RE: axe cp thread
 

Yeah, true, but I guess its easier on the Axe if you just don't fly it....

RE: axe cp thread
 

I think what he means is that you should stop flying with approx 15% of your pack left. You don't want to fly with your lipo packs until they totally dump. This will help to keep you from damaging your expensive lipo packs. Technically you should run some type of either low voltage cutoff or warning device when using lipos in any model. Lipo packs can be very dangerous if they are drained below 3v per cell. I know that I run a LVC in my XXX-T with my lipo.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Mark

The chittering squirels, I had a simialar sound from mine. Turned out the tail motor was a bit loose, when power was brought in pretty high, the teeth on the gears would slip and cause a loud noise. Not sure if this is the same prob, coz when this happens the nose will obviously only go in one direction, not wag back and forth. Hopefully I can have mine back up and running this friday. Sooooo tired of looking at how 'nice' it is sitting on the table.

Nick

RE: axe cp thread
 

I had the chittering squirrels thing happen to me too except my circumstances were a bit different. I took my heli outside to the backyard for the first time the other day and flew to close to a squirrel nest. The two occupants threw a total fit. They made quite a ruckus. I didn't do it on purpose I was just trying to keep the heli under control. It was pretty funny. Just thought I'd share. :D

RE: axe cp thread
 

Man, these stories are great! Keep 'em coming. Chattering squirrels, karate chopping heli's, sinking to the bottom of a lake...:D

RE: axe cp thread
 

Yeah I have to agree - the visual of Don's poor Axe going glub, glub, glub... then the indignity of being fished out... man I felt a chill down my spine...

Ok, I got a useful PM (thanks!) and decided to email my problem to Hobbico, with my customer info, part numbers, etc. I'm taking a chance they won't ask for the heli - I won't send in the whole thing - no way. Its been Spektrumized, for one thing, and the servos replaced with HS-55. I don't think they'll help me if we go that way... Please please please just send me a new 3-in-1 board!!! [&:]

RE: axe cp thread
 

Good luck!

RE: axe cp thread
 

Well dang!!! I can't believe it!! I've never seen such excellent customer service!! I emailed Hobbico and BOOM - replacement 3-in-1 board on the way!! WOW!! :)

They did not even ask for the bad one back!! It will be nice to have for spare parts down the road, when I'm out of warranty. [8D]

WOW!! Go Tower! I'm a fan now... ;)

RE: axe cp thread
 

So does Great Planes own Heli-max too? They own just about everything else:) well...not everything, but still quite a bit

Nick

RE: axe cp thread
 

Well I'm so much calmer now that I know a replacement 3-in-1 board is on the way :)

I set up the system again and re-analyzed the problem in my lab at work. Sure enough, no response - that is, no change in tail behavior regardless of the Gyro Gain setting. The squirrels chitter at exactly the same rate! [&:]

I shut down and waited a couple minutes before each setting change. I also went through the DX6 re-binding procedure, as per the manual.

She hovers great! Even though the tail oscillation is unacceptable, I can still hover in a rather tight space - I had 7' by 12' to work with and got some good hover time at up to 6' altitude. Even 1' hovers, fighting the ground effect, were still doable.

Then I put the bird on the lab bench and re-verified all the mechanical stuff - perfect!! The swashplate is as level as I can see at zero collective pitch with throttle at exactly mid-stick in Stunt Mode. I got out a precision caliper and made sure the control rods were at spec. length - perfect!

I'm gonna go out and do some more hovering at lunchtime - definitely focusing on Crash Avoidance before my new 3-in-1 board gets here!! :D

RE: axe cp thread
 

Mark,
Have you flown outside yet? Maybe its just me, but for some reason I do better outside, even if there is a slight breeze. If I try to hover indoors I can't help but find the dishwasher or refridgerator, never really hit them, cut the power as they got close. I can't get it high enough inside to get away from the rotor wash or ground effect, whichever, seems so much more stable at 2 to 3 feet than the 7 or 8 inches indoors. I think the wind has also made me react better to what the heli is doing and not worry so much with getting the trim set perfect. I know I should probably perfect it in calm air, just don't know of a place where I can. Not fair!! Lots of you are getting the indoor training and I am not! Guess I will be the one replacing parts most often[:o]

Nick

RE: axe cp thread
 

LOL, I fly my Blade to the ceiling, that can be bad because it sort of LOCKS onto the ceiling due to the vacuum. No harm done though, I get kinda crazy since it is so cold and not good outside flying conditions so I fly around my house from room to room following it. Strange way to fly, but it kills my bug for that day.

Anyway, you are probably flying the same way out doors, just that the dishwasher and fridge are not there to scare you.;)

RE: axe cp thread
 

From what I know Great Planes owns Heli-Max. I have called great planes about a problem with the transmitter for real flight, there was a broken gimble assembly, they transfered me to tower. When I called Heli-Max with a parts question about my heli they refered me to great planes. All the numbers are in the same area code, Adresses in the same buildings, different suites


My heli seems to hover at higher altitudes. From about Eye level up to about ten feet I can hold it in a steady hover. Any where under five feet my heli drifts all over the place.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Hey NZAK at least your flying area isn't bordered by a pool table on one side and an HD television on the other... But I would say that flying indoors in tight space is fun! Forces me to pay close attention to what the heli is doing and be aware of what its about to do. I posted a couple of vids of me fighting with under ground effect. Look in my post about INTERESTING HOVER PROBLEM.... I really should get a Flight sim , but there is no better motivation than money. Crash the heli = spend money

RE: axe cp thread
 

hey anybody know anything about the main gear? I am missing some teeth and need a new one. Any other helis mains the same? LHS doesn't have axe parts instock and they do have others just maybe someone knows if they might work.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Foward Flight Experienced!

