Transition tips from mCPx to Trex 450?

FlyingRadioWaves · 06-18-2012, 10:57 AM

I crashed my Trex 450 for the first time yesterday, after about a dozen successful flights after its maiden voyage. I was getting a little braver after hover practice (11 good flights of hover practice), took her out a ways and for some reason, I could not manage a turn? She went sideways, lost orientation and I was unable to save her before she smacked into the ground. That was an awful noise. Not as much damage as I though, a bent fly bar, main shaft and new blades are in order...

But with my mCPx, I can do circles, figure 8's, loops and starting inverted hover practice. Now, there is less of a fear of crashing the mCPx as there is the Trex 450 (as I joked yesterday, now that I got the first crash out of the way, I can fly the damn thing), but I could not help but wonder if there is a subtle translation difference between the two units, as far as over-all flight...

Being fly-bared (450) and fly-bar-less (mCPx), is there is difference when flying/turning?
Does the bigger machine need more speed (keeping in mind the scale difference)?
Fear factor?

(I respect my 450 alot more than the mCPx, although they all get flown in a very safe manner)
Stablitliy? (my mCPx is pretty stable in the wind, the Trex is even better, but seems somehow clumsy when I try to fly, when compared to the mCPx.)
Any other tips?

Cheers,
Ray

Cheetah62 · 06-18-2012, 11:49 AM

Bigger is more stable, and that continues all the way up the scale.
It's also more dangerous, so be careful.

As for flybar -vs- FBL, don't worry about it. From a sticks standpoint they fly the same. Feel may be a little different, but you can't really compare a mCPX to a 450 anyway, regardless. Control is the same either way.

If you can really do what you say with the mCPX, then just fly the 450. Trust your fingers, don't over-react, and try to relax. Just fly. Easy to say, harder to do, but you can do it.
Breathe.
Fly high enough to stay away from immediate disaster, but not so high that you can't see the thing.
Breathe.

Probably the biggest thing I've learned about crash avoidance is this: If you're not feeling it, don't do it. I mean if you are too tense, too worried, over-thinking, etc. just wait. Come back to it when you are more relaxed, clear headed and settled. You can't fly if your mind isn't in it.

FlyingRadioWaves · 06-18-2012, 04:19 PM

Thanks for that! Sums up alot of the "other" factors that may have contributed to the crash.
I also have to trust my fingers more. Not saying I never crash the mCPx, but your advice makes sense.

Oh yes... your supposed to breathe? LOL

gitbse · 06-21-2012, 10:05 PM

Mindset is everything in this hobby. And I mean everything. The only difference between Bobby Watts and that guy at the field who refuses to ever hit idle up is their mindset. Granted, some skill is involved HOWEVER .. everybody starts somewhere. Ask any of the pros .. how they got started, and how their first flights were.

Unless they were a total prodigy (aka "freak") then they started at the same place and went through all the struggles that we all do. The only difference is the mindset to keep up through the struggles.
There are a few things I tell new people starting into the hobby... especially when first getting into CP.

1. Have fun
This hobby is about having fun. Every hobby should be. Find a group of people who you can fly with and have a good time. Go out for the afternoon and bring a grill, some drinks and have a good time. Lighten up the mood. Play some music. Everybody (...for the most part...) I have met in this hobby has had the same mentality as my local friends, I could go to any flying field anywhere and strike up conversation and have an awesome time.
2. Take the frustrations with a grain of salt
This can be the hardest part. I know I've caught myself saying "Why the F*** am I still in this hobby!!"

Then I go home, put the heli away for a day or two, come back to it and say "Oh yea .. that's why." This crazy hobby can bring out the best, and the worst, in our leisure time. Heli's have brought me some of the most rewarding feelings, and also some of the biggest heartaches and frustrations, outside of my working life. It's an emotional roller coaster, and if you can keeps the lows not so low... you will be fine. But hot damn can it be freaking awesome sometimes! It's the best when you pull off a move you've been working on for awhile, and everybody's face at the field goes

