This is probably a simple problem, but I just started trying loops and I nearly lost it when the heli started to roll just past the inverted portion (Hopefully you can understand what I mean). Anyway, I've had this problem before with airplanes and corrected it easily with elevator to aileron mixing, but I wanted to make sure. The heli is a quick 30 (Iknow everyone hates these, but I love it), with Futaba 9202's, 240 gyro with 9253, OS 32, 8U radio. Thanks.

bdphil,
I spent last night writing a flying lesson for looping for my site at www.littlerotors.com. If you register for the newsletter on the site (or check at my site tommorrow), you'll see it. It addresses the problem you're discussing.

Si

If the heli is rolling at the top of the loop, this says to me your entry into the loop was probably not level and is slightly askew.

Prior to loops and rolls, I always make it a point to ascertain whether the flyer is proficient at straight FFF.

Normally circuit flying entails doing some gentle turns at the end of a flyby to go the other way. Your first aerobatic runs are best done by using stall turns at the end of each flyby. Try to get your FFF straight first, if you are on a runway you should be flying parallel all the way (10 meters at your left and 10 meters at your right). Keep at it because this will serve as your springboard to do aerobatics.

If you are still doing a lot of correction (cyclic & pitch) during a FFF flyby, you need more stick time before attempting aerobatics.

Don't do maneuvers all over the place, you should be ingraining performing any manuever directly in front of you at the same place at the same altitude every time.

Once you have your "springboard", perform the maneuver you want once the heli is in front of you, loops are done headwind, rolls tailwind.

Loops should only entail flying straight into the wind, pull a little elevator (no aileron) with full throttle on the way up. Ease back on the throttle (and pitch) at the top of the loop and start putting forward elevator (and pitch) at the 9 o'clock position to exit back into FFF.

Another piece of advice, fly the heli, don't let it fly you. This means you should be flying ahead of the model. If what your're doing is just "correcting" for mistakes, this means the heli is flying you and you're just catching it.

Have fun!

Thanks for the tips, I think there were several factors contributing to my problem, variable wind direction, not enough speed entering the loop and nerves. I've gotten pretty confident with fast circuits, stall turns, hovering (nose in, side, tail in). I'm sure I was entering the loop level, and every loop (I only tried 3) ended up the same way. I'm going to try again tomorrow, we'll see how it goes. Thanks again.

<<...everyone hates these...>>

I don't think it is the machine that many folks have a problem with...<G>

Actually, from what I have read, the 30 isn't a bad ship at all.

Steve

Try reading www.littlerotors.com/flyinglessons/loops.asp

Much better luck today, only got two flights in before t-storms started, but my loops are looking better. Thanks for the info.

As for the comment on Quick helicopters, I quess it isn't the heli's that people have trouble with. I am completely satisfied with it (though I have little experience with others) and have nothing but good things to say as far as customer service.