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Old 09-18-2025 | 08:25 PM
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N4S
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 97
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From: Dallas TX
Default Ftl f-16

I received my FTL F-16 couple of weeks ago. Beside few unboxing videos, there are not much info on this jet, so I thought I share my experience here. I bought mine directly from FTL and it took about 3 months for delivery.

It came in a big wooden box nicely packed. There are not any pushrods or servos visible from outside, which is a nice touch. It came with a nice CG tool but no manual. When I asked for a manual, FTL send me a PDF of Boomrange F-16. In fairness to FTL, it was the easiest PNP jet I have assembled. Even the cumbersome JP retract/door/brake controller were all set up with proper sequencing. The only thing I needed was control surfaces throw which was in the manual.

With the exception of the cockpit, he quality of the jet is great! I got the TV option and put a K142 in it which is more than enough. It can hover at about 80% throttle. I had to add 340 grams of weight at the nose and it is about 5mm behind factory CG. There no info on the size of the tank, but I think it is about 3L.

The engine bracket is too wide and I had to add plywood to accommodate the k142. It weights about 24.6 lb dry with 3 2,200 batteries and UAT full.

The cockpit if you can call it that is made of very flimsy black plastic and it melted/deformed after 4 flight in 90 degree sunny day. I 3D printed a tub, added control panels and a seat. I am working on adding a pilot.

After about 6 flights, the alen screw head for the front right wing clamp was stripped. They use a button head shallow screw. I got both front screws out and replaced them.

It flies very nice similar to my BVM F-16.
























Last edited by N4S; 09-18-2025 at 08:30 PM.