Official Blade 400 for Dummies Thread

[skigolfmike]

This thread can be a place to put Blade 400 setup info, links to setup threads, etc. This should not be a discussion thread. Maybe Finless will see it and make it a sticky. Add to it as you like.

Links to E-Flite B400 Manuals (http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Support.aspx?ProdID=EFLH1400)

Interesting info about setting head stiffness with the O-rings (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=65517)

30 second feather shaft replacement tip (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=65455)

B400 Gyro Drifting (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=63059)

GY401 Setup Discussion (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=57491)

Setup info from another Forum (http://www.runryder.com/helicopter/t394954p1/)

DX6i Setup for RealFlight G4 (http://ironcreek.net/dx6i/)

How to Repair and Fix Your Blade 400 (http://www.repairblade400.com/)

Free Swash Level Tool - Included w/ Blade 400 (http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=65756)

[Kindling Maker]

Good Idea, someone PM Finless.

[Finless]

Per request.

This is now a sticky....

Good job putting this together.

Bob

[sokal]

working on vids guys doing the tail asyembly now


update: i have tail setup vids done editing sould be up tonite

up next is gyro setup, head setup.

[ChuckTSeeker]

Hi newbie here :)

i have done way too much reading over the past few weeks and not enough saving :DOH

i am after some setting to set up my Blade 400 so it is a docile machine while i get the hang of it, i have read lots of different peoples ideas on what is right and what is not, but they all differ, so it's hard to pick one, not knowing how experienced the writer is

could someone with "Real Heli" experience put together a page with the expo setting, pitch etc etc, for us not so up to date pilots, also for some newbies, (err read me :D )
who have never owned such a great Tx and know nothing about how to put the info into it, you might supply us that info to, i've also read if you hit a wrong click while entering your info, you could loose the lot :shock: i read the manual but must admit i'm still a little lost

i read somewhere that you can copy the stock setting to another model number and then adjust the first, so you have the stock to fall back to, but when i read the manual it says when you copy you will lose the stuff your copying????? very confused and a little worried about all this new technology ( yep i'm an old fart :YeaBaby:

i have been flying on the sim for a few months now, have my Blade 400 in my hands and am nearly ready to start my "CP Heli" journey, but would really like to load those easier setting into the DX6i before i start this adventure

so i'm sure every newbie would love a sticky link on how to set up their new Blade 400 bird, for a gentle entry into this great hobby

cheers and thanks chuck

[sokal]

not a prob
thier a few of us that are alway willing to lend a hand and help

the reason why everyone differs in setting is because its thier way of flying

any one can show you the door but u have to walk through

but thier is a feww seting to help you tame her a bit

[LockMD]

Dont mean to be an A$$ and usually am not, BUT this is suppose to be a non-discussion thread so peeps can find important info quickly.

Maybe mike (OP) can delete some of these, including this one. Can ya Mike?

[ChuckTSeeker]

so peeps can find important info quickly.

thats what the very first post is for, it's full of links, if it has all the links put in there to the threads that can help people, the "Peeps" as you call us, "Will" be able to find all the helpful tips ;)

i only asked as unlike you i don't yet fly and this forum is helping me to learn, i thought thats what it's all about encouraging newbies to join in this great hobby :roll:

thanks for your encouragement :thumbdown:

@ Sokal:

cheers for that Sokal look forward to having my questions answered and then added to this thread that will help so many like minded newbies, watched your vid and you definitely know how to fly :thumbup:

cheers chuck

[skigolfmike]

The only thing I'm able to do is edit my posts. So, I can edit the first post and add links. If any of you have a link to good info, PM me and I'll edit the first post. You can also post to the thread with the link(s).

To delete posts, someone will have to PM Finless. I think that should only happen if the thread gets cluttered up. For now, I'm not worried about that.

[sokal]

thanks i have an unfair advantage i play with full scale helicopers everyday so i have great knowlage in helicopter flight. i have a willingness to help anyone as i will learn for everyone. this is a great comunity and alot of helpfull people. LockMD is also a great source for info and im sure he did not mean any harm

but im sure your questions will be answered

[sokal]

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aircraft/media/faa-h-8083-21.pdf (http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aircraft/media/faa-h-8083-21.pdf)

rotocraft handbook will help u understand helicopter dynamics

[skigolfmike]

Free flybar lock (http://www.runryder.com/helicopter/t398506p1/)

[CoptrDoctr]

When learning to be an aircraft mechanic I was taught some basic hardware istallation rules to follow whenever practical.

