I’ve used the forum search engine and didn’t find any information I was looking for so here it goes. Has anyone had a chance to fly or lay witness to Great Planes’s XPD-8 EP Ducted Fan in flight? I’ve been interested in this ARF jet for a few months when I spotted it in a local hobby store. Though not usually my cup of tea being that it isn’t modeled after a real life aircraft they claim its top speed at over 50mph and stable enough to fly in up to 20mph winds. The price is very attractive; however I’m sure you get what you pay for. After graduating from my trainer I thought it could possibly be the one to welcoming me into ducted fan jets. Although reading a recent RC Flyer magazine I see Great Planes now has an L-39 ducted fan model, much more eye pleasing. Great Planes's website has a couple videos of each in flight and they seem to have quite aggressive flight characteristics, the XPD-8 at one point snap roles very quick.

XPD-8
http://www.electrifly.com/ductedfans/gpma1865.html (http://www.electrifly.com/ductedfans/gpma1865.html)

L-39
http://www.electrifly.com/ductedfans/gpma1869.html (http://www.electrifly.com/ductedfans/gpma1869.html)

Can't really speak to these new ducted fan products. I like the look of the L-39 myself. I have tried a few ducted fan planes about a year or two ago. Both were quite miserable. They were underpowered, and you really have to "think ahead of the plane" as control tends to be a bit more sluggish than prop driven planes, especially the throttle. I have heard that part of the reason for the slower reaction time is that, with a prop plane, you get the thrust from the prop going back over the tail control surfaces. Don't know if that is the case or not.

That being said, not sure if a ducted fan would be an ideal second plane. Im no instructor, but would recommend leaning towards a low wing plane with a bit more capability, assuming you came from a high wing trainer.

Would also add that the new ducted fans may be better than the junky GWS ones that I had to contend with. Also, I think that Megaplex has a ducted fan made from elapor, which might resist damage better. I don't know what kind of foam the L-39 is made from.

If you do get the L-39, please give us a report!!!:12145:

I think i would try the L-39, it has a more conventional control surface setup and I think would be easier of the two for a second, however i think either of them may have a tendency to land hot. I am not sure tho, hopefully someone here will have more input.

Hi:prop: Charles
I had a chance to try out the Miglet recently at my lhs
Imho i dont think it would make a good second plane
I would go with Kilgore and get a a low wing trainer first
As to how they fly the power is quite good its fairly quick and has a nice vertical climb
Loops are smooth though large, inverted and slow flight are suprisingly good for a flying wing
Rolls are insanely fast
Landings are easy as it glides well
Due to the shape its easy to lose your orientation
I would reccomend this as a 3rd or 4th plane
As to The L-39 if its anything like the miglet im going to get one when they are released
Take care my friend
Your's Hank
:12145: Clear skies and good flying

With most electrics you will get what you pay for. The brushed df are ok and fly. But put a brushless and lipoly and now you have a jet. The pusher prop jets are the same way.
I'm hoping to jet the l39 also and with the brshls/lipoly should perform like the video.

www.parkjets.com (http://www.parkjets.com) has alot of plans that are mostly pusher prop w/ d/f converstions. Lots of videos. I saw the f-14 and had to have one. And mine leaves my hand just like the video.:5073: