Problem with pitch settings

[BernietheBolt]

Hello all. I am trying to reset my main blade pitch settings for newbie hovering @ 0 - 5 - 9/10 degrees following a crash with my Shuttle plus. However, I keep getting different pitch readings (using a pitch gauge)when I double check each blade and I then noticed there seemed to be excess play between the swashplate assembly, pitch rods and the main blade holders, so much so that it is almost impossible to get a definite pitch reading. ie. If I gently twist the main blades one way or the other, the whole assembly including the swashpate moves. All my radio settings are centered when I do this. I realize there must be some play allowed in the whole assembly but surely not so that I cannot get an accurate pitch reading.

Two questions :- How much is too much play and how can you judge what is the correct amount and do I shorten the mixing arms to reduce play even though it means they will be shorter than as stipulated in the Shuttle manual ?

[Raptorite]

Hi Bernie,

The amount of slop you are describing in the controls is definitely excessive, there should be very little movement in any of the controls and certainly with all the linkages connected up to the servo's they should be fairly well locked in place.

Is there a chance that in the reassembly following the crash you have inadvertantly connected one or more of the links the wrong way round? It sounds like the control rods connecting to the mixing arms are the wrong way round, which would give you the great amount of slop you describe.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,

Pete.

[BernietheBolt]

Problem with pitch settings

Thanks for responding Pete. I did as you suggested and checked that all the linkeages were as they should be, and I double checked everything else was according to the manual, which it was. I then checked my radio settings and found that my Hov pitch settings were all over the place. I can't think how I could have done this because I never touch those settings or the trim tabs but somehow, I must have done accidentally.

Although there is still some play in the linkeages, I was able to set the pitch gauge settings with no problem and all is now ok. Although your suggestion did not solve my problem directly, it made me realize that something was definitely wrong with my setup which lead me to double check everything, so thanks.

Bernie

[Raptorite]

Hi Bernie,

I'm glad you found and fixed the problem. The trouble with these damn helis is no matter what the problem is there is always numerous things that can cause it, so well done for working it out.

By the way, the hover pitch trim trick is one we have all done in the past, me included, so don't beat yourself up too much for it

Cheers,
Pete.