Convert a 9 CAP throttle stick

[Catch-Air]

I'm just getting into helicopters after flying planes for many years. What can I do about the stepped throttle to convert it to the smooth heli throttle?

Thanks for your time,

Jim

[Catch-Air]

I did a search on this sight and found what I was looking for; sorry for the repeat question.

Jim

[forjer]

I'm curious as to what you end up with. When you settle on a version of the mod, please post up. I'm always keeping an eye open for a good alternative offering good stick resistance but smooth movements. Right now, I've got the smooth, but little resistance.

[BarracudaHockey]

Just flip the existing metal part over and bend it slightly to tweak the resistance.

[forjer]

Just flip the existing metal part over and bend it slightly to tweak the resistance.
Didn't provide enough resistance for me. The metal spring is not stiff enough and simply plasticly deforms.

[Catch-Air]

Here's what I did: I filed the ridges on the plastic part and then added heat shrink tubing to the spring and installed the spring in the original position. It feels just like my friends heli radio. Plenty of resistance, in fact I had to bend the spring just a bit.

[forjer]

You didn't find that the fuel tubing made the collective stick feel "springy" as in if you try to nudge the collective that the fuel tubing would resist the subtle movement and return the stick back?

[Catch-Air]

I didn't use fuel tubing, I used a piece of heat shrink tubing. It doesn't feel sticky to me.

You didn't find that the fuel tubing made the collective stick feel "springy" as in if you try to nudge the collective that the fuel tubing would resist the subtle movement and return the stick back?

[Catch-Air]

Even though I liked the feel of my mod, I contacted Futaba and they sent me the correct spring for free.:thumbup:

FYI,

The part number on the bag reads:6301599

Jim

[forjer]

Is that the "trim ratchet spring"? How about a pic of the part and how does it compare? When I talked with them last, I think they said the part was like $.13 and $6.95 for shipping.

[Catch-Air]

Is that the "trim ratchet spring"? How about a pic of the part and how does it compare? When I talked with them last, I think they said the part was like $.13 and $6.95 for shipping.

I've already installed the spring. The only difference from the new spring and the old is; the old spring has a ridge at one end that presses against the teeth on the throttle stick, the new spring is flat at that end and it rides above the teeth. I'm not sure what you mean by trim ratchet sping? The throttle stick is the only one that has this type of spring, it's not a centering spring.

In short, the ratcheting spring has a ridge and the non-ratcheting spring does not have a ridge.

Hope this helps,
Jim

BTW, I'm not sure why they gave me one for free; maybe it's because I've been doing business with Great Planes for more than 25 years.:)

[forjer]

Right on. I only called it that because I believe that's what I recall support calling it. If that's all it is, it would be pretty easy to take a hammer to it and flatten the stock ridged one. I would still be nice if there were a screw to adjust the friction of the collective stick.