Overview
The E-flite Eratix 3D FF (Flat Foamy) 860mm is a revolutionary ready-to-fly RC aircraft that brings the legendary versatility of flat foamy models to pilots who want exceptional performance without the traditional complications. This 860mm electric RC plane combines aggressive 3D aerobatic capability with smooth sport flying and gentle slow-cruise performance in a single, easy-to-manage package. Unlike traditional flat foamy aircraft that require extensive scratch building and countless hours of assembly with glue and tape, the Eratix 3D FF arrives almost entirely factory-assembled. It bolts and snaps together in less than an hour, making it accessible to intermediate and experienced pilots whilst remaining manageable enough for less experienced aviators who have always wanted to try flat foamy models but were intimidated by the build process.
This brushless RC plane is perfect for anyone seeking versatility in their flying experience. Whether you want to perform unlimited vertical manoeuvres and aggressive 3D flying, enjoy smooth sport flying around a local park or field, cruise gently at slow speeds, or even fly indoors in gymnasiums and sports halls, the Eratix 3D FF delivers all of these capabilities in one aircraft. It represents the best value and easiest route to flat foamy enjoyment available today, combining factory-installed power systems, pre-mounted servos, and ready-to-connect electronics that eliminate the traditional barriers to flat foamy flying.
Available as a Plug-N-Play (PNP) model, you simply add your preferred Spektrum receiver, transmitter, and a compatible 3S LiPo battery to be airborne. The aircraft's lightweight yet incredibly durable EPP airframe, reinforced with carbon fibre and composite materials, ensures it withstands the stresses of aggressive aerobatic flying whilst remaining light enough for excellent slow-flying characteristics. This is an excellent choice for UK RC enthusiasts looking for a versatile, modern interpretation of a classic aircraft design that delivers performance and ease-of-use in equal measure.
Key Features
- Factory-Assembled Airframe with Snap-Together Assembly — Unlike other flat foamy models that require extensive glue-and-tape construction, the Eratix 3D FF arrives almost entirely assembled and snaps or bolts together without any adhesives or special tools, allowing you to be ready to fly in under an hour rather than spending days on construction.
- Versatile Flight Performance from Slow Cruising to 3D Aerobatics — This aircraft uniquely delivers mild to wild flight capabilities in a single model, capable of slow cruising for relaxed flying, smooth sport flight for general enjoyment, basic aerobatics for intermediate pilots, and unlimited vertical with aggressive 3D flying for experienced aerobatic pilots.
- Factory-Installed Spektrum Avian 15A Smart Brushless ESC — The included 15-amp Electronic Speed Control features Smart technology that provides real-time telemetry data including motor RPM, battery voltage, current draw, and additional power system information when used with compatible Spektrum receivers and AirWare-equipped transmitters, allowing you to monitor your aircraft's performance during flight.
- Specially Tuned 2405 1200KV Brushless Outrunner Motor — This factory-installed motor is matched specifically for use with 3S LiPo batteries in the 600–850mAh capacity range, delivering plenty of thrust for 3D performance whilst maintaining efficiency for extended flight times with larger battery packs.
- Three Factory-Installed Digital Servos with Metal-Geared Aileron Servo — The airframe comes with three Spektrum Sub-Micro digital servos pre-mounted and connected, including a metal-geared aileron servo that provides the strength and precision needed for responsive control during aggressive 3D manoeuvres.
- High-Density EPP Airframe with Carbon Fibre and Composite Reinforcements — The durable foam construction combines excellent resilience with lightweight properties, whilst carbon fibre and composite reinforcements add stiffness and strength where needed, making the aircraft tough enough for aggressive flying yet light enough for slow-speed performance and indoor flight.
- High-Visibility Trim Scheme for Excellent Orientation — The aircraft features a factory-finished colour scheme with high-contrast trim that makes it easy to maintain visual orientation during flight, especially important for 3D flying where the aircraft spends significant time inverted or in unusual attitudes.
- Snap-In Landing Gear for Easy Installation and Replacement — The landing gear snaps into place without tools and can be easily removed or replaced, simplifying both initial assembly and any potential repairs or modifications.
- Included 9x4.6SF Electric Propeller — A specially selected propeller is included that's optimised for the Eratix 3D FF's power system, delivering the right balance of thrust and efficiency for the aircraft's intended flight envelope.
Technical Performance
The E-flite Eratix 3D FF represents modern engineering applied to a classic aircraft concept. The airframe measures 864mm in wingspan and 907mm in length, with an overall weight of just 376 grams, making it light enough for exceptional slow-flying characteristics whilst maintaining the stiffness required for aggressive 3D manoeuvres. Construction utilises high-density EPP (expanded polypropylene) foam as the primary material, offering excellent durability and resilience with the ability to absorb impacts during training flights or mishaps. This material choice is further enhanced through strategic carbon fibre and composite reinforcements that increase structural stiffness without adding significant weight, ensuring the airframe maintains its shape and response characteristics even during inverted or high-stress manoeuvres. The power system comprises a Spektrum Avian 2405 1200KV 14-pole brushless outrunner motor paired with a Spektrum Avian 15A Smart ESC, a combination specifically tuned for 3S lithium polymer batteries in the 600–850mAh capacity range. The 15-amp ESC provides Smart technology integration, enabling real-time telemetry transmission of battery voltage, current draw, motor RPM, and other essential power system data to compatible receivers and transmitters, though it also functions perfectly well with non-Smart battery configurations. The three Spektrum Sub-Micro digital servos installed in the airframe provide precise, responsive control with the aileron servo featuring metal gearing for the strength required in aggressive flying. Flight characteristics remain phenomenal across a broad spectrum of pilot skill levels and flying styles, from the gentle slow-speed flight possible with smaller 600mAh battery packs to extended duration flights and higher performance with 850mAh packs. The aircraft accepts batteries with either IC2 connectors or JST-RCY connectors (with suitable adapter), providing flexibility in battery selection from the Spektrum ecosystem. Assembly time from unboxing to first flight is remarkably quick, typically under one hour, with no special tools, glue, or tape required thanks to the clever snap-and-bolt design philosophy.
