Ucando update
03-21-2008 | 08:38 AM
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
Ucando update
OK, I've got the axe tuned in now and I will re-emphasize, Flying without the training gear is the cake. I think once you get past the jitters and basic control of the sticks you should take them off. Granted it won't make you a pilot but for myself, I would have had less scrapes with the pavement had I done this earlier in the game.
Anyway, I am at a fun part in this hobby/sport. I can hover almost hands free and direct the heli any direction I want it to go. I am still not flying over head height but that was not my goal anyway here. Maybe when I can fly blindfolded I will take this thing up high. I believe that at an altitude there will be more room for error and flying control. Like someone said, head height is scarry, I think I just need to get over that hump. I added a horizontal stab, but I don't know if that helped any, but it looks cool and hides the dent in my tail boom. I think it also protects against future tail boom strikes (to some extent) if mounted in the correct postion, testing is still underway.
To anyone still trying to hover, keep trying, you do eventually get it, and thanks to the guys here I didn't give up. It is more exciting to have to run inside to recharge the li-po and wait for the next flight than to have to go online , order parts and wait for the next flight.
Now I can see how it is possible to fly this thing indoors at a steady hover (not quite ready for that yet) but it won't be long, I can taste it!!!
Thanks again guys for all the support here
a side note: does everyone fly without the canopy in place? I leave it off because it takes too much time to put the thing on. Has anyone made and improvements to make it easier?
Anyway, I am at a fun part in this hobby/sport. I can hover almost hands free and direct the heli any direction I want it to go. I am still not flying over head height but that was not my goal anyway here. Maybe when I can fly blindfolded I will take this thing up high. I believe that at an altitude there will be more room for error and flying control. Like someone said, head height is scarry, I think I just need to get over that hump. I added a horizontal stab, but I don't know if that helped any, but it looks cool and hides the dent in my tail boom. I think it also protects against future tail boom strikes (to some extent) if mounted in the correct postion, testing is still underway.
To anyone still trying to hover, keep trying, you do eventually get it, and thanks to the guys here I didn't give up. It is more exciting to have to run inside to recharge the li-po and wait for the next flight than to have to go online , order parts and wait for the next flight.
Now I can see how it is possible to fly this thing indoors at a steady hover (not quite ready for that yet) but it won't be long, I can taste it!!!
Thanks again guys for all the support here
a side note: does everyone fly without the canopy in place? I leave it off because it takes too much time to put the thing on. Has anyone made and improvements to make it easier?
03-22-2008 | 02:36 AM
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From: Co
RE: Ucando update
ORIGINAL: ucandoitagain
OK, I've got the axe tuned in now and I will re-emphasize, Flying without the training gear is the cake. I think once you get past the jitters and basic control of the sticks you should take them off. Granted it won't make you a pilot but for myself, I would have had less scrapes with the pavement had I done this earlier in the game.
Anyway, I am at a fun part in this hobby/sport. I can hover almost hands free and direct the heli any direction I want it to go. I am still not flying over head height but that was not my goal anyway here. Maybe when I can fly blindfolded I will take this thing up high. I believe that at an altitude there will be more room for error and flying control. Like someone said, head height is scarry, I think I just need to get over that hump. I added a horizontal stab, but I don't know if that helped any, but it looks cool and hides the dent in my tail boom. I think it also protects against future tail boom strikes (to some extent) if mounted in the correct postion, testing is still underway.
To anyone still trying to hover, keep trying, you do eventually get it, and thanks to the guys here I didn't give up. It is more exciting to have to run inside to recharge the li-po and wait for the next flight than to have to go online , order parts and wait for the next flight.
Now I can see how it is possible to fly this thing indoors at a steady hover (not quite ready for that yet) but it won't be long, I can taste it!!!
Thanks again guys for all the support here
a side note: does everyone fly without the canopy in place? I leave it off because it takes too much time to put the thing on. Has anyone made and improvements to make it easier?
OK, I've got the axe tuned in now and I will re-emphasize, Flying without the training gear is the cake. I think once you get past the jitters and basic control of the sticks you should take them off. Granted it won't make you a pilot but for myself, I would have had less scrapes with the pavement had I done this earlier in the game.
