49 seconds to disaster.

[Vikki]

Just checked DR and expo. 50% on aileron and elevator with 7% expo and throttle rate at 77%.

Changed expo to 15% to match Phoenix.

Would that be ok?

Vikki.

[Baldie]

With Expo, you don't lose any of the TOTAL servo throw, but the servo moves less around center stick, And moves quicker out towards the ends to still get full movement in. I would have said 50 may have been too much (It looked like you were over correcting some) but 15 may not be enough. try around 25. If you want less movemnt of the servos then lower the rates.

Now, I haven't seen all of your videos, but I did notice that you ended up nose in yesterday and didn't crash, so you must be doing something right!, BUT, You need, I think to concentrate on keeping the heli in one spot in a tail in hover - And try to control the heli to hover where you want it to, rather than where it wants to!.

[Vikki]

Thanks. I know about DR and expo and I explained that badly.

The default settings on the DX6i for B450 (I think they call it intermediate) is as follows:

D/R 50% for aileron and elevator. 77% for rudder.

Expo for aileron and elevator is 7%.

In Phoenix they have 15% for expo and that is what I got used to. It may, as you say, be a bit low and I think I might be more comfy with the 25% that you suggested. I did find him a bit harsh on the controls.

Thanks for the assist.

Vikki.

[dillwhacker]

Never mind Vikki - theres thousands on here, and I bet there isn't one who hasn't ever crashed.
Ive bashed my 450 so many times now I can fix it in under an hour - blades, both shafts, gear & flybar.
I put all my spares in a big box and labelled it CONSUMABLES...

[Vikki]

Isn't crashing some kind of right of passage? Please say yes, Trev.

Funny thing is, the crash was nowhere near what the 'crash fear' leads you to believe it's going to be. Hope that made sense. Or, put another way, the reality was not as bad as the imagination. LOL!

Vikki.

[dillwhacker]

Yes, I'm sure it is - but you'd be better off asking someone who has reached the end of the passage!
I know fear of crashing holds up my progress - Today I flew my 500 around to the best of my limited ability - then I had a go on my old scruffy dented 450, and just had so much more confidence and flew it much better, because I wasn't too worried if I bent it.
And I didnt!

[Cagey]

Hey that's what 450s are for, don't you know ? Crashing, relentlessly, repetitively, but cheaply. It's got so that I feel bad if I've flown mine for more than a dozen times without a prang. Made up for it yesterday, the usual, wind takes it that little bit too far away, loss of all brain cells in 1/2 a second flat, thrash sticks madly, say a not too pious shouty prayer hoping for divine intervention, and promptly bury the bugger into the long grass. Hit TH but wrong switched IU so it did the main gear thrash bendy shaft busta blade polka. Laugh ? I thought I'd never start ! Back up today for three packs of very cautious flying. Keep them spares coming Vikki, you'll soon have enough for a complete rebuild, LOL.

[Vikki]

Thanks, Cagey. I do have a growing collection of spares. Last time I ordered main shafts that I didn't need (just in case). This time I've ordered some blade grips I don't need (just in case). Each time it happens I'll order the next most likely thing that I don't need until I've got a full set LOL!

Vikki.

[Boggy]

Vikki,I would recheck your servos,if they have survived that crash you were very lucky!Usually the slightest knock will strip them.

[dillwhacker]

Laugh ? I thought I'd never start !

I keep my collection of 500 spares in a nice compact orderly way, all in one place, easy to find and transport.....
Its called an emergency 500......sometimes I even let it fly!

[Vikki]

Will double check them, Ron. It would be best to take the lid off and look at them with a jewellers loupe would it?

Can you get just the gears or would it be a whole new servo? That could get expensive.

Vikki.

[dillwhacker]

I just move them with the transmitter over their whole cyclic plus collective range, with a finger pushing firmly against the movement (in each direction). You can feel if there is any interruption in the smooth movement.
But do make sure you do it over the full cyclic + collective range. Both ways.
And check your tail shaft & belt are OK - I rebuilt a 500 once and went off to fly only to find I had missed the fact that the tailshaft was bent and vibrated like hell when I spooled up.

[Vikki]

Aye, Trev, tail and belt tension was the first thing I checked when I got Chopasaurus up on the operating table. Poor thing was in shock and trembling. By the time I'd removed the broken blades and bent flybar he was fast asleep and snoring. When he wakes up he'll find himself fit and healthy again.

My God, I'm mad - aren't I?

Vikki.

[dillwhacker]

Yep, mad as a mongoose - thats why we love you!

Aye, Trev, tail and belt tension was the first thing I checked when I got Chopasaurus up on the operating table. Poor thing was in shock and trembling. By the time I'd removed the broken blades and bent flybar he was fast asleep and snoring. When he wakes up he'll find himself fit and healthy again.

My God, I'm mad - aren't I?

Vikki.

[Steve]

If in doubt, both sticks forwards - up and away, give yourself time to recalibrate your brain. It ain't going to break so long as it's still flying.