New to Heli's, help with building shuttle

[quinnj3]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to heli's but not to model flying, I've flown planes for years but just got the itch for something more challenging.

I got myself a second hand shuttle with a os max 32h engine and I'm using my Futaba T7CP radio gear. The shuttle seems in really good condition, there is no damage to blades etc and all ball joints are smooth and tight. I've just a couple of q's need answered:

1) I have a good HH gyro setup but can I use a standard servo to control the tail or do I need a specialised tail servo?

2) I want to setup the blade pitch, paddle pitch and balancing of everything basically. What tools do I need?

3) This may be a stupid one but I'll ask anyway, how do I find the centre of gravity on a Heli'?

4) Does anyone know where I can download a build manual for a shuttle, and also a general guide to setting up a beginners heli.

And before you all ask, yes I do have access to a club, training etc. I'd just like to be well prepared for when I show up with my heli. When I was new to model planes I turned up with a badly prepared 'plane and was told to take it home, fix it and bring it back.

looking forward to your replies.

regards

Jonny

[supamansuper]

Dont know the answer to the first three questions ,I'm new myself,but you can download the manual from midlands helicopter.

[supamansuper]

there is also loads of setup advice in the setup section of this website.This is the most useful one i've found so far (Basic CCPM Setup On a New Machine ( 1 2 3)

[Kozmyk]

3) This may be a stupid one but I'll ask anyway, how do I find the centre of gravity on a Heli'?

Set the flybar at 90deg to the centreline then pick the heli up by the flybar roots. It should come straight up with no tilting if the CoG is correct.

[Mike W]

tail servo .. align 650 are good and pretty cheap @ £50 ish

centre of gravity .. fill the tank half full and pick the heli up by the blade grips and tilt the grips so they go up and down and just see which way it falls ....pick the whole heli up first then when its vertical so you just have hold of the blade grips .. alot more accurate this way

blade pitch .. just a normal pitch gauge will do ... sticks in centre and all trims are centre and servos at 90 degrees and pitch range on radio set it so its 0,25,50,75,100 then make sure blades are 0 at centre stick on throttle ... personally I would find a club thats willing to help thats near you as its better flying with others as well

[waveydavey]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to heli's but not to model flying, I've flown planes for years but just got the itch for something more challenging.

I got myself a second hand shuttle with a os max 32h engine and I'm using my Futaba T7CP radio gear. The shuttle seems in really good condition, there is no damage to blades etc and all ball joints are smooth and tight. I've just a couple of q's need answered:

1) I have a good HH gyro setup but can I use a standard servo to control the tail or do I need a specialised tail servo?

Yes you can, but it may be found a bit wanting. IMO go for a dedicated tail servo such as an Align DS620 £35 ish and more than capable, or a second hand one.

2) I want to setup the blade pitch, paddle pitch and balancing of everything basically. What tools do I need?

Allen keys and a pitch gauge, I wouldn't worry too much about balancing the blades, get yourself some cheapo fibreglass blades.

3) This may be a stupid one but I'll ask anyway, how do I find the centre of gravity on a Heli'?

Hold the heli on its side by it's head block and watch the tail head downwards, add a big batter or something to the front to try and get it better.

4) Does anyone know where I can download a build manual for a shuttle, and also a general guide to setting up a beginners heli.

Unfortunately not, have you tried Hirobos website.

Welcome along also, no such question as a stupid one.

[challis349]

a digital servo would be better on the tail, i use an align ds520 on my tail, but you probably want something like the align ds620 for the tail, mine seems pretty good, and not mega bucks

[Kozmyk]

Loads of setup info in Finless Bob's videos.
Endless amounts of info from the guys on here.
It's all good.

Heli Skills and Setup 101 - LOOK here first! - HeliFreak

Checkout Blade Balancing 101

[electricsceadu]

1 yes you can use a std servo on the tail
but a high speed servo is better

2 a pitch gauge,a blade balancer, a high point balancer of some discription (many don't bother)
tools allen keys/drivers, screwdrivers, 5.5mm spanner/socket with driver, glow plug spanner (look at the century spanner, the shorter of the two in the packet is needed for the shuttle) etc
3 cof g already covered in the other posts
4 google for the manual or pm me your email and i'll send you a copy in pdf format for the shuttle zx/zxx/zts the plus and plus 2 will be similar

midland heli's have the main parts drawings on their web site


and yes a good attempt at setting the heliup is better than doing nothing
don't forget to ask what you got wrong and how is it put right

welcome and happy flying

[challis349]

sacko on here has a ds620 for sale for 30quid posted that'll be alright for your tail

http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/sale/4...ign-ds620.html

[quinnj3]

hi guys

thanks for the replies, I've found a manual on google. Lots of info regarding setup etc. I'll get a look at some of those videos later.

thanks again

Jonny

[quinnj3]

Would any of these do to help balance my shuttle blades. Please bear in mind this is a 30size nitro 'copter.

thanks

Jonny
blade balancer items - Get great deals on Toys Games, Business, Office Industrial items on eBay UK!