What you you guys use for tracking tape on your main blades?

sarge... still got your sheets that came with the Axe? if you look, there are two strips (of two colors) on the sheets with the stickers.. grab them and throw a set on your blades...

Kind of low tech, but also low cost: I use Scotch "Decorate and Repair" tape. It's a sort-of plasticky tape, comes in a pack of 5 or 6 different colors at Wal-mart for just a few bucks. Works great, and I can cut any sizes I like.

I use a piece of blue painters tape on far end of one blade and a piece of black electrical tape closer to the center on the other. After I got my tracking down I just removed the tape.

Do you use the tape for balancing as well?

Honestly I have not balanced any of the blades I have bought. They have all been close enough not to cause me any problems. The videos I have seen on blade balancing use clear packing tape as the weight.

This may be posted already, but here goes. I got a tech note card from Heli-Max saying they are replacing all the blade holder bolts with hex head, much stronger than the screws supplied as original equip. Mine flew apart on the first flight when the screw just broke flush with the spindle. It was sitting on the ground when it happened. They replaced all the parts (just a few) at no charge. Here's what they are sending on this upgrade free (1) feathering spindle (2) hex head bolts (3) 2x6 flat washers (4) hex head wrench (5) Instructions sheet. Part number is HMXE7814. You can email them at [email protected] or call (217) 398-8970. Finally flew my Ace CP for the first time today and was able to fly without crashing, but it wasn't easy. It was my first flight on a heli ever. Someone else was flying it when the screw broke in the spindle. I have a T-Rex 600 all but ready to go! Can't wait. Happy Landings!

On the lighter ones (Blade, Axe sizes, 250-280mm woodies), yes. On carbons or larger glass or wood, then packing tape (the clear 3" wide stuff) is less obnoxious looking.

I know the manufacturers say they come balanced, but I've only gotten one set of blades that ever did.

I have been coloring the very tips of my blades with a Sharpie (using red and black). This works well and adds no weight.

Hi,
I'm experiencing a problem with my Axe.
When I'm hovering, the heli tends to either drop or rise without throttle/collective input. Sometimes it's a slow change and sometimes it's sudden [X(]! Sometimes it's a little change (a couple inches) and sometimes it's almost 1.5' - 2'. Gets the heart pumping when it does that!
At first, I thought it was because of rotor wash. I was hovering inside in the basement. But happens outside in the yard and in the garage where there's plenty of room. I also thought it was my piloting skills, but I know I'm not moving that left stick. I can hover my HBFP almost motionless for minutes at a time. I can keep the Axe still left/right and front/back, it just changes altitude.
I read about stock servo slop and checked mine. Sure enough, there was some slop. So, I took out the stock servos and replaced them with HS-55's. Still I get the rise/drop thing going on.

Is is what is called a "sticky collective"?
What can I do to fix this (besides keep practicing!)?

Any help would be appreciated!

Also, I plan on getting a DX7. I want to get the AR6100 receiver correct? I would like to use it in the Axe and I eventually in a TRex when the time comes...

Thanks!
-Vince

I experienced the same thing today on the first flight. This was after changing to the HS 55's before even trying to fly it. In my case, it was not a subtle change. It went from 3 feet high to about 10 feet high with no input from me. The wind was blowing about 10 mph, so that may have had something to do with it. It was my first flight ever on any heli and hey, I didn't crash it! Flew until the batteries went almost dead. Gonna be a fun hobby, I can tell.

I am courious....what did you do in preperation of your first flight?

Do you have a simulator? If not you should be natural.

Johnny,

Yes, I have been on the simulator for about a month now. When I first started, I couldn't fly that CP for more than 15 seconds without crashing. Now I could fly it for an hour without crashing unless I try something I'm not ready for (rolls, inverted, loops, etc.) I have been able to fly the Dominion 90 3D inverted for about 20 - 30 seconds or so without crashing, but I do have a long way to go on that! I have been flying RC airplanes since 91 and I found that helped me greatly. In a way, they are quite similar, although the helicopter is much more difficult in my opinion. I'm gonna like it!

Glad you are having a great time. I also started flying airplanes back in 1991. I flew real steady and hard until about 1998. I then quit and just started back flying around October of 2005. Been doing the heli thing for about 1 month. I really like it too. From what you say you are doing better than me so far. I have had 2 bad heli's out of the box though. I expect my 3rd AXE to be here tomorrow. The other 2 had bad electronics. I hope the 3rd time is the charm.

I have the old Realflight Deluxe sim. I don't use it much as it is not very realistic. But I must say that it has helped.

I use electrical tape, in various lengths, slices, widths, etc, placed at different point on the blades to balance them. I also use different colors for marking. For other blade marking, I use the 'blade marking tape' that I found on Tower Hobbies's web site. It's super thin, and red.

thanks Stryker!

Thanks for all the responses on the tracking tape. I was wondering what all those decal sheets where for the came with the AXE, lol. I have yet to put any on the canopy; because once I do the C thing will happen.

