test review
type: | mega x-fighter |
manufacturer: | arkai |
wing span: | 710 mm |
length: | 779 mm |
weight empty: | 350 g |
weight complete: | 530 g |
edf: | 1 * 62 mm (outrunner!) |
material | EPS refinded surface |
type | ARF |
included | plane, 4 servos, 1 edf, 1 brushless motor, 1 brushless-controller 30A (?) |
thrust: | 560g at 11Volt 25 Ampere 50.000 rev/min |
manual | Download Handbuch |
test |
First impression:
The box, only 10cm high, measures shipping friendly 75cm x 83 cm. Inside of the box the plane is securely fixed by a two piece eps block. One half of it can later be uesed as a stand for the plane.
Where are the small parts?
Inside a small carton you'll find the edf unit with motor and controller, the cabin, rudders and glue. Of course there is the manual and some labels for the decor of the plane.
What is left to do?
Both rudders have to be glued to a precise openeing in the hull by the include special-glue. The edf-unit with already installed motor and controlled has to be glued together and mounted to the hull. There are several holes and pins for perfect alignement. All steps are described and shown with pictures by the manual.
Before fixing the lower part of the hull you should check the available space for the receiver. The chosen Jeti Rex 5 receiver measures 31x17x9mm and fits perfect. Maybe slighly larger ones can be stripped off the body to fit. The required receiver must be at least a 3-channel type (1 aileron, 1 elevator, 1 controller).
Alternatively one can connect all 4 servos straight to the receiver (2 aileron and 2 elevator).
Even though the four rudders look exotic it's a conventional steering with aileron and elevator. The Transmitter must NOT be capable of mixing any functions when you use the included v-cables. Very useful is exponential-setting to 30%.
The flightbatterie
You will need a 3 cell lipo batterie with 200 to 2100 mAh and 3,5mm goldplugs. The max size aof the battery is 109x38x25 and should not exceed weight of 175g. Please pay attention to the load rating. The small but very powerful edf will draw 25 amps at 11 volts. The choosen batterie must deliver this to have a good launching. Batteries with 2100mAh and 16C rating should work well.
The manufacturer had marked the cg on the bottom side of the plane nad with an 175g lipo and a 8g receiver it is perfect. Adjustements to the cg will be made by using lead at front or end of hte plane.
Rudderadjustements:
Rudder will be set to neutral with max. 15mm travel (max 20mm on dual-rate)
add 30% Expo for easier steering.
Launching:
The plane will be launched by hand and using the recessed grip on underside of the plane. Logically first by a routined launcher. Some few steps and leveled launching and the x-fighter is airborne. Nearly no Edf-typically plunge-down due to weight/thrust ratio of 1:1, it accelrates quick and has a good climb-rate.
Flight:
a bright smile comes to the face of the pilot. The plane not only looks fast, it really flies so. Just with half power the plane is easy to fly. There is some little training necessary due to the unusual wingform but after that gymnastics starts.... . Good maneuverability and powerful edf helps to fly jetlike.
Landing:
As many other edf-jets the x-fighter also is easy to land. On the end of approach one pulls the elevator more and more and gets a very smooth touch down.
Impression:
Even though the x-fighter is a "foamie" it has some features setting it apart from others. Not only the looking but also the material is new. The surface of the plane is rather smooth, much better than other foam surfaces.
The delicate looking edf is powered by a 6-pol outrunner which is a sly old dog. The windings are well made and the magnets are curved for fitting the bell. The effort pays 560g thrust, very good in ths class. The open design greatly cooles the motor and the controller. Even the hatch for the battery improves cooling.
Potential:
Besides receiver and battery Arkai's mega x-fighter is 'all-inclusive'. There is nothing to tune.
Conclusion:
Arkai's x-fighter is a well made ARF model for the intermediate modelpilot to start into edf-flying or as a funflyer while keeping buildtime and cost low.
