My first lesson

[Mr_Si]

Well, I booked it a week ago, and today I went along to my first lesson.

I've never done IC helis before, (just played around with a zoom 400 to no success), so it was all setting up the heli - but that was fine as it's always important to get an expert set up the machine with.

It got to the point of setting up the servos, so we turned on the Transmitter and the receiver, but nothing happened when moving the sticks...

... It turned out that the Tx & Rx Crystals were not a matching pair! I'd only gone and left the correct Rx Crystal in my zoom 400 and not swapped them over hadn't I! ops:

Oh well, I'm now very embarrased by that, because I should have checked before I set off to Ashtead.

Let that be a lesson to you all, make sure you have matching crystals and also, make sure they're correctly inserted too!

[thomashome]

Did you get to fly anything?

I drove to Dorset and broke my tail servo mount and had no spare heli with me.

[Mr_Si]

No, unfortunately not. There was too much stuff to setup mechanically with mine. But I did have a little go on the Simulator - much better than mine!

Sorry to hear about your tail, it's not nice is it when things break!

[thomashome]

I had put nearly a gallon through it before it went so not a complete waste of a day.

[Fixer]

I too had my first lesson yesterday after forgetting my trainer gear last week.
I'm a total newbie but what I was asked to do on my first lesson and apparently will continue to do for a few weeks has cause me concern.

I was asked to increase the throttle so the heli just became light on the trainer gear, and then just practice moving the heli left, right, forward, and back, should the heli move from that spot I must cut the throttle instantly.

As I said I am a newbie but this doesnt sound right to me, also it seemed to be putting allot of strain on the main shaft and engine, I used three tanks of fuel just doing this before we all packed up for the day.

Your thoughts please, am I straining the main shaft and the engine whilst doing this or is this a normal way for beginners to start.

[Ade_Law]

it is ok. but i dont like it. I have seen too many people get it a bit out of shape, panick and end up at 5ft then you will cause damage.

but without a willing intructor and a buddy lead there isnt much else you can do apart from getting plenty of sim time in.

Ade

[thomashome]

I tried that method and failed, I got in the air by sim, sim, sim, sim, an hour on Ades TZ, sim, sim, Trex, Trex, Trex, a few broken trex bits but I got there.

Once you have been hovering with an instructor the sim becomes simple and with a bit of confidence you'll be hovering in no time.

[Mr_Si]

Yeah a sim is what I'm gonna be spending a lot of time on from now on, while at work

I have an EasyFly sim at the mo, but I don't like it. I'm gonna get a Reflex XTR instead.

[Fixer]

I am going for Reflex myself, just waiting to see if one comes up on eBay.

I guess these manovers on the ground should get me used to the stick so the movements become natural.

How long will I be doing these manohvers on the ground, or will I know when I'm ready for the next step.

Im assuming the next step will be to have the heli facing me then do the same thing over again.

[Mr_Si]

Oooh! I don't think it will.

That's far advanced. I believe you will be doing a lot of stuff with the nose away from you first. Like a proper hover and other stuff to do with hovering, like at your left and at your right with the nose in the same direction so you're side on to the heli.

Pointing towards you will be a while away yet.

This is what I gather, from reading Model Helicopter World etc (From the "Beyond the Hover" articles.

It's exciting aint it!

[Fixer]

Very :lol:

[Fixer]

I have found this site selling Reflex XTR for 114.99 + post.

http://www.flightbox.co.uk/acatalog/...TORS.html#a852

Can it be found cheaper?

[Mr_Si]

ooh thanks for that Fixer, I'll see if SMC will match that price for me. (When I get paid!)

[thomashome]

You'll be surprised how quick you progress if yuo put your mind to it.

Did you get your Raptor from SMC? if so how'd you persuade them to sell one to you.

[Smoothound]

Hmmmmm i'm sure I paid 100 in SMC, it was a while ago but I'm sure that was the price...

I guess it's who you get served by as well :roll: