Finally got the second canopy today. And they managed to send the correct one this time
I recon this is by far the coolest one I got by now!
Very happy
Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
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Members are encouraged to keep either a single thread for all their flying activities or post a thread per aircraft. If you want to make a one-off thread about a particular flight/event go ahead, but please put a link to that thread in your normal flight thread and vice versa.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
Originally posted October 12, 2012
Finally got the second canopy today. And they managed to send the correct one this time
I recon this is by far the coolest one I got by now!
Very happy
Finally got the second canopy today. And they managed to send the correct one this time
I recon this is by far the coolest one I got by now!
Very happy
Last edited by Marius on Thu Apr 23, 2015 2:36 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
Originally posted October 16, 2012
Well, I have been waiting for this day a long time now.
It had to happen eventually...
Me and my buddy were out on a parking lot as he is still training his hovering. In between his flights, I fired up my 450 and showed off a bit - it was going very well. I was flying big, doing loops and inverted hovers close to the ground. Just as he had used up all his packs, I was just gonna drain my last pack before going home. At this point I was getting real confident and a little bit "frisky".
I had been hovering inverted between a parking sign and a giant lamp post many times - maybe 5 feet off the ground. It was after doing some tic tocs, I came down to the same place, decided to flip it back to inverted in the same spot. In the backwards flip to invert, I realize I'm waaaay to close to the ground and choose to abort; I instantly try to flip it forwards while it's loosing altitude, the bird's straightening out and she glides backwards into the left sign post.
The bird was tail inn, and backed towards me fast! The tail of the bird hit the back of this sign.
Could clearly see where the tail guard bracket had smacked into the sign.
Yes, there was a big bang...
AND THE LUCK! OH MY GOD THE LUCK!
The tail bracket snapped off, flying out in cosmos.
My buddy was shouting; "LAND, LAND, LAND".
Unbelievable enough, the bird was still flying!!
I a panic, I just set her down in the gravel around the sign post.
The bird seems very much whole and working
Damage report:
Tail bracket.
Tail blades.
Front tail gear stripped.
Maybe bent boom.
She's on the work bench now, being disassembled.
Well, I have been waiting for this day a long time now.
It had to happen eventually...
Me and my buddy were out on a parking lot as he is still training his hovering. In between his flights, I fired up my 450 and showed off a bit - it was going very well. I was flying big, doing loops and inverted hovers close to the ground. Just as he had used up all his packs, I was just gonna drain my last pack before going home. At this point I was getting real confident and a little bit "frisky".
I had been hovering inverted between a parking sign and a giant lamp post many times - maybe 5 feet off the ground. It was after doing some tic tocs, I came down to the same place, decided to flip it back to inverted in the same spot. In the backwards flip to invert, I realize I'm waaaay to close to the ground and choose to abort; I instantly try to flip it forwards while it's loosing altitude, the bird's straightening out and she glides backwards into the left sign post.
The bird was tail inn, and backed towards me fast! The tail of the bird hit the back of this sign.
Could clearly see where the tail guard bracket had smacked into the sign.
Yes, there was a big bang...
AND THE LUCK! OH MY GOD THE LUCK!
The tail bracket snapped off, flying out in cosmos.
My buddy was shouting; "LAND, LAND, LAND".
Unbelievable enough, the bird was still flying!!
I a panic, I just set her down in the gravel around the sign post.
The bird seems very much whole and working
Damage report:
Tail bracket.
Tail blades.
Front tail gear stripped.
Maybe bent boom.
She's on the work bench now, being disassembled.
Last edited by Marius on Thu Apr 23, 2015 2:36 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
Originally posted October 17, 2012
I've looked over the whole bird now, and the damage is luckily very limited.
I'm not sure if this blade hit the sign post, but I found this dent/crack.
Tail case looking good.
Tail blades probably took this damage when landing in the gravel.
Tail bracket took the worst of it.
Front tail drive box. The gear which is connected to the shaft got some teeth stripped.
