i just got done flying my hawk sport. i decided to put her up for the evening after i tried to land on a tree stump and slipped off. the only thing broke was the training gear sticks, about 56 cents a piece, and i scratched the covering off the main blades. but other than that no damage. ive been flying for a few weeks now and the last few days i have really started to pick up the learning pace. i picked up hovering pretty quick, but it wasnt pretty for awhile. i went into the heli world with almost no knowledge of helis, but i had previous experience with planes, and im mechanically inclined anyways so i thought what the heck, it looks fun. the first few flights were encouraging, i started to get pretty good so i decided i would take my heli up higher, then i got to the top of a tree line and the heli rapidly ascended (wind break). so i let off the CP and my engine went nuts. (i had the engine set on a 3 way switch, off/idle/full, bad idea) so the blades overrevved and it started shaking pretty bad. i think something broke off but either way it came straight after me but luckily i got it out of the way fast enough to watch my newest toy smack into mother earth. repairs needed were a new set of blades (broke both), flybar, paddles, feathering shaft, boom, t/r shaft, landing gear (broke both of those too), tail fin set, and the fuel tank was punctured but a little super glue took care of that, and the nipples were broke off the tank. estimated cost: $75 on a heli with 4 tanks of fuel through it. that was a setback, but i knew when i got started that this hobby wasnt cheap. either way, we currently own a Century Hawk Sport (mine), a Century Ninja (dads, but im the only one who has flown it) and a Raptor 30 (once again, im the only one whos flown it). the raptors radio is being repaired, but when it gets back i think i will give it a whirl and maybe just take it over . but anywayz, i do have a couple questions.

first, is there anything i can do to to make my f/r cyclic more responsive when in aerobatics? ie lengthen the throw or what?

second, i need some recommendations on how to setup my raptor and possibly my hawk for more advanced flight, ie throttle/pitch settings and all that sort of jazz.

third, i need help doing a stall turn, i need some help on doing a stall turn. how much throttle/CP to i give it and do i let off in the stall?

thanks for ur help

Hello, sorry to here about your big crash. Good thing it didn't hit you! I'm not quite sure what you mean by having your throttle on a 3 way switch, can you clarify that please? I hope you don't mean that the throttle stays the same while only the collective moves!? As far as aerobatics go, to increase the sensitivity and how quick the cyclic is you need to have lighter paddles. The lighter the paddles the quicker the heli maneuvers, but the worse it hovers because it gets twitchy. As far as the radio setup goes it would really help to know what kind of radio you are using and what kind of gyro you have installed.

ok, by 3 position switch, i mean that the switch had three set spots, one of which i set to kill the engine, and the second was for idle down, and the third was full open. and yes, my intent was just to move the collective pitch, but as i found out my dad's idea did not prove to be effective for anything but a low hover. i have since switched that and made a y-adaptor and hooked both CP and throttle to the same channel so they move porportional (using a 6ch airplane radio).

i took off the flybar weights, and had to put on Hot Dog 3D paddles when i rebuilt it, but there are two mounting holes, one in the center, and one more towards the front. i have it in the center one, would the other have faster response?

The Raptor has a JR 642 heli radio. im not sure of all the functions so someone might wanna look that up. It also is using a GWServo Gyro. mechanical i think...maybe piezo. either way.

Ouch, a proportional throttle is not a good idea; you don't want a linear curve. That is only good for hovering IF that. You want to put the paddles on the first hole, the one closest to the leading edge when you first try them out too make sure they are not TOO fast. Once you are comfortable with that switch them to the last holes.

Flying a heli on an airplane radio is a very bad idea because you can only adjust it mechanically. Where do you live at? I would recommend trying to find someone local who could help you out.

It is impossible to do 3D with the setup you have now, you'd be lucky to get a loop, a stall turn, and a roll in with your current configuration and they would not be very good at all. Most radios have 5 pitch curves for 3D the best have 13 and the low end have 3... You have 1 and it's mechanical. VERY hard to work with.

i still do have the raptor setup, i was planning on using the Hawk as pretty much a training heli for all the basic stuff like hovering and forward flight. if i get into 3D i will definatly use the Raptor, it looks better anywayz

i decided to put her up for the evening after i tried to land on a tree stump and slipped off.

. . . And you had training gear on?

Maybe you should stand back and take a long look at what you are doing.

If you can't get (or make) a friend to help you, may I suggest purchasing Ray's Complete Helicopter Manual from RC Modeler Magazine?


I do like the three-position-switch idea for the throttle. Land - Hover - Haul Balls!