When do you guys turn on your idle up? The Heli Max manual (CPv3) says little about idle up except "make sure it's in normal mode before flying". I know what idle up is and what it does and can envision its utility for aggressive flying or 3D, but does it have value in conventional sport flying?

still learning.

It flies better in Idle Up. I flick mine on just as it is getting light on the skids, BEFORE lift off.

I don't think it really matters, but I turn mine on when I'm in the air and a little past half throttle.

I have noticed on mine just hovering with idle up on, it makes the heli more stable b/c it ups the head speed.

That's is what makes a small heli like the AXE CP stable is the HEADSPEED! [X(][X(]

The higher the headspeed the MORE stable the heli will tend to FEEL. Flying in IDLE-UP, will make the gyroscopic action of the rotorhead more stable, BUT it will increase the cyclic & collective reactions as well, so BE ON YOUR TOES!!!

Shadow

Should I expect a shorter flight time using idle up?

Yep, You'll cut about 2 to 3 minutes off in Idle-Up.

Shadow

Sounds like it's worth it, maybe I'll give it a shot. In general, do you think most heli pilots are flying in idle up mode? Do you always?

I normally don't fly with it on since I'm still learning the basics of forward flight and nose in hovers. Now when you want to go inverted, "idle up" is a must. I am able to do 90 degree side in and tail in hovers with idle up on. Like shadow said though, it does make the heli more stable (not floaty feeling) but the cyclic reactions are quicker.

All you can do is try it once to see for yourself. I normally flick mine on while it's on the ground with zero throttle and then throttle up and take off. I suggest doing it from tail in position in case it starts to get away from ya you can ground it a little easier.

I'm no pro 3D flier either, I just dabble with it. But 90% of the time I fly all my heli's in IDLE-UP, all but 1 start off in IDLE-UP from a dead stop (throttle HOLD switch on DX7), the rest I spool up in NORMAL MODE & switch to IDLE-UP just before lift-off. In windy conditions (10 to 25mph winds), of which we have had alot of here, I prefer the higher headspeed. It gives the heli a more stable flight, although as I stated before it will make the collective & cyclic react FAST, so you need to be "ON THE BALL!"

Shadow

Nice collection. What are they?

Most heli plots adjust the heli to fly the way they want them to .

With a little experience, you'll fly in the mode that is right for what you're doing. RTFs like the Axe come with only a couple of flight modes- idle-up is full power and full pitch range, and normal is a limited pitch range with a reduced throttle. These are not the only ways to fly a helicopter, though- with most radios (not the ones that come with RTFs), you can set up multiple flight modes for different types of flying. I generally set up a normal mode for general putzing around with a moderate head speed and -3 to +8 or so pitch; a "sport" mode for big maneuvers like loops, rolls, eights and similar pattern-style stuff; and an all out mode with full pitch and high head speed for smaller maneuvers like flips, rainbows, and anything else that takes full power.

I'm only chiming in because when you're starting out, a lot of people have a hesitance about idle-up like it's some advanced thing that you have to be prepared for- it's not, it's just another flight mode. If you're comfortable hovering and in forward flight, it really isn't a big thing; just flip your flight mode at flat pitch on the ground the first few times so it doesn't surprise you.

Those are my favorite 4!

From right to left we have:
Walkera 4g3 DBL BL, MX300 (was an AXE CPv1), half-breed Esky Belt CP w/trex 450 head, and last the Trex 500. I have a few others in the collection, mostly co-axials (Hirobo Shuttle, Esky Big Lama) & an auto-gryo.

The only heli that still uses the stock TX is the half-breed Belt CP (notice the antenna on the right landing gear struts?), only cause I built it for a friend out of used parts, cheap & dirty, but a functional flier.

Shadow

Shadow - are you still flying the smaller helis? I would think that once you have a 500 you would not go back to the little ones. Nice fleet though.

The only one that hasn't been flow is the MX300 (was AXE CPv1), due to lack of lipo's that fit. All my old 11.1v 3s 1350mah 15c lipo's I was using PUFFED! So I drained/neutrilized & disposed of them, that left me with the (2) 20c 1350mah lipo's & one has a weak cell (I use that one for the tail UV LED night-flying set-up on the 500). So that leaves me 1 usable lipo to fly on, I have a couple of 1800mah 3s lipo's for the belt cp, but they are too heavy on the MX300 (wicked nose heavy).
The 4g3 get the most use lately (indoors), due to bad New England weather, followed by the 500 which I can fly in winds that ground most other pilots (rotory & plankers).

Shadow

You're right about idle up being considered an "advanced" thing. That was certainly my impression - almost like - "well, you're not good enough for this idle up stuff yet". I do read the technical stuff in the mags and pubs and know what it is (technically) but have always had the impression that it was strictly for more advance manuvers and it was the equivalent of firing up a turbocharger - not for the weak of heart. Even the heli manual that came with the CPv3 cautions about being very careful to make sure the idle up switch is in normal mode. Then they say no more about it anywhere in the manual. I kept thinking - why do they bother putting it there if it's so dangerous. I always have kept a close watch on that switch lest I accidently flip it and blow up the heli. Glad you chimmed in. And the rest of the responses in this thread have also confirmed your thoughts on the topic. Thanks to all of you.