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HBFP V1/V2 E-Sky Honey Bee V1 & V2 Fixed Pitch |
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10-11-2009, 07:21 AM | #1 (permalink) |
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So you want to learn to fly R/C helicopters
So, you’ve seen an R/C helicopter flying in the park or seen the nice glossy heli mags in W.H.Smiths and think, “I want to fly one of those”. So you buy a copy of Helicopter World and look through it. Which one are you going to buy? That big one with the flashy canopy would turn a few heads in the park wouldn’t it? No, I think we need to think very carefully before our first purchase. I’ll tell you 2 things now. 1, All this advice is in my opinion only. 2, I’m not going to tell you which heli to buy, that's up to you.
Before we start, I would like to point out that my opinions that follow, do NOT refer to micro heli's. There are many out there and they can be an exception to the rule. Heli's such as the Walkera CB100 and the Eflite MSR have flybars that are not 90 degree's to the blades so they fly very much like a coaxial. There are 3 different types of helicopter you could buy and it really comes down to your own personal circumstances and personality. Coaxial Fixed pitch Collective pitch First up is the coaxial helicopter. The 4 channel version like the Esky Lama V3 for example. These heli’s have no tail blades as the twin main rotors rotate is opposite directions, elimination the need for a tail rotor. To turn, one set of rotors will either speed up or slow down and the torque of the rotors turns the heli. The pitch of these blades are fixed and altitude is controlled by the rotors either speeding up or slowing down. The main control unit in the helicopter is called a “4 in 1”. This is the Receiver, speed controllers and gyro. The gyro is pretty good and holds the tail quite well although tail inputs are needed when hovering. These heli’s are very stable and can hover fairly much without any control input. These are usually flown indoors as they really can’t handle more than a very very light wind. A lot of people learn to fly with these helicopters as they are very easy to learn on. They have the same control system as single rotor heli’s so you can learn the basics of flying, without the crashes and repairs. Not only will it teach you rudder / aileron / elevator and throttle control, but will also teach you about orientation. This means you can learn to fly side-in and nose-in. Orientation is very important to flying helicopters and with the coaxial heli being so stable, it is not too difficult to learn. So, the advantages of a coaxial helicopter are….
Disadvantages are….
Next we have the FP (Fixed Pitch) Helicopter. There are many fixed pitch, single rotor helicopters to choose from. You can get a small indoor heli like the Walkera 4#3b,Walkera CB100, Eflite MSR or a larger FP like the Esky HoneyBee V2. Again, these are 4 channel and the altitude is controlled by the single rotor either speeding up or slowing down. These heli’s have a motor driven tail rotor. The main control unit in the helicopter is called a “4 in 1”. This is the Receiver, speed controllers and gyro. The gyro is pretty good and holds the tail quite well although tail inputs are needed when hovering. Again the smaller “micro” heli’s are flown indoors or outside with near to zero wind. The larger types, like the HoneyBee, can be flown indoors but require a larger area. Something like a double garage is fine. They can also handle a gentle wind. Advantages of a single rotor helicopter
Disadvantages
Lastly we have the CP (collective Pitch) helicopter. Now we have what I call, the “real” heli. These helicopters are 6 channel, with pitch control. Don’t worry, throttle and pitch are automatically mixed for you. You don’t need 3 sticks and 3 hands. Again this is a single rotor heli but now, altitude is controlled by changing the pitch of the blades. This means, a given height is easier to maintain. Assent and descent is faster and sharper plus you can fly inverted and basically, perform aerobatics. The tail is belt driven. A belt runs off a gear that is driven by the main gear (the main gear drives the main rotor) to the tail gear driving the tail rotors. The tail blades also change pitch to turn the nose of the heli. Again, this makes the tail control very precise and responsive. The electrics in these are all separates, (no 4 in 1). The gyro has a head lock feature which for best part, holds the tail very well in hovers. Little or no input is needed at all to keep the tail still. Advantages
Disadvantages
I would never recommend a CP as a first helicopter for a learner. They are dangerous. You will probably crash very often at first. 3 crashes will cost you over £100 and many many hours of repairing and setting up, and those 3 flights may have only lasted 30 seconds in total. You will soon become disheartened and your wife will be asking where all the housekeeping money has gone! Finally let’s talk a little about helicopter simulators. A lot of the good coaxial's and fixed pitch heli’s come with a free simulator. You simply install the software to your pc, plug the supplied lead into your transmitter and the USB port on your pc and you are good to go. The free simulator is called FMS which I like. You can pay a lot more and buy your own. Phoenix is regarded as one of the best for your money. They are good training aids but, don’t think if you can fly on a simulator, then you can fly the real thing. If you had a driving simulator with a steering wheel and pedals and you practiced for 3 months, do you think you could jump in a car for the first time and past your test? No, but you would learn more about driving a car compared to someone who hadn’t used a driving simulator. You will learn what each stick does and how to use all 4 movements at the same time. You will learn the basics of hovering, and turning etc… And when you are ready to try flying nose-in and side-in, it will help. Just don’t think, “if I can do this on the simulator, then I can do this with my heli. You won’t. It will help to prepare you. It is a great training aid. When you can’t fly, then use the simulator. I’ll leave you with a few tips, Think long and hard before you decide what helicopter to buy. When you think you know what you want, look for a forum that talks about that particular heli and read the posts and stickies. There are plenty of tips to help make flying easier. If in doubt, ask on the forums. There is no such thing as a stupid question, we are all here to help each other. ALWAYS treat your heli with respect and never take your eyes off her when flying, even for a split second. You’ll lose it. If your heli doesn’t come with a simulator, get one. FMS is free to download. http://www.flying-model-simulator.com Just buy the cable. To learn to fly a heli you need, patience – patience – patience and practice – practice – practice. If you want it hard enough, you will get there. The most important thing is, have fun!!
