Newbie (me) just dropped a little over 2,000.00 today....

[Red-Rx7]

Yeah, I officially jumped into the wide world of RC Helicopters.

I am a complete "newbie" to the RC Helicopter world, and quite intimidated by the new hobby which I am joining. See, I sold my racecar, and in an attempt to find a replacement hobby, this has always perked my interest.

So, less than 18 hours after the car was sold, I went online and did some quick research and dropped a little over 2k on a new setup. Expensive!

Here is what I purchased, and my game plan. If anyone can jump in and offer some advice to the equipment I purchased (or would need something else, etc), please help! I have been reading all day about the Raptors, and spent hours on Raptor technique. I have searched for local RC Helicopter pilots in my area through a few online pilot databases, and fired off 11 emails asking for experienced assistance. Of those 11, four have already been bounced back. :(

What I was planning on looking for from these pilots, other than general guidance, is inspection (once built) and controller setup assistance.

Anyhow, here is what I purchased today:

VelociRaptor 50 PRO package It comes with the following extras:
-OS 50 SXH with Hatori-style muffler
-Mavrikk 600mm Carbon PRO G4
-80mm Carbon tail blades
-MPV0095 CNC Stabilizer Control Arm
-Aluminum mixing arms with bearings
-Mavrikk Head Button with bearings
-MPV1002 Metal tail slider ring set with CNC yoke
-bearings and slider
-MPV0096 Alum. CNC washout set - CNC base, arms, and bearings
-MPV0349 CNC Push-Pull Elevator

JR9303 Heli TX
-649 PCM with four 811s

Fut. GY401 AVCS Gyro

Futaba S9254 Tail Servo

Rotopod Deluxe Trainer Gear w/ Carbon Fiber legs

GPMZ4400 Real Flight G3 Simulator Mode 2

HeliProz Sportsman Flite Set Which is suppose to include the following:

More convenient and complete than the basic set, this includes: *Molded toolbox with removable tray and latch *Helimax Pitch Gauge - the best one available *Mavrikk Metric Hex Driver set with all the sizes you are likely to ever need, CNC anodized grips, hardened tips *Mavrikk Ball Link Pliers - the best value available in this indespensible tool! *Piston Locking Tool for aid in tightening fan and prop nut *4-Way Metric wrench for prop nuts *Wiha soft grip long reach glow pug wrench - simply the best tool for the job, very high quality! *HeliProz Foam Blade Holder Ultratote Flight Box Kit 12v 7Amp gel cell and charger Hobbico Deluxe Power Panel 2 KSJ763 Fuel Line/Filter/Clamp set SonicTronics Electric Fuel Pump Fourmost Recoil Line for pump Torquemaster 90 Electric starter MVPV3801 6mm hex start shaft adapter Remote Glow Plug adapter Glow Lighter 1600mah w/charger Latex foam rubber pad for RX and battery Loctite 243 Threadlock 10mm bottle Two OS#8 Glow Plug Wiha 7pc Metric Nut Driver set Slimline Pro Fuel Cap set.

I should have the new toy by Thursday. I will start the build, and take my time learning all the terminology for the parts and what-have-you, but my goal is to really use the G3 software and radio controller to get a good feel of the Helicopter.

During construction, I was planning on using the factory stock parts, not the upgraded ones which came in the kit. Once I graduate from the simulator and attempt basic tail and nose hovers, along with triangles, circles, and basics of low-level forward flight; I figure I can then install the extra goodies and feel the difference they make. Plus, if it goes "bad" I have a few replacement parts too. :)

Anyhow, if anyone on here is near KC, please shout at me! I am very intimidated by the RC Helicopter, yet very excited at the same time. Just like anything else, you have to respect the dangers and power of it before "jumping feet first".

If you have any advice, let me know!

Thanks,
Mike

[Whirly-Girl]

First off...you made a WISE choice by getting a simulator!!! Everyone on this forum will attest to that. Secondly, I think you made another good choice in helicopters. You won't quickly outgrow a Raptor 50 and it seems like everyone I know loves them for their easy build, "cheap" repair, and power-to-weight ratio. It sounds like you ordered from HeliProz? I love dealing with them and I even got to fly with their 3D expert, Jason. He is awesome to work with and spent like 2 hours working with me fine-tuning my T-Rex at a fun fly in Bismarck in June. First class guy!!!