I was concerned the boom might be bent, but it was fine
Went over the entire drive gear assembly, all good
The gear on the right took the most beating.
The main shaft looks straight, can't know for sure until repairs are completed.
Spares have been ordered. Hope to be in the air within three days
I've looked over the whole bird now, and the damage is luckily very limited.
I'm not sure if this blade hit the sign post, but I found this dent/crack.
Tail case looking good.
Tail blades probably took this damage when landing in the gravel.
Tail bracket took the worst of it.
Front tail drive box. The gear which is connected to the shaft got some teeth stripped.
I was concerned the boom might be bent, but it was fine
Went over the entire drive gear assembly, all good
The gear on the right took the most beating.
The main shaft looks straight, can't know for sure until repairs are completed.
Spares have been ordered. Hope to be in the air within three days
Last edited by Marius on Thu Apr 23, 2015 2:36 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
Originally posted October 19, 2012
Got my spares today.
A small comfort in the midst of this minor tragedy; the new mounting bracket for the vertical tail fin is of metal instead of the standard plastic one
New fancy metal to the left, old crap plastic to the right. LOL
Sweet.
Stupid 1.5mm hex broke
Luckily I also have my 1.5 from Align.
Just shows Align makes good tools as well.
After a few hours of assembly - she's ready for test flight
It's become dark and really cold outside, but I had to check if she would fly! I took the bird down to a storage building where there's OK outdoor lighting. She spooled up OK, but something feels off... More testing tomorrow.
Got my spares today.
A small comfort in the midst of this minor tragedy; the new mounting bracket for the vertical tail fin is of metal instead of the standard plastic one
New fancy metal to the left, old crap plastic to the right. LOL
Sweet.
Stupid 1.5mm hex broke
Luckily I also have my 1.5 from Align.
Just shows Align makes good tools as well.
After a few hours of assembly - she's ready for test flight
It's become dark and really cold outside, but I had to check if she would fly! I took the bird down to a storage building where there's OK outdoor lighting. She spooled up OK, but something feels off... More testing tomorrow.
Last edited by Marius on Thu Apr 23, 2015 2:36 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
Originally posted October 20, 2012
Re-did the DIR and tail set-up again.
Checked pitch again.
Everything seems to be in order.
Bird flies as before
Just messing about, doing a bit inverted. I didn't feel very comfortable as it's getting very cold, I'm loosing daylight and there's a very strange loud sound coming from somewhere (not the bird) LOL. Anyways, it's all good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr9viRXtNbw
Re-did the DIR and tail set-up again.
Checked pitch again.
Everything seems to be in order.
Bird flies as before
Just messing about, doing a bit inverted. I didn't feel very comfortable as it's getting very cold, I'm loosing daylight and there's a very strange loud sound coming from somewhere (not the bird) LOL. Anyways, it's all good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr9viRXtNbw
Last edited by Marius on Thu Apr 23, 2015 2:37 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
Originally posted October 21, 2012
I don't have any experience on this GOV matter. But I have an idea about what it does, and I want to try it out. As for my "resource" on GOV on my 450, there are three whole pages in the instructions on how it works and how you set it up. I realize the ESC and motor are made for each other, and this just makes it "safe" for me to experiment with. As far as I have gathered, this ESC (Align one) also reads the motor as other after market ESC's would do, it won't need any sensor or anything. I don't expect using GOV will do anything for me, but seeing how stupid easy it is to set up, I'd like to try it out.
My theory is this;
With a curve (100-95-90-95-100) I will always have a RPM drop on center stick. On multiple occasions I've read that this is the recommended set-up when running ESC with curves. I don't remember why, but it's not recommended to run a straight line e.g. 85-85-85-85-85. It's also not recommended doing 100 across the line because this wears out motor.
With GOVERNOR enabled, I can run 89-89-89-89-89 (instructions states not to exceed 89%), and the middle stick RPM drop will be gone. Or at least, that's the point LOL.
