Ron 10 #76 February 9, 2006 QuoteWow. Is a good gas-heli-capable radio that expensive? You need, what, six channels minimum right? A good heli radio can be bought for about 169.99 to 289.99...I bought a GREAT computer radio, why mess with "good" when you can have "great". I had 4 radios I could have used already, but this one was recomended and it had some features I liked. 6 channels are needed, but I like the ease of use of the 9103. And since helis seem to be VERY radio dependant and the set up is so important I decided to get a great radio from the start. Since the centering of the servos is more important than with a plane, I bought digital servos for about 30 bucks a piece. I have tons of regular servos, but most recommend digitals. I am getting ready to buy next heli maybe this week. Heli's are very cool I recomend them, but you need to not be so "gung ho" with them since they are expensive to crash."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n23x 0 #77 February 10, 2006 You can get away with 5 channels (2 cyclic, collective, throttle, yaw) just fine, you need six if you want to add some other stuff like heading hold, or, if you're a giant Vagina McGinestein, auto pilot. Quote...you need to not be so "gung ho" with them since they are expensive to crash... Can I get you some kleenex there, Sniffles? In all actuallity, helicopters are tons of fun, they can cost an arm and a leg, and they ALWAYS need some sort of maintenance, or you will ALWAYS be fiddling with something. They are really rewarding though, but they will command your attention the entire time the skids are off the ground. .jim"Don't touch my fucking Easter eggs, I'll be back monday." ~JTFC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #78 February 10, 2006 QuoteYou can get away with 5 channels (2 cyclic, collective, throttle, yaw) just fine, you need six if you want to add some other stuff like heading hold, or, if you're a giant Vagina McGinestein, auto pilot. They have an auto pilot? Why? And I do have heading hold 401. What can I say...I'm device dependant Well not really since I have flown it in the other mode since I didn't know I had to turn it on...Duhhh. QuoteIn all actuallity, helicopters are tons of fun, they can cost an arm and a leg, and they ALWAYS need some sort of maintenance, or you will ALWAYS be fiddling with something. Yeah, I spent 65 bucks and it was to fix something that was not yet broken (clutch and associated parts) QuoteThey are really rewarding though, but they will command your attention the entire time the skids are off the ground. I was able to scratch my nose the other day...I was so happy...One because I could not crash the heli, and two because my nose itched. Still after 20 years of planes I giggle like a school girl when I land my heli."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n23x 0 #79 February 10, 2006 QuoteThey have an auto pilot? Why? It's called the co-pilot, I believe, and it controls the cyclic if you get in a bind. Essentially, if you're boned, you flip a switch on like a 6th or 7th channel, and the helicopter self rights itself. Doesn't handle throttle, yaw or collective, but definately will get you out of a bind and get the heli level. Now I will admit that this is a pretty neat little toy too, but I learned good skillzezez by crashing my helicopter dammit, and everybody else should too! http://www.helihobby.com/html/co-pilot.html Seriously, you only get to be a good heli pilot by getting frustrated and putting your heli back together. A LOT! I consider it regular maintenance. .jim"Don't touch my fucking Easter eggs, I'll be back monday." ~JTFC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #80 February 10, 2006 Sorry I missed this thread! I bought a blade cp on a whim and have been hooked! I bought the training balls but ended up ditching them after only a few flights. Seems there are two thoughts to training - 1 being using the balls and one without. I went without and did alright. I'm still getting my nose in hover down which can be a bit difficult. Check out the EHBG found here for good stuff. I also have been having fun playing with a wireless spy cam I put in the nose of the blade. I'll have to post a picture. I take my car out to the field plug the receiver into an inverter and then plug the video out into my PC5 (skydiving video) and do a record control... so I can record the flight. Bought the cam on ebay for like 5 bucks (plus 15.00 shipping). works quitely nicely. Anyway i've been through a LOT of parts.. replaced everything just about once.. unfortunately I had a f'ed up motor and i went through 3 4-in-1s (80 bucks a pop) before I figured out what was causing it. Horizon Hobby (the mfg) was good about replacing stuff, they sent me replacements for everything I had bought. I'm trying to stay happy with the blade but i'm itching to want to upgrade.... Want to be able to carry more weight! I got some cool strobes from a guy in my area that look like this they act as a LIPO alarm to let me know when my voltage is getting low. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #81 February 10, 2006 QuoteI'm trying to stay happy with the blade but i'm itching to want to upgrade.... Get the Trex. Great heli. I have a Shogun with a brushless that flies OK, but not as good at 3D as the Trex. If you can find a Shogun cheap, they can do most of what you want....If I upgraded mine it could do more, but why upgrade when I can get a new one?"