Many thanks to
Felix Neubauer for taking fotos and
Willem Persson for perfect handlaunches.
test review
type: | mega x-fighter |
manufacturer: | arkai |
wing span: | 710 mm |
length: | 779 mm |
weight empty: | 350 g |
weight complete: | 530 g |
edf: | 1 * 62 mm (outrunner!) |
material | EPS refinded surface |
type | ARF |
included | plane, 4 servos, 1 edf, 1 brushless motor, 1 brushless-controller 30A (?) |
thrust: | 560g at 11Volt 25 Ampere 50.000 rev/min |
manual | Download Handbuch |
test |
Many thanks to
Felix Neubauer for taking fotos and
Willem Persson for perfect handlaunches.
First impression:
The box, only 10cm high, measures shipping friendly 75cm x 83 cm. Inside of the box the plane is securely fixed by a two piece eps block. One half of it can later be uesed as a stand for the plane.
Where are the small parts?
Inside a small carton you'll find the edf unit with motor and controller, the cabin, rudders and glue. Of course there is the manual and some labels for the decor of the plane.
What is left to do?
Both rudders have to be glued to a precise openeing in the hull by the include special-glue. The edf-unit with already installed motor and controlled has to be glued together and mounted to the hull. There are several holes and pins for perfect alignement. All steps are described and shown with pictures by the manual.
Before fixing the lower part of the hull you should check the available space for the receiver. The chosen Jeti Rex 5 receiver measures 31x17x9mm and fits perfect. Maybe slighly larger ones can be stripped off the body to fit. The required receiver must be at least a 3-channel type (1 aileron, 1 elevator, 1 controller).
Alternatively one can connect all 4 servos straight to the receiver (2 aileron and 2 elevator).
Even though the four rudders look exotic it's a conventional steering with aileron and elevator. The Transmitter must NOT be capable of mixing any functions when you use the included v-cables. Very useful is exponential-setting to 30%.
The flightbatterie
You will need a 3 cell lipo batterie with 200 to 2100 mAh and 3,5mm goldplugs. The max size aof the battery is 109x38x25 and should not exceed weight of 175g. Please pay attention to the load rating. The small but very powerful edf will draw 25 amps at 11 volts. The choosen batterie must deliver this to have a good launching. Batteries with 2100mAh and 16C rating should work well.
The manufacturer had marked the cg on the bottom side of the plane nad with an 175g lipo and a 8g receiver it is perfect. Adjustements to the cg will be made by using lead at front or end of hte plane.
Rudderadjustements:
Rudder will be set to neutral with max. 15mm travel (max 20mm on dual-rate)
add 30% Expo for easier steering.
Launching:
The plane will be launched by hand and using the recessed grip on underside of the plane. Logically first by a routined launcher. Some few steps and leveled launching and the x-fighter is airborne. Nearly no Edf-typically plunge-down due to weight/thrust ratio of 1:1, it accelrates quick and has a good climb-rate.
Flight:
a bright smile comes to the face of the pilot. The plane not only looks fast, it really flies so. Just with half power the plane is easy to fly. There is some little training necessary due to the unusual wingform but after that gymnastics starts.... . Good maneuverability and powerful edf helps to fly jetlike.
Landing:
As many other edf-jets the x-fighter also is easy to land. On the end of approach one pulls the elevator more and more and gets a very smooth touch down.
Impression:
Even though the x-fighter is a "foamie" it has some features setting it apart from others. Not only the looking but also the material is new. The surface of the plane is rather smooth, much better than other foam surfaces.
The delicate looking edf is powered by a 6-pol outrunner which is a sly old dog. The windings are well made and the magnets are curved for fitting the bell. The effort pays 560g thrust, very good in ths class. The open design greatly cooles the motor and the controller. Even the hatch for the battery improves cooling.
Potential:
Besides receiver and battery Arkai's mega x-fighter is 'all-inclusive'. There is nothing to tune.
Conclusion:
Arkai's x-fighter is a well made ARF model for the intermediate modelpilot to start into edf-flying or as a funflyer while keeping buildtime and cost low.