I purchased a blade balancer and found that the new blades are where right on; just a little tweaking on the heli was needed. It turns out; it took one complete turn on the low tracking main blade gripper linkage to get them tracking perfect.

I also replaced that brick of a stock battery with a 1320 Li-Po from Thunder-power. What a difference it has made both in flight time and handling.

Thanks

I just tried my new AXE that was replaced under warranty. So far so good. We are getting a major rain storm right now so I can't go outside. I have been hovering around in my garage. I only have about a 6' x 8' area, so I must be real careful. While I was waiting for my AXE to be replaced I aquired a Blade CP Pro and have been flying that. I like the Blade better than the AXE. The blade is more sensitive but seems to be more stable. The Axe is stronger though. The real test will be when I can get out side and have more room to play in.

The problem eith my heli is definitly in the electronics. Took it out of the box again because I haven't gotten frustrated enough today so I figured what the hell. Flew great for the first five minutes. Then the tail started to drift, it was from the e-board because there was no wind and I had the tail dialed in to not move. After eight minutes I put her down and felt around. The e-board seemed to be fairly hot. Its about 75 so it took longer to warm up than it did the other day when it was 85. Once I started flying again it wabled and did the same thing it did the other day. Found the problem now have to solve it.

If I call tower or heli-max will they send me out a new one for free. I will be willing to pay shipping but that is it.

Happy flying, I was happier today that its not my sucky flying but electronics failler.

My heli will do the same thing after about 5 minutes. The tail will be solid at the beginning of the flight then I start having to chase it around. I belive that it has to do with the fact that as your battery pack wears down it is also dropping in voltage so the tail motor is spinning slower than when you first started and trimed it. I just reach down and adjust the trim a couple of times during each flight to compensate for the tail drifting. I guess that you could add a gyro to stop this but I probably won't. I promised myself I would keep it stock and learn how to fly. Then I will upgrade to a T-Rex 450 SE. The cost of the T-Rex is not scaring me right now, I have that kind of money in 2 of my RC trucks, I just can't imagine crashing something that expensive as often as I have been crashing my Axe. Maybe in 4 or 5 months I will take the plunge. It all depends on my learning curve.

My Flight Update: I was able to fly 3 full lipo packs out yesterday after work without crashing!! I am getting better at forward flight and am still practicing flying back and forth about 40' in my back yard. My transitions are slowly getting smoother but the heli still gets squirly every now and then and I have stabilize it in a hover and then start my routine over again. I then like to finsh the last minute or two of each pack with some nose in hovering at a low altitude of 2-3'. I don't think that this is too bad since I just ditched the training gear about 3 weeks ago.

Good luck and remember to have fun! After all this is a hobby.

Hey r/cheliman,

When I called Hobby Sevices about my AXE it was only a week old. I explained to them what was going on and they had me send the TX and the heli back. I kept the training gear, battery, and charger. I was suprised when I opened the box that they sent me. It was a brand new, fresh complete new kit. Hopefully you are still under warranty. I don't know if they will send you parts without sending in your heli but I wouldn't wait any longer to call them. They were very helpful to me and others in this forum say the same thing.

So far I have run 5 batteries through it today in my garage and all is well. I didn't hit anything or crash.

Let us know how it goes when you call Hobby Services.

hey guys, what are those bullet connectors called between the ESC and the motor? I need a set but have no clue what to look for!

That's the proper term for them as far as I know. I used to sell them when in the automotive business. For gold plated ones, you might try Radio Shack. Hope that helps!

hey guys, me again...

I owe you all a huge thanks! you've taken me through crashes, frustration, given me guidance and all that crap... last night after browsing threads I decided to do a real nice setup on the CP, tracked blades, checked angles and all of that.. the result was a beautiful setup that is quiet and seems to be perfect. I havent' tried it yet due to the weather, I'm going to have to bring it up into the office and check it out I guess..

but thanks a lot for the help, directly and indirectly!!!

r/cheliman! Glad to see you still here!

Hey I noticed in your last pics that you are still using the sucky stock battery. Dude. Duuuuude. You gotta upgrade that bro. Ya I know the cost, but your bird will 'feel lighter' and be 'more energetic' and MORE STABLE. That means LESS CRASHES!! Its totally worth it!!! Just like the sim is totally worth it - they are both proven crash-reducers.

The cream of the crop is the Thunder Power 1320 mAh 11.1V. Its the lightest and has the most capacity.

BUT there are some lower-cost alternatives. I may try a couple packs from United Hobbies - even though they are in Hong Kong they seem to be reliable. Their packs and chargers are getting good reviews.

I got the big conference room again today so at lunchtime I am going to do a super-thorough pre-flight inspection and get the tracking dialed in again. She'll be ready for more FF exercises then. With some nice weather around here, some early morning flights will be possible as the wind is near zero and its not too cold. Diggin it here in sunny California!

Probably, I will dial down the Normal Throttle Curve a hair too. It should buy me a bit smoother hover, and improve liftoff and landing performance. Will post results.