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An EDF jet is the RC hobby's best party trick: a foam fighter that sounds like it escaped from an airshow. It is also the point where plenty of pilots learn that "just add a bigger battery" is not a plan.
This page explains how a ducted fan makes thrust, what the fan sizes and cell counts on the box really mean, and which current jets suit which skill level. Everything comes from manufacturer specs, manuals and product pages, checked on 8 October 2026. It is based on those documents, not on our own flying, so thrust and speed figures are labelled as maker claims, and where a maker says nothing (runway lengths, mostly) we say that too. If you have never flown anything, start with the trainer guide. If you want jets of every kind, the wider jet roundup covers them.
How an EDF jet works
An electric ducted fan is a many-bladed impeller spun by a brushless motor inside a tube. The impeller pulls air in through the intake in the fuselage and pushes it out of a thrust tube at the back. That makes it a cousin of a shrouded propeller, not of a turbine engine, which burns fuel.
Three parts do the work:
- The duct. Wrapping the blades in a shroud cuts tip losses, the energy an open propeller throws away at its blade tips. This is why a 64 mm fan can make serious thrust.
- The stator vanes. These fixed vanes sit behind the spinning rotor and remove the swirl it puts into the air, so more of the flow leaves straight back.
- The exit nozzle. Its area helps set how fast the air leaves, which is why it is part of the power system design and not a place for creative scissor work.
Blade counts vary. The fans in this guide run from 9 to 12 blades: 10 on the Habu SS, 11 on the Viper 64, 12 on most of the rest, 9 on the twin A-10. Makers market the high-blade-count fans on their turbine-like sound.
Then there is current. EDF motors want high Kv and a high-discharge LiPo, because the fan draws a lot of amps for as long as the throttle is up. You can see it in the ESC ratings below: 40 to 70 A for the 64 mm class, 100 A or more by 80 mm, 130 A on the 90 mm Viper.
Fan size, cells and motor: what makers pair
These are the pairings on the current maker pages for the jets in this guide. Treat them as examples, not a design chart.
| Fan | Cells listed by makers | Motor in the examples | ESC in the examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 mm | 4S 450 mAh | not listed | not listed |
| 64 mm | 4S 2200 to 3200 mAh | outrunner, 2840 to 3150 Kv | 40 to 70 A |
| 70 mm | 3S/4S (trainer), 4S to 6S (Habu SS), 6S (most others) | 1900 to 2210 Kv inrunners; outrunners on the Habu models | 70 to 85 A |
| 80 mm | 6S 4000 to 7000 mAh | about 1900 to 2170 Kv, mostly inrunners | 100 to 130 A |
| 90 mm | 6S 4000 to 7000 mAh | 1950 Kv inrunner | 130 A |
The pattern: as the fan grows, cell count goes up and Kv comes down. Freewing also lists some 90 mm jets in 8S versions. Whatever you buy, use the battery, connector and radio the maker lists. Freewing's pages warn that the receiver and servos are rated for 5.5 V and must be powered only through the installed ESC, so "I'll just add a second battery for the radio" is out.
Reading a spec sheet
- Completion level. BNF Basic means the receiver is installed and you bring a compatible transmitter, which for E-flite means Spektrum. PNP means motor, ESC and servos are installed and you add receiver, radio and battery. ARF Plus means you supply the power system. The ARF, RTF and PNP guide goes deeper.
- Stabilization. With E-flite's AS3X and SAFE Select, per E-flite, SAFE mode adds angle limits and automatic self-leveling, while AS3X gives a direct response to the sticks. Freewing's F-22 80 mm uses its EG01 6-axis gyro, and Dynam's T-33 uses an iStone 6-axis gyro receiver on some versions.
- Skill labels. E-flite rates on five levels: L1 Trainer, L2 Next Step, L3 Intermediate, L4 Advanced, L5 Expert. Freewing and Dynam use words. Each is the maker's own scale, so an "Intermediate" from one brand is not guaranteed to match another's.
- Channels. Retracts, flaps, thrust reversing and SAFE switches all want channels. The Viper 90, for example, needs 6 channels for basic function, 7 for SAFE Select, and 8 or more for SAFE plus motor reversing.
