View Full Version : Is This Normal?
lperagallo
10-29-2006, 05:07 PM
I went out to fly in our hurricane winds today and decided to fly at a new park that we were flying at a couple of weeks ago. Since the wind was strong and coming from the south west, I decided that I would take off into the wind from part of the parking lot. As I spooled up it did the funky chicken dance at about 1/8 throttle. It went away as fast as it came. First I thought it was because the main rotor blades hadn't gotten spread out, so to check that I landed let the rotor come down in speed, then take off again. Sure enough, the dance was there again at 1/8 throttle. It doesn't do the dance when spooling down, only up. Is this normal or do I need to be looking for something out of balance. I've never seen this when taking off from grass. If so where should I start. Once up to speed there doesn't seem to be any abnormal vibration.
MarkWebber
10-29-2006, 07:05 PM
Which paddles are you using? I've still got the white stock paddles and have been told that this is because they so large. At low head speeds the paddles aren't 'flying' the main blades with much authority yet. I added weights and the dance is much diminished. One of these days I'll get around to ordering a set of V-paddles. I always forget when I talk to Chris. :arggg:(hint, hint Chris :D ) Oh, and if you add weights, get the set that Bergen is selling. I wish they had been in production when I bought mine. Bergens are much nicer!
Brady Longmore
10-29-2006, 07:21 PM
I think there is a difference when taking off from grass and asphalt. I noticed the same thing. I usually take off from grass, but one day the automatic sprinkler system was on, so I decided to take off from the parking lot. My Intrepid did a little dance that I'd never seen before too. But, when taking off from grass I don't notice it as much. I could be wrong here as I'm not an expert. maybe do an experiment. Take off from grass and see if it does it at 1/8 stick, then try grass.
Yep, there is a resonance set up if you take off from the pavement, and they will dance the jig. I have several old remnants of a rug that I use if taking off of pavement that I'll put the heli on. As a matter of fact, I use them also when taking off from grass. Just saves the skids from getting dirty and ingesting dirt into the carb.