makaluch
03-12-2008, 09:38 AM
Just figured I'd put this out there for the newer pilots with 500-sized e-helis.
I am not a pro at setting up new builds and gyros so I opted for the safety of training gear. It seems that it's hard to find training wheels for helis this size, so I went out and looked for items to build my own. I found common items and built mine for under 5 bucks.
Just get:
Six foot kids bicycle flag - they're usually solid fiberglass 3/8 dia.or so.
Practice golf balls - they look like mini whiffle balls
Shoo Goo
Medium zip-tiesHere's a few general steps:
Remove flag and base from the fiberglass rod. Measure, tape, and mark dead center. Cut the rod in half with a hacksaw (tape keeps fiberglass from fraying). Sand ends with medium grade sandpaper to soften sharp edges. You can create bullet-ends if you want, but it's not necessary. Then, lightly cap with Shoo Goo or Epoxy. Measure and mark centers of both rods with a sharpie all the way around.
Use soldering iron or other heat source to soften the plastic around an entrance and exit hole in the mini-whiffle ball. Remember to soften holes on both sides.
Gently press and twist rod through both holes leaving about 1/4" to 3/8" hanging out of the back. Let cool until it sets firmly and repeat for all 4 ends.
The ball should be firmly attached after cooling. If you choose, tape or zip tie the rod against the ball on both sides to prevent moving.
Insert both rods in a criss-cross fashion through the landing gear and fasten the rods together with the centers aligned using zip-ties, tape or some other method. Then just zip-tie the rods firmly down to the landing gear making sure to center the training gear under the heli's CG.Keep in mind that this training gear will move if it takes a descent hit. Be sure to keep an eye on it and keep it as close to centered as possible. It will throw off your heli's balance if its not centered, making tuning and learning tougher.
I hope this can help some of the newer pilots like myself. Learning the basics and feeling comfortable and confident is priority one for me. Then, and only then, will I start to flip and roll and invade my back pocket.
HAVE FUN!
Mark M.
I am not a pro at setting up new builds and gyros so I opted for the safety of training gear. It seems that it's hard to find training wheels for helis this size, so I went out and looked for items to build my own. I found common items and built mine for under 5 bucks.
Just get:
Six foot kids bicycle flag - they're usually solid fiberglass 3/8 dia.or so.
Practice golf balls - they look like mini whiffle balls
Shoo Goo
Medium zip-tiesHere's a few general steps:
Remove flag and base from the fiberglass rod. Measure, tape, and mark dead center. Cut the rod in half with a hacksaw (tape keeps fiberglass from fraying). Sand ends with medium grade sandpaper to soften sharp edges. You can create bullet-ends if you want, but it's not necessary. Then, lightly cap with Shoo Goo or Epoxy. Measure and mark centers of both rods with a sharpie all the way around.
Use soldering iron or other heat source to soften the plastic around an entrance and exit hole in the mini-whiffle ball. Remember to soften holes on both sides.
Gently press and twist rod through both holes leaving about 1/4" to 3/8" hanging out of the back. Let cool until it sets firmly and repeat for all 4 ends.
The ball should be firmly attached after cooling. If you choose, tape or zip tie the rod against the ball on both sides to prevent moving.
Insert both rods in a criss-cross fashion through the landing gear and fasten the rods together with the centers aligned using zip-ties, tape or some other method. Then just zip-tie the rods firmly down to the landing gear making sure to center the training gear under the heli's CG.Keep in mind that this training gear will move if it takes a descent hit. Be sure to keep an eye on it and keep it as close to centered as possible. It will throw off your heli's balance if its not centered, making tuning and learning tougher.
I hope this can help some of the newer pilots like myself. Learning the basics and feeling comfortable and confident is priority one for me. Then, and only then, will I start to flip and roll and invade my back pocket.
HAVE FUN!
Mark M.