EDF Jets - Radio Control Info

Flying electric ducted fan jets is one of the most hands-on styles of RC flying. It keeps you on your toes, demands focus, and rewards smooth control inputs. EDF jets are fast, maneuverable, and (let’s be honest) just plain awesome.

EDF jets don’t just perform well—they also look incredible in the air. There are many scale models available in a wide range of sizes and price points. You’ll also find sport and trainer-style jets (covered in more detail on the airframe page), which can be a smarter starting point if you’re new to EDF.

Before you dive in, it’s important to understand the trade-offs. EDF jets can be hard on batteries and electronics. They also tend to be less efficient than prop planes at the same power level. And because EDF models can be loud, you should always check your local flying field rules and any local noise restrictions before flying.

Here are many of the sections that we are covering in this detailed guide. You can click a section you are interested in within this list below:

EDF Jets Overview: What to Expect

Electric ducted fan jets are demanding in the best way. They look realistic, they sound aggressive, and they fly like they mean it. But EDF flying also requires planning. The systems draw high current, they generate heat, and they rely on airflow and speed more than many pilots expect—especially pilots transitioning from prop planes.

Key disadvantages to understand first

EDF jets come with a few realities you should know before spending money:

EDF systems are rough on LiPo packs. Your batteries must be in excellent condition to handle the load reliably.
EDF jets are less efficient than prop planes. At the same power level, a prop-powered jet can often deliver more performance.
Noise can be an issue. Many fields have noise restrictions. EDF jets can be very loud, so check field rules and local laws in advance.

Once you accept these trade-offs, EDF jets can be one of the most exciting parts of RC aviation.

EDF Jet Component Breakdown

An electric ducted fan jet power system is built from a few core components. These parts work together as a complete system:

EDF unit (fan + shroud)
LiPo battery packs (various cell counts and capacities)
Brushless motor
Electronic Speed Control (ESC)

Getting good EDF performance means matching these components correctly, not just buying “bigger” parts.

EDF Jets Airframe Selection

Your first major decision when getting into EDF airplanes is choosing the airframe. You want the airframe picked before selecting the motor, ESC, and battery packs. The airframe affects everything—speed range, wing loading, stability, and how forgiving the jet will be.

Choose your airframe based on:

Your flying skill level
Your building skill level
Your goals (slow sport flying vs high speed)
Appearance (scale vs sport)
Where you plan to fly (runway access, space, wind)

Speed potential is built into the airframe

Some airframes only allow certain speeds safely. If your goal is a slower jet, choose a design that supports that. If your goal is a fast jet, choose a sleek, low-drag airframe.

Jets that fly faster usually have:

Thinner wings
Sleeker fuselage lines
Less drag overall

This type of design makes higher speed more achievable.

Entry-level EDF jets: “Jet Trainers”

Entry-level EDF models are often called jet trainers. You can often spot them by comparing wingspan to fuselage length. As the wingspan-to-length ratio approaches 1:1 (or even exceeds it), wing loading tends to be lower and the model is usually more forgiving.

Most EDF jets have wingspans smaller than their fuselage length. Trainer-style jets tend to push closer to that 1:1 relationship, which usually helps slow-speed handling.

Wing Loading and Why It Matters

Wing loading is one of the best ways to compare EDF jets objectively. To determine wing loading, visit the RC Calculator under the Airplane section and compare multiple models.

Important rule of thumb:

Higher wing loading = higher stall speed
Lower wing loading = lower stall speed

This matters a lot for EDF jets because they rely on airflow and speed to keep control surfaces effective.

Foam vs Composite/Fiberglass vs Balsa Kits

Construction type affects how easy the jet is to build and maintain:

Foam EDF jets are typically easier to assemble and are usually best for new builders.
Composite/fiberglass airframes and balsa-covered kits are often more complex and better for experienced builders.

Once your airframe is selected, its size and final weight will guide your choices for EDF unit, batteries, motor, and ESC.

EDF Cell Count and Battery Capacity

Every EDF fan and motor combination supports certain cell counts. You need to determine cell count to target the correct power level, speed, and final weight. Battery capacity (mAh) matters too, especially for flight time and current handling.

Common EDF cell count and capacity ranges

Most setups follow a typical range. Some combinations will fall outside of it, but this is a useful baseline.

Fan Size	LiPo Cells (Series)	Capacity (mAh)
56mm	3S	1500
70mm	3S–6S	2200–4000
80mm	4S–6S	3700–5000
90mm	6S–10S	3700–5000
120mm	10S+	5000+

Higher Cell Counts and Capacity: Pros and Cons

Higher cell counts and larger capacities come with benefits—but also penalties.