Anyway, I am at a fun part in this hobby/sport. I can hover almost hands free and direct the heli any direction I want it to go. I am still not flying over head height but that was not my goal anyway here. Maybe when I can fly blindfolded I will take this thing up high. I believe that at an altitude there will be more room for error and flying control. Like someone said, head height is scarry, I think I just need to get over that hump. I added a horizontal stab, but I don't know if that helped any, but it looks cool and hides the dent in my tail boom. I think it also protects against future tail boom strikes (to some extent) if mounted in the correct postion, testing is still underway.
To anyone still trying to hover, keep trying, you do eventually get it, and thanks to the guys here I didn't give up. It is more exciting to have to run inside to recharge the li-po and wait for the next flight than to have to go online , order parts and wait for the next flight.
Now I can see how it is possible to fly this thing indoors at a steady hover (not quite ready for that yet) but it won't be long, I can taste it!!!
Thanks again guys for all the support here
a side note: does everyone fly without the canopy in place? I leave it off because it takes too much time to put the thing on. Has anyone made and improvements to make it easier?
Some people cut the bottom out of the canopy to make it easier to unplug/charge the battery but I think this is a bad habit to get into. If you have a lipo fire, Not only do you lose the battery but the heli as well. Now having said all that I think lipo charging technology has gotten cheaper and better over the last year bringing casualties down alot. If your prone to leaving your batteries on the charger unattended I wouldn't leave the battery in. Just my 2 cents.
03-22-2008 | 10:59 AM
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From: Benton Harbor,
MI
RE: Ucando update
I put the canopy on for help in seeing the heli. Once you start to fly away from yourself, you'll need a bright colored canopy to better see what its doing.
I'm used to it, so it goes on a little easier. Some people are installing magnets in the canopy and on the carbon fiber mounting points.
I'm used to it, so it goes on a little easier. Some people are installing magnets in the canopy and on the carbon fiber mounting points.
03-22-2008 | 04:26 PM
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From: Brandon,
MB, CANADA
RE: Ucando update
Hey, good job, sounds like you're on your way. Persistance pays off eventually. Did you have any luck with a sim, or did you just put in more stick time?
I keep the canopy on, it helps with orientation, but it's your call. I do agree it's a bit of a pain getting it on right, and I had to modify (ie. trim) it because the main gear cut into it. One thing I've been meaning to do, however, is rig a velcro strap to replace the elastic that holds the battery. I find the elastic band more hassle than anything, especially when I drop it in the grass and can't find it. I won't have to worry about it for a bit since my axe is benched after a minor 'incident'. (they don't land on their tail very gracefully...doe![:@])
As for the dent in the boom, as long as its not bent, you're fine. I've heard of some people using plastic knitting needles from walmart with good success, cheaper and stronger than aluminum. Might be worth a try if you can find them, all I could find is solid plastic ones with no place to run the tail motor wire.
Keep up the practicing and good luck.
I keep the canopy on, it helps with orientation, but it's your call. I do agree it's a bit of a pain getting it on right, and I had to modify (ie. trim) it because the main gear cut into it. One thing I've been meaning to do, however, is rig a velcro strap to replace the elastic that holds the battery. I find the elastic band more hassle than anything, especially when I drop it in the grass and can't find it. I won't have to worry about it for a bit since my axe is benched after a minor 'incident'. (they don't land on their tail very gracefully...doe![:@])
As for the dent in the boom, as long as its not bent, you're fine. I've heard of some people using plastic knitting needles from walmart with good success, cheaper and stronger than aluminum. Might be worth a try if you can find them, all I could find is solid plastic ones with no place to run the tail motor wire.
Keep up the practicing and good luck.
03-23-2008 | 06:36 PM
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
RE: Ucando update
The Knitting needles from Wal-Mart are sturdier than the stock ones for sure. I made two of them and the hardest thing about it is reameing the hole to the required size if you don't have a metric reamer. I snapped the CF hor. stab though on the last tail boom strike. I am looking around for material to make another one out of. I tired a CD but it is too brittle. I may have some thin aluminum at work. I ordered new landing gear and some more grips.(man I go through them) and a fresh set of plastic blades. I can still fly but I think I will ground her right now til I get her back in ship shape. Next mod will probably be the Bell upgrade. I am just leary about the CNC grips right now. I fear the first minor crash and they will be trashed. I found that if I stand on the tail gate of my truck I can fly a little better and a little higher of the ground. don't ask why, it just seems better for some reason.
