Success! The training gears are off!

[Adam Stephens]

Well, my exercising caution yesterday definitely paid off today. Seeing the weatherman said that the wind conditions were going to be calm tonight I took my Blade out to see if I couldn't wreck another set of blades (and lord knows what else). I took it out to the soccer field by Carlton, got it into the hover and brough it back down after about 20s. Decided the training gears were just causing too much drag and turbulance so took the dive and removed them.

ANyhow, long story short, I went for my full two batteries without any problems! Totally successful hovers, had it up to about 30' at some points, and as far our at 90'. There were two times I almost let it get away from me but I quickly calmed down, flipped by tail in and reminded myself it was all a question of perspective. Managed to get it back and landed within 4' without issue.

The second time the battery decided to die in midflight (need to get a timer) and I had to do a controlled fall with the gyro going all twitchy... Managed to land it, albeit a little harder than I'd like, but no damage!

So, given the fact that I have been doing damage everytime I've taken it out I'm quite pleased with myself! I'll drag the girl out next time to take videos that I'll post!

[Warren]

Hey Adam - did we talk at the Fun Fly ??.......

was wondering what your flight times are on a pack - I wonder if they will get any longer without the "gear" ? ( Sorry I left without a word, had a lot to do, and one day to do it in. )

After seeing the Century tool around, I think I know where I am headed after my "blade" days are over !!

( my training gear is still on for just a couple more days )

regards,

Warren

[Adam Stephens]

Hi Warren,

We may have chatted at the fun fly, I think we did.

Flight times -dramatically- decreased on this time out, due to the fact that I was spending the majority of the battery in the air rather than skimming on the landing gears. I got about 6 minutes out of each.

Yeah, I hear that. I tried some of the other choppers on my simulator and I was astounded with the fact that they were so easy to fly... Like dead simple to get a hover.

We should hook up and fly around. Evenings I found are best.

[Warren]

Hiya Adam,

I think that you had mentioned something about "cats" interferring with indoor flight :) ..

if you are flying on the G3 sim, try throwing some turbulence and raising the wind speed if things are too easy - this may be off topic - but if you have G3 have a look at this

http://www.helifever.com/forums/1945-blade-cp-g3

it's a Blade like addon that will sharpen your reflexes...

re: flying together, I suspect that I will have to get another set of crystals as we might be on the same freq - I'm on 72.170 - but it is something to think about.....

regards,

Warren

[Adam Stephens]

Hi Warren,

I purchased the Pre-flight simulator, for a fraction of the cost of G3 and it uses the Blade CP transmitter... Admittedly the simulator graphics are nothing to write home about, but it does the trick.

My channel is CH54 FM72.870Mhz. Maybe someone could tell us if we'd conflict or not?

[Philie]

Hey Adam did you find it more easy to fly with out the training gear?

I found when I was learning to hover with my old hawk pro with the training gear on.... It was much harder to fly... and was not smooth in flight...took them of and holy smokes!...... What a difference in flight caracteristics...Much more easy to control...smooooth.. and picked it up quick after that!;)


OH ya got a spare charger for you if you want... charges at .5a-1.2a
whats yours rated @? .......could get you more air time :D
charge 2 pack simultaneously!

[Adam Stephens]

Hey Phil!

Wow, I would -love- to get my hands on that charger... How do I tell what the batteries are rated?

Yeah, flight characteristics were MUCH more tolerable after the training gear was removed.

I took it out again today, did quite well in 20km wind! Didn't try much to do any precision hovering but mostly concentrated on keeping the bird at the altitude I wanted it. I learned a great deal about using forward cyclic into the wind as a way to cut the extra lift generated.

I've included a pic I'm -very- proud of of my last landing. :p http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/adam.stephens@rogers.com/detail?.dir=/74dcre2&.dnm=b7f7re2.jpg&.src=ph

[Soclarke]

Hey Guys glad to hear you're having lots of fun. Every little accomplishment feels great.

As for your frequencies you'd got plenty of separation. Modern rc gear needs only have 20Khz spacing. So basically you'd both have to be on the same channel ie both on 72.870 to have a problem.

[Warren]

Thanks Scott for the info.............

Nice landing Adam - sorry 'bout that boom strike....... you must have been going - - - how long are you "out of commission" ??

I found a little somethig at the source ( on sale ) a little countdown timer that you can clip on your belt - just set the time that your batteries will last and take off,, nothing to watch - when the timer goes off, time to land :)

picked one up today so I don't have any "unplanned" surprises...

here's the url for description ----------


http://www.thesourcecc.com/estore/product.aspx?language=en-CA&product=6315020

oh yeh, was out in the back yard last night and a wind gust caught mine as I was coming down and sent it into my anke - I know what you're thinking - did he wreck the blades :D - no damage - just blood :(

regards,


Warren

[Adam Stephens]

Just blood?! Gah! I get pretty nervous even with the little Mosquito if it gets close to me in the wind. On calm days I'm happy to have it within 3'.

Yeah, the picture makes it look worse than it was, actually. Upon examination The only damage was to a landing gear and the mainframe (which I had already from the last boom strike)... The boom itself, ironically, was in fine condition, the breaking point was in the main chasis at the joint. The real trick will be figuring out how to undo the wiring to the tail motor through the boom to refeed it through the new chasis without breaking it. I'll have it up likely by tomorrow night.

The timer sounds like a great idea! I'm going to go get me that, trying to land a bird as the battery is dying, while an educative experience for the newb, isn't exactly relaxing. ;)

[Philie]

[QUOTE=Adam Stephens]Hey Phil!

Wow, I would -love- to get my hands on that charger... How do I tell what the batteries are rated?

Hey Adam the rating should be on the packs ......if not...I know the packs that come with the kit are 9.6v 650mah.....Whats the rating on your charger...Want to see if the on I have for you is better/faster. Those packs should be able to handle 2c charge with no harm.....How long does it take for you to get full charge with your charger?

[Adam Stephens]

The AC adaptor (which is what I use to charge the batteries) is a Level 3. Input: 120VAC 60hz 60mA
Output: 12VDC 300mA

Takes an agonizing 2.5hrs to charge each battery... Ugh.

[Philie]

I got a Piranha ac/dc peak charger for you if interested........30min charge! safely. even faster if you want but will hurt/shorten battery life.

[Philie]

This is not the charger I mentioned earlier just to let you know:) ..........the .5-1.2a is a parkzone dc only charger...wich you cant use at home...unless you have an inverter

[Adam Stephens]

sweet dude. definitely interested! How much did you wnat for it? Say, have you got your parts yet?

[Philie]

Can't wait:D ..... Going on vacation :D So will have to hook up after next Thursday. Going to do some flying on the island (Manitoulin Island) as well for some long awaited jetskiing/wakeboarding!:) :D