Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
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Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
I'm new to RC helis. I have the FMS and Clearview sim software and I've been flying the Honey Bee FP model around in the sim for about a week now. I'm getting very good at maintaining a steady hover, and I'm starting to do some nose out maneuvers.
In the sim I can do pretty good....but every time I try to fly the real thing, it seems extremely unstable and unpredictable. I can keep it hovering for a few seconds, but if it gets a little tilted and unleveled, it's just about impossible to recover it. It just seems like the slighest input on the sticks has a HUGE affect on the heli.
Is that normal for these heli's? I've gone through the normal setup procedures at far as balancing everything.....but it still just seems really unstable. I did notice that it seems to be more stable withOUT the practice gear hooked to the skids.
Is it just me, or are the Honey Bee FP helis really unstable? I'm sure 90% of the problem is that I just need more practice
In the sim I can do pretty good....but every time I try to fly the real thing, it seems extremely unstable and unpredictable. I can keep it hovering for a few seconds, but if it gets a little tilted and unleveled, it's just about impossible to recover it. It just seems like the slighest input on the sticks has a HUGE affect on the heli.
Is that normal for these heli's? I've gone through the normal setup procedures at far as balancing everything.....but it still just seems really unstable. I did notice that it seems to be more stable withOUT the practice gear hooked to the skids.
Is it just me, or are the Honey Bee FP helis really unstable? I'm sure 90% of the problem is that I just need more practice
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
you just need more practice.. sims are really nothing like the real thing.. sim helis are pretty much set up perfect.. i had a hbfp.. they really are a tuff heli to fly.. all fp's are really hard to fly.. and yes,,they do fly/handle better without the training gear. i think you just need a lot more practice.. at one time i thought there was something wrong with mine.. i was ready to throw it off the wall.
but then i took it to a guy i know and without doing anything he had it in a hover in his living room for a whole battery pack.. so then i knew it was just me.. keep at it,,you'll get it.. and keep practicing on the sim.. they help a lot more then you think. jake
but then i took it to a guy i know and without doing anything he had it in a hover in his living room for a whole battery pack.. so then i knew it was just me.. keep at it,,you'll get it.. and keep practicing on the sim.. they help a lot more then you think. jake
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
One thing I would suggest is if you have anyone that can have a look at it and fly it, ensure it's setup for zero trim on the tx. I had a buddy look at mine while I was in crashing mode and what a difference a little setup tweak can make. If your getting it into a hover then your starting to win the battle, just keep at it and it will come. The hovers eventually get tighter and next thing you know you'll be airborne for an entire bat.
Double check your setup and ensure everything is balanced, that will help.
Double check your setup and ensure everything is balanced, that will help.
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
Like trying to control a flying squirrel during mating season. Get to where you can hover it for a little bit and then move on to a CP with a real gyro and tail pitch. The upside is if you get to where you can fly a HBFP you can probably fly anything.
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
ORIGINAL: cactus hopper
Like trying to control a flying squirrel during mating season.
Like trying to control a flying squirrel during mating season.
another idea: check any sims you use for the option to speed them up or add wind/turbulence. it will add to the realism. once you get comfortable, jack them up again. if you make it harder on the sim then get better at controlling it, your real heli will feel easy.
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
Hi IMQ,
I was reading through your hbfp woes and realized that everythin you have mentioned is similar to what I experienced when I got my hbfp just a couple of months ago. By jove!! did I crash, and was I petrified of lifting it 2 inches above the ground!!
In your case though , you are doing far better, if the hover lasts for a few minutes, you ARE GOOD!! period.
After a few minutes of hover, there builds up significant air turbulance in that area, and thus the heli behaves like it wants out so it heads in the first direction it finds, either through excessive TX input or the lack of counter TX input to balance the turbulance.
All you need my friend is a relaxed mind and comittment and you will definitely find your groove soon, unfortunately, no one can predict when & how that happens, but it Definitely does if you dont give up!!
