First Hover

[SteelPE]

So today I finally worked up the nerve and picked up the heli off the ground. I did 3 one minute tail in hovers at about 2 feet off the ground. The heli seems incredibly smooth. No vibrations that I can see.

I was so excited that I recharged my batter and went back out for another go and then my heli proceeded to do a slow turn CCW (as looking above). I could figure out what was wrong with it so I took it back inside to do some investigations. After a few minutes I noticed that the heli was in rate mode and not head hold mode (switch was flipped on the tx). I figure that this is what was causing the rotation. Am I correct in this assumption?

[vanguy]

congrat on you hover and we all know the feeling. As for your slow turn, did changing to Heading hold fixed it and if yes, that is most likely the problem that you had it in rate mode which made the tail "weather vane" and not hold.

[T/CHunter2009]

Nice ,Congrats: Feels great doesn't it . They sure fly nice, solid, stable and vibration free. Yea having it in rate will hold center until a good wind blows her off center. If it is that good in rate wait until ya flip into H.H . You can almost set the radio down and tie your shoes. LOL But ya better take it up , way up before ya try letting go of the sticks. I have and I was really surprised how well it stays put. Nice to be able to swap a fly when your flying this heli.

[Larry227]

Congrats SteelPE. Were your knees shaking?

[jauguston]

Something I figured out pretty quick when I started was after that first nerve jangling hover was to add power/collective slowly until it looks like the skids are getting light and then give a quick bit of collective/power to hop off of the ground. This eliminates that nervous transition to flight when the heli wants to slide sideways on the ground when you try to sneak up on getting airborne.

Jim

[Allen Sullivan]

Hey Congrats on your first hover! It will not be long you will be flying all over the place.

[SteelPE]

In regards to the turn, I don’t know if switching it to HH mode worked because I have yet to fly it after I made the switch. I took the heli back into the house to see what was wrong with it. By the time I figured out the switch was flipped dinner was ready and after that it was to dark. Today is dreary/rainy, hopefully I will be able to take it out for a little bit.

My knees were not shaking but my thumbs were. I’m not sure if the flight simulator helped but I’m sure it didn’t hurt. I did buy a training kit from helihobby. It’s pretty nice. The struts are angled which allows me to see when it gets light on the skids. Oh, and I was finally able to cut the lawn, so instead of powering up on the driveway, I was able to do it on the lawn which calmed the nerves a little bit.

One thing I do find annoying is that my DX7 throttle stick isn’t 100% smooth. It feels kind of clicky which doesn’t really allow me to fine tune the power to the heli. Of course my hover was only 2’ off the ground so I wasn’t really looking for to much power.

[jauguston]

If you are not hopping into hover but are going slowly into take off you will be a lot better off staying on smooth pavement. There the skids can slide sideways but on grass they will catch and your pretty new toy will tip over.

Jim

[cboo]

On the dx7 if your throttle clicks or isn't smooth like the alerion stick you may have the airplane version.

[azarby]

Originally Posted by SteelPE

One thing I do find annoying is that my DX7 throttle stick isn’t 100% smooth. It feels kind of clicky which doesn’t really allow me to fine tune the power to the heli. Of course my hover was only 2’ off the ground so I wasn’t really looking for to much power.

My LHS gave me a smooth tensioning bar to us in place of the one with the notch. Now it is smooth as can be. It appears that some of the heli Tx didn't have this smooth bar in the bag of parts.

bob

[6L6Amp]

Congratulations, man. I hope it's your first of many nerve racking heli experiences. Makes you feel alive.

[anatoly]

If you're a little adventurous, you can open up the DX7 and flip the ratchet bar over. You may also want to cut a strip of thin flexible plastic, like from a food container, and mount it on the opposite side when you screw it down. That will give you a nice smooth throttle like the heli version has. Or you can trade your DX7 with someone for a heli version, that's what I finally wound up doing because I wanted the throttle hold switch in the "right" place. Probably won't be able to do that here, but check rcgroups, that's where I made my trade.

[l-fever]

You can also order the smooth ratchet from Horizon hobby and take the stock one with the ridge out. Works great!

[l-fever]

Originally Posted by l-fever

You can also order the smooth ratchet from Horizon hobby and take the stock one with the ridge out. Works great!

here is the part # http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=JRPA636

[Rockers]

Congrats on your first hover, I am only new to Helli's as well and it was a nerve wrecking experience, assembling and flying a CCPM Helli for the first time.

Well done

[nidua18]

Congrats from another new heli pilot. Having just few flights under my belt I know how much courage it takes to lift off for the first time. Good job!