1. If the hardware (bolt/screw) is installed perpendiculary, the head (top/face) should be facing up so gravity will help keep it in place (Blade 400 main rotor blade screws).

2. If the hardware is installed horizontally and oriented with the direction of flight ( along the aircraft centerline), the head should be installed facing forward so the air pressure from the slipstream will help keep it in place.

3. Any hardware installed horizontally and its orientation is not in the direction of flight, the head position is irrelevent since no forces will act upon it to help keep it in place.

4. If the hardware is installed in a rotating part and oriented in the axis of rotation, the head shoud be installed in the direction of rotation so centrifugal force will help keep it in place (Blade 400 mast screws).

5. Any hardware installed on a rotating part and its orientation is not in the axis of rotation the head position is irrelevent since no forces will act upon it to help keep it in place.

Proper torqing and safteying (Loctite application) of hardware makes the likelyhood of hardware separation extremely rare, but these are still sound practices that apply equally to model and full size aircraft.

[sokal]

SOKAL"S Blade 400 3d Setup vids

I made these video's to help and share my findings and knowlage ive learned of this RC Helicopter. Im not a pro at video and never will be but iv given it my best attemp.

My videos do not and will not over ride Finless's videos. his videos are very good and full of valuable information. my vids just help relate it to the Blade 400 for the beginer and novice pilots out thier.

Disclaimer. Info provided is based on my experience with the Blade 400
take it as for what its worth but it is at your own risk. ( i promis i will
not lead you wrong, hate to see one not flying).



DX6i Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGtwrt8FzO0) , Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFK6B9X6ESA)

Gyro/servo setup (GY401/3400G) Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53TeGHTkv2E) , Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyPNzjoO9W0)

Head setup comming soooon........

[HeliMix]

I made these video's to help and share my findings and knowlage ive learned of this RC Helicopter. Im not a pro at video and never will be but iv given it my best attemp.

This needs to be its own post and made a sticky. Looks helpful.

Thanks for your efforts Socal.

[LockMD]

Way cool - thanks Sokal, agreed they should be on their own sticky!

Now, when is that belt replacement video coming ??

[LockMD]

Well, I PM'd finless, we'll have to see what happens.......

[LockMD]

WOW that was quick, Finless already got back to me.........Sokal, check your PM's

[visuvius]

Thanks for the videos man, they really do help get your mind around some of this stuff.

I also wanted to chime in here and say there was one other thing that really helped me out when I had to do my first major repair on the Blade 400 and that was LockMD's (I think) drawing of part of the head assembly. When replacing blade grips or the feathering shaft, that picture was invaluable and I wanted to thank him for drawing and posting that. I think it belongs in one of the links in the first post.

[LockMD]

Thanks but cant take that credit, what helped me most on that was the head setup video on blade400repair.com

[clamman]

where is that drawing i would like to see it?
thanks in advance

[Wolfpackin]

I don't know where that drawing is but it's pretty straight forward.

From the head out: O-ring/shims(2-4)/step washer(steps towards bearing)/grip bearing/grip bearing/large washer/thrust bearing(three parts)/small washer(doesn't slide onto feathering shaft)/socket head cap screw.

That was from memory so I'd check the exploded view diagram to confirm. I may have reversed the large washer and thrust bearing.

Good to see you here, Jack.

[sokal]

SOKAL"S Blade 400 3d Setup vids


I made these video's to help and share my findings and knowlage ive learned of this RC Helicopter. Im not a pro at video and never will be but iv given it my best attemp.

My videos do not and will not over ride Finless's videos. his videos are very good and full of valuable information. my vids just help relate it to the Blade 400 for the beginer and novice pilots out thier.

Disclaimer. Info provided is based on my experience with the Blade 400
take it as for what its worth but it is at your own risk. ( i promis i will
not lead you wrong, hate to see one not flying).



DX6i Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGtwrt8FzO0) , Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFK6B9X6ESA)

Gyro/servo setup (GY401/3400G) Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53TeGHTkv2E) , Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyPNzjoO9W0)


Head setup comming soooon........

NEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BASIC FLIGHT THEORY
HOVER (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHE8kvc1LwA), APPROCHES AND DECELERATIONS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PX7PMFFhzY)........more to come editing

[LockMD]

Sokal, this is good and all but, if you want your vids to stand out more you need to start a new thread so you will have control of it. This is still inside skigolfmike's thread. Start your own and then we can get Finless to sticky it.

[skigolfmike]

I should add that somewhere along the way I lost the ability to edit the original post, So it would probably be better to start a new thread.