Registration, TRUST and Remote ID
Per the FAA's recreational-flyer pages, you must register if your aircraft weighs 250 grams (0.55 lb) or more, and you are required by law to take TRUST, which is free and online, and carry proof when flying. The FAA's word is drone, and its recreational pages cover model aircraft. Registered aircraft must also meet Remote ID, either built in, through a broadcast module, or by flying inside an FAA-recognized identification area. Our registration guide has the longer version.
On the makers' numbers, every jet below is well over 250 g except the UMX Viper 30 mm, so plan on registering.
Best EDF jets by skill level
Think of this as a ladder. Each rung is faster, heavier and less forgiving, and the ground is no softer. Every product below was listed as sold on its maker or distributor page on 8 October 2026 unless noted. Freewing and Dynam jets were hard to find on Amazon when checked, so those links are Amazon searches.
Under 250 g: E-flite UMX Viper 30mm EDF BNF Basic
E-flite lists 125 g without a battery and 185 g with the recommended 4S 450 mAh pack, on a 531 mm wingspan and 460 mm length, with AS3X and SAFE Select and the receiver installed. It needs a full-range 5+ channel radio. E-flite rates it Level 3 and says it suits first-time EDF pilots, a maker claim worth weighing against that rating. Weigh your own copy before counting on the 250 g line.
Amazon: E-flite UMX Viper 30mm EDF BNF Basic
Level 1: E-flite Habu STS 70mm EDF RTF Basic
The one EDF E-flite sells as a trainer. Wingspan 1,029 mm, length 1,143 mm, 1,316 g without battery, a 70 A ESC, and a 3S or 4S 3200 to 4000 mAh pack (EC3 or IC3). SAFE gives Beginner, Intermediate and Experienced modes, and the box includes a Spektrum DXS transmitter, so you add only battery and charger. Gear is wide-stance tricycle with a steerable nosewheel for paved strips, grass or dirt, and an optional Landing Assist Sensor flares landings.
Per E-flite, you can learn to fly with this as your first RC plane, especially with an instructor. Read that as "possible with help", and pair it with a simulator and a club mentor.
Amazon: E-flite Habu STS 70mm EDF RTF Basic
Level 2: E-flite Habu SS 70mm EDF BNF Basic
Same airframe family, more power. A 10-blade 70 mm fan, 70 A Avian Smart Lite ESC and AR631 receiver, with SAFE Select and AS3X. Span 1,029 mm, length 1,143 mm, 1.11 kg without battery, on 4S to 6S 3200 to 4000 mAh packs (EC5 or IC5). It needs a Spektrum DSMX/DSM2 radio with 4 to 5+ channels. Per E-flite the fixed gear handles paved, dirt or shorter grass, or you can remove it for hand launches and belly landings on grass. E-flite claims speeds up to 100 mph in a dive on 6S.
The manual asks for about 1,300 ft (400 m) of clear space in all directions. The PNP version of the Habu SS is marked discontinued; the BNF Basic is the one on sale.
Amazon: E-flite Habu SS 70mm EDF BNF Basic
Level 3 in 64 mm: E-flite Viper 64mm EDF BNF Basic
A fighter-look jet with AS3X+ and SAFE Select. Span 1,072 mm, length 932 mm, listed at 910 g, 11-blade 64 mm fan, 70 A Avian Smart Lite ESC, 4S 2200 to 3200 mAh (EC3 or IC3). It has flaps, LED lights and 7 servos, and needs a 5 to 7+ channel Spektrum radio. Per E-flite it is easy to hand launch or take off and land, and suitable even for a first EDF, though E-flite still rates it Level 3.
Amazon: E-flite Viper 64mm EDF BNF Basic
Intermediate in 64 mm: Freewing F-86 Sabre 64mm V2 PNP
The simple one, in the nicest sense. Span 805 mm, length 843 mm, 570 g without battery, a 12-blade 64 mm fan on a 2840-2850 Kv outrunner, and a 40 A ESC with thrust reversing. Power is 4S 2200 to 2600 mAh with an XT60 plug. It has ailerons and elevator but no rudder, and Freewing pitches it as a toss-and-go jet with easy hand launches. This PNP (FJ11521P) has no landing gear; a separate version adds fixed wire gear. You bring a 3 to 4 channel radio (4 for reversing), receiver, battery and charger. Freewing rates it Intermediate and gives no runway length.
