Earthbound Hawk Pro.

[COOKIEULT70]

I started my Hawk up for the first time yesterday. I love OS motors. Started right up without any tuning. I did richen it up a couple of clicks. What I'm trying to figure out right now though is how to get the thing off the ground. I have about 9* pitch at full stick and the motor is reving up just fine but it won't leave the ground. What should I check? With the long weekend ahead I would like to get this worked out so I can get some practice in.

Thanks,
Eric.

[ClayK]

You sure it's +9 degrees at full postive collective? You should be able to hover at only a couple + degrees.

[COOKIEULT70]

According to my cheepie E Flight pitch-o-meter it is. I don't have a flybar lock though so I could be getting readings that are slightly off. But it should be at least close. I don't get it. I have downloaded the Hawk Sport full instruction manual and gone over all the rod lengths.

[ClayK]

You aren't using http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo/EFL/250/EFLH1000-250.jpg this pitch gauge are you?

Walk me through your pitch setup procedures and let's see if we can get you fixed up.

[COOKIEULT70]

:oops: Yes.

I know it's not what I should be using but its all I have right now. Ok when I'm taking a reading I turn the head so that the fly bar is in line with the boom. I eyeball it to level it out. Then I put the gauge on and move the gauge untill the top edge of the gauge lines up with the fly bar.

[ClayK]

You have the radio on and at center stick?

[COOKIEULT70]

Yes. The radio is at center stick. The PCV is 50% at center stick too. At bottom stick the PCV is like 45%

[COOKIEULT70]

Is it possible that I could actually have 11* when the heli is static but the pitch linkage won't make it all the way there under load? I may have left something important out. I have not sprayed any lube of any kind on the mainshaft or swash.

Eric.

[ClayK]

Is it possible that I could actually have 11* when the heli is static but the pitch linkage won't make it all the way there under load?

You shouldn't get binding so severe that it would limit travel completely. Have you sized all your ball links?

Real basic questions, but I have to ask.

Are you using a 9z?
All trims zeroed out?
No subtrim?
What is the actual mechanical pitch range in normal mode?
What is the actual mechanical pitch range in idle 1 mode?
What is your pitch curve in normal mode, on the radio?
What is your pitch curve in idle 1, on the radio?

With the radio and receiver on and both sticks at center, all your servo arms should be centered. Full range on servo function from left to right, up to down on all functions. Don't know what your experience is so far with helicopters, so I have to ask those questions. :dontknow

[COOKIEULT70]

9Z

Trims zeroed out.

Sub trims were zeroed before servo arm install. Then subs were trimmed to reach perfect 90* with servo control rod.

Pitch linkage reaches mechanical upward limit (currently 11*) in normal and -1* downward.

Pitch range in Idle 1 is +/- 11*.

Current pitch curve in Normal is 1/48 2/48 3/49 4/49 5/50 6/50 7/50 8/58 9/67 10/75 11/83 12/92 13/100

Current pitch curve in Idle 1 is linear from 0 to 100.

I have not resized the ball links.

This is my first heli. Well second if you count the Blade CP. But that thing has its own radio.

I have watched Bob's videos on the 9Z and the 401 gyro and all the HDX300 as well as a few others.

[ClayK]

Setup sounds good so far. I'd check the ball links for resistance, but I dont' think that would be causing your problem.

Next. What's your throttle curve and have you tach'd the head speed yet?

[COOKIEULT70]

Ok. Fixed the problem. Thanks for Helping out Clay. As it turns out though the problem was completely unrelated to pitch. I was WAY to lean. I was trying to hover it this morning and the motor started losing power. I knew something was up then the motor died. When I brought it back to the bench I touched the head briefly. WOW it was hot. I let it cool down and turned the needle out 3/4 of a revolution. WAY more power now. Lifts off just fine now.