Helicopter wont fly right.

[New-heli-pilot]

Ok, I just finally got my Century Swift ready to fly last night. I managed to get it off the ground a few inches, but it was less stable than even my Blade CP. It spins like crazy, I checked my gyro, it is working right. All controls are working right, I checked them before and after the flight. When I would pull back on throttle/collective the helicopter would tip to the right. The same thing happened today, except worse, this time it actually did tip, Twice! So now Im left with a set of scratched up wooden blades, and a fear of trying to fly again. Any ideas?

[Aztek1701]

Hi there,

Sounds like the washout base is slightly in the wrong position. You need to check in the instructions where it should be. When the washout base is wrong, your elevator becomes your aileron. When you ground check it looks right. Nasty situation. Check carefully before flying it again.

Good luck... azzy

[New-heli-pilot]

Thanks, Ill check that, but one more question, when I start to reach a point where the heli is starting to get light on the skids, the motor cuts out until I back off a little bit. Whats going on? Theres something in the ESC manual about it cutting out at max throttle but Im only at around 55-60% throttle when this happens.

[hawkman]

I know what you mean Aztek....its the 'phasing' that could be out....to check this You would need to check your flybar and rotor head...by turning the head by hand and putting the control fully forwards you can then observe what is happening.....the actual input for the blade...happens 90 degrees later...this is 'gyroscopic precession' so the flybar does the cyclic input.....as the flybar tilts...it pulls the leading blade upward...or downward if the flybar is down.....90 degrees later the blade is in the fully raised position...or fully down position....depending on where the blade is...and what yout are pulling or pushing.

Double check your instruction manual.....see if anything is out of line.....as Aztek said...the washout assy might be out by a few degrees....if so...slacken off and reposition untill you get the correct response.

On some models this mistake is possible....on others the design can be quite foolproof.....a phasing error could easily be done on a Kyosho nexus heli....whereas other designs dont permit this.

So.....careful study of the instructions...readjust as needed...if possible.

Make sure your swashplate is nice and level...or 90 degrees to your mainshaft....both left/right and fore/aft.

Rob

[hawkman]

Whar ESC have you got....and what radio? please post details......there are some procedures to be followed when setting up ESC's I know this from helping to set up a TRex.....check your instructions carefully.

Rob

[New-heli-pilot]

I really have no idea what the washout base is. The only helicopter available, was an ARF, and it's manual isnt very descriptive on what to do. There is a pdf version here, as I said its not too descriptive.


My entire setup is this

Motor: Lightning 600 Brushless Outrunner
TX: JR XP 6102
RX: JR R600
Servos: 4x NES537
Gyro:Century Dual Rate Piezo 2000IIR
ESC: Century Electron 50/60A Brushless ESC
Battery:12 cell 2000something Ni-MH (not sure of the exact size, due to I'm not at home with my equipment right now)

[New-heli-pilot]

Ok I figured out what the washout assembly is, and it is perfectly level with left stick and all tirmms centered. I might have figured out the problem, a stupid mistake on my part. I'm not positive if this is it but, I just turned on my transmitter, and it was on heli #2 which is my simulator settings, and I dont remember using the simulator since flying the Swift. What I'm thinking is it might have been on that when I tried to fly. On this selection it wasnt set for 120 degree eCCPM mixing, and the swashplate was completely un-even , along with no control hardly due to only 2 servos moving the swashplate. Guess Ill try again tomorow, and see what happens.

[New-heli-pilot]

Ok, I solved the control problems, but it still cuts out when its about ready for take off.