Adam Stephens
07-29-2006, 09:29 PM
Well, I had the chopper for about 2 weeks now and after numerous crashes and repairs (while I'm waiting for my simulator to come in... I can hear Corey cringing now) I think I'm starting the get the idea of hovering.
I did away with the standard wooden blades as the slightest strike will render them suitable for toothpicks and not much else. Instead I purchased the symetrical carbon fibre blades and WOW what a difference! The pitch requires a bit more power (about 65-70% I'd guess for a solid lift off) but the degree of control that they command seems to be far greater.
One of the things I've been learning is that orientation (or confusion of it) is -everything- when I'm in danger of crashing. Since I've been learning the controls 'tail in' I've been focusing on keeping the bird that way at all times. When it veers left or right I always have to compensate with less or more rudder. There were a few times when I swore I was going to bail and instinct seemed to kick in, rather than try to control my decent from the orientation I was in, I gave just a little bit of lift (buy myself a bit of time) and made it a priority to get my tail in again before I started doing corrections. This has saved me time and again.
Before I was finding that I would get into a potential crash, try to compensate but because of orientation I would increase the problem and make the crash that much worse.
Also, cutting power is essential... Is there anything more painful that a dead chicken dance? It just hurts to watch!
I did away with the standard wooden blades as the slightest strike will render them suitable for toothpicks and not much else. Instead I purchased the symetrical carbon fibre blades and WOW what a difference! The pitch requires a bit more power (about 65-70% I'd guess for a solid lift off) but the degree of control that they command seems to be far greater.
One of the things I've been learning is that orientation (or confusion of it) is -everything- when I'm in danger of crashing. Since I've been learning the controls 'tail in' I've been focusing on keeping the bird that way at all times. When it veers left or right I always have to compensate with less or more rudder. There were a few times when I swore I was going to bail and instinct seemed to kick in, rather than try to control my decent from the orientation I was in, I gave just a little bit of lift (buy myself a bit of time) and made it a priority to get my tail in again before I started doing corrections. This has saved me time and again.
Before I was finding that I would get into a potential crash, try to compensate but because of orientation I would increase the problem and make the crash that much worse.
Also, cutting power is essential... Is there anything more painful that a dead chicken dance? It just hurts to watch!