The newbie has a question again. I am getting ready to go out and practice some hovering with a previously owned Nexus which I've purchased. I want to be sure all is working correctly! Can anybody advise on some pre flight checks to be certain all is working as it should. Is there a simple test to check if the gyro is functioning as it should be, and not reversed? Also, can you advise the direction that the tail rudder should be turning/pointing with the left and right movement of the stick. I think I know about the swash, ele, aerilon movement, etc. Swash should pull down with up stick, correct?

I turned on both the heli receiver, and my transmitter today, and it appears that some functions were moving in the opposite direction, even though the transmitter menus were set to normal. I had to reverse some of the servo settings. The last time that I had both on, they all seemed fine, and I hadn't been in messing with the menu. All that I had done since was charge both batteries. Anybody have any ideas on this. I don't want to get off to a bad first experience from the get go, and I haven't any clubs, or individuals nearby that are into the RC helis. I really want to be able to fly these helis, so I have to learn on my own, and self taught is my only option at this point, other than help from all of you guys. Thanks to all!

The swash plate should follow the cyclic stick, that is forward should tilt the swash forward etc.

Looking at the right side of the heli the tail rotor should turn counter clockwise.

Right rudder should pull the push rod forwards. (the tail pitch slider should pull towards the tail case)

Rotate the nose left, (counter clockwise looking down) again the servo should pull the rod forwards.

As the throttle stick increases the carb should open and the main blades should both increase pitch.

Check all links secure.
Check tail drive system. Belt or shaft to make sure it's secure or tight.
Check blade grip tightness of main blades and tail blades. Should be firm, not loose, enough to hold the blade straight at any angle.
Check fuel tube to make sure it's secure and not punctured.
Check for others on your channel
Turn on transmitter before the receiver.
Turn on receiver
Turn on gyro (if mechanical)
Wait for gyro to initialize (if heading hold)
Check switch positions on transmitter
Check throttle position to make sure it's not at full throttle
Check transmitter model to make sure you didn't leave it set for the simulator or an airplane
Check trims to see if they're where you left them
Check throttle: You can tell if the throttle is backwards by trying to start it. (Without the glow heater attached) Full throttle will be a lower pitch bawwww noise, while idle will be a higher pitch brrrr noise.
Check cyclic: The swash plate should move the way you want the helicopter to move, for example, forward cyclic to make the helicopter bank forward should cause the swash plate to bank forward as well.
Check collective: Adding positive collective will make the trailing edge of the blades point down towards the ground, thus blowing air down and lifting the helicopter up. The trailing edge is the sharp sleek edge, while the leading edge is more rounded and thicker. Full collective should be 11 degrees and full down should be 0 degrees. Center stick should be 6 degrees of downward thrust.
Check tail rotor: Right rudder should make the trailing edge of the tail rotors point to the right side of the helicopter. (if it's facing away from you and you're looking at it from the tail)
Test the gyro reversing: If you are standing behind the helicopter and pick up the tail a little, and move it quickly to YOUR right (making the helicopter turn to the left) the trailing edge of the tail rotor should point briefly to the right. If you have a heading hold gyro, the tail rotor trailing edges should STAY pointing to the right until you return the tail to it's original position.
Range test transmitter
Connect glow warmer
Start engine
Hold the head of the helicopter firmly in case it tries to take off unexpectedly.
Start the helicopter with your other hand. NEVER start the helicopter without holding on to the blade grips.
If the engine wont start, try adding 1/8th stick throttle.
If it still doesn't start, try plugging the exhaust while you run the starter for about 1 second.
After it starts make sure you have one hand still on the head and the other hand on the throttle stick.
At first sign of trouble immediately yank the fuel line off the carb, do not try and diagnose why the engine is at full power.
Remove glow warmer
Expand transmitter antenna if not already
Ensure the tail rotor is straight
Take off
Hover low for a minute, check tracking, control sensitivities and engine performance.
If it won't lift off and you're sure about your pitch range then you need to tune your engine. If there is white smoke coming out of the muffler, but it doesn't have enough power to lift off, lean the big needle screw 4 clicks and try again. If there is no white smoke richen the needle 4 clicks. Do this until you get the engine running as rich as possible while still having enough power to fly. To lean you turn the screw clockwise.
If it takes off and the tail wags like a dog, your gyro sensitivity is too high. Turn it down 20% and use trial and error to make it as sensitive as possible without causing the tail to wag.
If the helicopter starts to spin like a top before it lifts off, immediately cut power. Odds are your gyro is reversed. Check it again.
If the helicopter starts to spin slowly odds are your rudder trim is off, or your revo mixing is off. Revo mixing should be inhibited with a heading hold gyro.

ya can't get much more detailed than that. haha

Yep, and it's good for both nitro and electiic heli's...