Start up costs

[Martin Reeder]

I am new to helicopters and so far my experience is limited to a hour on my uncles sim. I am however experience in RC with 4 wheels and i race regularly natioanally, so i got to grips with hovering (nose out) on the sim fairly easily being use to a pair of stick (even if they only have half the movement). I am going to be having a bit more practice on a sim on my pc (borrowed a transmitter) and see how i get on.

I am not totally sure if i will end up getting a Helicopter yet as the cars blead me dry enough already, but i was just wondering that the sort of expected start up costs would be for running an electric helicopter (my uncle has a T-rex, so something simular). I already have a Li-po charger with my cars and the use of a transmitter so its really everything else.

I will most likely be just using this for recreational use at the local sports field etc, so it doesn't need to be anything flash, but wants to be above the 'toy' end of the market.

Thanks

Martin

[Disc]

I am new to helicopters and so far my experience is limited to a hour on my uncles sim. I am however experience in RC with 4 wheels and i race regularly natioanally, so i got to grips with hovering (nose out) on the sim fairly easily being use to a pair of stick (even if they only have half the movement). I am going to be having a bit more practice on a sim on my pc (borrowed a transmitter) and see how i get on.

I am not totally sure if i will end up getting a Helicopter yet as the cars blead me dry enough already, but i was just wondering that the sort of expected start up costs would be for running an electric helicopter (my uncle has a T-rex, so something simular). I already have a Li-po charger with my cars and the use of a transmitter so its really everything else.

I will most likely be just using this for recreational use at the local sports field etc, so it doesn't need to be anything flash, but wants to be above the 'toy' end of the market.

Thanks

Martin

1st thing is the Car Tranny is a no go, if its a planeheli tranny then no issues you cannot use 27/40mhz for aircraft.

As for kitting out a Trex they are not cheap your looking at around 400 pounds or so depending on gyro/tail servo combo but if you buy right then you'll be okay.

You should try to remember that the smaller the helicopter the twitchyer they are and the small electrics are not ideal for beginners. You would be better off maybe with a Swift or Trex but then the cost shoots up to around 600-700 for kitting out a helicopter.

Even with small electric models make sure you have BMFA insurance and some local councils won't allow you to fly on playing fields as even a Trex can do someone a lot of harm.

you would be far better off going to a Club and seeing what they fly etc.

[Ade_Law]

for anything out side to get them flying nicely your going to need between 500 and 700ukp.

even a trex will cost you in that reagion

another important thing is finding somewhere that is safe to fly them. Even a trex will cause a lot of damage to a dog or person so make sure you are going to be somewhere quiet.

However there is still a problem. Unless you have permission from the land owner to fly there if something does happen and you hurt somebody you are going to be liable for it. Even if you had BMFA membership which includes insurance that wont be valid.

you are better to find a club to fly at. Your profile says pewsey, is that the pewsey north of andover? i know there is a club that fly in that area which is heli friendly.

Ade

[woody]

another important thing is finding somewhere that is safe to fly them. Even a trex will cause a lot of damage to a dog or person so make sure you are going to be somewhere quiet.

Ade is right. The more I learn about helis the more concerned I am when people say they are going to fly at their local Rec Ground. People and dogs are unpredictable and the site can be huge but everyone seems to want to use the space that you are in. Its best to find a club.

Sue

[Martin Reeder]

Dont worry i do know can't use my 2 channel 40Mhz radio in a helicopter, when i say i have borrowed a transmitter, i mean a proper 35Mhz 6 channel.

Also i am not a muppet i am not going to be trying to fly in a crowded park. Yes it is the Pewsey 20 miles from Andover and I actually live in a small village surrounded by lots of space, so it is not hard to find an area with no-one or thing within a few miles of me.

I would also obviously join the BMFA as i know what the insurance issues are like from the car racing and i wouldn't drive an RC around without being a BRCA (British RC Car Association) member either.

If i do get into this then yes i would most likely join a club as well.

Thanks for your advice.

[ChrisB]

Ah,theres nothing i like better than flying in a busy park and dive bombing grannies with a T Rex..

Also trying to knock peoples hats off can be good fun

[robgt]

I hope you have a good glitch free setup


LOL
Cheers,
Rob

[Martin Reeder]

So going back to the start up cost, rather than where to fly, is something like the Trek 450x which is shown at Skyline models for £300 for everything apart from TX going to be ok?

Disc, you say about getting the right Gyro/tail servo combo, whould i be better off buying the kit plus motor + ESC deal and then getting the gyro and servo's separately? Also what is a good gyro/servo combo without talking silly money for this type of kit.

Cheers

Martin

[robgt]

whould i be better off buying the kit plus motor + ESC deal and then getting the gyro and servo's separately?

I would say definitely yes.
Add some HS56 or HS65 servos for the cyclics.
Then get a GY401 and either an HDS-577 or if you can push the boat out, the Futaba 9650 is simply the best there is for a Trex tail.

www.ashtekelectronics.co.uk for the HDS 577 tail servo.

I run the above (HS56 and HDS-577 with GY401) on my 450 and it's fine. I'm considering getting a 9650 for the tail as it is the best, but the 577 works so well I'm finding it hard to justify right now.
Cheers,
Rob

[Martin Reeder]

Sorry for my total ignorance, but how many servos are there for the cyclics and I am then guessing it is 1 tail servo and gyro. £22 for servo is cheap for what i am used to.

[robgt]

There's three servos on the cyclic.
One pitch, one aileron (left and right movement) and one elevator (forward and back movement).

Yes, one tail servo with gyro.
You have four servos in total - the throttle servo of a nitro helicopter is replaced with an ESC on electric helicopters.
Cheers,
Rob

[Martin Reeder]

Going back to the Gyro, what difference will the GY401 make over cheaper versions such as the GY240 or G190. I am not looking for the very best of equipment, just somethig to get me started really.

[robgt]

The G190 is not a heading hold gyro so I wouldn't bother with that.
The GY240 is like the 401, except that it does not have a remote gain function or a limit pot on the unit.
Lack of remote gain means that you cannot adjust the gyro sensitivity (gain) from your transmitter.
The limit pot adjustment is for setting the travel end stops on the tail output shaft which determines how much travel (and therefore tail pitch) you have available.

For the very small difference in price between the 240 and the 401, I think it's logical to go with the 401 - but it's up to you
Cheers,
Rob

[Ade_Law]

remember that the 160ukp for the 401 includes a 90ukp servo

the 240 also doesnt support digital servo mode so you wont get the full advantage of a 9254 when (note, WHEN not if) you upgrade.

Ade

[Disc]

Hum check out

fastlads the 401/9254 is 139 pounds which isnt bad.