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All Forums >> RC Helicopters >> Electric RC Helis >> E-Flite Helicopters >> Just getting it off the ground
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Just getting it off the ground - 8/25/2008 4:47:20 PM   
nesna


 

Posts: 4
Joined: 8/24/2008
From: Fort MyersFlorida, USA
Status: offline 		Hello everyone.. I bought a blade 400 3D 5 months ago and I should have done something wrong because this thing is hard as hell to fly.. I mean hard as hell.. just to get off the ground. So 5 months ago I tried using it and so I would power it up and slowly increase the throttle. But as I increase the throttle, the heli starts rotating about its axis very slowly. And as I increase the throttle the rotation around its axis increases as well. And all this happens without the heli ever leaving the ground. So I try to compensate by adjusting the tail rotor, but then it starts rotating about its axis in the opposite direction. I just am not able to find the balance. I am not able to adjust the tail rotor just right so that the heli would point straight in one direction, just to slightly lift it above the ground just for a hover.

Or maybe hovering is much harder than I thought.

I have so far resisted the temptation to push the throttle all the way up just to see what happens cos i really don't want to damage this heli. Any advice would be appreciated. I am new to the world of anything related to RC. And I suppose, this heli is just too advanced for me. But I am sure with a little help, I can get it off the ground without much trouble. Please tell me, If I am doing something wrong.

I am using the transmitter that came along with the blade 400 3D heli. its a spektrum DX6i..

Thank you,
nesna
       Post #: 1

RE: Just getting it off the ground - 8/25/2008 5:08:45 PM   
evdreamer


 

Posts: 3050
Joined: 8/12/2007
From: Lincoln, NE, USA
Status: online 		The gyro might be reversed. Try flipping the switch on the G110 to the opposite position it is right now. I think it will say DIR or directions or something like that. It might be reverse since that is what is says on my G90. Then try turning the gain up in the transmitter. After that and it still doesn't work I will try to think of something.

The B400 is an advanced helicopter for a new flyer, but people have learned to fly on collective pitch helicopters. If you want to build your confidence up quickly and learn the hovering orientations a CX or CX2 will help out a lot. You could probably find a cheap used one on Ebay. A simulator might help you too.

It is smart not to lift the helicopter up with the tail acting like that. And did you check all the screws for tightness, and make sure the screws that need thread lock have it, and make sure all the servos are moving in the right direction?

Nick

_____________________________

Gaui 200 SD, T-Rex 450SEV2, T-Rex 600 ESP, E-Sky Belt CP

(in reply to nesna)
       Post #: 2

RE: Just getting it off the ground - 8/25/2008 5:57:15 PM   
Druss


 

Posts: 4678
Joined: 8/10/2007
From: Edmonton, AB, CANADA
Status: offline 		I'd suggest you go through radds school of rotory flight first.

The heli will tend to turn nose left until you get the headspeed up, you just have to compensate for it with rudder input until you're hovering.

Try to get someone experienced to look at it locally.

(in reply to evdreamer)
       Post #: 3

RE: Just getting it off the ground - 8/25/2008 6:54:11 PM   
ssrc30


 

Posts: 172
Joined: 5/31/2008
From: Grande Prairie, AB, CANADA
Status: offline






quote:

ORIGINAL: evdreamer

The gyro might be reversed. Try flipping the switch on the G110 to the opposite position it is right now. I think it will say DIR or directions or something like that. It might be reverse since that is what is says on my G90. Then try turning the gain up in the transmitter. After that and it still doesn't work I will try to think of something.

The B400 is an advanced helicopter for a new flyer, but people have learned to fly on collective pitch helicopters. If you want to build your confidence up quickly and learn the hovering orientations a CX or CX2 will help out a lot. You could probably find a cheap used one on Ebay. A simulator might help you too.

It is smart not to lift the helicopter up with the tail acting like that. And did you check all the screws for tightness, and make sure the screws that need thread lock have it, and make sure all the servos are moving in the right direction?

