Impressed with how robust this thing is...

[Beserkr]

It's been two weeks since I've had a cigarette, and now three days since I last used a nicotine patch...

So, I decided to take things out on my poor 150s. I got away with it too (just)!
Messing around with some travelling backflips and tic-tocs a bit too low to the ground for my skill level, had a tail strike and heard a definite *dink* and saw an orange tail blade appear on the grass.

I still finished the move and brought the heli in to a hover - still flying very nicely, no noise nor vibration that I could see.

Landed ASAP of course, but I was pretty surprised that it flew perfectly like this!

[Tobbe Arnesson]

Congrats on giving up nicotine! Should mean more money for spare tail rotors and longer life to play with helis!

I managed to break two tail rotors on two succeeding flights yesterday.

[yakky]

Nice work on giving up the smokes. I agree with your assessment of the 150. Its a great heli, unfortunately the OMP models stole its thunder and they don't seem to be any more crash tolerant.

[Beserkr]

Thanks! Short term pain for long term gain and all that.

I have both the M2 and 150s; the 150 is excellent and the M2 outstanding IMHO. I enjoy them both immensely.

I'm actually flying the 150 more at the moment, since I'm currently transferring skills learned on the simulator to real life and my fear of crashing is much less with the 150, so I'm able to be much more aggressive.

Also, I'm of the opinion that the lower power and lack of a governor on the 150 demands better collective management and therefore is a better trainer/beater.

[navigator2011]

Great job on the nicotine -- I've been working on that too.

Yes, the 150S is a great beater! Plus, I have two of them and a pile of spares, so I rarely worry about crashing. Lately, I've been flying my new M2, and I don't like to thought of screwing it up -- I can feel that sentiment affecting my flying.

[Beserkr]

Hope you're not suffering too much with the quitting mate - not an easy demon to shake off...

Just saw your M2 maiden on YT! Nice control and smooth flying as always. Glad to hear you like it!

Depending how I feel, I might get out with both helis tomorrow. 8 packs for the 150 and 6 for the M2 should make for a nice afternoon.

[navigator2011]

Thanks for checking out the video. Today, I raised the cyclic speed to 6 lights, and I found it to be much more enjoyable to flip. I'm looking forward to getting my M1 up in the air and on video too!

[Beserkr]

I'm thinking about reducing mine down to 6 lights from 7 on my next flights as an experiment.

Much of my flying now (both sim and RL) has been done with high cyclic rates (300-330°/sec). The idea being that I would never really have to use full stick travel; also it's done well to sharpen my reflexes IMHO.

However, I've received a comment or two that high rates like that just aren't needed by someone at my level and, that using lower rates would reduce overcorrections and smoothen out my flying.

I've been playing about with slower rates on the 150 to start with, and I'm really conflicted to be honest....