First time! I took her out to a vacant building near work. Down by the shipping area, there is a fence and some cover from wind. I flew out a pack getting in some good hovers and landings. I am still putting up with the tail twitching squirrel chittering (TTSC), but its manageable. The rest of the heli runs soooo smooth, LIKE BUhTTAh!! :D

I then made a radio tweak - I allowed for more throw on the cyclic. This means more authority against the wind, but...

I ventured out into the open area of the parking lot - its a super nice and clear day outside and just the most gentle of cool breezes.

I did fine! I got her up to about 30 - 40' altitude, out to about 60' away from me - keeping the tail pretty much toward me of course. Perfect landings the whole set!

At one point, a gust caught her and blew her over my head and behind me! [:@]

I said to myself 'don't panic, this is just like the sim' and I gently leveled out, and applied some good forward elevator - the tail was up to about a 45 degree angle, and if I panicked at this point, it would dump hard for certain major damage!! [X(]

But instead, I applied some throttle and she took a nice cruise about 40' in a gently upward curving track, at the top of which forward speed came to zero and I leveled out into a hover. I was beside myself! What a run! What a rush! [>:]

I had a perfect vantage point - the bright sun was shining down on the rotor blades, and the background was the dark shade of trees - I could see the rotor disc perfectly and could respond to and anticipate the teasing of the breeze.

Awesome run! Great heli! Can't wait to get my new 3-in-board and fly with a steady tail!

RE: axe cp thread
 

markind--

Sounds like a lot of fun!! I have not ventured outside with my Axe yet. I have been flying in my garage. I am still trying to perfect a good hover in all orientations before I start with any forward flight. I normally try to hover about 1/3 of a pack tail in then switch to left side in. Next I let the tail drift around while attempting to keep it in a solid level hover. As I get closer to nose in I start to have trouble keeping it in one place. I then land and start the process all over again. I am averaging 3 packs a night worth about 30 minutes of total flight time. I have only had my Axe for a week, but I can already see a lot of improvement. Maybe this weekend I will take it outside for a little fun.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Sounds like it take a lot of battery and nerve to fly like that. I think I have most of the nerve but noit the battery life. I can fly slightly forward and over obstacles in by bach yard, but get a little panicy when it stays up for to long.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Forward flight is difficult so you should be proud of yourself markind! My first FF esxperiences were like your, purely accidental. Get her(Blade CP) up and the wind takes her away....ok don't panic......and like yours, she was behind me so I had to fly her back nose in!

The best part was as I flew her back a large turkey buzzard flew in for a meal, but suddenly realized it was not food at the last minute[X(].

This happened when I was in Florida a few weeks ago.

I received my lipo pack, CF blades and tail blade today from Tower. Should get the Axe some time next week I guess.

I have some good info though, the Blade CP and Axe CP use the same tail blade.

RE: axe cp thread
 

Markind- sounds like your rockin , great run, and reactions. I think panic is the cause of most of our crashes, and you overcame a bad situation ;). I cant wait to get outside, spring is on the way. wahoooooo

RE: axe cp thread
 

Tex- have you used the CF blades for your blade yet. If so how are they, is there a big difference

RE: axe cp thread
 

Yes, I have a set of CF blades on my Blade and they're much better. Since they are so light I fly with the stock motor for more blade speed. I can hover at 50% throttle. I also fly with the Bell/Hiller head(CP PRO).

They are also very durable and will withstand many light crashes when the wood ones would break.
http://image.rcuniverse.com/forum/up...68/Eb86606.jpg

RE: axe cp thread
 

Am an experienced pilot for 20 years. Like to try a heli. So many new electrics out there. Very confusing. Many opinions. Anyone have a suggestion for a newbie for an electric heli? Thanks

RE: axe cp thread
 

There are many, Blade CX2 is a great first timer and then you could move to the Blade CP or Helimax CP

RE: axe cp thread
 

Thanks all! I am standing on the shoulders of you giants around here - I could not have seen so much success so fast without all the valuable info and tips!

Yep I highly recommend Blade CX2 - GREAT TRAINER!! I learned a lot and had a lot of feel going into the Axe CP.

I also highly recommend Spektrum radio gear - Freedom for all, dude! Cheesy, but true!

BoysToys you are doing great!! Be patient and wait for a DEAD CALM day before you try outdoors flight!

r/cheliman - I think you are reffering to the stock battery which I officially denounce as WIMPY! I tried mine today, fresh fully charged - and it was barely enough to get off the ground!! She hovered like a drunken COW!! 10 seconds of that and I declared the stock pack UNWORTHY of Flight Ops!! So I put in a TP 1320 and can dominate the skies (ya right) for 12 minutes! :D

TEX - funny you mention that! Just before she was taken up and behind me a big butterfly made a run at the Axe!! That's when the gust hit...