Nick



Yes, alot more people have learned on collective pitch helicopters than they have on coaxial heli's. When I first started flying, helicopters were powered by those little 9V batteries and you got 3 to 5 minutes of flying time. The rotor blades were always made of wood and the tail rotor was an airplane propeller. We didn't have coaxial heli's then and there was no such thing as a simulator. I think that no matter how advanced a heli is, a beginner can still learn on it. The good thing is that they are alot cheaper to fix now than they were back in the day when rotor blades were 100 bucks a set and parts that should have been replaceable, weren't. IMHO, even though heli's are far more advanced now than they use to be, they are actually alot more forgiving and are easier to fly.

_____________________________

Airboss says: Down is up and up is expensive!!!! Blade CX2, Blade 400, T-Rex 450se V2, Redcat Racing Tornado S-30

(in reply to evdreamer)
       Post #: 4

RE: Just getting it off the ground - 8/26/2008 3:59:48 AM   
bart.tech


 

Posts: 38
Joined: 11/20/2006
From: , ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		I always give my respect to the guys that flew nitro choppers before gyro's were invented. I also learned on a cp chopper (cp pro). It was a stiff curve but not impossible. The cx would be a great learning tool but I could see it collecting dust after a while too. Best of luck.

_____________________________

Bart B400/CPP/PicoZ Eagle2/Cherokee .61/Decathalon/Edge 260 Bruiser/USA1 nitro/MBX r2/Savage XSS Dx3r/AX10 Scorpion kit

(in reply to ssrc30)
       Post #: 5

RE: Just getting it off the ground - 8/26/2008 2:33:27 PM   
nesna


 

Posts: 4
Joined: 8/24/2008
From: Fort MyersFlorida, USA
Status: offline
I tried changing it to REVERSE on the gyro and when I switched it on and throttled up a bit, the whole heli went into a spinning frenzy. I know you told me to check if it was in REVERSE and to bring it back to NORMAL if it was. But couldn't resist my curiosity to see what happens in REVERSE. So, I brought the DIR back to its initial position 'NOR' and then fiddled with the gain settings in the transmitter. And now it looks like the gyro is holding up, with a little help from the rudder trim settings on the transmitter. And the best part is.. i successfully managed to get the heli of the ground, but it has an irresistible urge to sway to the left as soon as the heli is off the ground. When i say left, I meant the heli's left with me standing facing its tail as reference. But the nose is holding straight. But like I said as soon as the heli is off the ground, the entire heli sways to the left.


I checked to make sure the servos are moving in the rigth direction and everything is. I tightened the screws for the main rotor blades and the tail rotor blades. May I ask, what do you mean when you say "make sure the screws that need thread lock have it". Im sorry if it is common knowledge , but I do not know what a thread lock means.. !

Thank you.
Nesna

(in reply to evdreamer)
       Post #: 6

RE: Just getting it off the ground - 8/26/2008 2:36:11 PM   
nesna


 

Posts: 4
Joined: 8/24/2008
From: Fort MyersFlorida, USA
Status: offline

Could you please give me the link to 'radds school of rotory flight'. i tried googling it and got weird results for it.

(in reply to Druss)
       Post #: 7

RE: Just getting it off the ground - 8/26/2008 3:50:24 PM   
rc-jj


 

Posts: 283
Joined: 12/27/2006
From: Dallas , TX, USA
Status: offline 		Nesna

i do hope that the "problem" is just being a newB (i was so frustrated when is started too because of the heli spinning like nuts when i tried to fly)....i then found out after a good mixture of patience, simulator time, and good advice that it was just what helis do. If this is the problem then it is not so much of a bad "fix" and before you know it you too will be volunteering advice to the others like us that started that same way and trying to take that permanent grin off your face .

