chris6414
Posts: 654
Joined: 12/23/2004
From: Warminster ,
PA, USA
Status: offline
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So far I haven't spent anything on replacement parts so far. I threw a tail rotor bearing in the grass a few weeks ago. Boy was that tough to find. I also followed a recommendation to clip my main rotor blades to increase stability and head speed. I clipped 1cm off one set and 2cm off the other. I found that the 2cm clipped blades allow for more hover time due to the decreased load they put on the battery everytime I throttle up and down. I did a test the other day and I was still able to lift into the ground effect even at 8.0 volts on the pack. Which is practically flat for helo purposes. The other set clipped at 1cm seemed to hover a little more stable but did not have the head speed or crisp movement that the others had. Either way, both sets hover well but I like the increased head speed as it promotes more stability(gyroscopic effect) which is why I chose a 11.1 volt LiPo to see what improvements that brings.
I had a little experince hovering the Nitro helos prior to me purchasing the #4. I am still learning though. I found that the key to hovering is first get the helo trimmed. By trimmed I mean when you throttle up out of ground effect, the helo should remain "somewhat" level and stable whithout too much control input. You can't get any helo to be totally stable in a hover without some input. "Marble on a mirror" comes to mind". Try it some time and see if you can keep the marble in the center. That is hovering. These little birds need constant attention and the slightest breeze effects them.
As for where I fly, I fly in a park that has 60 ft pines in it. It has picnic areas and one area has since been torn down which left a nice 8 X 15 ft concrete pad to practice on. When I hover practice if I get into the airspace above the grass outside the pad, I attempt to get it back over the concrete. i use it as a control barrier. Once in awhile if the battery is good I will allow the helo to fly out over the grass in a clear area with no trees, to practice hovering. When the battery gets low I just keep it on the concrete and hover around in or just above the ground effect. The helo is sliding all over the place but it teaches me how to keep it in a confined spot and how much input I need to change direction. The surrounding trees just reinforce my confined flying training and keep the breezes down to a minimum.
I would recommend the clipping idea to anyone who will stay with the stock packs for awhile as you can usually get another minute or 2 of practice time. If you jump right to LiPo packs, I would imagine the stock blades at their length should be fine. I almost went with the 2 cell LiPo pack but I had heard you don't get the head speed increase that would add power if you descend too quickly but they are much lighter and duration would increase. I read of one person that said he still flew his #4 at 3/4 to full throttle all the time. I'm shooting for 1/2 to 3/4 and Full only if I need it. In planes I have always followed the philosophy of what engine size they recommend, always go with the higher end. It has saved me more than once. 
< Message edited by gysgt6414 -- 10/7/2005 5:31:04 PM >
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Printable Version
All Forums >> RC Helicopters >> Electric RC Helis >> Walkera Helis - Dragonfly, etc.. >> RE: Walkera #4 Fixed Pitch Helicopter Forum 
RE: Walkera #4 Fixed Pitch Helicopter Forum - 
I thought they had ripped out some how and pulled the plug off to see what was going on. 
. I will post some pics up of the plug and the pins and maybe you guys can tell me where to put the pins.(i hope). 