haha
3. If you are afraid to crash ... stuff it intentionally

Seriously. Ok, there's a disclaimer here

. Do this with a small bird, and only if you can repair it yourself. Depending on how your personal budget is, I would recommend a 450. As with every fear in life, sometimes the best way to overcome it is to break through, the hard way. Take that little guy and let it hit the ground. And yes once again... I'm serious. The first time it hits the ground will hurt, but then you will take it home, rebuild it, and fly it again in a day or two. I was deathly afraid of wrecking my new toy. The first crash was awful, but I rebuilt it, and got it flying again. "Hmm .. that wasn't so bad" lol.
(don't be the sharpie that wrecks over and over intentionally and be like "you said I would get better it's your fault." No ... I said do it the first time, to get over the fear. You never wanna intentionally stuff a heli, except this once) Once you get it flying again and realize there's really nothing to be afraid of, it will help B-I-G-T-I-M-E
4. Ask for help
This is HUGE. Our crazy hobby is so precise and demanding, everything has to work well together, be put together perfectly, setup, tuning, flying, getting over nerves, yada yada yada. Ask for help. Having somebody who knows what they're doing, and who has already been through all the learning crap you may be going through will help leaps and bounds. Field mates, hobby shops, and forums. Those are the 3 best places to find help. Don't be afraid to ask questions. You know why that really good pilot knows how to fly like that... and knows why you made that repair error .. or setup mistake?? Because he has done it before. Trust me ... 100% lol. Everything I tell my newer flying buddies they might be doing wrong is because my dumbass has done it

. And sometimes ... over and over again.

5. Mindset, Mindset, Mindset
Enjoy this hobby. It has been the greatest hobby and social group I have ever been a part of ... period. Relax, have fun, and enjoy it. What's so scary about crashing your heli? Yea, it may take a chunk from the wallet, and some time to rebuild, so what? You didn't think this hobby would be free ... did you? haha Try going to the field next time and forcing yourself to relax. Ironic.. I know. lol. While you are flying, pay attention to how tight your whole body gets, especially from the shoulders down. Shoulders, arms, hands and fingers. Make sure you are relaxed, and that will do wonders. And watch this video. http://www.wimp.com/fallparkour/ It's totally unrelated to helis... however it's totally related at the same time. "If you're afraid to fall you fall because you're afraid."

I got pretty deep.. I know. lol
But seriously, just relax and have fun. This hobby is awesome, take it for all it's worth.

OfficialCrashTester · 06-22-2012, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingRadioWaves

I crashed my Trex 450 for the first time yesterday, after about a dozen successful flights after its maiden voyage. I was getting a little braver after hover practice (11 good flights of hover practice), took her out a ways and for some reason, I could not manage a turn? She went sideways, lost orientation and I was unable to save her before she smacked into the ground. That was an awful noise. Not as much damage as I though, a bent fly bar, main shaft and new blades are in order...

But with my mCPx, I can do circles, figure 8's, loops and starting inverted hover practice. Now, there is less of a fear of crashing the mCPx as there is the Trex 450 (as I joked yesterday, now that I got the first crash out of the way, I can fly the damn thing), but I could not help but wonder if there is a subtle translation difference between the two units, as far as over-all flight...

Being fly-bared (450) and fly-bar-less (mCPx), is there is difference when flying/turning?
Does the bigger machine need more speed (keeping in mind the scale difference)?
Fear factor?

(I respect my 450 alot more than the mCPx, although they all get flown in a very safe manner)
Stablitliy? (my mCPx is pretty stable in the wind, the Trex is even better, but seems somehow clumsy when I try to fly, when compared to the mCPx.)
Any other tips?

Cheers,
Ray

My first heli was a MCPX. I think I had a ratio of 1:10 between flying and fixing the thing... but the fixing was just as much fun for me as the flying.

Anyway.. fast forward 4 months and I built my 450 pro v2 3gx. First flight (if you could call it flying) was a broken tail. However, after spending a week fixing and waiting to fly it again I got it in the air and started doing circuits. All the things you learned on the MCPX about orientation will come back to you.

Just focus on flying, and stop focusing on not crashing. As Gitbse said in his post which I will not even attempt to compete with (great post Gitbse!!

) is its all about mindset.