Amazon: Freewing F-86 Sabre 64mm V2 EDF Jet PNP
Level 3 in 70 mm: E-flite Viper 70mm EDF BNF Basic
E-flite pitches it as a first full-house jet for pilots moving up from simpler EDFs, with flaps and retracts. Span 1,100 mm, length 1,026 mm, 1,856 g with the recommended battery, a 12-blade 70 mm fan on a 1900 Kv inrunner, and an 85 A Avian Smart Lite ESC. Power is 6S 3200 to 4000 mAh (EC5 or IC5). It has 8 metal-gear servos, an AR631 receiver, AS3X and SAFE Select, and optional thrust reversing with a 7 to 8+ channel Spektrum radio. E-flite claims level-flight speeds up to 120+ mph on 6S.
Amazon: E-flite Viper 70mm EDF BNF Basic
Intermediate in 70 mm: Freewing F-16 Falcon V3 6S 70mm PNP
A licensed 1/12 scale F-16. Span 878 mm, length 1,306 mm, about 2,000 g, a 12-blade 70 mm fan on a 2957-2210 Kv inrunner, an 80 A ESC with thrust reversing, and retractable gear. Power is 6S 3600 to 4000 mAh (EC5), and you need a 6 channel radio and receiver. V3 adds a full-flying stabilizer, ball links and the reverse-thrust ESC. The part to read twice: Freewing recommends this 6S version for skilled intermediate or advanced pilots with experience on at least two EDFs.
Amazon: Freewing F-16 Falcon V3 6S 70mm EDF Jet PNP
Intermediate in 70 mm: Dynam T-33 Shooting Star 6S 70mm
A replica of the classic jet trainer. Span 1,230 mm, length 1,150 mm, 1,920 g, a 12-blade fan on a 2860-KV2200 inrunner and an 80 A ESC, with retractable gear, flaps and LEDs, on 6S 3300 mAh. Dynam lists EDF thrust of 2,280 g (a maker claim) and says it is for pilots moving up from 64 or 70 mm jets. Versions include plain PNP, PNP with a gyro receiver (Vector or iStone V3), BNF (Detrum radios only) and ready-to-fly packages; you need an 8 channel radio. Dynam rates it Intermediate.
Amazon: Dynam T-33 Shooting Star 6S 12-Blade 70mm EDF
Level 3 in 80 mm: E-flite Habu XS 80mm EDF BNF Basic
A big Habu with the full-house kit. Span 1,113 mm, length 1,252 mm, 1,972 g without battery (2,742 g with the recommended pack). A 3665-2170 Kv inrunner, 130 A Avian Smart ESC, 8 metal-gear servos, retracts, flaps and LEDs, with AS3X+ and SAFE Select. Power is 6S 4000 to 7000 mAh (IC5 or EC5), and it needs a 6 channel Spektrum radio (7 for SAFE or reversing, 8+ for both). Per E-flite, its low-speed manners make it a good first full-house jet for low-time EDF pilots. Amazon showed it unavailable on 8 October, so the link is a search.
Amazon: E-flite Habu XS 80mm EDF BNF Basic
Intermediate in 80 mm: Freewing F-22 Raptor 80mm EDF with Gyro PNP
Stabilization without Spektrum. Span 935 mm, length 1,300 mm, 2,530 g, a 12-blade 80 mm fan on a 3658-2150 Kv inrunner, a 100 A ESC with reversing, and sequenced gear doors on aluminum shock struts. Freewing says the pre-installed EG01 6-axis gyro makes it accessible to pilots new to EDF flying, which is a marketing line, and the maker still labels it Intermediate. Power is 6S 4000 to 5000 mAh (EC5), with a 6 to 8 channel radio (8 for reversing). The Mirage 2000C V2 PNP, a delta that Freewing lists as Advanced (790 mm span, 2,200 g), showed out of stock.
Amazon: Freewing F-22 Raptor 80mm EDF Jet with Gyro PNP
Level 3 at 90 mm: E-flite Viper 90mm EDF BNF Basic
E-flite's largest jet. Span 1,400 mm, length 1,281 mm, 2,522 g without battery (3,257 g with). A 12-blade 90 mm fan, 3670-1950 Kv inrunner and 130 A Avian Smart ESC, running 6S 4000 to 7000 mAh. Eight metal-gear servos, flaps, retracts and an AR637TA receiver with AS3X and SAFE Select. E-flite claims level-flight speeds up to 120+ mph and says the shock-absorbing trailing-link struts let you fly from grass. It is rated Level 3, so SAFE is a net, not a license.
