Helimax Rotofly Problems  
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Tower Hobbies
Enter up to 4 keywords or Tower stock numbers
Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
       


Miniature Aircraft USA Ion-X - RTF
Seller:  1surfer
Details:   $5,000.00   |  10/5/2008   |  Classified Ad
We will rotate YOUR AD in this spot if you select "Forum Featured" when placing or editing your ad!

All Forums >> RC Helicopters >> Electric RC Helis >> Helimax Rotofly Problems
Page: [1] 2   next >   >>  

Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
Helimax Rotofly Problems - 11/20/2004 3:37:52 PM   
iosolutions


 

Posts: 39
Joined: 10/12/2004
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Status: offline 		HI - I just received my Helimax Rotofly after waiting for several months.

I am fairly proficient w/ microelectric helis as I have 2 piccolos fully modified and can fly both of them well enough to cruise around inside the house.

My Rotofly however, wants to skid to the left - so badly in fact, that I can't get it to take off! I have checked it carefully and I don't see anything that appears to be assembled incorrectly, crooked, broken, off balance, etc. In fact - it seems to be very well made and sturdy.

Does anybody have a suggestion as to what may be causing this and how to fix it? Has anyone had the same problem? I'm so bummed about this!

Thanks
       Post #: 1

RE: Helimax Rotofly Problems - 11/20/2004 8:00:56 PM   
Russ Williamson



Posts: 232
Joined: 10/29/2003
From: Champaign, IL, USA
Status: offline 		You might try moving the cyclic trim to the right. Sounds like the torque of the blades are pushing it to the left. Does not take much on such a light little helicopter

(in reply to iosolutions)
       Post #: 2

RE: Helimax Rotofly Problems - 11/21/2004 3:22:12 PM   
iosolutions


 

Posts: 39
Joined: 10/12/2004
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks - I have, and in fact, I'm giving it LOTS of stick to compensate as well, but its really bad. I guess I'll keep messing with it, but I'm afraid I might have to send it in to have them check it out if I can't figure it out. Very strange. Just to be sure - I flew my piccs again yesterday and had no problem hovering just a few inches off the ground so its not my flying skills. Of course, the piccs are so much nicer machines with all the mods I have on them - but still, the rotofly should fly?


(in reply to Russ Williamson)
       Post #: 3

RE: Helimax Rotofly Problems - 11/21/2004 9:19:46 PM   
boostcrzy



Posts: 118
Joined: 11/7/2004
From: Wellington, FL, USA
Status: offline 		how is your tailrotor motor holding up??....i burnt mine in 1 day!!...i was very dissapointed but am currently waiting on a replacement they are sending me....i also noticed the drift you are talking about and thought maybe its caused by the flybar paddles being excessively pitched...therefor requiring extreme amounts of tairotor speed to keep the heli pointed straight....my paddles were quite pitched and i returned them to zero pitch to try and counter the necessary tail speed......im new to this...so bear with me if im saying something incorrectly

(in reply to iosolutions)
       Post #: 4

RE: Helimax Rotofly Problems - 11/21/2004 9:30:40 PM   
boostcrzy



Posts: 118
Joined: 11/7/2004
From: Wellington, FL, USA
Status: offline 		BTW....i nsist on stating that this little heli is extremely durable...as i have made countless "emergency" ditches and have only broken the tail skid.....i am very pleased at hoe tough this little guy is.....i think the tailrotor is the only let down as far as i can see....

(in reply to boostcrzy)
       Post #: 5

RE: Helimax Rotofly Problems - 11/22/2004 3:16:58 PM   
iosolutions


 

Posts: 39
Joined: 10/12/2004
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Well, In my case, its not a tailmotor problem - I have no problems keeping it facing forward. It's definitely related to the cyclic control somehow. My flybar paddles look perfect. The only thing that's not perfectly straight seems to be the anti-rotation linkage - however, I don't beleive that is causing the problem. Is your AR link slightly tilted too?

FYI - you can correct your tail motor speed issues by adjusting the mixer screws on your gyro. Go to the Helimax website and download the Product Manual for their micro gyro and it describes the process. This way your heli will be perfect and you won't need to adjust the trim on the tailmotor.

Anyone else have suggestions or similar experiences w/ the Rotofly?


(in reply to iosolutions)
       Post #: 6

RE: Helimax Rotofly Problems - 11/23/2004 3:54:18 AM   
iosolutions


 

Posts: 39
Joined: 10/12/2004
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Status: offline 		It Flys!

OK - here's the story. The Rotofly is a cool little heli, but as you can see above - I had some problems with it. I tried and tried and had the same results as above - so finally, I got fed up and really juiced it up and - sure enough, it took off and I was able to fly it. After some practice (half hour or so) I was able to acheive a decent hover. Now looking forward to really learning jow to fly this heli.

