Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

I was considering ordering two of these kits, one for me and one for my brother as a grad gift, do these come preset with a frequency and if so can you change them…the idea is that we could fly them together. I know it’s a pretty simple question but we are bot new into the RC world. Thanks in advance

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

you could change the crystals to a different freq. but it would be best if the crystals came from the same mfg. as the transmitter and receiver...........if this is your first time to fly RC aircraft your making a bad decision on this EDF........start with a trainer and work your way up......EDF's are fast and roll sensitive. Best to learn to walk before you run

PoppyDon

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

Thank you, I will consider that, how is the simulator trainor that they have at nitro planes? also where would i buy new crystals, I cant seem to find any on the website

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

Simulators are okay, good for getting to know the orientation issues with flying RC, as the plane is coming toward you, you would push the aileron or rudder stick into the direction of the low wing, and as the plane is going away from you its like your sitting in the cockpit, just move the stick to the desired bank angle and fly. You could PM Nitrostaff1, his name is John and maybe he could help with replacing crystals. Happy Landings

PoppyDon

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

As PoppyDon said, DO NOT try to start out with an EDF.

These planes are really for intermediate to advanced flyers.

Something like one of these, though not quite a trainer, would help assure a degree of success.

[link=http://www.nitroplanes.com/t-34-mentor-rtf.html]Click me![/link]

Have you looked into finding a local club?

BTW:

THIS is an awesome starter plane:

[link=http://www.nitroplanes.com/rtfwiha54el3.html]Click me Too![/link]

Don't let it's looks fool you... there are numerous threads and videos on you tube about taking these from docile first flight planes, all the way to agressive aerobatic flyers using simple to do upgrades.

And if you crash it, the damage to the wallet is not as bad, plus the money you save can go into your second plane...
If the WHawk survives though, it will keep your interest.

Check out www.********.com ratings of the Hawk... ( he loves it! ).

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

I agree i would not start with one of these planes. recommend the the hobby zone super cub its a good starter plane easy to fly and cheap to repair. ive been flyin a lil over a year now with the cub and a firebird freedom. now lookin to step up to a four channel plane either the f4u corsair or the f-4e phantom.

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

Do you play a lot of video games? It seems people that play video games have an easier time starting out with r/c aircraft, maybe dependent on if they were flight sim video games or not. The biggest issue is gonna be orientation, and second will be gentle control. I know when I first flew a plane I was banging the sticks around and my plane was just all over the place and slammed into the ground. Only small stick movements are needed for the most part. It takes some getting used to especially when your plane is headed for the ground, and you instictively wanna slam the stick to make it go up. I'm not sure what sim nitroplanes has (fms maybe?), but I'd recommend realflight. It comes with a tx to hook to your computer and its great to learn with. I'd also recommend starting out with a high wing plane, as they are self correcting, as in if you turn and let go of the stick it will level it self out as long as the model is trimmed properly and your not flying in 20 mph winds. This might all seem like a fair bit of time to invest in order to get good enough to fly the F-4, but it will be worth it in the end. The F4 won't be much fun when you take off and hit the ground 20 secs later. My first flight ever lasted about 10 secs. So anyways, I'd invest in a high wing trainer type aircraft for you and your brother. Not to promote another manufacturer but the hobbyzone mini cub and super cub are great to learn on. I crashed my mini cub about 8 times yesterday (lots of wind and I was just messing around), and didn't break a single part. Just flipped it over and took off again. The mini cub runs for about 119 or so rtf. After thinking about it some more, if you dont wanna spend money on a sim go pick up an airhogs aero ace or something from walmart for like 20 ish bucks. It won't have the full elevator controls or anything that the hobby level planes have but it will teach you orientation and you can crash those all day and keep on flying.

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

Against all good advice I decided to get the F-4U, and I know I will probably end up with a heap of foam but I do plan on spending a few weeks on the simulator before attempting to actually fly it. It is just too cool and the sound of the EDF is just wicked. I have one issue....how the heck do u charge the battery? what power source do you hook up the charger to? Big up to Nitro planes for sending me two kits with differnt frequencys, but it appeares that one of the canopys didnt make it back in the box =( will sort that out with them though. Any help would be awesome

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

You hook up the charger to your standard 12v field power source!

Ok that sounds like a smart alec remark but it's not intended that way.

Most people who own electrics have a way of recharging the batteries at the field.

This can be something as simple as hooking the charger up to your car battery, or ( as in my case ) a dedicated charging field box with motorcycle batteries and multiple chargers and ports hooked into a self contained package.

If you wish to charge the batteries at home, you'll need a 12v DC output wall charger capable of at LEAST sustaining 1.5mA of output power.

Rat Shack has these and you may already have a suitable charger in box box of "unknown" wall warts.

Just make sure it is 12v DC positive tip 1.5A output ( higher than 1.5A or 1500mA is ok, less is NOT! )...

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

BTW, its illegal to change transmitter crystals in the US

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

Typerpaul5 Shame on you, but I know how it is to want something so badly that you go against odds. Go to Youtube.com and in the search area type in Exceed RC F-4 EDF and there are several reviews on this aircraft, the one by Dave Herbert is the best review hopefully this helps you out. Also on ********.com there is a review of this F-4 Phantom. If your charger is like the one that came with my F-35 then you should have a wire with alligator clips on one end and a bannana plug on the other. plug in bannana plug to charger and then the alligator clips to a 12volt car battery, then hook the end of the lipo battery into the charger. Best of luck (you'll need it) just kiddin, i truly hope your succesful in you conquest

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

Barracuda thats a new one on me, like your not supposed to use foul language on the CB, but people do and never get caught, seems like the same would apply to Freq. Crystals. In either case I guess you would be a law breaker.