Just hang in there !!
Amit(India)
I was reading through your hbfp woes and realized that everythin you have mentioned is similar to what I experienced when I got my hbfp just a couple of months ago. By jove!! did I crash, and was I petrified of lifting it 2 inches above the ground!!
In your case though , you are doing far better, if the hover lasts for a few minutes, you ARE GOOD!! period.
After a few minutes of hover, there builds up significant air turbulance in that area, and thus the heli behaves like it wants out so it heads in the first direction it finds, either through excessive TX input or the lack of counter TX input to balance the turbulance.
All you need my friend is a relaxed mind and comittment and you will definitely find your groove soon, unfortunately, no one can predict when & how that happens, but it Definitely does if you dont give up!!
Just hang in there !!
Amit(India)
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
hello everyone, I am a TOTAL NOOB to rc helis, and bought a HBFP for the heck of it after reading so much about it being a good heli for the price, and easy to fix lol, I have crashed mine ALOT and done several repairs. after having it about a week I can get it to hover..... kinda....it only lasts for a couple seconds then I might get it set down or it might crash, usually its only a few inches off the ground, but have had it a couple feet up for a few seconds as well (outside), thing is.... it is not a steady hover at all, it wants to go oneway and when trying to correct it takes a couple...seconds?, then ZOOM! off the other way. I have read that helis are hard to fly in general, and that sims help. I can fly the HBFP model I found for FMS just fine for the most part, but mine seems ALOT diffrent lol.
any ideas/info is VERY much welcome and I am sure there is ALOT I dont understand about helis lol. altho I have been told I am doing good for a newbie at this lol
any ideas/info is VERY much welcome and I am sure there is ALOT I dont understand about helis lol. altho I have been told I am doing good for a newbie at this lol
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
Thanks for all of the information guys. I removed the flybar weights.....just to see what that will do. I also did some mods on the frame so that I can move the battery farther forward. With the stock battery mount moved all the way forward, it still was to tail heavy. I now have it balanced really well. I also checked the balance on the main rotors again, and they are balanced perfect.
I think I'm ready to get it up in the air again....I just need to wait until the weather is a little better. I'm not comfortable enough to try to fly it in my living room.....I think I would tear something up really fast.
I think I'm ready to get it up in the air again....I just need to wait until the weather is a little better. I'm not comfortable enough to try to fly it in my living room.....I think I would tear something up really fast.
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
Hey guys, I started to do a mini series about the HBFP on youtube, check it out if you have time, let me know what you think and some suggestions, it isn't finished yet but most of it is there
[link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYdpuM0WKtc]HBFP beginners guide[/link]
[link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYdpuM0WKtc]HBFP beginners guide[/link]
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
Nice idea with the video.
I think it should be noted that the walkera df 4 is exactly the same heli as the honeybee FP mechanically, and the parts are interchangeable. There are a LOT of posts in the walkera forum that apply to the honeybee FP -- there's a huge walkera 4 thread; http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2833333/tm.htm which has a lot of tips on how to make this model heli fly better for beginners. Fixed pitch helicopters are a handful, and can rack your nerves and kick your butt when trying to learn. But you do get the hang of it and it becomes second nature on the sticks. I think at first, some of us need that reassurance, that confidence, that it is just part of the learning curve and not an inability to fly. Keep trying and trying, you'll definitely get there.
I think it should be noted that the walkera df 4 is exactly the same heli as the honeybee FP mechanically, and the parts are interchangeable. There are a LOT of posts in the walkera forum that apply to the honeybee FP -- there's a huge walkera 4 thread; http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2833333/tm.htm which has a lot of tips on how to make this model heli fly better for beginners. Fixed pitch helicopters are a handful, and can rack your nerves and kick your butt when trying to learn. But you do get the hang of it and it becomes second nature on the sticks. I think at first, some of us need that reassurance, that confidence, that it is just part of the learning curve and not an inability to fly. Keep trying and trying, you'll definitely get there.
