Cal 5 Orientation
 

I've recently purchased a Cal 5 and have been flying for a few weeks. I've purchased Reflex XTR and been practicing hard out along with my Honey Bee as i've managed to go through a Gallon of nitro in a week [X(]

Got a few questions:

1) If anyone uses Reflex for their sim what model do you use and have you tweaked any settings to make it more Cal 5 like. Currently i'm using the Rap50v2 with a bit more headspeed (1800rpm). it's kind of like the Cal but not quite the same as RL.

2) I fine zipping around my HoneyBee (Similar to a dragonfly) banked figure 8s at good distances and heights and don't have a problem with orientation too much. However with my Cal i'm having real troubles with anything above 15metres. Do any of you have any tips ideas on improving visibilty orientation tips? I find in Reflex i use the blade circle a lot to get orientation but find it's not so easy to see in RL.

Have been thinking about painting either the canopy/skids/blade tips/paddles but not sure which is best or which paints to get.

Any tips and ideas would be great.

RE: Cal 5 Orientation
 

I have a Cal 30 and Rappy 60 and find that the Caliber 30 Reflex model is about as realistic as you can get. It's not about getting it as close to to your actual model, more about training your thumbs :D You never really stop learing. I'm 10 years into helis and still find it hard some days:eek:

Just keep getting the practice in, both simulated and real. Don't try anything too extreme: pleanty of hovering at different attitudes and heights, then slow circuits and F8s etc.

For orientation you need to get your canopy sprayed flourecent colours with the tail feathers a different colour. A lot of people find concentrating on the rotor helps, But I'm more interested in what the fuselage is up to!

For inspiration look at the colours the professional heli pilots use for orientation.




http://www.smtas.no/Modellflyside/Bi...ell%20Fury.jpg

Ian F.

RE: Cal 5 Orientation
 

Cool stuff i noticed that the Cal 3 on Reflex was much more realistic and i suppose it is all about the stick controls really.

One thing about the paints though are there specific types of paint to use? I've read ppl using car paints with seal coats, RC car paints etc. Just wondering what ppl use and which ones are the brightest :)

RE: Cal 5 Orientation
 

Do you really mean cali 3? or 30... Could I get a reflex demo and use the 3 if that's what you meant?

RE: Cal 5 Orientation
 

It's 30, there isn't even a 5 let alone the new 3 in it yet :( - You going to be at the Kumeu field over the weekend? I'd like to check out the new 3.

RE: Cal 5 Orientation
 

You'll have to use a fuel resistant paint like 2K. It's the same stuff used on cars.

Ross

RE: Cal 5 Orientation
 

about the sim..the sim will never be exactly likelike and it doesn't really matter what heli you use as the orientation is the big thing to get used to. Once you can fly a heli..you can fly any heli. Might not be easy but its basically just teaching the basics.

Ross

RE: Cal 5 Orientation
 

If the caliber 3 and 5 fuselages are made out of the same stuff as the Caliber 30's then you'll be lucky to get anything to stick to it! I ended up getting a fibreglass FT canopy for mine and had it pro painted.

http://www.tshc.org/helis/H_HCanpy.jpg

Ian F.

RE: Cal 5 Orientation
 

Ian, I painted my stock canopy, the paint is staying on fine.
Where do you send the canopy to get pro painted? Thats a really good paint job!! Are there specialist Airbrushing places in the U.K?

Ross

RE: Cal 5 Orientation
 

I'm lucky that my mate is an airbrush wiz and graphic designer. But I think Flyingfish also take on custom work.

http://www.flyinfish.co.uk/v2/


Ian F.

RE: Cal 5 Orientation
 

I will be at kumeu club on sun... I don't have the 3 yet but Grant Billingham has one. he is getting some more soon.

RE: Cal 5 Orientation
 

I've been looking at the Tamiya Polycarb paints - the fluro ones [8D] as people have said these are quite good. Do i have to seal it after using it or just paint and forget?

RE: Cal 5 Orientation
 

I think the polycarb paint is for the inside of clear shells (like the car or buggys) I think most people use standard car paint. But use a suitable plastic primer.

Ian F.