RV Jet

by FliteTest | September 16, 2013 | (27) Posted in Reviews

 

This episode is sponsored by Audible.com
Flite Test fans can download a free audio book here: www.audible.com/flitetest

The RV JET from RangeVideo.com is an EPO flying wing setup specifically for FPV.

This foam wing features a an advanced gimbal system for GoPro 3 and micro cameras.

There is plenty of cargo storage inside this RC airplane.

The instruction manual for the RV JET is one of the best that David has even seen.

The pan and tilt advanced gimbal system features a clear dome camera covering.

A one-way mirror version is also available.

Unfortunately, we noticed that the mirrored dome caused reflections from the camera in the bright sunlight.

The RV JET arrives in a box that can also be used as a travel case!

This airplane tracks amazing! Even with hands off, the RV JET flew straight.

Not only does this airplane fly great, but this EPO plane looks amazing in the air.

The wings can be customized to be longer or shorter.

The shorter wingspan allows for fast, fun flying that is more responsive in the air.

Compared to the X8 and other FPV wings, we all really liked the RV JET better.

The pan and tilt system along with the dome covering allows for amazing unobstructed FPV flying.

More details about the RV JET available at RangeVideo.com

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COMMENTS

ADHDWald on September 17, 2013
That thing looks SWEET! I can imagine people searching for black helicopters/vans when this thing is flying over town :)
Awesome episode guys, as always!
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cloud9photos on September 17, 2013
Looks like a nice stable FPV platform.
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casehatter on September 17, 2013
Cool I'm not a wing fan but that looks and fly's pretty darn good.. J. Scott I just set up a Stylist from Value Hobby with the G-sixty on 8-cells (2-4cells 2200) man awesome and the plane to the door 90+/- 70" replica of the four star but smoother.. awesome plane I'm going to put a FPV system on it for some fun flying. The feel of real airplane from the ground. I will do a review and list it.. I'll list all the up grades as well, it won't handle the engine out of the box to much torque.
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Crashpilot1000 on September 17, 2013
Someone seems a little pi**** off, because there is no money in that review for FT.

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Slushfund on September 17, 2013
Do you have an opinion on the Caipirinha?
How does the Caipirinha compare to the RV Jet?
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Kajakmannen on September 20, 2013
I have booth the capirinhia and the RVJET and its is two. Completely different planes. The caipirinha is (as I see it) designed for proximity and hotdog flying. It is not made for long range for example. It is harder to launch the Cap but t is more agile when flying Under tree top level.

You can't really compare the two. Both is good planes but different.
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SR-71 on September 17, 2013
Great review as always, I bought the black one...it really gets the looks. Top notch quality and it flys great....no question it is the best.
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Kajakmannen on September 20, 2013
As one of the designers it can only say THX :) glad you like it.
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tramsgar on September 17, 2013
Review that's not an obvious commercial - always a 5.

You should paint that, btw, bet it will be awesome.
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santiago404 on September 17, 2013
I am sorry to say but i think you missed 2 points here in this review.

Well, it is an FPV plane, and i would like to see a real FPV build for long range situations. (I know you have all the necessary gear in house) Because i would love to see how it glides, climb, cloud surf, you name it, since i want to compare with another fpv platforms, like the ZII and the ZXL.

Second, you dont fly FPV using the GoPro as video camera, and i would like to know if you can fit a second board camera inside that dome. Vova mentioned on YouTube that a micro one will fit. I would like to see that. (I know a lot of people do fly using GoPro's for video feed, but well, i have this thing with me that makes me listen to Trappy's advices everytime :) )

Come on, make another article and push this plane to his limits! We all want to see that! :)
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boopidoo on September 18, 2013
The dome does not natively fit two cameras for a number of reasons and the primary reason is optical quality. If two cameras were housed between each other they would catch reflections from the others lens. It should be possible to house a micro-camera outside the gopro reflection shade/cover but there is no mount done for that. Since I'm confident it can be done I'd love to see such conversion though. As it ships today it's either gopro 1-2-3 or CCTV-camera.

