First (controlled) flight.

[dark_fox]

Yay for first posts and impressions!

Anyway, the first heli I got was a walkera 4 (Like most I am sure.) and couldn't really get the hang of it. The thing was in the air for 10 seconds at a time, and usually I had no control. It had 2 serious crashes, and then the motor burnt out, leaving it now, in the trash.

I decided to stop doing these things for a while, take a break. Anyways, a few days ago I decided to get a walkera HM 5-4. I did little research, and seeing how people thought walkera's where trash I got concerned. I had my first flight on the 5-4 about 20 minutes ago, and I have to say there is nothing wrong so far.

I know how a helicopter works, aerodynamics and such, I understand how they are trimmed and how to trim them. After a very short trimming process (one Swash plate arm needed a little adjusting.) I finally decided to give it a slight test flight. Expecting the worst, I slowly spun the heli up, waited untill it just got light on its feet, and held my breath.

Much to my surprise, it flew, the throttle is really only at around 60%, the heli was balanced and easily flew. After fighting for hours to get any control out of my Walkera 4, my first flight on the 5-4 lasted 1 minute (around that anyways). I kept it within a 2m square, and made sure it went no higher than around a foot. Safely and slowly landing it down (No training gear either.)

The thing that surprises me the most, is how easy it was to keep level. It was nothing like the simulators, nothing like my old walkera, it just kept easily level. The only one problem is I need to work on the tail trim, the nose is constantly going right, and I am unsure of where the trim for that is. I just counter it with a little stick and it works fine.

It feels sturdy, it flies stable, and is most certainly the easiest I have ever flown (Picco Z excluded.) I just wanted to say that they don't seem to be all that bad after all the negative thoughts about Walkera heli's in general.

Anyways, first flight over, and one happy camper. Finally able to fly one (At least hover) after almost 2 weeks of frustration over the Walkera 4 .

::Edit:: Sorry about the grammar, its never been a strong point.

[chaos]

Congratulations, dark_fox!!!!

I want to recommend using the training gear, though, because even though you keep it low and slow it's possible to tip over if you hit the ground with much sideways motion. If you cut the throttle right away you might get away with that, but it would be better to try to prevent tipping over.

The coaxial blades make for a pretty stable heli and that's great for learning orientation.

I kept it within a 2m square, and made sure it went no higher than around a foot.

Excellent!!

Now work on getting it down to a 2 foot square. Then work on doing that while pointing to the left, and right... working your way around to having it pointed at you. It takes some practice to get used to the backwards feel of the controls when it's aimed at you. Eventually, though, corrections will become a habit and it will be easy. When you get there, then it's time to take off the training gear and tighten up on your hovering accuracy.

Anyway, 3 cheers for you.

the nose is constantly going right, and I am unsure of where the trim for that is

The trim for that is just below the rudder stick - the stick that turns the nose left/right. Move the trim a little to the left. To start with, it's probably best to set it down and move the trim one or two clicks then take off and see how that works.

[dark_fox]

Originally Posted by chaos

The trim for that is just below the rudder stick - the stick that turns the nose left/right. Move the trim a little to the left. To start with, it's probably best to set it down and move the trim one or two clicks then take off and see how that works.

Thanks for the grats, but about that.

I know about that trim, but its almost completely to the right edge, only a click or two away. It doesn't matter how much I play with it, it will go slowly one way, or slowly the other if I move it. It doesn't matter though, I have almost gotten it down to a habit of which way it needs to be adjusted.

I might just edge the Gyro sensitivity up a little, see if that counters the slight nose movement. Otherwise I am quite addicted now. For the fun of it, I was flying it in and out of rooms today, admittedly it wasn't high off the ground, but it was good to get a feel for the turbulence a doorway can make.

I don't know why, but hovering seems too simple now, I am using Mode 1 and it seems to be almost natural. I tend not to think about what stick to use nor get worried if the helli starts to move in a direction I don't like. I found that when I get panicked, I let off some power and landed it asap. My main goal is to try and stop that, and I have found flying in tight'ish area's where the helli has quite a bit of turbulence really helps that.

People are right though, if you are scared, and panic, its easy to see you will muck up.

[chaos]

There might be an adjustment in the radio to even up the motor torque. I have a Blade CX, which is similar, and the only adjustment it has is one for evening up the torque on the motors... which affects the yaw. It would be best to mess with that adjustment with the power off. Also center the trim. Get the heli to hold heading fairly close using the adjustment on the radio, then finish off with trim.

don't know why, but hovering seems too simple now

The coaxial rotors - with steering only on one rotor - is a more stable arrangement.

I found that when I get panicked, I let off some power and landed it asap.

Good. That will save you money.

I have found flying in tight'ish area's where the helli has quite a bit of turbulence really helps

Well, put a quarter on the floor and stay as close to it as you can, a couple inches off the floor. There will be plenty of aggravation without there being any obstacles around. Hold a hover and turn in any direction. Get a slow steady spin going and hold position over the coin while it's spinning. Make corrections while it's spinning. Grade yourself on keeping a steady rate of spin at a steady altitude close to the coin. This will help speed up the orientation translation. It will be plenty challenging without being near anything that can damage your heli.

[hawkman]

Good for you Dark Fox!!! its a magic feeling that first flight.....it really is...

I have heard bad stuff about Walkera too....but if yours is ok then why not fly it? it might be the only heli you want to own....and if spares are easy to find then go for it.......you cannot beat 'airtime' its useless just talking about flying.....you got to get out there and do it.

I love the hobby, its a great way to relax.......coz you sure dont want to think about anything else while you are flying!!!!

Sounds like you got a sensible approach to this....have fun and keep safe!

Rob

[uneverno]

Originally Posted by chaos

Well, put a quarter on the floor

I don't think they have quarters in Oz


Congrats on the flight(s)! All I can fly right now is my PiccoZ on accounta weather

[Jeff0r3]

Congrats on 1st controlled flight Dark Fox! If it was anything like mine, you probably didn't notice but your body was hovering as well. After my 1st hover I had to land, because I needed to take a breath of air. I think I held my breath the whole 3 minutes. Oh and the hands shaking...Funny thing is, with a helicopter, I almost get that rush everytime. Because you constantly push your self harder and further into areas that you want to learn. Wait til you fly a Heli that costs 1,000 to 2,000 bucks. Might not be alot for you, but the pressure was really on for me then. But again, seems to me that a properly setup 30/50 heli flys WAY better than the blade CP or Walkera model without coaxial rotors. Although I was pretty impressed with the TREX 450. It was close to being added to my collection. ( I'm married... )

P.S.

Originally posted by uneverno
Congrats on the flight(s)! All I can fly right now is my PiccoZ on accounta weather

If I were you, I'd move. Your weather sux!!!!!

Jeff

[uneverno]

Originally Posted by Jeff0r3

If I were you, I'd move. Your weather sux!!!!!

hehe, it's just California in wintertime. You'd think that wouldn't matter, but it's really cold here right now OK, that's relative - cold being in the 40's... Must be global warming