I found using a sim helped ALOT.

msallua · 06-23-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gitbse

Mindset is everything in this hobby. And I mean everything. The only difference between Bobby Watts and that guy at the field who refuses to ever hit idle up is their mindset. Granted, some skill is involved HOWEVER .. everybody starts somewhere. Ask any of the pros .. how they got started, and how their first flights were.

Unless they were a total prodigy (aka "freak") then they started at the same place and went through all the struggles that we all do. The only difference is the mindset to keep up through the struggles.
There are a few things I tell new people starting into the hobby... especially when first getting into CP.

1. Have fun
This hobby is about having fun. Every hobby should be. Find a group of people who you can fly with and have a good time. Go out for the afternoon and bring a grill, some drinks and have a good time. Lighten up the mood. Play some music. Everybody (...for the most part...) I have met in this hobby has had the same mentality as my local friends, I could go to any flying field anywhere and strike up conversation and have an awesome time.
2. Take the frustrations with a grain of salt
This can be the hardest part. I know I've caught myself saying "Why the F*** am I still in this hobby!!"

Then I go home, put the heli away for a day or two, come back to it and say "Oh yea .. that's why." This crazy hobby can bring out the best, and the worst, in our leisure time. Heli's have brought me some of the most rewarding feelings, and also some of the biggest heartaches and frustrations, outside of my working life. It's an emotional roller coaster, and if you can keeps the lows not so low... you will be fine. But hot damn can it be freaking awesome sometimes! It's the best when you pull off a move you've been working on for awhile, and everybody's face at the field goes

haha
3. If you are afraid to crash ... stuff it intentionally

Seriously. Ok, there's a disclaimer here

. Do this with a small bird, and only if you can repair it yourself. Depending on how your personal budget is, I would recommend a 450. As with every fear in life, sometimes the best way to overcome it is to break through, the hard way. Take that little guy and let it hit the ground. And yes once again... I'm serious. The first time it hits the ground will hurt, but then you will take it home, rebuild it, and fly it again in a day or two. I was deathly afraid of wrecking my new toy. The first crash was awful, but I rebuilt it, and got it flying again. "Hmm .. that wasn't so bad" lol.
(don't be the sharpie that wrecks over and over intentionally and be like "you said I would get better it's your fault." No ... I said do it the first time, to get over the fear. You never wanna intentionally stuff a heli, except this once) Once you get it flying again and realize there's really nothing to be afraid of, it will help B-I-G-T-I-M-E
4. Ask for help
This is HUGE. Our crazy hobby is so precise and demanding, everything has to work well together, be put together perfectly, setup, tuning, flying, getting over nerves, yada yada yada. Ask for help. Having somebody who knows what they're doing, and who has already been through all the learning crap you may be going through will help leaps and bounds. Field mates, hobby shops, and forums. Those are the 3 best places to find help. Don't be afraid to ask questions. You know why that really good pilot knows how to fly like that... and knows why you made that repair error .. or setup mistake?? Because he has done it before. Trust me ... 100% lol. Everything I tell my newer flying buddies they might be doing wrong is because my dumbass has done it

. And sometimes ... over and over again.

5. Mindset, Mindset, Mindset
Enjoy this hobby. It has been the greatest hobby and social group I have ever been a part of ... period. Relax, have fun, and enjoy it. What's so scary about crashing your heli? Yea, it may take a chunk from the wallet, and some time to rebuild, so what? You didn't think this hobby would be free ... did you? haha Try going to the field next time and forcing yourself to relax. Ironic.. I know. lol. While you are flying, pay attention to how tight your whole body gets, especially from the shoulders down. Shoulders, arms, hands and fingers. Make sure you are relaxed, and that will do wonders. And watch this video. http://www.wimp.com/fallparkour/ It's totally unrelated to helis... however it's totally related at the same time. "If you're afraid to fall you fall because you're afraid."

I got pretty deep.. I know. lol
But seriously, just relax and have fun. This hobby is awesome, take it for all it's worth.

Excellent, many thanks for sharing!

gitbse · 06-23-2012, 01:35 PM

moglos · 06-26-2012, 02:40 AM

I started with a mCPx then graduated to a trex 450 pro FBL. I would say I was almost at the same level as you, but I hadn't tried inverted yet.

