Dustin's Blade 450 3D Update

[concept30]

well first i need to get the tail to move in the right direction, i just went outside and the tail turns in one direction but not the other, any help will be nice.

[Tony]

That sounds familiar Dustin.. Can you do a video. Have you checked you get full pitch on tail rotors with full left/right rudder. No need to spin up to test this..

Whatever you do, be safe...

[Derek]

I spoke with Dustin, via Skype, a few hours ago. We went through some routine checks on the tail. The tail slider moves appropriately when given stick inputs. The gyro compensation seems to be moving correctly. We made sure that his tail slider is centered and that his travel endpoints are set.

Unfortunately, he had to leave for work but I did ask him, also, for some video. Now...when I had the helicopter, the tail moved as it should. The gyro was working correctly. I did test the helicopter, without main blades of course, on my kitchen floor and the tail did hold very well. I never did get a chance to test the helicopter with the main blades on.

Hopefully Dustin can get some video for us.

[Tony]

lets hope it works ok then, sounded like the problem is still there. Hopefully we will see a video of it soon

[Derek]

Unfortunately, due to our own work schedules, Dustin and I haven't been able to meet up on Skype much. I have to strongly encourage Dustin to get a swash leveling tool, or other method for swash leveling, and a pitch gauge. He NEEDS to double check that the swash is level and he needs to make an adjustment to the collective pitch. I got a text from him tonight saying that he has +/- 5 degrees of collective pitch and he's been trying to fly his helicopter. Personally, I don't think this is a good idea. I'm very hopeful that he can get the adjustments made and avoids further incidents and damage.

[concept30]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvtxA0rt_ng

[Tony]

Wow, the bird flies.... That's was awesome Dustin.... Not sure why the tail spun round at the end, but it was ok.... My suspicions are something has come lose during flight. I would start from tail servo and work my way back checking everything, servo still tight on boom. Rod still attached to servo and tail. Check for lose nuts/bolts on the tail pitch slider. Go through everything mate, it's only just happened as it looked pretty well locked in there...

We're you holding the rudder stick a bit right to stop it from spinning around during flight, or was the tail holding?

[concept30]

Thanks Tony, that was really kind of you to say. The tail was not holding, i had to fight with it. The Servo come loose, but now i think i have it tight on the servo mount, I was all over the place, i have a few more adjustments to make, for yall guys that are wondering, I just bought a Swash plate level tool, maybe my flying will be better.

[Tony]

For goodness sake Dustin please check EVERYTHING, if that's come lose during flight then anything could... I hope everything that needs thread locking IS actually thread locked... And bare in mind most need a good 24hrs to set...

Good news on the Swash leveller,

[concept30]

it has a rubber gurmet to attach the servo to the mount and it come out, but I took the rubber off and tighing the servo to the mount and jig it around and its tight, i shouldnt have a problem with that tail servo

[Tony]

That's good Dustin, but PLEASE check everything else, do not presume it's all ok.... And next time you take it out for a test I wouldn't lift her off the ground, just get her light on the skids and make sure that tail is locked in WITHOUT any rudder input on the TX, then test left and right rudder still on skids. If she does what you are wanting it to do ONLY then lift her about a foot or so...

Take it slow mate....

[Derek]

Well now....despite the spin out at the end, I am happy to see that it flew. It sounded good. Just take your time and go through the setups.

I sure am happy to see that it was in the air.

[Tony]

And just in case Derek forgets to tell you, it wouldn't be advisable to fly a helicopter at night. I know sometimes one gets impatient and just wants to get out there to test it, but it's not a good idea Dustin, so be patient...

[Derek]

Yes...please...no night flying, Dustin. It's just not safe.

[concept30]

ok no more flying in the dark for me, tail is not locking, anyone know why i have this problem?

[Tony]

Have you set the gyro up Dustin ? I believe you have the GP790

Ive never used one of those gyros but it looks pretty simple to setup, have a look at this page, scroll down to 450 size heli and take your time with it. Especially when you set the limits of servo travel..

http://www.hobby-wing.com/gp790-heg79001.html

[Graham Lawrie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uWu68byOdE Hope this also helps Dustin. Not sure what transmitter you use? but have you tried the DR/Expo settings so you are not "chasing the helicopter" with stick movements?

Also when you set up the model on your TX make sure there are no trims on. I had a GP790 i will try and look today and see if i wrote down my tail issues:)

[concept30]

the only thing i didnt do is unplug the servo when i setup the gyro

[Tony]

Does the status led change from green to red when you flick the gyro switch, should go green in heading hold and red in normal mode...? What mode were you doing that test flight in?

[concept30]

its in the Red, but when i test the heli in my hand when i move the tail left and right, the gyro moves the tail in the right direction