I don't have any experience on this GOV matter. But I have an idea about what it does, and I want to try it out. As for my "resource" on GOV on my 450, there are three whole pages in the instructions on how it works and how you set it up. I realize the ESC and motor are made for each other, and this just makes it "safe" for me to experiment with. As far as I have gathered, this ESC (Align one) also reads the motor as other after market ESC's would do, it won't need any sensor or anything. I don't expect using GOV will do anything for me, but seeing how stupid easy it is to set up, I'd like to try it out.
My theory is this;
With a curve (100-95-90-95-100) I will always have a RPM drop on center stick. On multiple occasions I've read that this is the recommended set-up when running ESC with curves. I don't remember why, but it's not recommended to run a straight line e.g. 85-85-85-85-85. It's also not recommended doing 100 across the line because this wears out motor.
With GOVERNOR enabled, I can run 89-89-89-89-89 (instructions states not to exceed 89%), and the middle stick RPM drop will be gone. Or at least, that's the point LOL.
Last edited by Marius on Thu Apr 23, 2015 2:38 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
E.g. the max RPM of the motor is 20.000, this would be accomplished running 100% throttle. This would also mean that at mid stick, the motor will be running 18.000 RPM when the curve is set for 90%. So "brute-pitch" the bird into rapid decent, then quickly "brute-pitch" it in the reversed direction (climb); when the bird is at it's lowest altitude there will be a moment when the motor is at 18.000 RPM. Here you'd of course want as much RPM as possible, as you want the bird to stop descending and start climbing as fast as possible. With the GOV enabled, you'd have a constant RPM no matter what - or at least the GOV will try to maintain RPM.Are these pages in the manual for the esc or somewhere else. Hey I would wanna read that.
Ok.. drop of rpm at mid stick ? thats interesting.. ITs supposed to be the exact opposite cause you come off pitch coming to zero pitch at center. I am running a straight line throttle curve... But I might change it a little. The one reason you are seeing an rpm drop is because your throttle percentage is set at 90 on that point.. Thats why i am running straight line throttle curve at 85percent flat.. any reason you say why its not recommended. I havent done a whole lot of research on it. May be I will learn something new!
Hey! when you make those changes. make a video! before and after... how you did the settings. Was it good, bad or useless ? whatever it is! it'll be good to add here!
I'm not taking pitch affecting RPM into consideration as I regard them two separate operations. BUT calm down; I know pitch will affect HS
How to set up GOVERNOR is described in my manual which was included with the 450. Page 40-43 I think it was...
I will definitely do a "before and after" on this test. Will have a look when I get home from work if weather and daylight permits it.
LOL, I know. I just found that out last night as well, when reading through the instructionsI just found this :::::: for BL35P esc that comes with the Align kits. there is a locator beep option. ! Thats awesome!!
Last edited by Marius on Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:21 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
Well here it is. The tests only last the first 30 seconds or so, then I start regular flying.
Flight 77 with curves.
100-95-90-95-100
Collective 10,5º +/-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asG7QhB5dVw
Flight 80 with Governor.
87-87-87-87-87.
Collective 10,5º +/-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBu6_2DEDyw
I can't say I notice any difference in the pitch pumps (or whatever you're calling it). The biggest difference lies in the sound of the bird, and that I feel it's a little more composed when run under GOV. Also, it's kind of strange that she revs up to max before taking off, but that's just something new to get used to.
You see any difference?
Flight 77 with curves.
100-95-90-95-100
Collective 10,5º +/-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asG7QhB5dVw
Flight 80 with Governor.
87-87-87-87-87.
Collective 10,5º +/-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBu6_2DEDyw
I can't say I notice any difference in the pitch pumps (or whatever you're calling it). The biggest difference lies in the sound of the bird, and that I feel it's a little more composed when run under GOV. Also, it's kind of strange that she revs up to max before taking off, but that's just something new to get used to.
You see any difference?
