Parkjets

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EDF

NEW PLAN - SAF-14

New PlansParkJets

We just added in a new plan late last night, the SAF-14. Think of it as a combination of the F-35, SU-37, and bunch of originality. Better yet, this design comes from a new designer, Eduardo Flores. This model is built for EDF and based on the results, getting better than 1:1 weight to thrust ratio means it will perform like a good EDF should.

BARRACUDA EDF VIDEO

VideoParkJets

For those of you that haven't had a chance to get on over to and check out the newest RC plan on Parkjets, here is the video of the EADS Barracuda.  The plan file contains plans for a 68mm (or larger) EDF fan and also a mini version of the EADS Barracuda that is roughly 60% size and fits a 50mm EDF fan. 

PROP TO EDF CONVERSIONS

KnowledgeParkJets
Probably the number one question we get in our inbox is whether we have documentation to convert some of our excellent RC "pusher" prop plans into EDF, or electric ducted fans power.  Since we get the question all the time, we thought we would spend a little time discussing our feelings on the whole subject. If you are roaming around your local hobby shop, you will notice a lot of the boxed RC airplanes come set up for EDF.  So it has a lot of RC builders wondering if its a right fit for them.  Let's break this down a little. 

BARRACUDA UP CLOSE

InterviewParkJets

We recently got a plan submitted to parkjets.com via E-mail that caught our attention, the EADS Barracuda. Being that it was all the way from Germany, of a German design, it was immediately pretty unique. Here is the meat of it:

Hi...a few weeks ago I got bored of flying RTF-models, so I decided to design and build my own aircraft. Parkjets.com helped me a lot in that process so thanks for that. I based my design on the EADS-Barracuda, a prototype drone aircraft. It ended up working better, than i thought it would, and the final model is an easy to build, unique looking EDF....Sabastian.

We decided to talk to the designer a little bit more about his design and got some excellent feedback. We think it will provide you with some insight and ideas about designing and flying. So here we go.

FAN CALC 1.1

KnowledgeParkJets

This is a great resource to help you figure out everything you nee to know about Radio Controlled EDF fan calculations. 

NOTE: This program only works for PC's.

WHAT IS FSA | FOR EDF LOVERS

KnowledgeParkJets
By Ed Waldrep

FSA (Fan Swept Area) is the area of the opening where the air goes through the fan. In other words, find the area of the entire face of the fan, the subract the area of the motor/spinner/hub, the result is the FSA.

Here's an example
WeMoTec Mini fan 480
Fan Shroud ID 2.715"
Motor tube OD 1.27"
Max Area 5.79 sq. in.
Motor tube area 1.27 sq. in.
Fan swept area 4.52 sq. in[U].
Tailcone diam. 100% 2.4"
Tailcone diam. 95% 2.28"
Tailcone diam. 90% 2.16"

The inlets may look quite small but if you measure and calculate the area you may find plenty of area. 100% of the FSA is the goal, a bit under you'll be ok, a bit larger is OK. You can go way above that and possibly improve static thrust, but too large and the scale looks begin to suffer (look at the huge nacelles on the GWS Me 262 and you'll see what I mean, they're way oversized) and there's increased drag at higher speeds because too much air is going in.