What Is an EDF RC Plane? Electric Ducted Fans Explained
EDF stands for electric ducted fan. An EDF RC plane is powered by a small fan with many blades spinning inside a tube (the duct), driven by a high-speed brushless motor. The duct lets the fan push a fast jet of air out of the back, so the plane looks and sounds like a real jet without a turbine. EDF planes range from small 30–50 mm foam jets to big 120 mm scale models. They’re fast and realistic but use a lot of battery power and need smooth runways or hand launches.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20263 min read
How an EDF works
The fan rotor sits inside a close-fitting housing. A brushless inrunner or outrunner motor spins it at very high rpm. Air enters through the plane’s intakes, is accelerated by the fan, straightened by stator vanes, and leaves through a nozzle or thrust tube at the back. The narrower the outlet, the faster the air, which suits high-speed flight but reduces static thrust. Good intake and exhaust design matters as much as the fan itself.
Common fan sizes
| Fan size | Typical battery | Typical plane |
|---|---|---|
| 30–50 mm | 2S–3S | Small park jets |
| 64 mm | 4S | Popular sport jets (e.g. F-35) |
| 70–80 mm | 6S | Larger sport and scale jets |
| 90 mm | 6S–8S | Big foam jets |
| 120 mm | 10S–12S | Large scale jets |
Typical pairings; an example 64 mm jet is described in RC F-35.
Pros and cons
- Pros: realistic jet look and sound, no exposed prop, high speed, no fuel or turbine.
- Cons: high current draw and short flights (often 3–6 minutes), less thrust at low speed, sensitive to debris, needs smooth surfaces.
EDF vs propeller vs turbine
A propeller is more efficient, giving longer flights and better low-speed thrust. A turbine gives real jet sound and long flights but is costly and needs training. EDF sits in between: jet-like looks at an affordable price, with electric simplicity.
First EDF jet tips
- Be confident with a low-wing sport plane first.
- Choose a stable foam jet, ideally with stabilisation.
- Use the recommended battery with a high discharge rating.
- Take off with smooth throttle and let speed build.
- Land with a bit more speed than a prop plane.
- Check fan blades after every session.
Choosing a first jet is covered in best EDF jets.
Care
- Inspect fan blades for nicks; replace damaged rotors.
- Keep intakes clear of grass and grit.
- Check motor screws and fan balance.
- Let motor, ESC and battery cool between flights.
Batteries and power
EDF fans spin very fast and draw high currents, so they need batteries with high discharge ratings. A pack that’s too weak loses voltage under load, reducing thrust and heating up. Use the battery size and C rating the maker recommends, and let packs cool between flights. Flight time can be extended slightly by flying at partial throttle, since full throttle drains packs fastest.
Why EDF became popular
Before modern brushless motors and LiPo batteries, ducted fans were mainly glow-powered and difficult. Brushless motors and high-current LiPos made electric fans powerful enough for realistic jets at affordable prices, which is why foam EDF jets are now so common at club fields.
Listening to the fan also helps: a change in sound often means a damaged blade or debris in the duct.
FAQ
What does EDF stand for?
Electric ducted fan.
Are EDF jets hard to fly?
They’re faster than trainers; fly a sport plane first.
How long do EDF jets fly?
Usually 3–6 minutes per battery.
What’s the best starting EDF size?
50–64 mm foam jets are popular first jets.
More on this topic: the complete RC Airplanes guide covers the basics behind this article.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
