Raptor 30

[Pipes]

How long does the Raptor fly on a Tank of nitro.Does anyone have instructions on how to fuel, and start this machine. This is new to me. I am going from an Electric to Nitro.
Need Hlep
Thanks

[Rodan]

I'd strongly suggest finding a local nitro heli flyier to help you through getting started...

I just made the jump from TRex 450 to Raptor 50, and had to learn a lot. I have two friends who were also starting with 50s at the same time, one of whom is a long time plank flier. The local guru was on a cruise for a month leaving us to fumble about on our own... :shock: :lol:

Well, we managed to get flying pretty well, but it was a learning process for all of us! Read up on Raptor technique, and here, and look for local support. There's nothing like having experience at hand when you're trying to start it up at the field....

FWIW, my 50 flies for around 10 minutes, and you should get more out of the same size tank with a 30.

Fueling: shutoff the fuel line to the carb, and open the fueling side of the 'T', and fill the tank to within ~1/4" of the top. Make sure the bubbles are out of the header tank and lines. Shut off the fueling side and open the carb side of the 'T'.

Starting (Disclaimer: I'm no expert, but this is my routine):

1 - radio on
2 - heli on/ check rx battery voltage
3 - wiggle controls to ensure you have control of the heli
4 - double check fuel to carb is open, fueling side is shut and tank is full
5 - attach glow wand
6 - set starter in place w/ rotor against starter to prevent rotation
7 - double check collective is 'down', and flight mode is 'normal'
8 - start - this is a little bit of a 'dance' and you may have to 'tickle' your setup in a particular way to get it fired up. Mine likes a little throttle, and I have to back it off as soon as it catches. I use my left hand to run the starter, and have my right hand on the radio.
9 - take starter in right hand and grab rotor with left, set starter down, and take heli to take off position (if you're not already there)
10 - FLY!

Remember, like any engine, it's going to need a little warm-up if cold. Advance the throttle slowly as you spool the rotor up, and listen for it to 'come up on the pipe' before you take off.

[Pipes]

Thanks for yr input does anyone have a Video or pictures of how the set up is done etc.
Thanks

[Mike C]

Don't Start your Heli with one hand on the radio :shock: and I wouldn't tell others it's ok to do this ..

Don't use blade grip against start shaft to stop head rotation :arggg: If you get a hot start that starter shaft is going to get kicked out ,,,the next thing getting hit may be your throat :dontknow .If you do not have hold of the grip , You have no control over the heli. (A small hex ball 1/4" deep in the little starter cup is not controlling the heli)You can get hurt bad and get to watch a chicken dance upclose and personal as your heli destroys it's self.

If you need more throttle to start your Heli, adj. your low end setting on the carb or do it with the trim and reduce it after the heli is started and you have control of it..

Do always hold blade grip firmly in left hand while starting with right hand.

.
As soon as it fires up ,set down your starter, You now have a free hand to do adjustments.

I don't care how careful you are there will be the day you get a hot start,, always be ready. When it happens

1. Keep firm hold on the grip,,
2.Put the starter down and squeeze the exhaust deflector to kill engine,,
3. Look around to make sure no one was watching :oops:

[Funky]

Do always hold blade grip firmly in left hand while starting with right hand.

As soon as it fires up ,set down your starter, You now have a free hand to do adjustments

I'm with Mike on this. ALWAYS hold the head when starting the motor. I've bumped the throttle on accident when setting down the remote and not realized it. When the motor fired it immediately tried to start spinning the blades. If I didn't have a good grip on the head it could have got ugly real fast. It was a very scary wake up call to be more careful and thankfully the guy that helped me fire up my first nitro pounded this advice into my head. A little help starting up that first time is worth the effort to find someone with experience.

FYI, I get just under 20 mins on a full gas tank in my Raptor 30 with an OS.32.

[DavidH]

Something I will add. Try to always start the heli from the side that the fuel line is connected to the carb. That way if you have a hot start( full throttle). You can reach down and jerk the fuel line off the carb and kill the engine.
I also agree, Hold the rotor head with one hand and use the starter with the other hand when starting the heli. This way at least if it hot starts your not going to get whipped by rotor blades.

David

[Dave]

3. Look around to make sure no one was watching :oops:

Probably the most important part. :oops: After all you probably will never do it again and this way everyone will continue to think you are that cool helifreak kind of guy. :glasses2: But until you have had your one hot start it may be a good idea to bring an extra set of drawers with you as well :shock:

I would like to add, if you do get a hot start, DO NOT LET GO! You will be able to stop the blades from turning if you just hang on and pull the fuel line. You will also be buying a new clutch (and wishing you had brought that extra set of drawers) but you will at least walk away from it.

After I had carfully set up my heli and had all the linkages just right and confident I was ready I did take the advice I received here on helifreaks and had another freak look it over. It was a two hour drive that I thought I did not need to make but guess what? I had the throttle backward! My first start of an nitro would have been a hot start if it was not for the advise to get someone else to look it over. This truly is the most important part!

[Rodan]

As I said, I'm certainly no expert...

However, I have experienced a hot start, and had no problems controlling the heli with the methodology I described above. I think what you are missing is that I start it with the blade grip against the start shaft. There is no opportunity for the blade to accelerate and gain any momentum, because it can't move. The start shaft is locked in place by downward pressure, and that will keep the heli from going anywhere. Unless the heli does a backflip on startup, all you're going to lose is the clutch... and if it does do a backflip, I'd like to see someone try to hold on to it by the rotor...

Whether you hold it, or use a steel shaft to prevent it from rotating, the important thing is that the rotor is secure on startup. I think we can agree on that...

[Pipes]

Does anyone have pictures of how to start up a Raptor 30 showing the starter and battery connecting etc.
thanks

[BarracudaHockey]

Find yourself someone around you, even if you have to drive an hour or so, that can go over your heli in person, teach you proper starting and safety and trim out your heli for you, your life will be many times easier.