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
i love mine and i can hover it in a very tight space, i can fly it FF but thats where it gets squirrly for me cause your always hunting the tail.
this is where i need to be able to hover in all orientation. ive stepped beyong my flying abilities. but it does put you on a faster learning curve because real stick time is quite a different story with this heli then the sims. i like sims and i do practice but this little heli will force you turn learn proper control and tekneeeek rite quick. ive had it 100' in the air and a few 100' out and brought it back but it was tough.
mine has the superskids w/o the tail boom brace for weight purpose,s and 900mah 2s lipo and the rest bone stock except i use a steel flybar no weights and the paddle links to the outer most swash point for more control
this is where i need to be able to hover in all orientation. ive stepped beyong my flying abilities. but it does put you on a faster learning curve because real stick time is quite a different story with this heli then the sims. i like sims and i do practice but this little heli will force you turn learn proper control and tekneeeek rite quick. ive had it 100' in the air and a few 100' out and brought it back but it was tough.
mine has the superskids w/o the tail boom brace for weight purpose,s and 900mah 2s lipo and the rest bone stock except i use a steel flybar no weights and the paddle links to the outer most swash point for more control
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
I have a stock HBFP. Had it for 3 weeks now and with flying everyday I am able to control a hover in a tight space. It does take time and patience. I could barely raise it up off the ground without fear of crashing when I first got it. It definitely helped me out with confidence to fly my CP model which I could not do before. Clearview is great, about as close as you can get. I'm new at this also but have found so far that linking real flight time along with the sim helps.
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
im a new FP owner and yes SIM helps in orientation...but the feel is not quite the same in flying real-time.
and i get bored practicing on the sim though...
robertwav1 is right.. practice and sim time both help
im now on the stage where i can hover tail in only for the life of the battery
using 800mah lipo which i get 14 minutes on my new lipo and around 8 on
the older ones all 800~850mah rating..
im purely stock except for the mabuchi gold main motor and rx/3n1/tx
thanks to nuttcaze on his youtube how to series
and i get bored practicing on the sim though...
robertwav1 is right.. practice and sim time both help
im now on the stage where i can hover tail in only for the life of the battery
using 800mah lipo which i get 14 minutes on my new lipo and around 8 on
the older ones all 800~850mah rating..
im purely stock except for the mabuchi gold main motor and rx/3n1/tx
thanks to nuttcaze on his youtube how to series
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
The first part isn't finished for a few reason, here's why...
1a - will be a "will this fly staight out of the box?" I'm gonna order another one in a few weeks and video me unwrapping it putting batteries in it and showing wether or not these will fly "RIGHT" out of the box , although theres a few things about that, There really are a few things that must be done to it before trying to fly it, but this is gonna be for demonstration, then I will adjust a few things and then bring it into a controlled hover. Just wanna show these heli's off cause they're the best (or I should say they're the strongest )
1b/c - will be just tips and saftey info, this is what I'm still researching, I'm getting all the best info and tips I can find making a list so that it's all in one place for us, this is where I'd appreciate any suggestions you guys have, I've gotten a few including "when re-installing the center hub, try using a safety pin to line up the hole for the pin that hold the center hub to the main shaft" I always just used to fight with it, lol
1d? - is my parts list of must have parts and info about them
1e? - ? any other info I may have left out elsewhere in the guide
5-? will be some tips about learning to hover these, still getting info for that too
6? - will be a complete tear down, all the steps, and neccesary info about reassembly
Any thing else you think I should include let me know. I want this to help all and future HBFP owners out there so I really want to make it good.
Did you guys know you can use the HBFP Tx for a cracked(free) version of Aerofly Pro Deluxe? That is a great sim and has a FP in it that is VERY close to our HBFP, this one will def improve your skills.
