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Old 08-10-2012 | 06:58 AM
  #11  
samdimaio
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From: west chester, PA
Default RE: BVM F-16

Completed BVM F-16 EDF conversion and first flew it with the conversion at the First In Flight Jet Rally in May of this year. Harley Condra worked on the 16 at First In Flight but I'm not sure if he actually saw it fly. Harley is a real gentleman and was very helpful resolving a main wheel problem. BV and many others saw it fly this past weekend at the Mid Summer Afterburner Jet Rally in Hamburg, PA. The BVM EDF conversion is very straightforward. We are using the BVM EVF 2 12s fan unit and the three 4s 65c 6600 mah Thunderpower batteries. We had been flying the F-16 with BVM 91 power. By comparison, the performance with the EVF is vastly improved - especially takeoff and vertical - and we typically fly off grass. Probably have 30 or so flights with EDF power. Not quite turbine level performance with the EVF, but very, very close. And the reliablilty factor now allows you to slow-fly the plane which is very important - although I cant seem to convince my 2 sons to try this - they dont want to waste the amps on slow flight. So much power that you will need to throttle back on some manuevers - like the max turn for example. With the EVF, flight times are 4:30 max. Make sure your landing gear is operating 100% - cycle the gear several times before each flight and refill - you may want to consider adding a gear fail-safe device or at least add an extra air tank for more volume. Also make sure your nose gear has the aluminum moving parts - not the black carbon fiber filled nylon - send it back to BVM for the mod. to aluminum. Also, make sure you have the aluminum nose gear flex arms - not the black plastic. Don't forget the stabilator re-inforcement shown in the manual - this applies to both the turbine and EDF conversions. If you have any questions on the flight characteristics, feel free to call Anthony 610-322-7456 or Steve 610-324-2928 or any questions about the plane itself and the conversion call me (sam) 610-436-5552.