Noobs needs a plan of attack...!?

[Yavor]

Greetings all (and the mighty Finless)-

As a total noob and owner of a 450SE, I need some guidance. I think there are a bunch of us out there in my shoes. The FAQ and Videos are priceless, but this is one complicated deal- and I think we noobs need help getting on our feet.

What should we read first to get a grip on how a helicopter actually flies?

What would be the progression of learning materials so we can get a hold on the basics?

How the heck could one of us learn to fly without a real tutor?
(or, what's the best sim at the best price?)

I know that this info is out there in bits and pieces, but if it was in this area as a simple list- that would help greatly. You have to know that it is daunting to say the least. I see lots of Helis on Ebay- obviously just built by noobs who have decided that this is all to complex for them.
I'm not thwarted, I'm determined. We just need some "info roadmaps" to follow so we can get airborne. What say?

Thanks-

Bob


:mrgreen:

[celter]

http://www.dream-models.com/eco/index.html

Good luck !

[jaron]

The Electric Helicopter Beginner's Guide (http://www.swashplate.co.uk/html/ehbg.html)

[MrBibbel]

I am in the same boat you are in my friend. Started last summer and am still on one hell of a learning curve. (Curve Ball that is)
I now have an SE as well and have managed to build it set it up and am to the point of hovering it and making simple manouvers.
My set up is a park flyer set up. I am hardley ready for any kind of 3D stuff.
I have a Futaba 9C transmitter with 401 Gyro an digital servo set. I have Hitec 65 servos.
I don't know if I can be a sorce for some wierd problem solving but if you wan't I can tell you how to tame down your monster and tell you not to do.(lots of experience there)
E-Mail me and we might learn a few thingg together...
MrBibbel@aol.com
Hope I might be able to help with some of your Questions.

[Yavor]

Mr. Bibble-

Well, I'm only one month into it here. My Blade CX was ho help in getting ready for this.
I'm at the point of leveling the swashplate mechanically. I'm waiting on my ball link pliers. My crappy SIM (pre-flight) is absolutely no help. I don't know which one is actually decent (under $200 sim). I think I can get the heli neutralized for it's first flight.
If the 450se flies like the "Pre-Flight" 450se, I'll never be able to fly it. If I can get it in the air and hover, I'll be shocked/amazed/happy. the SE is such a beautiful piece of machinery, I dred the day when it turns into a pile of giblets in 3 seconds. I guess it's
inevitable.
Do you know a good sim that is affordable? Finless did his best attempt at describing how to level the swash and get everything level, but he basically said "it's hard and you'll just have to play with it a lot". Maybe it's not as hard as it looks.

Is there a way to set up the 450se in a more mild-mannered configuration? I'm thinking of doubling the flybar weights and setting the servo travel to 50% max.
Any ideas? I have no delusions of being able to do 3D. Normal flying would be
fantastic. Maybe I should have gotten a lesser Heli. I just thought that the good stuff would be more stable.

So Bibble- What say?

Bob :noteworthy

[Yavor]

Oh, Big thanks to the other guys for their info..I've ordered the interface for FMS..might be better than Pre-Flight.

Oh, on my Pre-Flight sim, when you increase the throttle, there is a strong torque-steering to the left and down (a left roll). Does that really happen?

Bob

[Iceman140]

www.toyhaus.com
RealFlight G3.5 w/ flight pack 1 $199.99 and free shipping

great sim from my experience and you can later link up your radio thru their link controller.

:D

[MrBibbel]

Hello Yavor
Sorry I took so long to get back to you. Buying a House. Banks and Lawyers...

To make my Rex more manageable I set the pitch for a park flyer. No 3D here. Low stick at 0* pitch, Mid stick at 5* pitch and High stick at 10* pitch. No negative pitch for now. If you limit your servo travel you have little room for a mild mannered Rex. More travel means longer movement with the stick and easier for a Nobys like us to get a feel for our Heli. Make your set up and only limit the travel to keep within the paramaters of your choosing. In the Transmitter you can make adjustments to your Pitch and Throtel curves to smooth out the feel you are looking for. Weight on the flybar will slow down the quickness of the heli in relation to your cyclic. This is good. These Rexes are fast and can get away in a blink.
Hope this helps. It is a good place to start. I can give you more of my set up if you like. I think I have all my bugs worked out. I will chek back here as often as I can and try to leave some input.
On a lighter note, I removed my training gere this past weekend... So Far So Good.