BANNED: Fly Eagle Jets from Florida Jets
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BANNED: Fly Eagle Jets from Florida Jets
The unacceptable number of airframe failures has urged us to make the decision to ban any Fly Eagle Jet product from flying at Florida Jets, effective immediately. If some company has taken over the manufacturing of FEJ products, those models are subject to being banned as well. I imagine this will cause some grief for a few people and for that I apologize, but it is in the interest of the safety of thousands of spectators, and other pilots, that encouraged this announcement. Hopefully this is reaching any effected pilots in plenty of time to change their travel arrangements or which jet they were considering to bring. Thank you, FT
#5
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At the same time, airframe failures are not uncommon and affect lots of manufacturers. In addition, with a well-managed jet flight line, the chances of such an occurrence resulting in the aircraft coming close to people is very small. That, and the fact that there is NO guidance for CD's to make such a call makes it difficult for the average event organizer to institute such a ban - so let's not pile on them. The fact that Frank has done so will make it easier for them to follow suit...
Bob
#7
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I applaud Frank's stand and the fact that he made it at this point to allow guys to make other arrangements. It has become clear that at big events where there are a lot of people, if the organizers allow planes from this manufacturer to fly and someone gets hurt, the lawyers would have a field day. Frank is taking a reasonable stand to protect his investments in the hobby.
At the same time, airframe failures are not uncommon and affect lots of manufacturers. In addition, with a well-managed jet flight line, the chances of such an occurrence resulting in the aircraft coming close to people is very small. That, and the fact that there is NO guidance for CD's to make such a call makes it difficult for the average event organizer to institute such a ban - so let's not pile on them. The fact that Frank has done so will make it easier for them to follow suit...
Bob
At the same time, airframe failures are not uncommon and affect lots of manufacturers. In addition, with a well-managed jet flight line, the chances of such an occurrence resulting in the aircraft coming close to people is very small. That, and the fact that there is NO guidance for CD's to make such a call makes it difficult for the average event organizer to institute such a ban - so let's not pile on them. The fact that Frank has done so will make it easier for them to follow suit...
Bob
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It's about time someone with the c.o.jones to make a stand. As long as guys keep buying their junk they will keep selling it as is. Now maybe they will make some changes or just go away. Either way, I'm done with them after one crash. Not getting burned again. Pun intended. Happy Easter Day FEJ.
#14
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HI , well done FRANK,
Three years ago, before anyone new the problems with FEJ's, I tried to give advice to fix some of their problems, only to be shot down.
Where are you now FEJ groupees
Rcpete
[h=2]RE: Fly Eagle Jet A-10 1/6.25 Build[/h]
Three years ago, before anyone new the problems with FEJ's, I tried to give advice to fix some of their problems, only to be shot down.
Where are you now FEJ groupees
Rcpete
[h=2]RE: Fly Eagle Jet A-10 1/6.25 Build[/h]
I think you are a sad person if he thinks posting some miss fortune on line. Maybe rcpete you should try and do something constructive with your time it might just make you a better person.
Damo
Damo
SM F-16 1/6 Powered By KingTech K-170F
FEJ BAe Hawk 100 1:4 1/2 Powered By Kingtech K-180G
Next Project For 2014 ???
FEJ BAe Hawk 100 1:4 1/2 Powered By Kingtech K-180G
Next Project For 2014 ???
#15
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Out of curiosity how many FEJ planes have crashed at Florida Jets, compared to say Skymaster? I would venture to say more Skymaster Jets have crashed are they on the ban list too?
I'm not taking any sides, just trying to figure out your logic here.
I'm not taking any sides, just trying to figure out your logic here.
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Mods hat off
Major kudos to Frank for making a stand.
It has to be clear to anyone who has been following this topic that some FEJ jets have substantial structural issues. These jets should indeed not be allowed to fly at shows and maybe not at all.
However some FEJ jets seem to be safe to fly without modifications and some owners of the FEJ jets with structural issues have made many modifications to them and are now flying them successfully.
What I would like to see is some program that would allow the owners of such jets to document the modifications then demonstrate that the jets are safe to fly by making several flights under observation in a safe location well away from any crowds. Such flights to include all manoeuvres that they will fly at a show and must include at least two full throttle passes. Under exceptional circumstances and with the agreement of the observer/examiner a high speed pass at less than full throttle may be allowed.
It may be worth while to base any scheme on the UK Large Model Association's scheme which has been operating successfully for many years. http://www.largemodelassociation.com...20kg-revision/
Major kudos to Frank for making a stand.
It has to be clear to anyone who has been following this topic that some FEJ jets have substantial structural issues. These jets should indeed not be allowed to fly at shows and maybe not at all.
However some FEJ jets seem to be safe to fly without modifications and some owners of the FEJ jets with structural issues have made many modifications to them and are now flying them successfully.
What I would like to see is some program that would allow the owners of such jets to document the modifications then demonstrate that the jets are safe to fly by making several flights under observation in a safe location well away from any crowds. Such flights to include all manoeuvres that they will fly at a show and must include at least two full throttle passes. Under exceptional circumstances and with the agreement of the observer/examiner a high speed pass at less than full throttle may be allowed.