Last edited by Marius on Thu Nov 20, 2014 11:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
I've been tweaking the 3GX's advanced settings some more now.
Yesterday me and a friend was out flying, and I'm starting to get satisfied with the handling and agility - very satisfied indeed. It's strange to get used to the minor changes each time, but in the long haul I bet it'll be worth it.
Anyways. So yesterday she worked very well with the new settings as well as with the governed head speed. I also performed a new trick No recording, but I'll get it later. Today though, she was in a bad mood I think. When I switched from N to IU1, the RPM sounded weird, so I switched back to N again - only this time she set the throttle to maybe 30-40%! She could barely hold the air, so I hurried and set her down on the ramp...
Not trusting this set-up, I decided to set both THR curves to 88% (N was previously 75%). Kind of scary lifting off from the ramp at full THR. It worked, and no sorrows. BUT, after a minute or so I decided to do an invert, and I forgot I was still in Normal!!! Luckily I have about -2° on N, so I was able to perform a flip back to right-side-up... CLOSE ONE.
I'm annoyed the Align GOV cannot handle the two THR settings, but I've read there has been some issues with the Align ESC GOV's - and I guess this is it.
Yesterday me and a friend was out flying, and I'm starting to get satisfied with the handling and agility - very satisfied indeed. It's strange to get used to the minor changes each time, but in the long haul I bet it'll be worth it.
Anyways. So yesterday she worked very well with the new settings as well as with the governed head speed. I also performed a new trick
No recording, but I'll get it later. Today though, she was in a bad mood I think. When I switched from N to IU1, the RPM sounded weird, so I switched back to N again - only this time she set the throttle to maybe 30-40%! She could barely hold the air, so I hurried and set her down on the ramp...Not trusting this set-up, I decided to set both THR curves to 88% (N was previously 75%). Kind of scary lifting off from the ramp at full THR. It worked, and no sorrows. BUT, after a minute or so I decided to do an invert, and I forgot I was still in Normal!!! Luckily I have about -2° on N, so I was able to perform a flip back to right-side-up... CLOSE ONE.
I'm annoyed the Align GOV cannot handle the two THR settings, but I've read there has been some issues with the Align ESC GOV's - and I guess this is it.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
Updated my DX7S to firmware 1.03 yesterday.
There's also updates for the other Spektrum Tx's above 6-series FYI
Had some flights after work today. It's getting increasingly diffucult to get flight time as it's dark when I get home, and cold as well. But I try to get out as much as I can. Actually I see I'll get rusty after just three days without flight, so every flight counts
After these flights I've decided to go back to THR-curves. The Align GOV is NOT working properly, and I liked it better before. Also I'm having some issues with the tail wagging - this even though I've been flying a lot lately with the same settings on gyro gain. Don't know if this is because I updated the Tx, or any other problem. But I'll check into it.
Today I'm working on my "static rolls" (don't know what the "trick" is called).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8G-FxxU654
There's also updates for the other Spektrum Tx's above 6-series FYI
Had some flights after work today. It's getting increasingly diffucult to get flight time as it's dark when I get home, and cold as well. But I try to get out as much as I can. Actually I see I'll get rusty after just three days without flight, so every flight counts
After these flights I've decided to go back to THR-curves. The Align GOV is NOT working properly, and I liked it better before. Also I'm having some issues with the tail wagging - this even though I've been flying a lot lately with the same settings on gyro gain. Don't know if this is because I updated the Tx, or any other problem. But I'll check into it.
Today I'm working on my "static rolls" (don't know what the "trick" is called).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8G-FxxU654
Last edited by Marius on Thu Nov 20, 2014 11:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
I'm back to flying curves, and loving it.
Passed 100 flights today.
Did my first inverted loop.
Cut a straw while inverted! Baby steps - best way to learn LOL
Passed 100 flights today.
Did my first inverted loop.
Cut a straw while inverted! Baby steps - best way to learn LOL
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
Had a REALLY close call today.
