D/R & expo

[wouldbeflyer]

Can I ask for opinions about whether it would be ok or not to lower the D/R to a minimal amount to enable me to safely do a lazy 8 on a 500 Heli please.I'm ok with height but its very fierce and easy to over correct. My idea is to gradually increase the adjustments

[DaveJones]

That exactly what I did when I started, think I went down to about 80% and around 20% Expo to start with. Found I didn't like it if I dumbed it down to much as it became to slow to react when I needed it too.

Make sure you have hovering nailed in at least in tail, and left/right orientations though and you should find you reaction become a little more ingrained or instinctive.

[GravityKills]

I wouldn't put it on a switch. There is no right or wrong, some good pilots do it but I suspect it may cause more harm than good if you get confused.
Turning down dual rate in general (equally for elevator and aileron) seems like a good idea. Go as low as you intend to fly but keep in mind that any rapid "ground evasion" moves will now take more time.
20 % expo (on a DX8) seems reasonable. The expo may also help against fear of overcorrecting.

[wouldbeflyer]

Ok fellas ,thanks. I was thinking of going down to 20% D/R but maybe not now. I know what you mean about catching it, I have had to a few times but mainly due to over correction.

[DaveJones]

I don't have a clue what your flying ability is like but if you are considering 20% D/R rates because of over corrections I would say you are not ready for lazy 8's yet. Don't try to run before you can walk it gets expensive and its easy to get discouraged.

Concentrate on nailing a good tail in hover with dual rates around 80%, Expo around 20%. When you can hold it within a 0.5m box on a calm day for a minute or more try both side orientations and aim to be able to do the same. Then finally have a go at nose in.

Practise doing the above at head height, and then try it a little higher until you are comfortable flying high (it saves you a lot of money later if you can practise stuff high up).

Only when you have these under control would I say try fwd flight, and then start slow, not much more than a travelling hover to begin with.

Savour each accomplishment, that's what this hobby is all about.

[wouldbeflyer]

I wish it were possible to enjoy it more, if I'm honest it's a real expensive struggle to get used to without a lot of pleasure, I just want to master it a s a p. The 200 srx is ok but not there yet in intermediate mode and I can manage a sort of lazy 8 , but it has disappeared a few times

[Mike Sanders]

What you need is stick time. Practice practice practice. Whatever your settings, get comfortable with a manoevre or position before you move on to the next. The more you fly the more you will get the feel for it.

[Peteski]

20% D/R would be a disaster. I made that mistake when I first flew my 130X. I had D/R at 50% with 30% expo for learning to hover and then forgot to increase the rates when I attempted a circuit. The response was so slow it made it very difficult to control and I very nearly lost it as a result. I found about 70-80% D/R with a bit of expo was a good starting point for basic circuit flying, but obviously depends a lot on the model. My micros are a bit twitchy compared a 500!

[Blackout19]

20% expo is about the most you want to be adding as already mentioned. Drop the DR down to 70-80% as a starter but ofc you can set up 2 or 3 diff settings so if you do find it slow to react you can just flick up to a higher rate, rather than have to tweak your Tx every time.

[wouldbeflyer]

Ok thanks.Seems the option is about 80%. Maybe it's courage I'm lacking . Its just super fast, much faster than my mcpx bl and a lot more frightening

[DaveJones]

I remember that feeling well, I went from an MCPx to a trex 500 and it scared the hell out of me for a while, that's healthy it keeps your limbs attached :-) I recently bought a Logo 600 and it scares me today whilst the 500 feels like a toy.

you might want to try a sim if you haven't got one, they can be dull but I find short 10/15min sessions of real practise rather than messing around help me, first without wind and then start adding some as you get better.

This is a hobby that requires patience and time on sticks, the quick route gets real expensive real quick

[Blackout19]

the quick route gets real expensive real quick

Quoted for truth!

[Blackout19]

Also, flybarless? If so which system. Some have expo on by default and you have to select Tx mode to enable you to tune it. There are a bunch of other ways to calm down FBL within the settings too.

[wouldbeflyer]

Blade 500 with DX6i so don't think there is a problem there, but its so very quick and nimble, I mean, super quick, but I have seen it fly by an expert who says its fine,

[DaveJones]

If you have a blade Heli I assume that means you have one of the beastX or AR7200BX fbl units fitted. Take a look at the manual and there will be a section that talks about the response or sensitivity (I forget the term they use to describe it), it allows you to set how responsive the controller is to stick inputs, there are four or five different options the least sensitive option for the beginner. They also advise against using D/R and expo in any of the settings except one which is specifically expects you to control it via the radio. Read the manual and hopefully it will make sense.

Try out the settings and find one that works for you.