RC jets made of EPP

EPP is the English acronym for Expanded PolyPropylene, a light and resistant material, easy to mold, sometimes called in the aeromodelling world "EPP foam". Its cousin EPO (Expanded PolyOlefin) is "also used for these models. Both are heavier than expanded polystyrene (the one that breaks in packing boxes), but are more resistant and have a certain "shape memory ".

“Foam” Jets quickly appeared with the first EPP models. The best known providers in this sector are FMS, Freewing and E-Flite. These models have the advantage of being very inexpensive and are often delivered complete, ready to fly. Very great progress has been made in recent years: quality of the EPP or EPO, quality of the finishes, integrated electric and LED trains, sometimes integrated stabilization modules (Reflex V2 from FMS) and above all the electric turbines are offered with larger diameters and a greater number of turbine blades. This makes all the difference, since the rendering is even more stunning! The noise of the engine is notably more serious and becomes very close to that of a jet engine!

Many brands have made agreements to produce the little known jet brothers (Scorpion or Diamond ADJets, Avanti Sebart, etc.), and some are real successes, both in terms of flight quality and overall look. 

A10 FMS

These jets are increasingly popular with model aircraft, so much so that many equip them with turbojet engines, such as the P20 Jetcat, the Kolibri or Xicoy X45 light for larger models. The budget of the project as a whole is thus better controlled, with a turbojet which is the "investment", and the jet itself, which is the "consumable..." in a way.

Xicoy X45 Light

Beware, however, of the risk of fire on ignition (less frequent in recent years, with better quality solenoid valves), because the result of this type of incident is not forgiving: We end up with a kind of dangerous "Napalm" and difficult to extinguish, not to mention the destruction of electronics!

These EDF jets (for Electric Ducted Fan) appear with larger and larger wingspans, as for example with the magnificent FMS ViperJet in 1m40 or the FMS A10 as well. It is a healthy model (right wing), perfect for a first draft.

Viperjet FMS 1m40 / Turbine 90mm

In any case, these models are easier to take off on a hard runway and easier to land on a grass runway (natural braking of this type of surface!). Conversely, to take off on a grass runway, you have to take the time before pulling on the depth.

Attention, on these models 2 things are very important (as on any Jet for that matter):

- Keep your attention on the flight time, because it is "timed"

- Always keep speed, at all times of the flight

Here are our tips for choosing the right jet:

If you are just starting out:

- Take a straight wing (little arrow), with a large wingspan, flaps and a clearly visible decoration. (Scorpion, ViperJet, L39…). Moreover, we find “flashy orange” quite regularly!

For the first flight:

- Do some simulator with fast planes (or Funjet!)

- Take your first flight on a hard surface

- Get help from someone to tell you the flight times and not find yourself with engine failure!

We can only recommend an accessory that quickly becomes essential with these jets: the stand. It makes it possible not to mark the EPP during cross-type manipulations (assembly of the wings) and also to carry out reentrant landing gear tests. It's really not a gadget, and we do not regret its purchase! (it is also often used at home for storage…)

Avanti jet on a stand

Note that in the event of a crash, these models are easily repairable thanks to specific products (special EPP cyano like the Zacki 2) and spare parts are available for sale at low prices! There is even a specific product for reconstituting destroyed pieces of PPE: the Multiplex fill-up!