dame636

hi everyone, is there anyone out there that can help me please? i have been in the heli hobby for about 3 months and i'm loving it! well until today when i was flying my raptor 30 v2 and it decided to spin round and round in circles, why did it do that? i did'nt do anything with the controls, i was just hovering! now that i've crashed it what do i have to look for, damage that is! the obvious bits are the fact the blades r missing and the fly bar's bent and loads of grass stains! i don'nt know alot about heli's at the mo so could some one please help me? many thanks

[vcampos]

Hello,

I am sorry about your crash, but I guess it comes with the territory when learning how
to fly RC helicopters.

Also, I think that the reason the heli went out of control was because of some kind of
tail rotor problem. It might have been the gyro malfunctioning or a link that came
off, but check the tail rotor assembly thoroughly.

Well, anytime I have a crash I always check the feathering shaft, broken links and the
main shaft.

The way I check the main and the feathering shaft is by placing them on a flat
surface, preferably a table.

Then, one at a time, roll the feathering and the main shaft on the table.

What you are looking for is any kind of “warp” in other words, what you are looking
for is an inconsistent roll. If you do find a “warp”, I would recommend replacing the
“warp” shaft.

But if you don’t you are in luck and you’ll save yourself some dough by not replacing
it.

in addition, check the WHOLE RC helicopter from nose to tail for anything abnormal.

dame636, hang in there!

See you at the field,

Valentine

thanks for getting back to me so quick i really do appriciate you taking time out to help me, i have found that there is'nt alot of people that will help u with problems unless theres some money at the end of it! i will do what u said and hopefully find nothing wrong with any of the shafts? i must addmit i had to keep adjusting the trim for the tail rudder but i just put that down to it being abit windy! i was so confident before my crash now i feel like i have'nt got anywhere! i'm going to be so nervous the next time i fly my copter i will probably crash the dam thing again! thanks again for your help i will let u know how i get on when i'm back in the air!

Below is a list of the most common parts that are damaged during a crash. You may damage all of them or just a couple. Some are repeats from previous post but I figured I'd add them to stress the importance of checking them.

Feathering Shaft
Fly-Bar Rod
Fly-Bar Control Rods (BOTH. They look like hoops)
Double Link (BOTH)
Main Shaft
Blades
Tail Boom
Boom Supports
Tail Rotor Shaft
Tail Rotor Hub

I agree with vcampos on how to check the main shaft spindle and such. Another way that works well is to stick any of these shafts in a 3/8 or 1/2 inch drill in spin them at high speed, this will show a wobble if there is a bend no matter how minor you should see it. Also rolling on a flat table with a flashlight to one site will make it easier to spot a minor bend. If these are bent at all they should be replaced.

Hope this extra info helps.

[jimco]

Hello dame636. Jimco here. Need to know what gyro and what mode you had it in. Some times, your gain can be set to high, especially in acvs mode, you move the trimmer, and the servo will slowly move to one extreme or the other. Sounds like what happened, barring link failure. When you set back up, be sure the tail servo arm is pointing straight up, in the neutral position. When you turn on the heli, then turn on your transmitter, wait for a 10 count, then give it full left and full right, b4 starting up, if you then need to trim, back up and check your mechanical set up and gain set up for the gyro. Hope this helps. Jimco

[jimco]

Me again. Something else to watch for, how was the engine running, extra rich, or lean. Rough running engine will induce vibrations to the gyro, and can cause it to turn loose. Were you having any vibration, or oscillations b4 it started to spin.

[KrashMaster]

Originally Posted by heliraptor

Below is a list of the most common parts that are damaged during a crash. You may damage all of them or just a couple. Some are repeats from previous post but I figured I'd add them to stress the importance of checking them.

Feathering Shaft
Fly-Bar Rod
Fly-Bar Control Rods (BOTH. They look like hoops)
Double Link (BOTH)
Main Shaft
Blades
Tail Boom
Boom Supports
Tail Rotor Shaft
Tail Rotor Hub

I agree with vcampos on how to check the main shaft spindle and such. Another way that works well is to stick any of these shafts in a 3/8 or 1/2 inch drill in spin them at high speed, this will show a wobble if there is a bend no matter how minor you should see it. Also rolling on a flat table with a flashlight to one site will make it easier to spot a minor bend. If these are bent at all they should be replaced.

Hope this extra info helps.

Whatch out for the drill bit method, I have tried that and even with a NEW shaft I get inconsistancies with the results, , Cheap 15 dollar drill and in accurate drill bit holder with burrs and inconsistant grip is a bad idea,
Just my 2 cents, I almost trashed 3 spair shafts over this after recieving them brand new in the mail, turned out they where fine with the flat mirror and flashlight methoud.
Scott

" Now if I could just stay away from high tension wires with this thang BISHSHSHSHSZZZZT!! Oh

[hawkman]

Sorry to hear about the crash.....its a fact of life though. I have had two major crashes and one boom strike.....I have been flying a year or so and my track record is actually far better than my fixed wing flying....I can fly fixed wing no problem now.....Heli flying is improving all the time.

As everyone has said...check the heli...check every nut and bolt....shafts can be straightned actually.....it takes some patience but its feasible and can save some money....BUT....dont bother if you dont feel its 'right' an obviously bent shaft may as well get binned.

Another point, if you are flying with wooden blades, is to uncover them....they might look ok but that covering can hide some nasty damage....most of the time the blades will be broken...especially if they strike the ground....but if they look ok....then dont assume things...they can always be re covered with new heat shrink....a badly damaged blade that 'looks' good could end up coming apart and hurt someone.

Check your gyro mode...on the radio....I messed mine up by altering things while plugged into a simulator program....I was basically flying without a gyro....it was there but wouldnt register...smashed up some brand new carbon blades becuase of it.....ouch!!!!!

Rob