It may be worth while to base any scheme on the UK Large Model Association's scheme which has been operating successfully for many years. http://www.largemodelassociation.com...20kg-revision/
#17
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Danno
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Kudo's to Frank.
David S
#19
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This is, really, an incomplete question.
I bet there have been more BVM jet crashes at florida jets than probably any other jet manufacture combined! Florida Jets is like BV's back yard! There are like a million BVM jets flying there.
A more relavent question would be how many FEJ per capita jets have crashed at florida jets.
And I bet, per capita, FEJ reigns supreme in that department.
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Right, But the fundamental reason for banning FEJ is for safety, If you do this you need to include Skymaster jets too, as well as the older jet legend jets these all have problems and based on the Flordia Jets from the past 4 years have crashed way more than FEJ.
The main problem with FEJ is the lack of testing on their airframes, Not every Airframe they release has problems, and if some applicable mods can be done it can be made safe. This can't be done to all airframes, some airframes simply are not fixable, but most are. If you compare pre-honey comb airframes to skymaster they hardly seem different most of the issues were isolated to retracts/air cylinders. FEJ is not a out of box ready product and that is where the problem lies is inexperienced builders chose to go with the aircraft not knowing where things can fail.
Blanket banning is a slippery slope.
The main problem with FEJ is the lack of testing on their airframes, Not every Airframe they release has problems, and if some applicable mods can be done it can be made safe. This can't be done to all airframes, some airframes simply are not fixable, but most are. If you compare pre-honey comb airframes to skymaster they hardly seem different most of the issues were isolated to retracts/air cylinders. FEJ is not a out of box ready product and that is where the problem lies is inexperienced builders chose to go with the aircraft not knowing where things can fail.
Blanket banning is a slippery slope.
#21
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Problem is that some of these airplanes look ok until flight 30-50.
Another is that the wings are folding. how do you repair the wings beside rebuild them completely?
Stabs flutter, wings flutter, fuse flexes. whats the point? Hang it on the wall and start over with something else.
All these guys assume they are golden with a repaired/modified stab, then the wing folds. Luckily nooone was hurt. the opposite direction would have been bad.
Scott
Another is that the wings are folding. how do you repair the wings beside rebuild them completely?
Stabs flutter, wings flutter, fuse flexes. whats the point? Hang it on the wall and start over with something else.
All these guys assume they are golden with a repaired/modified stab, then the wing folds. Luckily nooone was hurt. the opposite direction would have been bad.
Scott
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Would I recommend a FEJ product? No?
However, if someone has re-enforced it addressed all known issues, then sure, its as good as any other aircraft.
I have 3 FEJ airframes, and there hawk is a great plane, but expect to spend another $400 in upgrades and about 5-10 hours doing mods to it. Once done its as good as skymaster, actually no it flies better than the skymaster. I don't know about the 1/6 f-18 or 1/7 F-15. But I have had the elevators rebuilt on the F-18, placed rudder servos inside the rudders, New plywood ribs installed in the wings, turbine mounts have been re-enforced and elevator mounts strengthened. Next would be to replace stock exhaust pipes with TAm, so overall I'll be in it for another $600.00 in parts and about 20 hours of additional building time. After this its as strong as anything else on the market.
However, if someone has re-enforced it addressed all known issues, then sure, its as good as any other aircraft.
I have 3 FEJ airframes, and there hawk is a great plane, but expect to spend another $400 in upgrades and about 5-10 hours doing mods to it. Once done its as good as skymaster, actually no it flies better than the skymaster. I don't know about the 1/6 f-18 or 1/7 F-15. But I have had the elevators rebuilt on the F-18, placed rudder servos inside the rudders, New plywood ribs installed in the wings, turbine mounts have been re-enforced and elevator mounts strengthened. Next would be to replace stock exhaust pipes with TAm, so overall I'll be in it for another $600.00 in parts and about 20 hours of additional building time. After this its as strong as anything else on the market.
#23
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Wow.
Hey Horse (the would be you Disco), here's the water.
.....toe tapping....waiting for the horse to drink.
And we can all agree that blanket banning is a slippery slope. But banning FEJ is hardly, HARDLY, blanket. Come on.
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Problem is that some of these airplanes look ok until flight 30-50.
Another is that the wings are folding. how do you repair the wings beside rebuild them completely?
Stabs flutter, wings flutter, fuse flexes. whats the point? Hang it on the wall and start over with something else.
All these guys assume they are golden with a repaired/modified stab, then the wing folds. Luckily nooone was hurt. the opposite direction would have been bad.
Scott
Another is that the wings are folding. how do you repair the wings beside rebuild them completely?
Stabs flutter, wings flutter, fuse flexes. whats the point? Hang it on the wall and start over with something else.
All these guys assume they are golden with a repaired/modified stab, then the wing folds. Luckily nooone was hurt. the opposite direction would have been bad.
Scott