Amazon: E-flite Viper 90mm EDF BNF Basic
Advanced twin: Freewing A-10 Thunderbolt II Twin 80mm V2 PNP
The big one. Span 1,700 mm, 4.74 kg without batteries, two 9-blade 80 mm fans on twin 3530-1900 Kv outrunners, two 100 A reversing ESCs, and two 6S 5000 to 6000 mAh packs. Freewing lists grass-ready retracts with metal trunnions, quick-release wings and a muzzle-flash LED. It needs a 6 to 8 channel radio (7 for reversing, 8 for the LED). Freewing rates it Advanced. A version with inrunners and a gyro (FJ31113PG) also exists. For the airframe itself, see our A-10 models guide.
Amazon: Freewing A-10 Thunderbolt II Twin 80mm EDF Jet V2 PNP
Side by side
| Model | Fan | Span | Maker weight | Cells | Version | Maker skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMX Viper 30 | 30 mm | 531 mm | 185 g with battery | 4S | BNF Basic | L3 |
| Habu STS | 70 mm | 1,029 mm | 1,316 g, no battery | 3S/4S | RTF Basic | L1 |
| Habu SS | 70 mm | 1,029 mm | 1,110 g, no battery | 4S to 6S | BNF Basic | L2 |
| Viper 64 | 64 mm | 1,072 mm | 910 g listed | 4S | BNF Basic | L3 |
| Freewing F-86 V2 | 64 mm | 805 mm | 570 g, no battery | 4S | PNP | Intermediate |
| Viper 70 | 70 mm | 1,100 mm | 1,856 g with battery | 6S | BNF Basic | L3 |
| Freewing F-16 V3 | 70 mm | 878 mm | about 2,000 g | 6S | PNP | Intermediate |
| Dynam T-33 | 70 mm | 1,230 mm | 1,920 g | 6S | PNP/BNF options | Intermediate |
| Habu XS | 80 mm | 1,113 mm | 1,972 g, no battery | 6S | BNF Basic | L3 |
| Freewing F-22 80 | 80 mm | 935 mm | 2,530 g | 6S | PNP with gyro | Intermediate |
| Viper 90 | 90 mm | 1,400 mm | 2,522 g, no battery | 6S | BNF Basic | L3 |
| Freewing A-10 V2 | twin 80 mm | 1,700 mm | 4.74 kg, no batteries | 2x 6S | PNP | Advanced |
Which one fits you
- No flying experience: the Habu STS, with an instructor and a simulator. Nothing else here is rated for it.
- Some prop time, want a jet: the Habu SS, or the Viper 64 if you like AS3X+ and a smaller airframe.
- Fond of Freewing scale: the F-86 64 mm, then the F-16 V3 once you have two EDFs behind you.
- Want a gyro that is not Spektrum: the Freewing F-22 80 mm, or a Dynam T-33 with a gyro receiver.
- Done with 70 mm: the Habu XS, then the Viper 90.
- Want something huge and slow looking: the A-10, and a vehicle that fits 1,700 mm.
FAQ
Q: Can an EDF jet be my first RC plane?
E-flite says the Habu STS (Level 1) can be, especially with an instructor. Every other jet here is rated Level 2 or higher, or Intermediate and up. A simulator and a club mentor matter more than the brand. Our beginner flying guide covers the basics.
Q: Do I have to register an RC jet and take TRUST?
Per the FAA, aircraft weighing 250 g (0.55 lb) or more must be registered, and recreational flyers must take TRUST and carry proof. Registered aircraft also need Remote ID. Check the FAA's current pages before your first flight.
Q: Can I fly an EDF from grass?
Some makers say so, model by model: the Habu STS and SS for grass or shorter grass, the Viper 90 on its trailing-link struts, the A-10 on grass-ready retracts. None of the maker pages we read give a runway length in feet. Hand launching and belly landing, where offered, avoids the gear question.
Q: Do the battery numbers on the box matter?
Yes. Connectors vary (EC3, IC3, EC5, IC5, XT60), and each maker lists the cell count and capacity its ESC is matched to. Our LiPo guide and ESC guide cover the care and sizing side.
Where to go next
Pick the rung you are on, not the one you want to be on, and the repair budget stays a footnote. If the radio side is the confusing part, the transmitter and receiver guide is the place to start.