1a - will be a "will this fly staight out of the box?" I'm gonna order another one in a few weeks and video me unwrapping it putting batteries in it and showing wether or not these will fly "RIGHT" out of the box , although theres a few things about that, There really are a few things that must be done to it before trying to fly it, but this is gonna be for demonstration, then I will adjust a few things and then bring it into a controlled hover. Just wanna show these heli's off cause they're the best (or I should say they're the strongest )
1b/c - will be just tips and saftey info, this is what I'm still researching, I'm getting all the best info and tips I can find making a list so that it's all in one place for us, this is where I'd appreciate any suggestions you guys have, I've gotten a few including "when re-installing the center hub, try using a safety pin to line up the hole for the pin that hold the center hub to the main shaft" I always just used to fight with it, lol
1d? - is my parts list of must have parts and info about them
1e? - ? any other info I may have left out elsewhere in the guide
5-? will be some tips about learning to hover these, still getting info for that too
6? - will be a complete tear down, all the steps, and neccesary info about reassembly
Any thing else you think I should include let me know. I want this to help all and future HBFP owners out there so I really want to make it good.
Did you guys know you can use the HBFP Tx for a cracked(free) version of Aerofly Pro Deluxe? That is a great sim and has a FP in it that is VERY close to our HBFP, this one will def improve your skills.
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
ORIGINAL: nuttcaze
Hey guys, I started to do a mini series about the HBFP on youtube, check it out if you have time, let me know what you think and some suggestions, it isn't finished yet but most of it is there
[link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYdpuM0WKtc]HBFP beginners guide[/link]
Hey guys, I started to do a mini series about the HBFP on youtube, check it out if you have time, let me know what you think and some suggestions, it isn't finished yet but most of it is there
[link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYdpuM0WKtc]HBFP beginners guide[/link]
I'm flying my HBFP for quite some time so far (mastered hovering, able to do some circles, rarely crashing it), but still it's useful for me.
Thanks!
/Denis
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
If you have a fixed pitch and a collective pitch, which one is easier to hover and/or fly? How difficult is it to set up a CP, especially without help?
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
CP heads are very complicated compared to fixed pitch, and therefore much more can go wrong with it during a crash - not to mention setting up the heli after repairs is more difficult too. CP are easier to hover but there's almost always damage when you crash - and you ARE going to crash several times when learning. FP heli's aren't as smooth but they are more resilient. If you don't mind repairing your heli after each mistake then go for it with a CP, if you want to pick up the heli and go at it again immediately (most times) then start on a FP heli. And yeah, FP helicopters are harder to hover but...that will help you in the long run.
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
ORIGINAL: nuttcaze
The first part isn't finished for a few reason, here's why...
1a - will be a "will this fly staight out of the box?" I'm gonna order another one in a few weeks and video me unwrapping it putting batteries in it and showing wether or not these will fly "RIGHT" out of the box , although theres a few things about that, There really are a few things that must be done to it before trying to fly it, but this is gonna be for demonstration, then I will adjust a few things and then bring it into a controlled hover. Just wanna show these heli's off cause they're the best (or I should say they're the strongest )
The first part isn't finished for a few reason, here's why...
1a - will be a "will this fly staight out of the box?" I'm gonna order another one in a few weeks and video me unwrapping it putting batteries in it and showing wether or not these will fly "RIGHT" out of the box , although theres a few things about that, There really are a few things that must be done to it before trying to fly it, but this is gonna be for demonstration, then I will adjust a few things and then bring it into a controlled hover. Just wanna show these heli's off cause they're the best (or I should say they're the strongest )
Hi,
One question - or maybe even the idea for some of your videos... To have a stable flight with HBFP, it's important to have the paddles leveled the same.
The more precise those are leveled, the more stability we have, of course.
So, what's the best way for adjusting these paddles? I suppose we should measure it somehow. Is there some tool to be used for that?
Thanks!