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Cheers, OD. If you make a mistake and learn from it, that's progress 2 x Nano heli's - now passed on to Megan, HoneyBee V1.....Awaiting test flight, T-Rex 250 V1, Hitec 5084MG tail servo, DX6i, Walkera 4#3A (it's in fairly good hands Bugster). Last edited by oliverdots; 03-18-2010 at 03:44 PM.. |
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10-11-2009, 09:43 AM | #2 (permalink) |
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Well done OD !!! now thats a sticky if ever I saw one !!!
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10-11-2009, 09:51 AM | #3 (permalink) |
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Join Date: Feb 2009
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Thats a very Good Intro Read For Newbies should be a sticky for sure but in the newbie section as well as here.
Well Done OD great read |
10-11-2009, 10:27 AM | #4 (permalink) |
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Thanks for taking the time to post od, excellent advice and I agree it should be made a sticky where newbies can find it. Certainly here in the Esky forums because so many newbies start off with their range. I think it would also be good to see it in the "New Member Introductions" forum.
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Cheers, Bugster |
10-11-2009, 10:49 AM | #5 (permalink) |
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Thanks all for the feedback. I agree it doesn't really belong here. Just wanted to help people who want to start out and I didn't know where it should go. I kinda hoped if it was stickie material, then Mr Bugster would find somewhere for it
Thank you.
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Cheers, OD. If you make a mistake and learn from it, that's progress 2 x Nano heli's - now passed on to Megan, HoneyBee V1.....Awaiting test flight, T-Rex 250 V1, Hitec 5084MG tail servo, DX6i, Walkera 4#3A (it's in fairly good hands Bugster). |
10-11-2009, 01:34 PM | #6 (permalink) |
Join Date: Aug 2009
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So if you are thinking of going CP then this has to be great value !!!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ARF-6-CH-3D-45...d=p3286.c0.m14 Might even get me one as spares!!! |
10-12-2009, 04:27 AM | #7 (permalink) |
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Well done and thank you.I have been flying nearly 12 months .just read your post and as they say you can never stop learning.
Lots of good info not just for newbies but for oldies to |
10-12-2009, 01:46 PM | #8 (permalink) |
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If this section was to have only one sticky this is the one! This is definitely the best written , most informative post Ive ever seen. This thread could easily be standardized in evey section of this forum. Many beginners go out and buy a beautiful CP like a Trex and quickly surmise this hobby is the stupidest thing they have ever attempted. I know if I started CP I would never want to look at another helicopter again. If however you start off properly (coaxil) and take it one step at a time you can have a wonderful experience and may even become atticted for life.
Funny but I started with the exact 3 helicopters shown. First I mastered the Esky Lama, then progressed to the Esky HoneyBee FP and finally to a Trex CP in 450 size. Once again Craig, thank you for taking the time to assist others in this wonderful hobby.
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Every time I crash I wonder, why didnt I get into RC tanks. |
10-12-2009, 03:36 PM | #9 (permalink) |
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Thank you Hogan and VL
When I get this kind of feedback, It reminds me how much I have learnt. Then I see other's posts and realise how much I still have to learn. Aren't R/C heli's just the best thing?? And doesn't HeliFreak just rule the web
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Cheers, OD. If you make a mistake and learn from it, that's progress 2 x Nano heli's - now passed on to Megan, HoneyBee V1.....Awaiting test flight, T-Rex 250 V1, Hitec 5084MG tail servo, DX6i, Walkera 4#3A (it's in fairly good hands Bugster). |
10-13-2009, 09:41 AM | #10 (permalink) |
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Nice one again OD my friend...time well used and gratefully received by many newcomers, I'm sure.
