Success!!

Almost total and massive success!

I did actually accomplish a couple very short 1 - 2 second hovers at about a foot off the floor, but it was unsustainable.

Sliding around the floor was fun and controllable. Hopping had its problems, as with the hover.

What I learned on this run was that my rotor speed is too high. I did see the model liftoff at a little more than half up stick.

So I went into program mode and dropped the throttle a bit to 60% at half-stick. I also notched up collective to 65%. I kept the CCPM setting at 40% (CP2 = CP3 = CP6 = 40%). If I set this higher, it appears I have too much total collective throw for a nOOB to learn on, so this seems fine for now. Example: With this set to 60%, it appears that the swashplate has total free reign over its entire up/down travel range - full positive to full negative collective. You could strip a servo gear if you set this higher, I would think.

So after those tweaks, I tried again and it was only a little better. I still think the rotor may have too much spin for a Normal Flight Mode Hover.

Another minor issue: I was wanting maximum stability so I had added flybar weights (from a T-rex). I was fighting that flybar way too much! It was a good learning experience though. I still want to see what they can do, so instead of removing them I just adjusted them all the way in. Should be fun to see what they do there.

And the final minor issue - I was fighting the flybar because I was fighting - - Wind!! Wind?!?! From where? I was indoors!! Ahhh sooo... the air conditioning was on, and there was enough airflow in my test area to mess up my ground effect and cause signifigant drifting away from the test area. Arg!!! [:@]

In fact, if not for the flybar, I am pretty sure I could have held position, even in the hover! But, too risky with that stupid indoor breeze... sigh...

In any case, she did not exhibit any naughty behavior at all. No shooting off in random directions, and rock solid servo action. Good solid control throughout the whole exercise.

I am confident I can get into a stable hover after a few radio tweaks. Other than adjusting the flybar weights, I see nothing more to do with the mechanics. She runs smooth and *wants* to fly!

Woo hoo!!