As I'm performing a inverted loop, the tail gives out during the decent. I have been experimenting with tail gain lately, so I obviously have it too low atm. When seeing it in the vid it almost looks like I know what I'm doing, but I'm VERY CLOSE to smashing in the ground. I kept calm, but it was some intense milliseconds where I'm working like crazy to get my bearings right and save myself in the last second.
I zoomed in too much on the cam so much of the vid is out of frame, just skip to 1:40 to view the nearly catastrophic invert loop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D4p3G_Itlc
As I'm performing a inverted loop, the tail gives out during the decent. I have been experimenting with tail gain lately, so I obviously have it too low atm. When seeing it in the vid it almost looks like I know what I'm doing, but I'm VERY CLOSE to smashing in the ground. I kept calm, but it was some intense milliseconds where I'm working like crazy to get my bearings right and save myself in the last second.
I zoomed in too much on the cam so much of the vid is out of frame, just skip to 1:40 to view the nearly catastrophic invert loop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D4p3G_Itlc
Last edited by Marius on Thu Nov 20, 2014 11:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
Last Sunday my Deans connector came off (ESC plug) while disconnecting the battery. So I have now switched to EC3 connectors on the 450. These plugs are MUCH easier to solder on and are rated way beyond whatever the 450 will ever draw amp wise.
All finished and looking good.
___
It's been less flying than usual lately, as I have been waiting for the new connectors and it's also getting very cold outside (39 deg F). I use my radio glove, and it's helping, but my fingers still get cold while changing packs and what not. The cold air is definitely affecting my flying, as I loose focus due to the loss of feel in my thumbs.
All finished and looking good.
___
It's been less flying than usual lately, as I have been waiting for the new connectors and it's also getting very cold outside (39 deg F). I use my radio glove, and it's helping, but my fingers still get cold while changing packs and what not. The cold air is definitely affecting my flying, as I loose focus due to the loss of feel in my thumbs.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
Earlier I have been whining about my rudder wagging like crazy when doing right hand turns. It took me a while, but I have finally figured it out. Turned out I didn't have perfect center on my tail slider. One turn on the link did the trick! First test flight there was now wagging on both left and right hand turns, but after lowering the gain 1.5% the wag completely disappeared
Now I'll just have to fine tune the gain on both Tx and 3GX advanced set-up, and I hope to have a perfectly well behaved rudder feel. Good to get this out of my mind, it really bothered me
Now I'll just have to fine tune the gain on both Tx and 3GX advanced set-up, and I hope to have a perfectly well behaved rudder feel. Good to get this out of my mind, it really bothered me
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
It's been a while since I did a video, so I took the cam along today.
Bird is performing beautifully
Some stick bang, orientation training, big fly, loops, inverted loops, inverted training.
I'm currently training on the sim to learn side-in inverted, but still not confident enough to perform in real life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy3UVa3 ... e=youtu.be
Bird is performing beautifully
Some stick bang, orientation training, big fly, loops, inverted loops, inverted training.
I'm currently training on the sim to learn side-in inverted, but still not confident enough to perform in real life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy3UVa3 ... e=youtu.be
Last edited by Marius on Thu Nov 20, 2014 11:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
Suddenly all flights are cancelled until further notice
Last edited by Marius on Thu Nov 20, 2014 11:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
Due to the loss of daylight as early as 4.00 PM it's not been much flying in the weekdays, so now I'm only getting some flights on the weekends - but it's all good I try to train on the Sim a couple of hours every week to keep the skills "warm".
Today was a nice day, a couple degrees above freezing and calm wind - perfect!
Executed my first stationary roll.
Executed my first roll in forward flight (horribly performed, but performed none the less ).
My first funnel, tail down CCW (a million miles of altitude, but I was very satisfied with my performance ).
No video, but will try to get some next weekend if the weather's acceptable.