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
The best way is really just to "eye" it, make sure the paddles line up with the outer paddle control frame, they can be close and it's not gonna make too much of a difference on these things, but what is more important is to make sure the flybar is even distance from the paddle control frame on bothsides, then put the paddles on and make sure they are even distance from paddle control frame. I've crashed a few times that my flybar got pushed about an inch either direction, but I've never broken a flybar. They do make a tool for leveling the flybars but its not much different then just "eyeing" it.
I decided that I would have to do a vid about post crash inspection too, not much to check on these but if you've never owned a heli before you might not know what to check, but info on the flybar will be in that one. Thanks
I decided that I would have to do a vid about post crash inspection too, not much to check on these but if you've never owned a heli before you might not know what to check, but info on the flybar will be in that one. Thanks
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
Well, good news! After reading some of the good setup info you guys had, and watching some of those great videos......I was finally able to hover in the garage for about 5min. before I had to set it down. Man, talk about exciting. I thought I would never get the hang of it.
Removing the flybar weights really seemed to help, it seems faster to react to small control stick inputs. You sure do have to concentrate though.....as soon as your mind isn't fixed 100% on the heli, it goes downhill really fast. Hopefully soon I'll be able to hover through an entire battery pack.
Thanks again for all the great advice.....and those videos are great, keep up the good work!
Oh....one quick question, how do keep the main tail shaft from rotating where it plugs into the frame? Should I glue it?
Removing the flybar weights really seemed to help, it seems faster to react to small control stick inputs. You sure do have to concentrate though.....as soon as your mind isn't fixed 100% on the heli, it goes downhill really fast. Hopefully soon I'll be able to hover through an entire battery pack.
Thanks again for all the great advice.....and those videos are great, keep up the good work!
Oh....one quick question, how do keep the main tail shaft from rotating where it plugs into the frame? Should I glue it?
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
ORIGINAL: imq707s
Well, good news! After reading some of the good setup info you guys had, and watching some of those great videos......I was finally able to hover in the garage for about 5min. before I had to set it down. Man, talk about exciting. I thought I would never get the hang of it.
Removing the flybar weights really seemed to help, it seems faster to react to small control stick inputs. You sure do have to concentrate though.....as soon as your mind isn't fixed 100% on the heli, it goes downhill really fast. Hopefully soon I'll be able to hover through an entire battery pack.
Thanks again for all the great advice.....and those videos are great, keep up the good work!
Oh....one quick question, how do keep the main tail shaft from rotating where it plugs into the frame? Should I glue it?
Well, good news! After reading some of the good setup info you guys had, and watching some of those great videos......I was finally able to hover in the garage for about 5min. before I had to set it down. Man, talk about exciting. I thought I would never get the hang of it.
Removing the flybar weights really seemed to help, it seems faster to react to small control stick inputs. You sure do have to concentrate though.....as soon as your mind isn't fixed 100% on the heli, it goes downhill really fast. Hopefully soon I'll be able to hover through an entire battery pack.
Thanks again for all the great advice.....and those videos are great, keep up the good work!
Oh....one quick question, how do keep the main tail shaft from rotating where it plugs into the frame? Should I glue it?
EXCITING isn't it? And it gets easier the more you practice.
I superglued my tail boom into the frame to keep it in place. [sm=thumbup.gif]
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RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
Sweet, it really will get easier as you keep at it, glad my vids helped someone, more coming soon, super glue is the best, I also had to superglue the tail motor/rotor mount in lace too, put a zip tie on the back of the frame where the tail boom goes in, helps give it support there, thats a weak spot on these, use one that comes with the heli just make sure its tight, its a very close fit but won't affect anything
#23
RE: Honey Bee FP.....seems really unstable in the air. Is that normal?
For what it's worth, with a "good" 6" machinist's scale, my dimension from the flybar weight to the paddle control frame is 1 and 29/32 inches.