You could have saved a few bucks by just building training gear with dowel rod and ping pong balls...especially since you have a sim.

Definitely wait to fire her up until you get an experienced pilot to look over it. Believe me, there is stuff here and there that you can miss or put on backwards. And your logic about starting with all the stock parts is good. You may not even want to use those upgrades until after a "few" crashes. Yeah, a few...they happen. :roll: I've had 2 minor incidences with my R50 this summer already...very easy repairs however.

I'm also new, so don't take my word as gold...I'm just trying to share what others are passing on to me.

Jeanette

[Red-Rx7]

First off...you made a WISE choice by getting a simulator!!! Everyone on this forum will attest to that. Secondly, I think you made another good choice in helicopters. You won't quickly outgrow a Raptor 50 and it seems like everyone I know loves them for their easy build, "cheap" repair, and power-to-weight ratio. It sounds like you ordered from HeliProz? I love dealing with them and I even got to fly with their 3D expert, Jason. He is awesome to work with and spent like 2 hours working with me fine-tuning my T-Rex at a fun fly in Bismarck in June. First class guy!!!

You could have saved a few bucks by just building training gear with dowel rod and ping pong balls...especially since you have a sim.

Definitely wait to fire her up until you get an experienced pilot to look over it. Believe me, there is stuff here and there that you can miss or put on backwards. And your logic about starting with all the stock parts is good. You may not even want to use those upgrades until after a "few" crashes. Yeah, a few...they happen. :roll: I've had 2 minor incidences with my R50 this summer already...very easy repairs however.

I'm also new, so don't take my word as gold...I'm just trying to share what others are passing on to me.

Jeanette

Jeanette,

Thanks for the reply! Do have the G3 simulator, or something comparable, and how has it helped you? I have read mixed reviews on it, but the overall understanding is it will accelerate my learning curve; but there is no replacement for actual fuel spent..

It has been years since I have had RC cars, then got into the big-boy real racecars, and that took me away from the RC world. But, with all that gone, I made an impulse buy; hopefully the right one!

I did order from HeliProz, and what I was very impressed with the time they took to answer all my questions. Because it was a big purchase buy, I threw out 100's of questions at Kurt; in which he gracefully answered each one. I even approached the situation with "more expensive = better" from my car racing world (with more modified parts = more fun over stock). Kurt was quick to adjust this mentality to indicate that why there are performance differences in parts, the level to notice them isn't something I would achieve anytime soon. So why "waste" the money on something I can't utilize, when it could be spent on some fuel & stick time. I highly recommend HeliProz from the experience I had with them today.

They set me up with basically everything I need to fly, excluding the actual fuel itself.

In looking at your signature Jeanette, I noticed you have the same controller that I purchased. Is there anyway to transfer settings to a computer? I know you can copy from controller to controller, but I would be curious to see how you have some of the settings configured & why. I read through the JR manual (someone posted it online) today, in preparation for the stuff to get here.

Anyhow, thanks for the response!
Mike

[Laurens]

My condolances with your new addiction, you should have chosen for crack :wink:

Have fun :mrgreen:

[WayneBrown]

Feel free to drop me a line or three about your JR radio, and it's basic setup information.
Your G3 will serve you well. At first it gives you a chance to see what happens when you wiggle sticks, and will help immensely with basic orientation.
Check around for flying clubs, I know there are several within a couple hours' drive. Look through the AMA website for contact information and directions.
Most military installations have small groups that fly, and if there is one nearby it may be worth a look.
By all means, check out the setup videos Shannon Davis has posted here. Not all will pertain to your machine, but the generalities carry over to other brands.

[Garland]

G3 requires a kick ass puter so check into that, but its a great sim.

you'll love the rotorpod and ya have all the tools. I might stick to woody blades for awhile if I were you.

All in all ya did good! take some pics when ya get her goin.

[Whirly-Girl]

I don't have G3...nor have I tried it, so I can't officially knock it. :lol: I have AeroFly Pro Deluxe and I think it kicks butt! From what I've read AFP has better physics...they concentrate on this OVER graphics and that is what is important to me. My husband and I flew the previous edition and it was great...now, AeroFly Pro DELUXE stepped up it's graphics too. I've also heard that the BEST heli sim is Reflex...the best airplane sim is AFP Deluxe. I don't have Reflex yet because I'm waiting until winter to get a new pc built for gaming. Then I'll be able to distinguish the difference between the two.

