I was hovering my Raptor across the street in a field this evening and playing with the pitch/throttle curves. The head speed seemed way too high and the tail started wagging like the gain was too high. The gain setting hasn't been changed for months and the tail has been rock solid. I thought it had something to do with the head speed.

But just to check, I turned the gain down and then the tail started shaking like the gyro was barely on. So I turned it back up and again the tail started wagging.

Come to find out during post-flight cleanup that the glue on the foam tape was disolved by exhaust oil.

So what did I learn from this?

1) It could have been much worse.
2) Helicopters are frightening monsters and have been put on earth by evil people for evil people.
3) Checking the security of the gyro mounting should be a standard part of pre/post-flight inspection.
4) Instead of having the gyro on a 2-position switch (normal and heading hold) put it on a 3-position switch so it can be turned off.
5) It could have been MUCH worse!

Good tips, for sure. Many will use a Velcro strap for a little added security. Also, the CSM gyro foam tape, is the best I've found.

Sounds like you a pretty lucky person. The head speed could be causing your problem.

I had that happen once when I was still learning ...Made for a great landing .. I always tie the gyro down since then and I always check every flight to make sure it is held on tight ..

I use a glue activator for any adhesive..3M makes it, you wipe it on (yellow chemical) before stick on the adhesive foam tape. I have never had one to come loose. I learned about the adhesion promoter when installing ground effects on trucks-the 2 sided tape when used with this promoter would actually bend metal before letting the adhesive tape turn loose..

Bit high ($24 box of wipes), but I use it on everything attached with adhesive tapes..

http://www.handsontools.com/store/sh...roduct_id=4019
But, the CSM tape will tear the foam usually and leave the tape backing even when removing the gyro..good stuff as well as the other OEM manufacturers factory tape..But when used with the promototer only way you could get it off or regular two sided tape would be using your finger rubbing the glue a long while..(wanting to remove)

After completing redoing my pitch/throttle curves three times in the past couple nights and redoing my throttle linkage, I think I have the problem licked, but I have to test fly again.

I had my throttle curve set at the defaults (0, 25, 50, 75, 100) as well as 63% ATV on the throttle (both directions). The best I could get the linkage was 86% each direction so it's better, but not as good as it could be. I'm out the furthest hole on the throttle arm and an equal hole on the servo arm. I can go further out on the servo, but then it's no longer a parallelagram.

Anyway, I have my pitch curve set up to hover at 3/4 stick which is why my engine was running so fast. I needed to move the 4th point back to around 50%. I'll open the mix while I'm hovering and play with it until it sounds right to me.

Thanks for your help!

PS. As far as the tape goes, I'm using 3M and it's held up fine for months. It was my fault for not checking.

There is a 3rd position for Gyro off...

Its called throttle hold

I have had this problem in the past, I now glue my gyro on with RTV Silicone, nice thick bead, let dry over night, never had it come off.....Coop

Oh ya, had the sensor on my 501 _fall off_ the front of my pro2K when I was tuning it in the front yard.

The tail gets _really_ difficult to control

Use the good quality servo tape. Make sure you don't fasten that velcro strap too tight though, you can induce vibration if you do.

Coop .I inherited an Arcamax gyro and I havent figured it out totlally .. I cant find a book or anything on it ... Do you have any info on setup or where can I find it ?? It works good as long as I dont try heading hold .. Any info would be appreciated.....

crash....Here is a site for the Arcamax gyros ,should have the info you need. They are great gyros, I have 3 of them, never had a problem with any of them....Coop

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...di/arcamax.htm

Thanks coop