Soco heli tool

[pvolcko]

So I finally got around to doing the setup on my trex 700 and since I've got the soco tool now I figured I should use it.

I sprung for the Android app with virtual mainshaft leveling. So I fired it all up, followed the instructions step by step. Couple hours later... Well when I can find some grass to fly from I'll give it a test hover and flight.

My impressions of the process:

Tedious. While an impressive feat of applied geometry, it felt interminable. What normally takes 30 minutes or less with a swash level tool and a pitch gauge took a couple hours. Admittedly some of this extra time was due to being unfamiliar with the process, but it was undeniably a lengthy process requiring many measurements from all three points of swash control (and even opposite of the swash points). Perhaps without using the virtual mainshaft feature and instead physically leveling the heli it would reduce some of the measurement tedium.

I'll give this another couple attempts, but I'm thinking that this tool will end up going in a drawer or being sold. Maybe a field bag item for use in a pinch where level surfaces are tough to come by.

[Graham Lawrie]

It is tedious Paul:) I have used mine on all my helis and had to rely on Cameron to go through it with me:) I downloaded the app for the helitool but never used it.

It is time consuming, but for me it is a workshop tool rather than a field tool:) Its been so long since i used it i will need Cameron to go through it with me next time:)

[KevG]

Paul it's much easier to level the mainshaft using the tool then do the swash level, when I done my 500 last it took about 15 mins,

Not tried the app yet,

[Graham Lawrie]

The app is way over the top Kev:)

[murankar]

I use a normal digital gauge. I have successfully setup my X3 with it using the solo method. The first time was a royal pain, the second time not as bad. I don't have the app so I use my platform to plum my mainshaft. It works just fine and takes me a tad longer. I don't kind the process as of right now.

[cml001]

I looked into it.. But a swash leveler & digital blade level is what I'll continue to use... To much $ and takes too long... Some guys love it... Some don't.

[xokia]

Tedious.

Nothing more really to say beyond that. LOL. I had one I tried to force myself to use it. I tried to convince myself it was better. I found myself always grabbing my data logger. It's clunky, its cumbersome, and arguably no better than a normal pitch gauge if you know what you are doing.

I sold mine I got tired of staring at it collecting dust.

[Graham Lawrie]

I used to use a digital angle guage and thought that was accurate:) When i used the Soko, i was miles out. I found it very accurate, but complicated:)

[pvolcko]

Looking like Sunday may be good for a test flight.

[KevG]

I used to use a digital angle guage and thought that was accurate:) When i used the Soko, i was miles out. I found it very accurate, but complicated:)

If you get the process and the logic behind the Soko, it's easy fellas, as Graham said the old gauges just don't give you the level of accuracy, plus you have to keep zeroing the old gauges against your frame every time you move it,

[pvolcko]

My go to was always a swash leveler and a manual angle gauge. Digital require zeroing and whatnot. I just put a metal ruler on the head and use that for reference. I've used the digital gauge if the heli is too small for the reference bar or the head doesn't work with it (goblins).

[pvolcko]

So I just finished up rechecking the setup on the 700 I did with the soco tool. Turns out it was pretty much dead nuts on. I had my auto level switch on which was causing the blade pitch issues I saw before. I did bump all the servos down a bump and put one turn on a blade link. All good now.

Soco did it's job.

However I did the check with a swash tool and digital blade pitch gauge. Took 15 minutes. Compared to 2ish hours with the soco.

Check flight tomorrow if weather cooperates.

[pvolcko]

So finally got a test flight in. One turn to get tracking right. It's got a tail kickout issue. Need to check logs and see if the gov reaction is too slow or what. Does not improve with gyro gain increase so thinking it has to be motor timing, gov gain, or some binding in the tail linkage.

Felt good to fly again though.

[cml001]

Werd!

[Gaba]

is the Soco tool just for doing blade pitch?

My tarot digital pitch gauge has an indentation for the tail boom that you can set it on yout tail and the mainshaft is 90 to that, and blades 90 to that, so MOST helicopters that works just fine. I am not always levelling the heli completely before i do blade pitch.

[pvolcko]

I suppose you could attach it to the tail and zero it. But it is pretty bulky so it would be difficult to keep it in place to make readings and whatnot.

[pvolcko]

Okay so I finish fixing up the goblin 500. I used the soco heli tool to set up the head. It went much faster this time, only taking about 45 minutes, but it still seems to take longer than it would have just using a swash leveling tool and a pitch gauge. it is pretty cool not having to level the heli or the main shaft and just letting the Virtual mainshaft feature do its thing. The proof will be in the test flight tomorrow. I had to do far less swash level checks and adjustments this time around so I'm expecting it will go very well without need for any tracking adjustments.

I'll keep the tool. Maybe it'll grow on me.



In other news, I put a set of halo tail and main rotor blades on it. Quality of the finish is top notch. Didn't balance check them (never do unless there is a bad vibration on a check flight). Will report my impressions of flight performance once I get over "first flight of the season" jitters and put some moves on 'em. Well at least as much as my meager skills can muster.