Pre flight Checklist

[helihaka]

When I fly full size aircraft we always go through a checklist to ensure that everything is good to go before a flight.

Model helis can be dangerous. What checks can we do to ensure pilot, aircraft and spectator alike can enjoy the hobby?

Does anyone have an easy-to-remember checklist mnemonic that they can share so we can prevent accidents, not talk about them?

[Jermo]

We can try to start one.
I physically check the heli pushing and pulling each part, checking all connections and mountings.

Then I power the TX
Throttle Off, TH On and sit it down

Power on Heli

Pickup TX with thumb accross the throttle to hold it down.
TH off (my rx won't fully init sometimes otherwise).
cyclic
rudder

spinup to 50%

If I'm ok at this point I take off.

not sure on a mneumonic..
Jermo

[HeliEdje]

V = Visual and physical inspection (ball links, bolts, gears, cable connections, blades, belt and servo's

check switches/sticks on TX

Power on TX (TH on)

Power on RX

Receiver/Range check (full cyclic, rudder and pitch response)

Platform (area of 30 feet diameter with heli in the centre) clear

TH off

Spinup 50% (with another check of cyclic and rudder response)

Take off

Still have to make an easier formula to remember

[Pinecone]

Visual inspection (walk around) of heli.

Pre-Start Checklist:

Area - Clear
Blades straight
Tx Antenna - Extended
Tx - ON
Flight Mode - Normal
Throttle Hold - ON
Throttle/Collective switch - Full Down
Set Tx down in safe location
Heli Battery - Connect
Tx - Picked up and attached to neck strap

Start Checklist:

Area - Clear
Throttle Hold - Checked ON
Flight Mode - Checked Normal
Stick - Full Down
TH - OFF
Stick - Advance to mid stick
Timer - Start
Flight Mode - Idle Up
FLY

Shutdown Checklist:

Land
Stick - Slightly below Mid
Flight Mode - Normal
Throttle Hold - ON
Tx - Disconected from neck strap and set down carefully
After heli spins down:
Heli Battery - Disconnect
Tx - OFF
Tx Antenna - Collapsed

Post Flight:

Visually inspect

[helihaka]

That's pretty thorough. How can we remember it easily? Can we make a mnemonic from this?
haka

[HeliEdje]

I think you have to separate the inspection of the heli and the steps of the procedure before taking off. That way it will be easier to adapt and remember. Never the less a easy to remember mnemonic is needed.
Another thing: steps not really needed for safety, let them out. In above case: collapse of TX antenna; land ( :roll: ); FLY; TX off; etc. etc.

[Pinecone]

That's pretty thorough. How can we remember it easily? Can we make a mnemonic from this?
haka

Just write it down an dfollow it a few times, and it will become habit.

[cholyoake]

when something goes wrong (because you forgot part of the checklist) then you will probably remember it after that.

[Papakeith]

I figured out a new step for the checklist tonight

Please add:

* "confirm that the TX is set on the correct model "

somewhere before the firing up the engine step.

Don't ask how I figured this one out :shock: :WOW .

thankfully all that was damaged was my pride and some of the life of the clutch.

stupid :arggg:

[kevinator9]

I check on my nitro differently. I don't think nitro's have throttle hold do they? Anyway when I pull my glow plug out I make sure the noise of the engine goes down a little in pitch.

[Mercuriell]

Trooper Sam tried to get a thread going on heli routine maintenance (without a lot of response ) - this got me thinking - full size aricraft have preflight checks (oil, fuel, prop, tyres), daily checks and regular maintenance schedules. I know this is a hobby and FUN but I penned out quickly some ideas and would be interested in the Freaks views & refinements: (mainly written with the TREX600 in mind)

Daily preflight check
1) Blade grip lateral play on main rotors and correct blade grip tension
2) Ball joint integrity on rotor head
3) Vertical play on mainshaft
4) Condition of pinion
5) Check elevator lever for side play
6) Boom integrity - straight and no dings and belt tightness
7) Strut fixing points
8 ) Tail rotor grip tightness and no end-play
9) Tail rotor gripped tight on spindle
10) Tail rotor arms not flipped and free play push rod

Monthly / 25 flights
1) Clean oily crud off mainshaft and tail rotor spindle & relube
2) Check tightness engine mounting bolts, pinion grub, mainshaft bolts
3) Check tightness frame screws and bolts
4) Visually inspect and stress ball linkages to look for hairline cracks
5) Remove main blades and grips and replace dampers, check thrust and radial bearings for notching or rough running

3 monthly or 100 flights
1) Remove rotor head and check swash level
2) Change plastic ball links on blade grips
3) Check mixing and washout arms for play and bolts for tightness
4) Check mainshaft bearings for notchiness
5) Remove tail rotor and check for notchiness bearings
_________________
John
TREX600CF 600L 6S -TREX600AL 1515/2.5D/F A1238S - TREX600N OS 50 Hyper

[army_av8r]

i fly helicopters in the army and we use a checklist everytime we start the helicopter up. we use the same checklist for preflight and post flight. sometimes postflight is even more important becuz you set the next pilot up for sucess by noting any faults that may have arisen during flight(ie fluid leaks or loss) lets not reinvent the wheel here. i personally just sat downone day and went through my own personal real helicopter checklist and took the things that applied and retyped them onto a new page and put them into an extra checklist binder i bought. i have one for preflight, start, before take-off, hover, after landing/shutdown, and postflight. i havent had a crash or incident in almost a year of flying my 450 v2. i have also done research on parts and developed a schedule for maintnance. when i work on the heli, i use red and green tape. red goes on the esc wire that goes to batt. everytime i touch any screws. and i wont switch to green until i have checked every screw for tightness. this came from adjusting belt tension and i forgot to tighten one screw and almost buried it. luckily the belt stayed on and it was just a close call!!! sorry for the long post but i think it will aid everyone. safe flying!!!

[Rªzª]

How about:

Two all beef patties special sauce lettuce cheese... oh wait.. Sorry wrong mnemonic.

[TheBum]

Good stuff! Is there any chance this thread could be made a sticky?

[Freezer66]

Before moving to your take-off platform:
1. Visual and physical inspection (ball links, bolts, gears, cable connections, blades, belt and servo's)
2. Check TX switches / sticks
3. Verify Power Heli power switch is OFF
4. Connect Heli Battery (Receiver battery)

Pre-Start Checklist:
1. Area – Clear
2. Blades straight (Main & Tail)
3. Tx Antenna – Extended
4. Power on TX
5. Verify the correct model on TX
6. Flight Mode – Normal
7. Throttle Hold – ON
8. Throttle/Collective switch - Full Down
9. Power on Receiver
10. Receiver/Range check (full cyclic, rudder and pitch response)
11. 360 Visual of your 30 foot take-off platform with the Heli in the center
12. Throttle Hold – OFF
13. Start Timer
14. Spinup 50%
15. Check of cyclic and rudder response
16. Take off

Shutdown Checklist:
1. Land
2. Stick - Slightly below Mid
3. Flight Mode – Normal
4. Throttle Hold – ON
5. Tx - Disconnected from neck strap and set down carefully


After Heli spins down:
1. Power off Heli (disconnect main/drive battery)
2. Tx – OFF
3. Tx Antenna – Collapsed

Post Flight:
Visually inspect
Have a drink for your successful flight and landing. J

----Just a note: I've been around Planes and Helio's but have not flown any yet. Give me a month of learning.----

[Nko15]

Pre-Start Checklist:
14. Spinup 50%
15. Check of cyclic and rudder response
16. Take off


Do step 15 with a FBL Bird and its likely to tip over.:peace