My pronlem was ME. I am used to two very smooth piccolos w/ cf hornet blades and orion motors (very high RPMs) and monyother mods - almost no friction anywhere - excellent helicopters. I can lift my piccs right off the ground and hover them inches up w/o any ground effect problem. Not so w/ the Rotofly - oh no, not at all. It's like learning to fly all over again! The good news is, it does fly, and flys pretty well - and it is VERY sturdy. I didn't crash at all, but I was in a tight space (kitchen) and I did bounce the blades off the table and walls upon landing a couple of times. Worst problem was the rotorhead popped off the bearing. Snapped right back on. Honestly, these blade hits would probably have caused some good damage to my piccs for sure!

So, my experience w/ the Rotofly, for you interested, is very aggressive lift-off is needed, and then have your thumbs ready to move. I was all tensed up after I ran thru my battery pack and my wife asked me why I was sweating so much!! So -it will be fun learning how to fly this one - and it may be a while before I fly it in the office!

Have fun.


(in reply to iosolutions)
       Post #: 7

RE: Helimax Rotofly Problems - 11/23/2004 5:30:49 AM   
boostcrzy



Posts: 118
Joined: 11/7/2004
From: Wellington, FL, USA
Status: offline 		well....i agree...the take off is definately a commited one...lol....but once in the air the hard part is behind you.....i can now confidently take off in my room and achieve a somewhat smooth hover.....but winds aloft are a serious buzz kill when trying to maintain a hover....this little bugger really gets pushed around easily!!!!....lol....and as for the anti-rotation arm.....mine seems to be pretty straight(aside from the intended offset)...none the less, i am pleased by the durable construction and tolerance to SEVERE hits and landings.....the only weak part i have found is the canopy....lol....lets just say its like an eggshell....

(in reply to iosolutions)
       Post #: 8

RE: Helimax Rotofly Problems - 11/28/2004 12:55:41 AM   
Jhark312


 

Posts: 1
Joined: 11/27/2004
From: Johnson City, TN, USA
Status: offline 		i am having the same drift to the left problems with our new rotofly. my son (12) and i are 1st time flyers, however, the slip to the left is our doing. My son is able to compensate somewhat when he gets in in air (better than I can do) but it still slips badly to the left. is there some adjustment i can make to compensate for this? JH

(in reply to boostcrzy)
       Post #: 9

RE: Helimax Rotofly Problems - 11/28/2004 1:14:38 AM   
Russ Williamson



Posts: 232
Joined: 10/29/2003
From: Champaign, IL, USA
Status: offline 		You might try putting in a little right cyclic trim if it keeps drifting (moving) to the left.
Have fun!

(in reply to Jhark312)
       Post #: 10

RE: Helimax Rotofly Problems - 11/29/2004 2:41:05 AM   
boostcrzy



Posts: 118
Joined: 11/7/2004
From: Wellington, FL, USA
Status: offline 		try moving the training gear(if your using it) so that it points the heli to the right....otherwise add some right stick...as stated previously...
good luck!.....im enjoying my rotofly very much now that hovering in the house is do-able...hehe....making quick hops from one counter to the next.....i love it!!!

(in reply to Russ Williamson)
       Post #: 11

RE: Helimax Rotofly Problems - 11/29/2004 3:38:41 PM   
iosolutions


 

Posts: 39
Joined: 10/12/2004
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Status: offline 		I agree - once you get the hang of it - the rotofly is pretty stable. But it IS small and really blows around alot - much more than a Hornet or Piccalo, which doesn't mean anything to you if you have never flown one. It's not my idea of a beginners helicopter. You just need to learn to compensate for any movement with the stick and most importanlty, try to react when you first notice the movement, not after it has already moved significantly. This will help to keep you from oversterring and eventually you really get used to it. The only cure for you at this point is practice I beleive. Don't get too frustrated. It took me a LONG time to learn how to fly these. So long, that I gave it up for a few months, got a simulator, and that was the solution for me!

BTW - I repleced my burnt out tailmotor w/ a spare from my Piccolo and it works fine. Also suffered a broken tailskid, but easily CAed back in place. Still no major damage..........

Have fun.

(in reply to boostcrzy)
       Post #: 12

RE: Helimax Rotofly Problems - 11/30/2004 5:18:53 AM   
jschwed


 

Posts: 1
Joined: 11/30/2004
From: waukesha, WI, USA
Status: offline 		Does anyone know what angle, or how to set, the Flybar paddles? I notice mine are two way different angles – 5 degrees & 35 degrees!

(in reply to iosolutions)
       Post #: 13

RE: Helimax Rotofly Problems - 11/30/2004 4:02:08 PM   
iosolutions


 

Posts: 39
Joined: 10/12/2004
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Absolutely - they should both be as parallel (horizontal) as possible when your servos are centered. They should twist pretty easily into alignment. If they are too loose, tighten them up a bit.


(in reply to jschwed)
       Post #: 14

RE: Helimax Rotofly Problems - 2/27/2005 3:32:40 AM   
rotoflyer14


 

Posts: 2
Joined: 2/26/2005
From: Lancaster, SC, USA
Status: offline