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450 Bell 222, 450 Jet Ranger, HBFP Redbee Extreme, 500 size Blackhawk MH-60, 600 EP Spitfire, Sebart 342 30e, Davy Systems Flybaby, ST Models FW190, Micro SU26 & GWS P38. DX7s |
10-13-2009, 03:03 PM | #11 (permalink) |
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Thanks Luke
Where have you been buddy? You didn't post for a few days last week. All ok?
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Cheers, OD. If you make a mistake and learn from it, that's progress 2 x Nano heli's - now passed on to Megan, HoneyBee V1.....Awaiting test flight, T-Rex 250 V1, Hitec 5084MG tail servo, DX6i, Walkera 4#3A (it's in fairly good hands Bugster). |
10-13-2009, 04:24 PM | #12 (permalink) |
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Hi OD and VL
Good post OD - if you thinking am I the same mjc from heli guy - then yes I am! Finally got round to registering on here. Good work and great to be back in with some old friends...have you got a new dressing gown yet?
Mark |
10-13-2009, 05:11 PM | #13 (permalink) |
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MJC, welcome buddy
Oh I have a new look right now. Red latex band round my head, (holding the camcorder), and grinding goggles. Will I post a pic of myself??? Oh you just know it baby Thank you for your kind comments
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Cheers, OD. If you make a mistake and learn from it, that's progress 2 x Nano heli's - now passed on to Megan, HoneyBee V1.....Awaiting test flight, T-Rex 250 V1, Hitec 5084MG tail servo, DX6i, Walkera 4#3A (it's in fairly good hands Bugster). |
10-13-2009, 11:18 PM | #14 (permalink) |
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HEY MJC! Yea man, I remember you......WELCOME!
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Every time I crash I wonder, why didnt I get into RC tanks. |
10-14-2009, 03:32 PM | #15 (permalink) |
Join Date: Oct 2009
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yep - been busy - wasn't flying much over the summer and holidays and all that but now its time to get back into it again - saving up for the CP at the moment and looking forward to hearing what all you guys have been up to.
Mark |
10-15-2009, 03:02 AM | #16 (permalink) | |
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Quote:
Sorry m8, missed this reply. I've started the new job, so time online is down anyway (they want me to go out and do this thing called ...work?? What's that about??) I had to spend a few nights away as well, so that meant no evening online time...but its all good! Things OK with you I trust!
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450 Bell 222, 450 Jet Ranger, HBFP Redbee Extreme, 500 size Blackhawk MH-60, 600 EP Spitfire, Sebart 342 30e, Davy Systems Flybaby, ST Models FW190, Micro SU26 & GWS P38. DX7s |
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10-16-2009, 12:33 AM | #17 (permalink) |
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hi there mark forget saving up for a cp...i got one of these and its great.flys out of the box,like someone did actually test fly it
its the same size as a bee so wont be to scary and parts are cheaps to replace http://www.elitemodelsonline.co.uk/P...D-RTF-MODE2-UK but check out the storm its a 450 and seems like my next bird to get hay luke great news you gotta admit working sucks,just finnished a night shift
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10-16-2009, 01:05 PM | #18 (permalink) | |
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Quote:
I never liked it.
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I started out with nothing..... and I still have most of it left. HBFP T-Rex 250 Century UK Kestrel Blade mSR |
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02-16-2010, 05:21 AM | #19 (permalink) |
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Small FP "disadvantages" apply to mSR ?
First off, thanks for the post. There's a LOT of good advice there. I don't completely agree with the "Disadvantages" you list as applied to an mSR. No experience with other birds of the type, so I can't comment on that, but after 3 weeks fooling with the mSR mostly in the living room, I need to offer a bit of rebuttal.
Disadvantages
Anyway, I'm not sure what helis these disadvantages were written for originally, but IMHO they don't really apply to the mSR as I indicate. From what I can tell, it's a perfect trainer: easy to fly, hard to master. |
02-16-2010, 05:46 AM | #20 (permalink) |
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FREE, the FP heli that OD was speaking of is the ESky HoneyBee (HBFP is 300 size, the MSR is a micro) In that instance his comments were spot on. Any other 300 size FP would have the same results.
As far as the MSR I heard great things and several here have and love them. Excellent as you said for indoor fun.
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Every time I crash I wonder, why didnt I get into RC tanks. |
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