Dear Collective,
I had my fixed pitch single rotor ( hereafter called "FP" ) out again. I think this post could be for my heli as well as most small collective pitch helis, so it's not too far off eflight topic. I have the whirly parts properly balanced and the static balance of the heli is good. At hover with no wind it is very stable and flying a pack is not a problem with a couple of exceptions. Because of those 'exceptions' I am wondering if I am fighting myself or the heli. If it turns out I am fighting the heli, I may be a better flier than I currently credit myself with being.
For anyone reading this with any interest, I'm working with an Exeed RC Falcon 40 with Super Skids. It's the same as the Walkera #4 and EF Sabre. I am using the stock battery NiMH packs and I am satisfied with the performance.

OK, here goes:
I like to fly at about 4 feet up. A FP is challenging to hold at any altitude same as with the CX helis. Of course when I change the throttle opening to hold height, the directional trim needs a bump at the same time to compensate for the torque change. The Gyro works as it should, but it's not a HH gyro. Because I have removed the throttle and tail rotor control stick spings, control is not at all difficult, but it is distracting when I'm focused on staying away from a wall or lawnmower.

When I get into a solid hover, the heli drifts around a bit exactly as expected. It's entirely controllable and is part of the heli flight experience. I'm fine with that. And I am flying the flybar 'plate', watching the flybar paddles and keeping them level. But as I fly with the heli under control I'll occasionally see a twitch in the flybar. The plate takes a dive in some random direction and of course the heli follows. I can nearly catch it, but of course it has already headed toward a wall or something before I can catch it. What bothers me is that it's not a gentle movement that I should watch for and compensate for. It's a twitch. I suppose I should be impressed that I am actually seeing the movement very early and catching the heli, and I can fly close to, but not hit walls and I can fly in the variable breezes on the patio.

So what I'm trying to get my head around is how much of my lack of ability is actually instability of the heli? I had the linkages in the inner holes of the servo arms, but I have moved them outboard and I'm using the longer ball mounts of the swash for control I am comfortable with. That helped. It seems that I have acquired (not mastered) the art of small and gentle moves of the controls. As I noted, my flights are smooth. Except for the twitches of the servos.

Back to my subject. How much effort am I exerting to fight the normal flight dynamics of a FP heli? I have read of the improved flight dynamics of the large helis with good radios. I have read of the improvements of the 400 size Collective Pitch helis as compared to the smaller FP helis. My original thought was to fly the Falcon until I had it mastered, then move up. I'm thinking that I am fighting frustrations of a lesser heli rather than improving my ability using a more stable helicopter. An amateur needs the best tool that he can afford. A really good flier can handle a lesser helicopter and make it look good.

Am I trying to justify a move to the Blade 400? Yeah, probably. Maybe a Blade 400 or perhaps something that is a well known commodity of similar stability. Very durable and stable without 3D capability. We know the specs that work the best (CP, brushless, LiPO, Belt Drive etc). I can't buy a top grade Tx unit, but I'll need a better Tx than I'm using now. Again, Blade 400? Am I premature or, because I really do see the difference between FP and the new crop of affordable CP helis, is it time to upgrade?

I'm open to comments. And I can take a hit, so be honest.
Thanks, Soloboss