When I went to the 450 I would say the feel is a bit different, but everything you learned with the mCPx still applies. The 450 is more stable, and much more scary because of the size and the cost.

I followed the flight school at http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/how-t...licopters.html for the mCPx and Trex and bought some of his e-books on how to tune (tame) the heli.

One thing I've found much easier with the trex is banked corners. The mCPx was pretty small and quick and if you didn't use enough aileron then you'd slide outwards get smaller and hit the ground before you had time to react. The 450 is nothing like that, it's stable and easy to see.

06-18-2012, 10:57 AM	#1
FlyingRadioWaves Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Alberta, Canada	Transition tips from mCPx to Trex 450? I crashed my Trex 450 for the first time yesterday, after about a dozen successful flights after its maiden voyage. I was getting a little braver after hover practice (11 good flights of hover practice), took her out a ways and for some reason, I could not manage a turn? She went sideways, lost orientation and I was unable to save her before she smacked into the ground. That was an awful noise. Not as much damage as I though, a bent fly bar, main shaft and new blades are in order... But with my mCPx, I can do circles, figure 8's, loops and starting inverted hover practice. Now, there is less of a fear of crashing the mCPx as there is the Trex 450 (as I joked yesterday, now that I got the first crash out of the way, I can fly the damn thing), but I could not help but wonder if there is a subtle translation difference between the two units, as far as over-all flight... Being fly-bared (450) and fly-bar-less (mCPx), is there is difference when flying/turning? Does the bigger machine need more speed (keeping in mind the scale difference)? Fear factor? (I respect my 450 alot more than the mCPx, although they all get flown in a very safe manner) Stablitliy? (my mCPx is pretty stable in the wind, the Trex is even better, but seems somehow clumsy when I try to fly, when compared to the mCPx.) Any other tips? Cheers, Ray

06-18-2012, 11:49 AM	#2
Cheetah62 Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Woodinville, WA USA	Bigger is more stable, and that continues all the way up the scale. It's also more dangerous, so be careful. As for flybar -vs- FBL, don't worry about it. From a sticks standpoint they fly the same. Feel may be a little different, but you can't really compare a mCPX to a 450 anyway, regardless. Control is the same either way. If you can really do what you say with the mCPX, then just fly the 450. Trust your fingers, don't over-react, and try to relax. Just fly. Easy to say, harder to do, but you can do it. Breathe. Fly high enough to stay away from immediate disaster, but not so high that you can't see the thing. Breathe. Probably the biggest thing I've learned about crash avoidance is this: If you're not feeling it, don't do it. I mean if you are too tense, too worried, over-thinking, etc. just wait. Come back to it when you are more relaxed, clear headed and settled. You can't fly if your mind isn't in it. __________________ TREX 600ESP, Outrage G5, mCPX, CX3 Phoenix Sim - Mastering flight one crash at a time.