What's in the Box
- E-flite Eratix 3D FF 860mm airframe (largely pre-assembled)
- Spektrum Avian 15A Brushless Smart ESC (factory-installed)
- Spektrum Avian Brushless Outrunner Motor 2405 1200KV 14-pole (factory-installed)
- Three Spektrum Sub-Micro Digital Servos (factory-installed)
- 9x4.6SF electric propeller
- Product manual and documentation
What You Need to Complete
- Full-range 4+ channel Spektrum transmitter and compatible receiver (sold separately) — the PNP version requires you to add your own radio system; Spektrum AirWare-equipped transmitters including the DX6e, DX8e, DX6 G2/G3, DX8 G2, DX9, NX6, NX8, NX10, iX12, iX14, and iX20 are compatible with the Smart ESC telemetry features
- 3S 11.1V lithium polymer battery pack with 600–850mAh capacity and IC2 connector, or JST-RCY connector with suitable IC2-to-JST-RCY adapter (sold separately) — recommended capacity is 850mAh for extended flight duration, though 600mAh packs offer lighter weight and shorter flight times
- Compatible LiPo battery charger capable of safely charging 3S lithium polymer batteries (sold separately)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Eratix 3D FF suitable for beginners and less experienced pilots? — Yes, the Eratix 3D FF is suitable for pilots at various skill levels. Whilst it is marketed at experienced pilots who already build and fly flat foam models, it is equally suitable for intermediate pilots interested in flat foamy flying but unwilling to undertake complicated scratch building, and less experienced pilots who have always wanted to try this unique aircraft category but were intimidated by the traditional build process. The factory-assembled airframe, pre-installed servos, and quick assembly dramatically reduce the technical skills required compared to traditional flat foamy builds, making it accessible to less experienced aviators.
- What type of battery does the Eratix 3D FF need? — The aircraft requires a 3S lithium polymer (LiPo) battery with a capacity between 600–850mAh. The battery must feature either an IC2 connector to match the aircraft's included ESC, or a JST-RCY connector paired with a suitable IC2-to-JST-RCY adapter. E-flite and Spektrum offer compatible battery packs, with 850mAh capacity recommended for longer flight times, whilst 600mAh packs offer slightly reduced weight and shorter flight duration.
- How long does it take to assemble the Eratix 3D FF? — Assembly time is approximately less than one hour from unboxing to first flight readiness. Unlike traditional flat foamy models requiring extensive glue and tape work, the Eratix 3D FF uses a clever snap-and-bolt-together design with no adhesives or special tools required, making it one of the quickest aircraft to prepare for flying.
- What receiver do I need for the Eratix 3D FF PNP version? — The PNP (Plug-N-Play) version requires a separate full-range 4+ channel receiver compatible with the Spektrum brand. Any Spektrum receiver will function with the aircraft, though receivers such as the AR630 or similar models enable the Smart ESC to transmit real-time telemetry data to compatible Spektrum AirWare-equipped transmitters including the DX6e, DX8e, DX6 G2/G3, DX8 G2, DX9, NX6, NX8, NX10, iX12, iX14, and iX20.
- Can the Eratix 3D FF be flown indoors? — Yes, the aircraft's lightweight construction (376 grams) and slow-flying capability make it suitable for indoor flight in gymnasiums, sports halls, and similar enclosed spaces, provided local regulations and the venue permit model aircraft flying.
- What is the difference between the Eratix 3D FF PNP and BNF versions? — The PNP (Plug-N-Play) version includes the airframe, factory-installed motor, ESC, and servos but requires you to purchase a separate receiver and transmitter. The BNF (Bind-N-Fly) Basic version includes an AR630 receiver pre-installed, eliminating the need to purchase a receiver separately, though you still require a compatible transmitter.
- What makes the Eratix 3D FF different from other flat foamy models? — Traditional flat foamy models are available as bare kits requiring you to source all components separately and assemble the aircraft from raw materials using glue and tape, a process that can take many hours. The Eratix 3D FF arrives almost entirely factory-assembled with the motor, ESC, and servos pre-installed and connected, requiring only snap-and-bolt assembly without any adhesives, getting you airborne in under an hour. This represents the easiest, most convenient, and best value flat foamy option currently available.
- Is the Eratix 3D FF durable enough for aggressive 3D flying? — Yes, the high-density EPP airframe reinforced with carbon fibre and composite materials is specifically designed to withstand the stresses of aggressive 3D aerobatics including unlimited vertical manoeuvres. The foam construction provides excellent resilience to impacts during learning flights, and should components require replacement due to damage, a full line of spare parts is readily available from E-flite.
- What transmitters are compatible with the Eratix 3D FF? — Any full-range 4+ channel Spektrum transmitter is compatible with the aircraft. The included Smart ESC can provide real-time telemetry data when used with Spektrum AirWare-equipped transmitters such as the DX6e, DX8e, DX6 G2/G3, DX8 G2, DX9, NX6, NX8, NX10, iX12, iX14, and iX20, though standard Spektrum transmitters function perfectly without telemetry features.
Why Buy from RC Model Shop?
RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including E-flite, Spektrum, Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the E-flite Eratix 3D FF (Flat Foamy) 860mm PNP A-EFL01975 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.