The trade-offs (the disadvantages first)

As cell count or capacity increases:

Weight increases
Wing loading increases
Battery pack size increases
It can become harder to hit the correct center of gravity

Many pilots agree that a lighter jet often flies better. But you still need enough energy onboard to fly safely, especially with EDF.

The advantages

The advantage of more cells in series is higher voltage. The advantage of higher capacity is often longer runtime and sometimes better current delivery.

However, remember this key point:

The motor ultimately determines how much power is consumed, not how large the battery is.

If you are running short flight times and still have weight allowance, increasing capacity can give you more runtime.

Also, always buy the highest C rating your budget allows. Higher is better.

Using Voltage to Reduce Battery Load

EDF jets are hard on battery packs because they require high continuous power just to stay airborne. One way to reduce stress on batteries is to increase voltage.

When you increase voltage and select the right motor, you can reduce the current draw while maintaining similar wattage. That can mean less heat and less strain—at the expense of more battery weight.

Finding the best power-to-weight trade-off for your goals is one of the biggest wins in EDF setup.

EDF Unit Common Sizes

EDF fan units come in a few popular sizes. Fan size should be selected based on the size and weight of the jet. Larger jets typically require larger fans. EDF sizes are listed by fan diameter.

It helps to know the jet’s approximate RTF (Ready-to-Fly) weight.

Common EDF fan sizes and weight ranges

56mm EDF
Best for planes under 1.75 lb. Common motor diameter: 24mm.

70mm EDF
Best for planes around 2 to 5.5 lb. Common motor diameter: 28mm.

80mm EDF
Best for planes around 3 to 6.5 lb. Common motor diameter: 28mm to 32mm.
Note: 32mm motors are less common and usually come from specialty manufacturers.

90mm EDF
Best for planes around 4.5 to 10 lb. Common motor diameter: 36mm.

120mm EDF
Best for planes over 8 lb. Common motor diameter: 39mm or larger.

Most EDF jets are designed around a specific fan size, which simplifies selection. In most cases, it’s best to stick with the recommended fan size for fitment and performance.

EDF Blade Count and Sound

EDF units typically have 5 to 13 blades. Blade count affects motor RPM requirements and sound.

Lower blade count often requires higher RPM and creates a high-pitched “scream.”
Higher blade count (around 9+ blades) can run at lower RPM and often creates a more scale “whoosh” sound.

As EDF jets have grown in popularity, more pilots have moved to higher blade counts for the scale-like sound. In 2019, higher blade count EDF units were pretty much the norm.

Balancing a Ducted Fan Unit

There are multiple ways to balance an EDF system. No matter what method you use, remember this:

EDF units are high-energy machines spinning at high RPM. If a blade breaks, it becomes a projectile. Plan accordingly and stay safe.

The method below treats the motor and fan as a single balanced unit. It uses trial and error and requires spinning the fan to operating speed multiple times.

Items needed

EDF stand
Scissors or hobby knife
Tape
Marker (to mark blades)
All electrical equipment to run the fan
Safety glasses

Balancing technique (step-by-step)

Step #1: Mark each fan blade: 1, 2, 3, 4… until all blades are numbered.
Step #2: Mount the fan unit securely to an EDF stand on a workbench or table.
Step #3: Wire up the fan for operation.
Step #4: Run the fan up to speed and note vibration tone. Stop if vibration is excessive. Record vibration on your own 1–10 scale.
Step #5: Rotate the fan unit 90 degrees on the motor shaft and repeat Step #4. Do this for 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°, and record results.
Step #6: Choose the angle with the lowest vibration. Spin up again to confirm. If this doesn’t help enough, move to Step #7.
Step #7: Cut a small piece of tape and place it on the inner hub of blade #1.
Step #8: Spin up the fan to the same speeds and note changes. Stop if vibration is excessive.
Step #9: If vibration improves, add another strip of tape. If it gets worse, remove tape from blade #1 and move it to blade #2.
Step #10: Spin up again and compare vibration. If it improved, try more tape. If not, move to the next blade.
Step #11: Continue until each blade has been tested with tape on the inner hub. If vibration becomes excessive at any point, stop and continue carefully.

When completed, the EDF should run smoothly throughout the RPM range. A smooth EDF unit improves sound and also increases lifespan of the fan, motor bearings, and the entire power system.

