Here's the newbies ship

[Seeker]

Raptor 50 kit with the TT engine (would'a liked an OS but...)
Futaba 9CHP 4/9001 servos
Futaba 401 gyro with the 9254 servo

Some new tools to build it...

Some Blue Loc-tight

Calipers and Vario tool attachment

Pitch gauge and paddle alignment tool

I hope I did enough homework!

I think I'm broke for now.. good thing I use the IRS as a savings account.

Paul

[WayneBrown]

That's a good start!
Now for the things you forgot, or forgot to mention;
Starter, Starter battery, new credit card, fuel, fuel pump, equity line of credit, fuel lines, glow plugs, fuel filters, 2nd mortgage, new van or truck to haul it all around in, starter wand, fresh drawers, (for after the first flight) Glow Plug igniter, and it helps to have a wealthy spouse or parent... :shock:

[Seeker]

lol :noteworthy

All points well taken.... I have some field stuff from the old days.. I'll need an adapter for the starter... and I already have the truck (never gave that up from the fixed wing days)... and I'm planning on taking a couple of extra pairs of shorts for the first couple of flights!

Paul

[ClayK]

Don't forget lottery ticket, spare glow plugs, training gear, coin catch for the couch, simulator, and application for second job working nights.

[Seeker]

I'm running the G3 sim now... I wonder if my old glowplugs are still any good... they've been in the flat pack a long time now.

I've been looking at some training gear.. any suggestions?

[DebianDog]

The glow plugs are fine unless they rusted or something odd like that.

4 wiffle balls and 2 sticks.

[Seeker]

cool... how long should the sticks be? Just tie-wrap them on the skids?

Thanks

[OzarkCopterBum]

I started with full length dowels, after a gallon I cut 6-8 inches off of them and then the next week took off without. I also tried helimax version and broke em everytime I landed. More of a liability than an aid.

[DebianDog]

I would say a foot - foot 1/2 off the skids in a 'X' pattern. With zip-ties. If you have been practicing with the sim you will only need them you first few landings to get your confidence up. I only used them twice myself.

[Gixxer]

Just do like me..... borrow DebianDogs landing gear and have them break under the helis weight..... CHUCK UM..... FLY IT WIT OUT UM!!!


If you have been working on the G3 then you should have no prob! Good luck

[Seeker]

I picked up the kit Saturday of course today I had to fly out of town this week for work. I tood the manual with me and I'm sure I'll be posting a few other dumb questions before the week's out.

I got the kit with the 50 engine with it. It also had a set of woodies with the kit as well as a set of the carbon fiber blades. Did I get a bonus set of blades? I didn't think the engine kit had carbons with it.

I built it today (in my head) while I was at the airport (reading the manual for the first time).

I found a set of directions to build a training set on raptortech. What a great site.

Paul

[ClayK]

raptortechnique is a valuable resource. The kit instructions aren't perfect, but what is? My build would have taken longer or might not have been right if I didn't use RT.

[Felony44]

Seeker did you pick up that Raptor locally im in NE ohio and looking to buy one myself but seems to be sold out online . thanks

[Seeker]

Felony44,

Yes, I picked it up at AeroTech Hobbies in N. Canton. I know they have in stock a 50 kit with-out the engine, a couple of 30 kits as well as a 60 kit. They may have another 50 with the engine, they ordered mine and they had it in a week.

It's a great shop. Prices are always at or close to online prices.

I'm heading up there today and I'll let you know what they have in stock.

[Seeker]

Can you guess what I did yesterday? :lol:

[playfair]

Always jealus of a BRAND new heli!
Congrats, and good luck!

Don't forget to find someone experienced to check it out (and test fly) even if you think you did a great job.
They might find something that you missed, like *hint* your tail rotors being put on backwards! :lol:

[Seeker]

LOL.. Thanks. I knew about the backwards tail rotor, they're not tighened on (man I hope I remember to do that) :arggg:

hehe...

I have plans to not fly it until my bud can have a good look at it and check the initial setup. I also plan on having him on a buddy box for the first several flights.

Nothing can compare to having someone close that can take control when you :badair: yourself mid-air.

The radio should be here tomorrow. I'll do the installation and final set up and I plan on 2-3 days for that (for that fine tooth comb). Then off to Tom's house for his checks and changes (if needed).

[Felony44]

Thanks Seeker i will check aerotech out and see what they can do for me.

[Seeker]

3/4 gallon through the rappy now... still hovering and getting ready for some forward flight!

:smokin:

[ClayK]

Sounds like you are on a good time track. I was starting FF about 2/3-3/4 gallon. Keep burning that nitro!