Pendulum effect
 

Hello, Still learning, just got to hovering with some short term control of 'air under the skids'. I've seen discussions on Yo-Yo'ing up and down. I'm finding that the motion I'm fighting is more like a pendulum swinging from side to side and in and out. Is it just me and needing more time (and parts) or is there something else I can do. TIA, Andy

RE: Pendulum effect
 

I got that early on. I realized that for myself, there were a few factors contributing to my pendulum swings:

1) Over correction. But with a little practice you can get it to stop rather than stop then swing back.
2) Blade tracking - If they're not tracking within a certain threshold, the rig as a whole will want to fly out of Radd's box
3) Trim - get it into a flat hover at about 3feet then see which way it wants to slide - adjust trim to cancel out the slide
4) Center of Gravity - check the CG of the helicopter
- with the heli nose facing 12 oclock, rotate the rotor blades so they're facing 12 and 6, and the flybar paddles facing 9 and 3. Pick up the helicopter by the flybar and see if the skids come off the table at the same time or if the front/back come up first. Adjust your CG accordingly till the skids come off the table at the same time.

Hope that helps some.

RE: Pendulum effect
 

Thanks for the reply. Will recheck the cog. The pictures I've been seeing seem to show the Lipo battery further forward than I have been putting it. Andy

RE: Pendulum effect
 

you should also make sure your gain is not set too high. the resulting wagging of the tail will make it more difficult to control, especially near the ground.

[edit: the other day my neighbor was overcorrecting so much on takeoff that he had some near boom strikes before even getting the skids light. i have been trying to explain how sensitive the heli is for weeks and he wasn't getting it. finally i told him, "when i'm flying around, i hardly ever use more than 1/2 stick with my right thumb (cyclic). most of my controls are smooth 1/8" adjustments, whether i'm hovering or doing circuits or whatever. seriously, i'm not exaggerating. never go over 1/2 stick for now." with that said, it clicked, he spun up, and was staying 1" high inside RADD's box for the rest of the battery (5min). his landings were also much smoother; before he couldn't fly without tweeking his heli upon landing. hope this helps a little.]

RE: Pendulum effect
 

How high are you hovering off the ground?? are you experincing ground effect?

RE: Pendulum effect
 

btw, since "ground effect" is on topic, i believe that hovering in it (under 1 foot) is good preparation for beginners and helps keep things safe early on. after all, you will be landing in "ground effect" everytime you fly guaranteed, so you must feel comfy hovering low or your landings will suffer. i've seen ppl who can fly inverted, but still can't nail their landings like they should. just be patient and wait till you are able to keep in the box and just off the skids for a full pack. at that point you will be well prepared to land it when you take it higher, and hovering 3' high will already be second nature.

RE: Pendulum effect
 

Great help here, thanks all. Did a little better inside today, will still keep on trying! Andy