Selecting an EDF Brushless Motor

EDF brushless motors are selected primarily based on:

EDF unit
Cell count
The performance goals of your jet

Selecting Motor Size and Can Dimensions

Once you know your EDF unit, you can determine the maximum motor can diameter allowed by the fan housing. That diameter is restricted by the EDF unit itself.

It is usually best to select the largest allowable motor diameter for the best performance.

Motor can length is then selected based on the wattage required. Longer motors generally support higher wattage.

Motor Shaft Size

Brushless motors for EDF jets come with different shaft sizes. Shaft diameter can limit which motors fit your EDF unit.

Some EDF units include adapters for multiple shaft sizes, but not all do. Make sure the motor you select matches the fan’s shaft requirements.

Selecting EDF Motor Kv

Kv selection is one of the trickiest EDF choices.

Kv is the unloaded RPM per volt.

Too high and you can overheat or destroy components.
Too low and you may not produce enough thrust to fly safely.

Kv depends on:

Fan type
Blade count
Voltage (cell count)

Higher blade count usually needs lower KV. Lower blade count often needs higher KV.

Most EDF systems operate around 30,000 to 50,000 RPM. The chart below is a general guideline for Kv range by cell count. The actual ideal KV may be much narrower for your exact fan and setup, so it’s best to base KV on your specific EDF unit.

LiPo Cell Count	KV Range
3S	2700–4500 KV
4S	2000–3400 KV
6S	1350–2300 KV
8S	1000–1700 KV
10S	800–1350 KV
12S	675–1120 KV

EDF Jet Electronic Speed Control (ESC)

An EDF brushless ESC regulates power from the batteries to the motor. It must handle the current draw demanded by the motor.

It is strongly recommended to use a high-quality ESC. A commonly used option is the Castle Creations ICE, ICE HV, and ICE LITE series. These cover many high and low voltage setups.

Key ESC selection rules:

Do not exceed the ESC’s continuous current rating.
If the system draws more than the ESC can handle, use a higher-rated ESC.

BEC considerations (important on higher voltage)

If you are using an ESC but still plan to run an external BEC for added reliability, you will need to disconnect the ESC’s BEC (if it has one) and use:

A 2s LiFe pack, or
A 2S LiPo with a voltage regulator

You can size the capacity to your jet. Many use receiver packs in small jets well under 1000mAh.

To disconnect the BEC:

Remove the center wire on the ESC-to-receiver lead.
You can push the pin out with a pin tool and reinstall later if needed.

Motor timing and ESC setup notes

Follow the motor manufacturer’s timing recommendations. If unknown, keep timing low. For example, Neu 1D motors must always be set to low timing.

Voltage cutoff is commonly set to 3.0V per cell. However, if your setup is not drawing very hard, it can be smart to raise cutoff slightly so you stop earlier and leave capacity in the pack for battery safety.

Soft cutoff is recommended. It helps you keep some power to get back and land safely.

Most importantly: time your flights so you always have an extra go-around or two. Landing with “no juice left” is stressful and avoidable.

Getting Airborne: Takeoff Methods

There are three common ways to launch an EDF jet:

ROG (Rise Off Ground)
Hand launching
Bungee launching

Each method has its place. We’ll break them down below.

ROG (Rise Off Ground)

ROG is similar to a full-scale jet takeoff. You use a runway to build speed before rotating and lifting off.

If you’re coming from prop planes, the technique is different. The climb-out is different too. Always confirm your center of gravity and complete all pre-flight checks.

ROG step-by-step

Use a long runway with a safe overrun area
Point the plane into the wind
Advance throttle and commit to WOT (wide open throttle)
EDF jets need more runway than a prop plane of similar weight
Once speed is high enough, pull elevator to rotate
Depending on angle of attack, you may need elevator input to break free
Maintain WOT until reaching a safe altitude
Only then begin your first turn
Because there is no propwash, you need higher airspeed for control
Once safe, around 70% throttle often works well for cruising

If you run out of runway:

Cut throttle completely
Retrieve the plane
Inspect landing gear
Try again if everything looks good

If takeoff feels nearly impossible, re-check angle of attack. A negative angle of attack can make rotation extremely difficult.

Hand Launching

Hand launching is generally limited to foam aircraft. A useful guideline is wing loading under 20 oz/sq ft.

Notes that matter:

Higher wing loading usually launches easier with higher power
Underpowered EDF jets are harder to launch
Re-check center of gravity every time, especially for a first launch
A bad CG on a first launch can be your last

Hand launch technique

Before launching:

Find your best grip position and tossing motion
Practice the motion without releasing the plane
Holding just behind the center of gravity is often ideal

Launch styles vary:

Right-side-up overhand toss
Underhand toss while holding top of fuselage
Some models prefer an inverted hand launch

Choose the method you can repeat confidently.