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,026 #82 February 10, 2006 QuoteQuoteYou can get away with 5 channels (2 cyclic, collective, throttle, yaw) just fine, you need six if you want to add some other stuff like heading hold, or, if you're a giant Vagina McGinestein, auto pilot. They have an auto pilot? Why? And I do have heading hold 401. What can I say...I'm device dependant Well not really since I have flown it in the other mode since I didn't know I had to turn it on...Duhhh. QuoteIn all actuallity, helicopters are tons of fun, they can cost an arm and a leg, and they ALWAYS need some sort of maintenance, or you will ALWAYS be fiddling with something. Yeah, I spent 65 bucks and it was to fix something that was not yet broken (clutch and associated parts) QuoteThey are really rewarding though, but they will command your attention the entire time the skids are off the ground. I was able to scratch my nose the other day...I was so happy...One because I could not crash the heli, and two because my nose itched. Still after 20 years of planes I giggle like a school girl when I land my heli. I have HH on 2 of my helis, and to be honest I keep it turned off most of the time. I prefer a solid rate feedback to the HH mode for regular flying around.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #83 February 12, 2006 ....and another one's gone another bites the dust. Hey it's going to get you too. Another one bites the dust.#$@%^%$#@!!!!Oak tree you're in my way....@#$%^&%$#@I drink alone. Yea with nobody else..... @#$%^&^%$#@Got crash tunes ?I'm getting tired of this crap. The Twist hit a tree on a deadstick final. I seemed to have misjudged the distance as i was flying in "the bowl" I call it. It's a bowl like area surronded by trees and homes with a lake at the bottom. I was Joe Cool for 3 1/2 tankfuls then the thing stalled because it hates flying inverted today.Thought it was going to be stuck 50 feet up the tree i didn't make over, but a few stick movements sent it to the ice like a Chineese pinball game. Wasn't there to catch it either.Duh !Splat ! And that's that.It's a long way to the top if you want to Rock n roll. Oh it's a long way.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soberamprat 0 #84 February 13, 2006 you flew yesterday? http://www.swoopstudios.com/videos/videos-rex.php Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #85 February 13, 2006 Yep , I flew the back water instead of the big water and now I'm grounded til i get the motivation to finish the Ultra Stick. But i think i need to fix the Twist with all the spare parts i have first.I need my butt kicked for flying in a tight area with a tempermental engine.Had a 20 minute flight just before that tankfull and several good landings, but i was only trying to stay away from the ice fisherman for landing. Damn it. Back to the drawing board. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #86 February 26, 2006 Just got back from watching some indoor electric flying just 3 miles from here every Sat night from 9pm -12.Saw some helis doing flips and profile planes doing... well I never seen no chit like that before meng. Time to piece something together for next weekend.Be here at noon Sunday for some ice flyin. Everyone is welcome. Doing the maiden flight on the Ultra Stick. I know, i know, get a picture first. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McDuck 0 #87 February 28, 2006 SM1 sold me on the Challenger, and I've been tearing up wings learning the quirks of that bird. Luckily for me, and my ego, I've been flying it out in the middle of a plowed field behind my house, so only a few toothless inbreeders are able to see what I'm doing. I haven't activated the "pro" mode on this plane yet, as I'm still toying with what it does in sport mode. I'm wondering if I'm doing my training any justice by staying in sport mode, however.Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #88 February 28, 2006 Most planes fly just like a canopy. You need forward speed/don't turn low etc.Just keep doing right hand cirles for a whole battery pack, then do left, then do figure 8s. Stay away from high winds and trees and never say "Hey watch this" and you'll be a better flyer in no time.Got 2 flights in Sunday and two yesterday on my dream plane. ( Ultra stick 40)I think I've arrived. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McDuck 0 #89 February 28, 2006 If the weather cooperates, meaning less wind than the last few days, I'll be out in that field working on my turns and "landings". I've got the standard battery that comes with the plane and an upgraded one for now. I plan on flying as much as I can before the loss of light makes it unfeasible to fly. I'm still wondering if I should switch to "pro" mode for this, or wait until I scrap a few dozen MORE wings. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #90 February 28, 2006 Just a quick note to say that Horizon is selling complete (with radio, batteries, everyfuckingthing) Aerobird Challengers for just over $100 now online!! Those of you reading this and hesitating on plunking down cash for a toy you are likely to wreck......repeatedly...... ought to jump on the deal. www.hobbyzone.com is one of their links. I am totally stoked on what Kevin Orkin is doing with his spy cam get-up and want to install one in my Aerobird Extreme prior to my next military contract trip. I used my plane as an "indigenous UAV" and spooked my young SF students out of their Guerilla Base during this last Robin Sage exercise! It was fantastic! Having a camera in the thing is going to be nuts! Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McDuck 0 #91 February 28, 2006 I wondered if you might use it for those purposes, after watching you ghost it in behind unwary bystanders on the DZ. I'd be interested in a similar spycam getup once I've learned the fine art of not snapping a pair of wings a week. Also, I figure you would be the man to answer the question about the pro mode on the Challenger, Chuck.Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #92 March 1, 2006 QuoteAlso, I figure you would be the man to answer the question about the pro mode on the Challenger, Chuck. The answerto this question is simply...when you want to. Its not like its gonna kill you if you dork it in. All the "pro" mode does is increase the roll and pitch rates and remove the "auto pilot". If you are flying around fine, and are thinking that the plane feels sluggish....Go pro. But if you are not comfertable with it, staying in the other mode will not hamper you. Only not flying because your plane is in little pieces will really hamper you."