Knight 50 Sport as first nitro?

[n808]

Would a Knight 50 Sport as a first nitro, moving from electrics, be a source of frustration, or an interesting learning experience? There's probably no good answer to this, since it all depends. I have read the review and the manual, and it does not seem bad (except "Step 11 Radious stay arm"). Parts availability may be an issue, same with other owners' experience, and online tips and tricks.

The easy answer would probably be to get a Raptor, like everyone else, but I like a good challenge, eCCPM design, and entry starting price.

[Rodney]

The Sport is a great heli to start with. Cost is low as is parts cost low as well.
Very easy to setup. Parts can be had from dealers, there are more coming around every week. Online can be gotten from heliproz. There are a few pilots here that will offer help (me included). There are not many tricks needed as the ehli flies well right from the box. Just have to have your own main blades, that the only issue I have with the sport.

[BigVanVader]

What Rodney said :mrgreen:

[n808]

Thanks for the advice. And with the futureproof OS 50 and Hatori 521 (?) + blades, I should have a good starting point.

[n808]

oops, Hatori 521 seems to only work with the YS 50. I need to do more muffler research...

[BarracudaHockey]

SB50 or MP2

Its a nice little helicopter, kind of looks like a 50 size Avant. We had one end a flight in a figure 9 last weekend. :glasses2:

[Rodney]

The 50 3D is the oe that looks like the Avant. The sport looks simalar to most other 50s, but its CCPM.

[BarracudaHockey]

Ah gotcha, Robert has been tinkering with one at our field, I guess its the 3D version, I really like it.

[ez2bgman]

If you want an awesome muffler, look into either the new one-piece SAB-50 JK Hatori muffler or the Funtech 3D muffler. The new SAB-50 is a little less expensive than the SB-50 but does not lack in the power department. The Funtech 3D is much cheaper with similar power output to the SB/SAB-50, but is hard to find here in the States.

[n808]

So, to get started I was planning:

Knight 50 Sport
OS 50 SXH (used)
Funtech 3D, or more likely Revolution RVO1150 .50 Muffler
Futaba 401 + 9254

I have:
AR7000
4 Spektrum/JR DS821 servos
Basic receiver battery

To get, once proven airworthy:
Governor
Better receiver battery or Li-po + voltage reg

Then later:
Servo upgrades
OS 50 Hyper
MP2, Hatori SB-50, or Funtech 3D muffler

[BigVanVader]

Sounds like a good start to me....find some slightly longer srews for attaching the servo arms to the servos on the 821's.....the added length helps strengthen the output shaft.

[BarracudaHockey]

Or nix those servos completely on a 50, they are only reccomended for 30 size.

[n808]

OK. I should probably just sell those DS821's (that came with the DX7), and get 9252's instead, and something else for the throttle, or use one DS821 there.

[BarracudaHockey]

Should be fine on the throttle. 9252's are great servos you won't be disappointed.

[Rodney]

Well I know the Jax guys got to see how the Sport can fly. Even got one of them a pull on it as some poeple would call it.

[n808]

And it flew! It was a big and scary moment for a nitro n00b. Just a quick liftoff, but no problems detected. I need more experience in engine tuning before I fly a full tank. Backplate seemed to be a little hot after 2 minutes or so 60% throttle, but I have no basis for comparison. I set the needle to a little over 1.5 turns, it smoked plenty, but did not stutter. By the way, it's a used and already run in engine (OS 50 non-Hyper).

So yes, the Knight 50 Sport can be built and setup to fly by someone with no previous nitro heli experience.

[BarracudaHockey]

Nice job.

Put your finger on the backplate, if you can't hold it there 3 or 4 seconds its too lean, if its pretty warm thats ok, if its cold lean it out some.

[n808]

Thanks, that's what I read somewhere else as well. Now the backplate is only lukewarm, so I will lean it back a couple of clicks.

The canopy is next. What is strange about the canopy is that the kit came with one where the weird top part rising towards the rotorhead has already been cut off. This includes the location where it is supposed to be attached, so I will have to move the front holes forward as well. It looks better this way though, just strange that it was pre-modded.

[jaxrotor]

sounds like you might have gotten a 3D canopy..

[n808]

Yes, it looks that way. In addition to moving the attachment holes I had to cut more room for the muffler. See attached image, where I also replaced the skid legs I broke during assembly with Trex 600 legs.

[Kirk Simpson]

The newest sport kits that I have seen come with the canopy modded like you have described yours as being. Looks a lot better IMHO...

Kirk

[n808]

I agree completely. It was just a little extra work to figure out where the new and unmarked attachment holes had to go. I am sure they will add those markers to their mold soon.

[overspeed]

I noticed that on mine too. No upper marks for the holes. I painted the inside of my windscreen black. Should be more visible. Mine should be done in the next couple of days. I'm going to maiden it at our Thursday night heli fly.

Dave

[n808]

Good idea about the black paint. I think I will too, it looks better and covers up the electronics, which is a little messy no matter how clean you try to arrange the wiring.

[overspeed]

Did you take the head apart and grease it? I found the dampers were dry. It was a chore to get the spindle out but I feel better knowing everything is as it should be.