Hang int here bud - Radds will help - and dont do liek me and be shy of asking the heli gurus at the field for help - they are really a pretty good group of guys and gals.

have fun flying

_____________________________

I am NewB at Flying ... but a Master at crashing !!!

(in reply to nesna)
       Post #: 8

RE: Just getting it off the ground - 8/26/2008 3:53:35 PM   
rc-jj


 

Posts: 283
Joined: 12/27/2006
From: Dallas , TX, USA
Status: offline 		oh here is the link for Radd's .... great help all over!

http://www.dream-models.com/eco/flying-index.html

_____________________________

I am NewB at Flying ... but a Master at crashing !!!

(in reply to rc-jj)
       Post #: 9

RE: Just getting it off the ground - 8/26/2008 5:21:32 PM   
nesna


 

Posts: 4
Joined: 8/24/2008
From: Fort MyersFlorida, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for the link jj.. wow, Radd's school is realy helpful.. he is funny as well.. i wish i had instructors like him throughout school, college and everywhere.. it doesn't matter what you are learning.. truth is.. with an instructor like him.. any subject would be interesting. maybe im reading in too much just from his style of writing.. but i don't think i could be so far off the center with regards to him being a good instructor.. !

(in reply to rc-jj)
       Post #: 10

RE: Just getting it off the ground - 8/26/2008 6:06:38 PM   
rc-jj


 

Posts: 283
Joined: 12/27/2006
From: Dallas , TX, USA
Status: offline 		he is excellent - and he gets you pumped for the hobby! .. he really helped a great deal ... i think i can say i was just shy of jumping off the roof when i was introduced to Radds - needless to say i am still in the hobby ...and loving it!

_____________________________

I am NewB at Flying ... but a Master at crashing !!!

(in reply to nesna)
       Post #: 11

RE: Just getting it off the ground - 8/27/2008 2:35:12 PM   
sn00p


 

Posts: 122
Joined: 1/4/2008
From: , UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		sounds like you just need to adjust your right stick bottom trim to stop or lessen the sway to the left. 1 Thing i will point out here as it took me ages before someone mentioned... the heli will naturally fly a little off level when trimmed correctly and will hold a true still hover but the heli will be leaned over slightly to its right. More noticeable when you have the training gear on. It will be on the pi55 just a little. Just keep taking it up for short hover hops and dial the trim in.

Eventually when you get to hover for a few mins with minmal stick inputs you will be able to work out what needs trimming and also noticed whats trimmed on the floor or close too i.e LOW hover may NOT be good when your at head height out of the dirty air. when hovering. You really do need to be at least head height to get a true trim.


_____________________________

Blade 400 3d
Mini Pred/Falcon 3d

(in reply to rc-jj)
       Post #: 12

RE: Just getting it off the ground - 8/28/2008 8:05:02 AM   
Truglodite



Posts: 846
Joined: 4/4/2003
From: Sac, CA, USA
Status: offline 		The whole idea behind RADDS is to always stay in control. We're talking within a foot or two of where you want to be for a whole pack. 2-3 second "hops" are by definition flying out of control.

sn00p, I understand where you're coming from about clean air, but I'm guessing you are speaking from experience and you know a bit about how to recover. I'm not saying you're point isn't valid, it's just that I've heard too many stories from complete beginners, where something unexpected happens that high up when they're not prepared to recover. The next thing they know they're chasing a chopper rodeo style, and spectators are stuck playing dodge chopper. (c'mon now, we've all been in that rodeo at least once. )

Unless you're some weird freak that nobody wants to be around, at some point you will get a rush of adrenaline while flying. Keep intensely focused at all times, and the minute the excitement kicks in it's a good time to land. That excitement will certainly distract your attention from all the minor details you need to take care of to keep the heli in the air where you want it. If you learn using the RADD's method, you will have an epiphany at some point everything I'm saying will be obvious to you.

kev

_____________________________

whew, r/c used to be so much simpler.

(in reply to sn00p)
       Post #: 13

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