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #93 March 1, 2006 Hey Ron, I'm lovin the Ultra Stick, been flying the hell out of it lately. Do you have any tips on knife edge training ? Should I just learn one side down going away from me first ? How long did it take you to master the knife edge ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #94 March 2, 2006 QuoteHey Ron, I'm lovin the Ultra Stick, been flying the hell out of it lately. Do you have any tips on knife edge training ? Should I just learn one side down going away from me first ? How long did it take you to master the knife edge ? Don't do going away, do side to side. Left to right or right to left. With the plan coming from your left to your right (or right to left), roll the plane right so that it is topside towards you/bottom away. You will need to apply rudder that is away from the ground....Easy way to learn which is which: Take the transmitter and imagine it laying on its side with the antenae pointing in the same direction as the line of flight....Give the rudder in the direction of "UP" if the transmitter was laying over. Afetr a while it will become natural and then you can learn belly in knife edge. You will most likley need to couple aileron with the rudder since I don't think your rudder is "full size". Meaning that from the center of the fuse it does not extend below the center much at all. So when you apply rudder, it will try and roll out of the knife edge....So you will have to apply aileron to keep it in the knife edge and maybe some elevator as well. So on your plane going from the left to the right with the top facing you, you will have: 1. Left rudder 2. Right aileron 3. Up elevator. (Maybe down...I don't think about it much anymore....You'll have to play to fiqure it out....You'll know if you have it wrong pretty quickly ) And speed is your friend, and it takes less rudder than you might think, and more rudder just makes you have to couple the other controls more."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McDuck 0 #95 March 2, 2006 Thanks for the advice, Ron. I'm now encountering some control surface inefficiencies that I can't determine the exact source of. I've set the lines for the tail properly, so that the control surfaces are level with the rest of the tail, but I've noticed that the right side moves significantly more than the left, even with a full battery charge. The trim is set neutral on the radio, and there doesn't appear to be any undue tension on the control line for the left side. I'm not sure what to check next. I spend more flying time trying to correct for level flight than anything, and I'm getting tired of blasting through two wings a week. Any suggestions?Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #96 March 2, 2006 Kevin, that sounds like you have your control lines run through different holes on your horns. I am assuming that you have assembled at least one new tail by now. It's critical, well not THAT critical, but important that you assemble your control horns the same, but with the slack-tightening wheels opposite each other. For most deflection, make sure you run the line through the lowest holes in the horns. I always assemble mine with the slack-tightening wheels screwed into the second hole from the bottom. I personally think it's much easier to fly these little v-tail planes in Pro mode. ESPECIALLY if there is any wind at all. If you get to running downwind with an Aerobird, the plane is really sluggish to turn around in "beginner" mode. You will find it much easier to get it turned around, and also to recover from unusual attitudes in Pro mode. What do you have to loose? Wings are $12 bucks for that plane and a tail is less than $10. Amazingly, my original Challenger fuselage still worked elecronically after like 20 massive straight-in crashes. I finally fried the electrics one day when I screwed around and put my big LiPo (from my P-51) in it. It flew amazingly fast for about two minutes then everything fried and it went in, magnificently, from around 100 feet. I bought an entire replacement Stryker airframe (minus electronics) because I was really tired of destroying flimsly P-51 parts; particularly the fuselage. I put that P-51 back together "one last time" and have yet to crash the thing again, even while seemingly trying to destroy it with wreckless aerobatics and flying in too-high winds. Hmm. I guess I will have to sell the Stryker replacement to Joey D'Annunzio. His has been stuck in a tree in front of Aviators for two weeks! Hooty HOO! You know what though; the day I sell the Stryker is the day I will fly the P-51 into a tree inverted or something like that. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McDuck 0 #97 March 2, 2006 I haven't actually had to replace a tail yet, remarkably, but I'll check those wheels and holes on the control horns. We'll be out at the DZ Saturday (or I will, at least; Cora may be flying REAL planes) and I'll bring it with me. And I believe you're right with regard to pro mode: what do I REALLY have to lose? Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #98 March 2, 2006 QuoteAny suggestions? Chuck hit it pretty well. I would suggest getting another plane. While those fly well, a little bigger plane with a semi symetrical airfoil will handle wind much better and be able to perform more stunts."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McDuck 0 #99 March 3, 2006 I'm getting back into the swing of flying r/c with this one, and since it seems sturdy enough to handle all the hell I can manage to put it through with minimal repair costs, I'm willing to stick it out with this plane for a bit longer. I think I will, however, start flying it in pro mode once I get the control surface issues resolved. It's too damn sluggish in sport mode for my tastes and already limited skills.Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #100 March 3, 2006 that's what a friend of mine is doing now due to crap weather outside...scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
