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How to Mount a Ducted Fan on a RC Aircraft

Ducted fan planes are very fast, requiring an experienced hand to pilot safely and correctly. Generally speaking, the people who fly planes powered by electric ducted fans units, or EDFs, are the jet jockeys of the model world who are drawn towards the military designs. First time EDF pilots should consider using an instructor, even if they have tons of experience flying other models. EDFs, usually ship as a complete unit but you can also purchase the motor and fan housing separately and assemble it yourself.

Things You'll Need

Ducted Fan Engine
Assembled model plane made for a ducted fan engine
Double-sided tape or Velcro

Instructions

- 1
  Clear a work area. Create a workspace in front of you with your model plane and the ducted fan unit in easy reach.
- 2
  Remove the engine access panel on your model. Line up the tabs on the outside of the EDF unit with the mounting tabs on your model. Insert the EDF unit and make sure it fits properly into the space provided. The fit should be snug but not tight.
- 3
  Screw the unit into place using the mounting tabs as a guide. Depending on the type of model it may be necessary to install the EDF with glue, Velcro or heavy duty double-sided tape.
- 4
  Connect the EDF to the plane's electronic speed controller. Test the connections. Turn everything on and run the engine throttle up and down a few times. If all is well, power down and replace the engine access panel. If there are any issues, check your connections and try again until everything works.
- 5
  Complete the assembly of the model.

Aviation