On another note; I'm now using fingerless gloves combined with the radio glove and heater. Also, I found some neat "hand warmer packs" at the hardware store. You just rip off the outer plastic and shake the pack for 15 seconds and it's very warm after 10 minutes or so, and it lasts 8 hours! So now I warm up my finger with the heat pack before sticking my hand in the radio glove - works like a charm, no cold fingers/hands anymore
I try to train on the Sim a couple of hours every week to keep the skills "warm". Today was a nice day, a couple degrees above freezing and calm wind - perfect!
Executed my first stationary roll.
Executed my first roll in forward flight (horribly performed, but performed none the less
).My first funnel, tail down CCW (a million miles of altitude, but I was very satisfied with my performance
).No video, but will try to get some next weekend if the weather's acceptable.
On another note; I'm now using fingerless gloves combined with the radio glove and heater. Also, I found some neat "hand warmer packs" at the hardware store. You just rip off the outer plastic and shake the pack for 15 seconds and it's very warm after 10 minutes or so, and it lasts 8 hours! So now I warm up my finger with the heat pack before sticking my hand in the radio glove - works like a charm, no cold fingers/hands anymore
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
Really windy to day - makes great practice
But when coming in to land after my last pack, all the "wind fighting" had obviously drained my pack harder than usual because she was starting to sound drowsy. A bit stressed out trying to land, I managed to smack the tail into the edge of my landing pad - which resulted in a stripped tail gear.
This is my second incident with my 450, and also the second time to replace the tail gear. Luckily it's a pretty cheap part
ps. I've lost count on my flights - LOL
But when coming in to land after my last pack, all the "wind fighting" had obviously drained my pack harder than usual because she was starting to sound drowsy. A bit stressed out trying to land, I managed to smack the tail into the edge of my landing pad - which resulted in a stripped tail gear.
This is my second incident with my 450, and also the second time to replace the tail gear. Luckily it's a pretty cheap part
ps. I've lost count on my flights - LOL
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
Out today again. Ridiculously cold, 17.6° F (-8 ° C) - and a nice freezing breeze of course.
This morning I got myself big winter coveralls at an outlet store. Worked great! But after the third pack my face was ready to fall off
The 450 and batteries were reacting to the cold as well. The Rx would not connect with the Tx upon plugging in the battery, it took several attempts before I got the "connection" status light. Another thing is the batteries; when cold they're not able to push as much juice as when normal - I need to "warm her up" before she performs as usual (well, she felt a tad low on the RPM's even after 4 minutes, but she was just not able to perform 100% due to the cold).
Performed first side in inverted.
Tic tocs getting better.
Training backwards flight.
No video, as the cap with camera mount have been swapped out with a winter cap.
This morning I got myself big winter coveralls at an outlet store. Worked great! But after the third pack my face was ready to fall off
The 450 and batteries were reacting to the cold as well. The Rx would not connect with the Tx upon plugging in the battery, it took several attempts before I got the "connection" status light. Another thing is the batteries; when cold they're not able to push as much juice as when normal - I need to "warm her up" before she performs as usual (well, she felt a tad low on the RPM's even after 4 minutes, but she was just not able to perform 100% due to the cold).
Performed first side in inverted.
Tic tocs getting better.
Training backwards flight.
No video, as the cap with camera mount have been swapped out with a winter cap.
Re: Marius' learning to fly - "video diary"
It's been a while since my last flight video, this due to some pretty cold temperatures. But today we had a nice balmy 37°F (3°C), so I got out the cam again
In this video I'm trying to show what I've been working on lately. Side in inverted, backwards flight, tic tocs, backwards loops, transitions to inverted and back - I try to "cut" some snow as well, but pussied out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEW7BIV ... e=youtu.be
In this video I'm trying to show what I've been working on lately. Side in inverted, backwards flight, tic tocs, backwards loops, transitions to inverted and back - I try to "cut" some snow as well, but pussied out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEW7BIV ... e=youtu.be
Last edited by Marius on Thu Nov 20, 2014 11:38 am, edited 1 time in total.