I LOVE, ABSOLUTELY LOVE, my JR9303!!!!! It is a breeze to program and fly with. I love JR radios because of the feel in my hands. Futabas are great radio's, but they've never just felt good to hold for me. It's the old Ford vs. Chevy preference for most flyers. I have no clue if I can DL the settings into the computer, but if you are really interested in my settings, I'll post them on this forum for you. The settings I have currently are before installing a Throttle Jockey Pro. I'm not sure what is going to change afterwards, b/c this is my first governor installation. But I'm findout out now that my Hyper 50 is needing some leaning after breakin that this sucker produces ALOT of power and I don't want to over-rev my headspeed.

Let me know if there is anything else I can help with. I asked alot of dumb questions on here when I was building my 50SE this winter...check out the thread called "Winter time blues...building my R50SE" in the Thunder Tiger forum.

Jeanette

[shafs]

Hi

I have had the G2 sim and i now have the reflex sim witch i thinks is a better sim. But as a person starting out the G2-G3 sim would be great. And i would leave all the up grades off as Whirly-Girl says it good advise. And you will have crashes its part of the hobby. i am flying 3D with my raptor and most of my parts are standard. so welcome to the hobby you are going to love it.

Shafs.

[Shortman]

Welcome to the club, or should I say I am joining you as well. Just need to finish up my next order for a GY 601, OS 50 Hyper, Hatori/CY MPII pipe, Revmax, 4 Futaba 9252s, metal head upgrade, and I am flying :). You got to love getting everything at once and showing up in one huge box, it's like Christmas all over again.

[raptor30v2owner]

congrats
im a newb too and i just dropped a good 1600 so far (a raptor 30) unfortunatly for me i got poor made blades and the guy i am having to test and finish my stuff luckily told me to send them back to tt for replaments otherwise i couldve seriously hurt someone with them if they broke
got the os 37 with hp muffler (muffler looks sick its really shiny! it a was a deal at $40 too)
got a jr radio the 7202 synth heli its really nice (couldnt afford a 9303, even if i could, no use for it)
came with 4 digital servos for $315
jr500 gyro with the fancy servo thats a $190
os 37 was really really cheap at $145 came with glowplug
and a slimline starter field box sport witch is ok but instructions are terrible
i also got all my 6mm start shaft and exhaust deflector and those tiny extras too
btw i got the arf im not good with building things lol! and another $200 is being dropped for the guy to break her in and test and check over her better safe than having someones hand cut off :WOW
shortman: ur right dude its amazing having everything show up in the same box
when every thing came it was a massive 40lb box that i could fit in
btw i got a crash kit too
do i need a header tank?

[raptor30v2owner]

also fs one is sick too if anyone here has it
ive spent endless hours hovering and now im doing inverted and such

[Laurens]

You don't really need a header tank but its handy as a bubble trap.

[BarracudaHockey]

That rotopod isn't going to do much for you.

Also see http://www.raptortechnique.com for build and setup info.

Build it with the plastic parts, save the expensive stuff till you are ready for it.

[hoot]

Just remember...... take your time. I made the mistake over and over again, flying out of my ability. Only move on to another level after you have mastered the basics. It will save you a lot of crashing.

Also don't fly too far away.... or too close to yourself. Just keep it out 20-30 feet or so and slowly get the hang of it. I found when I started forward I tended to fly too far away and easily lost orientation.

I'm not trying to scare you at all. Just helping you to understand that it's a step by step learning curve that needs mastering of each level.

Enjoy ... it's crack.... you can't get enough and when you run out you gotta have more!

[stevejr72]

Here's my 0.02...
Do Radd's School of Rotary Flight. It will save you hours, if not months, of time and crashes. You should be able to do a steady hover after about 10 tanks of fuel.
Here's the link...
http://www.dream-models.com/eco/flying-index.html

Many other people have used this and would swear by it. I know I do.

BTW... Congradulations & good luck. Hope you post pics when you get it all set up.

Steve

[Garland]

and another $200 is being dropped for the guy to break her in and test and check over her

:shock: :shock:

Not sure I agree with charging newbys for this. Buddy box flight instruction is included for that price right ?

[Laurens]

I'd buddy box for free if I had it. Its a HOBBY.

[BarracudaHockey]

200 bucks! Yikes! :WOW

If you arent good with building things and can't put a Raptor together this is going to be a very expensive or frustrating hobby for you my friend.