To launch:

Face into the wind
A helper is ideal if you’re not comfortable alone
Aim at roughly a 25-degree climb angle
Wide open throttle is often best
Torque roll is usually less significant than prop planes
Toss the jet firmly forward into the wind
Move your hand to the controls immediately
Expect a brief dip because EDF has no propwash over control surfaces
Climb to a safe altitude before turning and trimming

Bungee Launching

Bungee launching is the toughest EDF takeoff method. It’s best suited to heavier jets, such as composite airframes without landing gear.

It’s also the method most prone to crashes if anything is wrong—either in setup or execution.

What you need

A launch ramp
Tow rope and hook system
Bungee/tension system matched to the plane

Selecting components correctly

Launch ramp length:
Minimum 1.25x the airplane length.

Ramp angle:
Typically 15 to 25 degrees.

Tow hook placement:
Install at the recommended location with reinforcement. The hook sees heavy load and must release cleanly. A common location is just in front of the center of gravity.

Tow line length:
Commonly 15 to 50 feet. Smaller planes use shorter lines. Larger planes use longer.

Tow tension:
A common guideline is around 5x the weight of the plane in bungee tension.
Example: a 1 kg jet may use about 5 kg of tension on the ramp.

Releasing the bungee and flying out

Execution matters just as much as setup.

Set the plane on the ramp under tension, pointed directly into the wind
You have about one second from release to “commit”
Check all control surfaces right before release
You may spool the motor at low RPM to confirm it’s live
With a proper bungee system, you do not want thrust affecting the launch
Release the bungee
Track the jet carefully with control inputs to keep it straight
Once the tow hook releases, apply full throttle and climb to a safe altitude

What Can Go Wrong: Bungee Launch Risks

If setup is wrong or you’re not launching into the wind, crash chances increase.

Important checks:

Tow hook strength and reinforcement
Tow hook location
Center of gravity confirmation
Clean release function of the tow line

A major failure scenario is the tow hook not releasing. If it stays attached, the aircraft can be driven into the ground with extreme force.

A bungee system can launch your plane with no motor thrust at 50 km/h and higher. With proper care and caution, you can perform safe launch after safe launch.

EDF Thrust Tube

Thrust Tube Principles

In an EDF jet, thrust is produced by airflow. Air enters the ducting, reaches the fan unit, gets accelerated by the fan, and exits the rear at high speed.

The ducting from the fan to the exhaust is the EDF thrust tube. It starts behind the fan and runs to the exhaust exit at the back of the jet.

A thrust tube can provide performance gains, but it also introduces trade-offs.

Benefits and Trade-Offs

A thrust tube controls the exit area of air leaving the aircraft.

Changing the exhaust exit diameter changes two major outcomes:

Decreasing exit diameter increases exit velocity, which may increase top speed
Increasing exit diameter can increase thrust, which can improve vertical performance

These are trade-offs:

More exit speed usually means less thrust
More thrust usually means less exit speed

Choose based on your goals:

Want more top speed? Consider a smaller exit diameter
Want more vertical performance? Consider a larger exit diameter

How to Calculate Exit Diameter (FSA)

The best exit diameter is determined using a calculation.

You need two key measurements:

Inner case diameter (the inside diameter where blades pass)
Outer hub diameter (the center hub housing the motor)

These two values define the Fan Swept Area (FSA):

FSA = area of the inner case minus area of the hub

100% FSA generally provides maximum thrust.
A common minimum for maximum exhaust velocity is around 80% FSA.
A balanced setup is often around 90% FSA.

Best practice is to test intervals (80%, 90%, 100%) to match your goal.

RC EDF Thrust Tube Calculator

One Final Tip

EDF setups are often easier than other RC disciplines in one important way: many popular EDF units and motors are already matched, and manufacturers publish charts showing thrust, power draw, current, and expected performance. That makes it easier to build a great system, or upgrade an ARF jet without guessing.

As you gain experience with electric ducted fan jets, you’ll quickly learn that small changes can make a big difference—battery quality, airflow, CG accuracy, and even a clean fan can noticeably impact performance. Take your time with setup, keep safety at the top of the list, and make adjustments one step at a time so you know what actually improved the jet. Whether you’re flying a forgiving trainer or a high-speed scale model, EDF is one of the most rewarding ways to fly RC once everything is dialed in.