BK-117 Test Flights #3 and #4

[wolfdad]

Finally!!! The temps this afternoon got up to a horrendous 39° and we were able to get two more test flights out.

Mind you the two videos you are about to see are still sans gyro's on the head, but this time around with the CORRECT EXPO :wink: set. Started with 50% and adjusted up to 70% at about the mid-way point in the first video. Still learning to fly a multi-blade head, but at least with 70% expo in the right direction vice the 70% in the wrong direction I had set three weekends ago.

I claim no expertise with video editing, so I would recommend that you right click on the links and download the video's first. The links follow:

http://www.navyspecialoperations.com/Helicopters/bk117_hovering_nogyro_022006.wmv

http://www.navyspecialoperations.com/Helicopters/bk117_hovering_nogyro_022006_a.wmv

Things definitely got better during the second flight and I was able to start trimming the aircraft....just before my fingers went numb.
:glasses2: :glasses2:
Doc

[WillJames]

AWESOME Doc!!!


Thanks for sharing!!

[tnreefguy]

the link is broken on my end.

[wolfdad]

Will,
Awesome also describes the load in my pants when I dropped that right skid in the first flick. 38 lbs (dry) comes down very fast....gotta' work on my collective management BIG TIME with this beast.
Doc

[WillJames]

Links work fine from here John.

I guess I got no excuse for getting jitters when I maiden a pod and boom...

WOW 38 Pounds!! Funny how video really does not show just how large that machine really is. Can't wait to see it at B-HAM!!

[chopper jockey]

Hey Doc, that`s looks like a real handfull there buddy, I wonder what the first circuit will be like :badair: I think I see why a lot of folks go back to the flybar and bigger blades, good luck though it really looks :glasses:

[wolfdad]

Phil,
That was a WHOLE lot more stable that it was on the first two flights. Going to take a lot of tweaking and the addition of gyro's to get the performance and stability I'd like to see, however, these were the 3rd and 4th flights with this moose with somebody flying that had never touched a multi-blade head until about 4 weeks ago.
Doc

[Heli_jack]

Oh no, that is stable now, the problem is the nut behind the stick has the shakes.

I live in that state constantly.
Jack

[tnreefguy]

the vids work now. Sweet and crazy.

[wolfdad]

Jack,
As always, right on the money!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Doc

[Peter Wales]

The headspeed is constantly varying as the the turbine is winding up and down. Watch the tail rotor in the video.

That doesn't help control at all, have you got the throttle completely independant of collective or are they linked somehow?

[wolfdad]

Peter,
I noted the same thing on the video after watching it the second time. Throttle is totally independent from any collective control whatsoever.

Any suggestions or thoughts would be appreciated.
Doc

[Peter Wales]

Have you got Jetcat in there or a Jako?

Peter

[wolfdad]

Peter,
Jako
Doc

[Peter Wales]

Hmmm, I think a chat with Al or even Peter J is in order here. Is it the LE motor?

[wolfdad]

Peter,
No, the PJW. And those flights were with OF blades as well.
Doc

[Peter Wales]

I have a feeling you are low on power! What sort of temps are you getting after your flights?

[wolfdad]

Peter,
Temps have been high 500's to low 600's. I watched the video for the second time last evening and saw the same thing you were talking about. Greg saw the same thing as well and, my first thought was that my collective management was not spot on and that the RPM transients were the result of that and no gyro's on the head as of yet. The Jaka seems to be performing extremely well with no particular indications of a problem. Running 6.5% oil mixture (as recommended). The fuel pump is brand new from Al and, I think you will appreciate that it is the one with the larger intake side (5mm) than the output side. I wouldn't think that would cause this scenario, would you?
Doc

[Peter Wales]

I really think you need to talk to either Al or Peter on this one. My Lama weighs in at 55lb and has better turbine stability than yours. The only way I can get it to slow down is by giving it 13 degrees of collective and leaving it there. That shows it who is boss :lol:

Either your heli is overweight/underpowered or there is a problem with something in the turbine or its control system. The turbine should not be hunting like that and if you were to give it a handful of collective, I think it may want to shut down. I know you aren't ready for such adventures yet but you need to be prepared.

[wolfdad]

Peter,
Roger your last and thanks.
Doc

[rkeith2]

Hey Doc -

Got the Vario servo situation on the hughes under control. :arggg:

[wolfdad]

Ron,
Glad to hear that, shipmate. Had planned on dropping you an email this evening to see how things were going....the silence was starting to get my curiosity up. Let me know what did and didn't work for you.
Doc

[rkeith2]

I went through the 9C and identified the setup there and then after visiting with Vario Canada I was able to ID all the CCPM servos and the functions. All I had to do then was set them up per 14MZ channels and pull up the 120deg swash 4.

The 9252's and 9252 combo pull lots of juice so I am placing a redundant 3000mah pack under the pilots chair for safety.

I will put the full kero start on her when the stuff is in stock at Jet Cat.

I hovered her and trimmed yesterday with a big a$$ smile across my face.

Should have some flight video tomorrow after the field fun -

[wolfdad]

Ron,
That's outstanding! Glad everything worked out.
Doc