An alternative can be to embed a micro camera in the LE of the wing close to the fuselage and add a video switcher. Then you can fly using your gopro and if (God forbid) the gopro dies you can fast, safe and easy switch to your micro camera for safe flight out of there. That enables an aerodynamic and nice installation that enabled you to fly using your gopro and still have the safety of another camera. Using a functional and reliable RTH-system such as the RVOSD provides can also add another level of safety if configured correctly.

I've personally have never experienced such a gopro failure and none of the ones I fly with have either although I've read about it on the net and I'm very aware of Sander Sassen's (ssassen) and Raphael Pirker's (trappy) opinion on this matter.
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santiago404 on September 18, 2013
Oh well, i guess one can do a small mod to fit a board camera somewere in that wing without loosing too much performance and look. I had a GoPro failiure once, its scary, trust me. :(

It is a very beautifull and functional frame, thats for sure!

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boopidoo on September 18, 2013
We thought of making a hole in the wing for a KX-2 or make a small mount inside the dome for it but decided against it. One factor for that was that we didn't want to make a solution that would be worse for those that doesn't fly using a gopro or that doesn't want to use dual cameras. Also time was a factor. Designing is filled with compromises and we did the best we could in the timeframe we had. I actually think we did a pretty good job. :)
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santiago404 on September 18, 2013
Good job, indeed. :)
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santiago404 on September 18, 2013
In time, now pressure the boys to pack the airframe with big batteries, one OSD and send it high in the sky, we want to see it in "real" action. :P
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Kajakmannen on September 20, 2013
I have been 3.2 km up with the RVJET as most. Do you want to go higher? ;) maybe you were think ballon ascend?

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boopidoo on September 24, 2013
The guys in this thread plans to get the RVJET up to 100000ft and then drop it: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1996357
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Kajakmannen on September 20, 2013
THX
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RoyBro on September 18, 2013
Unfortunately GoPro has kind of become like the iPod or iPhone of the FPV world. Everything is designed to accommodate GoPro. I personally prefer flying with a two camera setup so I can keep my FPV link separate from the HD aerial video capture.

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midohioboarder on September 17, 2013
I think David mentioned how nice it would be if it were balsa. Do you guys know a good place to get balsa plans that I could use as a base to start a mod from?

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Kajakmannen on September 20, 2013
I also think that he after having flown the short wing said that it is no needed. The short wing configuration is really rigid and we have not yet been able to see any bending or getting it to break in air even with very high speed full throttle dives and sudden full elevator throws.

Think it was chad that mentioned balsa needed before flying the short one BTW :)
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onemoreflite (John Michaels) on September 18, 2013
Nice review. Hey, can you hook multiple sets of fatsharks to that receiver, or will the quality degrade too much?
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RoyBro on September 18, 2013
All you need is a powered video splitter. If you simply split the video using a "Y" cable, the voltage will drop and degrade the signal. Some receivers do have multiple video out, but if you want more than one or two outputs, use a video splitter.
This is the one I use. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O554MU/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It was $12 USD.
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onemoreflite (John Michaels) on September 19, 2013
Thanks RoyBro! It's great how RC people (especially Flitetest fans) are so helpful and great in sharing knowledge!
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GFergy on September 19, 2013
Very nice review of a fine FPV platform! Hey, could you guys talk about your current FPV gear you were using in this episode? Also, maybe a build video of that sweet ground station? Were you also flying by UHF? Thanks!
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boopidoo on September 20, 2013
It looks like (on the plane):
-800mW 1.2GHz VTx with a three lobe SPW (called cloverleaf)
-Gopro2 HD camera
-ImmersionRC EzUHF RC-link with a 8ch diversity RCRx

I think David rushed the install a little though. The model is designed with invisible installs in mind and the vtx looks like it was just taped on the wing. :)
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Kajakmannen on September 20, 2013
Maybe our dear david needed some extra cooling ;) swedes melt in high temperature :) haha
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Forry on July 24, 2014
Just wondering where could you buy one of these, thanks.
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Fisk on January 16, 2015
Can someone please help me! In the video they fly the plane in both long wing and short wing configurations, while the instructions make it clear that you must have it short wing or long wing. In order to make it long wing you have to glue on foam that makes it permanently that way, how did flitetest fly it both ways? Where do you put all the spare servo cables from the wings?
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Fisk on January 19, 2015
Thanks for all the answers!
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RV Jet