become available for the lesser-experienced amongst us!
Propeller-powered RC jets
There is an alternative if flying an EDF or gas turbine jet is out of reach. Model jets with a normal 2 stroke glow plug engine or an electric brushless motor are an option, and many of these are flown by novice and intermediate pilots.
Admittedly, the look and sound aren't truly realistic, but the all-important flight characteristics often resemble a jet more than an airplane.
One 'entry-level' example, actually marketed as a gas trainer, is the Hanger 9 F-22 Raptor PTS Trainer, shown below...
This package deal actually comes with the FS One rc flight simulator, and the F-22 is RTF, supplied with the trusted Evolution engine and JR radio system.
So, you can see that there are varies options available to you for flying rc jets. The Hanger 9 Raptor clearly isn't the classic, high wing slow flying trainer but obviously it's been designed and built to be as flyer-friendly as possible. A model like this makes an excellent stop-gap between normal rc airplanes and jets, if you prefer to work your way up to jets without jumping in at the deep end!
Reading about RC jets
As with all aspects of radio control flying, subscribing to a magazine is one of the best ways of staying up to date.
Radio Control Jet International is the only magazine dedicated to rc jets, packed with lots of useful info, tips, reviews etc.
See the E-flite F-15 & other rc jets in more detail.
Related pages
ParkZone Habu EDF - nice electric jet dues for release.
Model jet engines - the ultimate rc model power units.
RC flight simulators - the safest & cheapest way to fly rc turbine jets!