Happy Landings

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

It is NOT that simple.

The transmitters are "tuned" for the crystal they have in there from the factory.

If you change crystals not only does the TX output less power, but that wasted power appears as leakage on other frequencies...

So you can be responsible for shooting down someone else's plane merely by turning on your TX if you change crystals, even though they may be on another frequency. Your receiver will also see a weaker signal..

If that were not enough to dissuade anyone from changing crystals, there is always the FCC, other angry club members, etc. who may act to change their mind.

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

Thank you for all your help, have my issues into nitro planes re the missing part and expect that will be resolved asap. Will keep you updated on the flight status and how long before her first mishap. Thanks again for all the great info

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

noooooooooooooo...dont get that plane if you are a beginner! 100% sure you will turn it into a kit again.

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

Thanks for the words of encouragment

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

To be frank with you, im not going to be one of those people that will blow sunshine up your... Take it from the old man (pretty seasoned rc pilot) that bought that exact plane as his first edf because it looked sweet and cost is pretty low. You know that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you have a new airplane? well it went away as I watched my plane kit istelf all over again. It snapped probably only due to excessive elevator because I was going at reasonable speed. Although it was pretty tricky to fly with the nitroplanes TX that came with no springs that centers the stick that controls the elevator (like the throttle stick, although im not using that as an excuse). Try going with something else that can fly slow and easier to see. A good plane would be the eurofighter typhoon, or the stealth fighter because of the maximum amount of wing surface. Anyways just trying to help your cause and good luck with your edf flying.
g-day

Ayrton

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

thanks for the heads up...I will definatly consider picking up the stealth once it is back in stock.

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

Typerpaul,

Have you taken your plane out? Very curious what your experience was like as i'm newbie looking to get EDF plane too...

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

Have you flown RC planes before?

If not DO NOT purchase an EDF.

EDF's are for intermediate to advanced flyers.

An EDF in the hands of a beginner lasts SECONDS, if the beginner gets as far as takeoff.

Consider one of these instead:

[link=http://www.********.com/airplanes/wildhawkplane-about.htm]Click me![/link]

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

I went to several LBS ( local hobby shops ) yesterday and they all responded the same:

FlightSim ( RealFlight ) would be a great tool in mind / muscle memory ( familiarity with controller without looking at it )
1) Becoming familiar with aerodynamic principles
2) Aerobatic manuevers later

Wouldn't recommend a Jet ( EDF ) initially

After playing with RealFlight G4.5 i was convinced i need to practice with a sim a lot more before flying any plane, much less an EDF. I crashed the Jet in the sim numerous times.

So for now

1) i'm waiting for monday to call KnifeEdge to determine whether RealFlight G4.5 will work with my laptop and if not, can it be returned since the software cannot be used without the controller nor if it's not registered

2) purchase RealFlight G4.5 if it'll work on laptop

3) practice with sim til 'm really good taking off, landing and manuvering a variety of the planes without incidents and can do so subconsiously


Thanks every one in this thread for your honesty, candidacy and for not withholding the truth.

Even though websites advertise certain EDF plains are good fo beginner's, they're more likely refering to those who have flown planes before, but are new ( beginner to EDF ).

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

Agreed with OPJOSE...if you can fly and edf as a newbie into rc flight, then your a prodigy. Flight sims are great but you really cant beat the real thing which is to buy a trainer, like the avistar or a nexstar package and get some stick time on buddy box. Yeah flight sim is cool, but you then have to program wind conditions, glare, and a bunch of other stuff (flight sims are usually used to practice aerobatic maneuvers that one may not be comfortable doing on their pride and joy rc plane or heli. Go to a local club and im sure that those guys will be more than happy to help you out while you make some friends. Then after your trainer experience, you can skip low wing trainer by buying a computer radio with expo and E.P.A and get more advanced. When you can finally fly a great high wing loading, low wing plane such as a giles, sukhoi, or extra, then you can proceed to much faster, short wing cool little rc jets (begginer stealth or typhoon from nitroplanes of course). Ive got the black eurofighter from art-tech, love it, and im very certain that I can handle the f-4 (stalls just like the real one) now.

tg2btrue, I do agree that some sights like nitroplanes dont really help the cause by telling you some of there planes are for begginers. Look some of these planes up on forums, then you will see what people really think of em. Im in France for business and had to endure this stupid cyclone. Happy flying guys.

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

I concur, all the folks on this forum is doing is, to try to get you past the frustration of getting the wrong plane and not getting the available help at your local flying field, many a want to be pilot is dicouraged and give up without getting the correct trainer and help at the flying field. We love new members to our hobby, but if they give up before soloing then we have lost a new member to our brotherhood. RC flying is a great hobby, one I have enjoyed for 4 decades, I wish you the best of luck.

Happy landings
PoppyDon

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

pff...happy landings....why didnt I think of that.

RE: Exceed RC F-4E Phantom Newbi Question
 

Just want to say everyone has been great...

Thanks a million to all ( no pun million-air )...

So in leiu of sim, should i simply spend money on trainer or would sim still be good idea?

I'm torn between RealFlight G4.5 and Aerofly Pro Deluxe, both are in $200 range i believe.

Sim seems like good way to become familar with controls, but if veteran flyers think simply getting out there and doing it on trainer is better, then perhaps that's way to go...