06-21-2012, 10:05 PM	#4
gitbse Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Palmer, MA	Mindset is everything in this hobby. And I mean everything. The only difference between Bobby Watts and that guy at the field who refuses to ever hit idle up is their mindset. Granted, some skill is involved HOWEVER .. everybody starts somewhere. Ask any of the pros .. how they got started, and how their first flights were. Unless they were a total prodigy (aka "freak") then they started at the same place and went through all the struggles that we all do. The only difference is the mindset to keep up through the struggles. There are a few things I tell new people starting into the hobby... especially when first getting into CP. 1. Have fun This hobby is about having fun. Every hobby should be. Find a group of people who you can fly with and have a good time. Go out for the afternoon and bring a grill, some drinks and have a good time. Lighten up the mood. Play some music. Everybody (...for the most part...) I have met in this hobby has had the same mentality as my local friends, I could go to any flying field anywhere and strike up conversation and have an awesome time. 2. Take the frustrations with a grain of salt This can be the hardest part. I know I've caught myself saying "Why the F*** am I still in this hobby!!" Then I go home, put the heli away for a day or two, come back to it and say "Oh yea .. that's why." This crazy hobby can bring out the best, and the worst, in our leisure time. Heli's have brought me some of the most rewarding feelings, and also some of the biggest heartaches and frustrations, outside of my working life. It's an emotional roller coaster, and if you can keeps the lows not so low... you will be fine. But hot damn can it be freaking awesome sometimes! It's the best when you pull off a move you've been working on for awhile, and everybody's face at the field goes haha 3. If you are afraid to crash ... stuff it intentionally Seriously. Ok, there's a disclaimer here. Do this with a small bird, and only if you can repair it yourself. Depending on how your personal budget is, I would recommend a 450. As with every fear in life, sometimes the best way to overcome it is to break through, the hard way. Take that little guy and let it hit the ground. And yes once again... I'm serious. The first time it hits the ground will hurt, but then you will take it home, rebuild it, and fly it again in a day or two. I was deathly afraid of wrecking my new toy. The first crash was awful, but I rebuilt it, and got it flying again. "Hmm .. that wasn't so bad" lol. (don't be the sharpie that wrecks over and over intentionally and be like "you said I would get better it's your fault." No ... I said do it the first time, to get over the fear. You never wanna intentionally stuff a heli, except this once) Once you get it flying again and realize there's really nothing to be afraid of, it will help B-I-G-T-I-M-E 4. Ask for help This is HUGE. Our crazy hobby is so precise and demanding, everything has to work well together, be put together perfectly, setup, tuning, flying, getting over nerves, yada yada yada. Ask for help. Having somebody who knows what they're doing, and who has already been through all the learning crap you may be going through will help leaps and bounds. Field mates, hobby shops, and forums. Those are the 3 best places to find help. Don't be afraid to ask questions. You know why that really good pilot knows how to fly like that... and knows why you made that repair error .. or setup mistake?? Because he has done it before. Trust me ... 100% lol. Everything I tell my newer flying buddies they might be doing wrong is because my dumbass has done it. And sometimes ... over and over again. 5. Mindset, Mindset, Mindset Enjoy this hobby. It has been the greatest hobby and social group I have ever been a part of ... period. Relax, have fun, and enjoy it. What's so scary about crashing your heli? Yea, it may take a chunk from the wallet, and some time to rebuild, so what? You didn't think this hobby would be free ... did you? haha Try going to the field next time and forcing yourself to relax. Ironic.. I know. lol. While you are flying, pay attention to how tight your whole body gets, especially from the shoulders down. Shoulders, arms, hands and fingers. Make sure you are relaxed, and that will do wonders. And watch this video. http://www.wimp.com/fallparkour/ It's totally unrelated to helis... however it's totally related at the same time. "If you're afraid to fall you fall because you're afraid." I got pretty deep.. I know. lol But seriously, just relax and have fun. This hobby is awesome, take it for all it's worth. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Skookum Support Rep Mini Protos SK540,Rave ENV SK540, 4525 LE Runways are for models and wings are for fairies.

06-23-2012, 01:35 PM	#7
gitbse Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Palmer, MA	__________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Skookum Support Rep Mini Protos SK540,Rave ENV SK540, 4525 LE Runways are for models and wings are for fairies.

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06-18-2012, 04:19 PM	#3
FlyingRadioWaves Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Alberta, Canada	Thanks for that! Sums up alot of the "other" factors that may have contributed to the crash. I also have to trust my fingers more. Not saying I never crash the mCPx, but your advice makes sense. Oh yes... your supposed to breathe? LOL

06-26-2012, 02:40 AM	#8
moglos Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New zealand	I started with a mCPx then graduated to a trex 450 pro FBL. I would say I was almost at the same level as you, but I hadn't tried inverted yet. When I went to the 450 I would say the feel is a bit different, but everything you learned with the mCPx still applies. The 450 is more stable, and much more scary because of the size and the cost. I followed the flight school at http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/how-t...licopters.html for the mCPx and Trex and bought some of his e-books on how to tune (tame) the heli. One thing I've found much easier with the trex is banked corners. The mCPx was pretty small and quick and if you didn't use enough aileron then you'd slide outwards get smaller and hit the ground before you had time to react. The 450 is nothing like that, it's stable and easy to see.