Could you guys please be there to help me out :o)

[cambs flyer]

I've placed my order for a Blade 400 and my other half is buying me the Phoenix flight sim for Xmas, the idea being while I practice like mad on the sim I can work out how my first real heli all works where pieces go and such.

Then after I've gained the basics on the sim so I can at least take off, hover and land without to many issues I'll pay fuel and say for a couple of hours "help" if someone could please have a look and give me a few pointers what not to do and such.

Not being able to get around much is a bug to bear, but in the same time I'd really value somebody's experience and knowledge.

After Rob coming over and demonstrating his Trex600 I've been hooked on going the Trex way, I don't really want the expense of the 600 running costs, Li-Po's ect, but I rather fancy going the Trex500 route.

I know your gonna say ditch the blade and go straight for the 'Rex, but I really fancy that heli, and the spares will be cheap enough to build when it happens, and why I build the 500 I'll have a real heli to practice on with the DX6 TX which can be used to control the Trex once completed, so when you take out the TX price, it wont be that much extra money having the Blade as a first CCP heli.

What would be the cost of building something like the 500 as the kit comes with a few bits but obviously the other parts I can buy as I go on.

Well thats the plan anyway, but if anyone could offer a little time, or arrange something no matter what I'd be forever grateful, and of course I would cover any expenses and for time given.

Thanks for any advice or help.

[kingchopper]

the blade 400 will fly completely differently to anything else.
i would say your best bet would be to purchase a second hand nitro on e-bay. something cheap and easy to repair at first.

the real electric heli might be a bit much at first, as they have a bit more power to weight than a nitro the same size.

you cant beat the old hirobo shuttle for just learning to hover, they are so cheap and everyone has the spares.

the bigger the heli the stable it becomes in the air, but the price goes up too.

once youve dumped the training aid and you think you are ready for something better then thats the time to get a nice new dream helicopter. you'll get your dream heli long before your ready but at least you'll have a machine you aint too scared to fly.

i know ade will say, "nah get a knight 3D" , well yes maybe if you think your really going get into it.

ive never used a DX6 but i would go for the DX7 at first.
two areas you should spend extra cash is the radio gear and gyro.

[bigandy]

i agree with the above mate!

youd be better of buying a cheap raptor or shuttle to learn with! the parts for these are now very cheap via local model shop,flea bay etc etc!

[Biggles]

I am gonna agree with the above as well.

Except I aint gonna plug a certain make/brand.

[xygax]

Same idea as the other lads just dont get a shuttle unless you live next to jamez cause the vibrate wobble and are generally hard work. But saying that if you can hover one of them you should be able to manage most models. Raptor is more positive in lots of respects 30 or 50 simialar money to a scuttle they just fly better.....

Rgds
Steve

[kingchopper]

i didnt mention a raptor because of the built in phase issue. and the what i refer to as the raptor nod at slower rpms.

both raptor and shuttle fly a whole better when fully blinged out with quick uk upgrades.

but with the old shuttle you learn how to adjust the phase angle. and do loops and rolls properly.

i know there are much better helis on the market these days but for me the shuttle is still tops for the most basic of training.

most pilots see pounds flying in the air and so are afraid to push themselves that little bit further. but with a really cheap model who cares if you crash it, you can buy another one for less than a set of carbon blades.

i remember my first loop, i was so scared of smashing up my good model so i deck out a cheap shuttle, looped it easy dont know why i was so worried. but i didnt see pound signs while it was up. sold the model a few weeks later for what i paid for it.

it would have been a different story if we had a few good flyers to teach me at my club. but i was self taught upto A test standard. did have one lesson for my first nose in hover. havent looked back since.

[flatspins]

I see you are in Chatteris.....
Get yourself in to Huntingdon, and go to Inwood models,
Loads of choice, and loads of info.

Loads of info on local clubs, and what you can hope to achieve,
Carry spares for all the heli`s on sale.

Go flying with other people,
learning curve is sooooooo much easier, when you have some help

[trvo]

Forgive me for asking, but why buy a heli that is full of slop, doesn't go where you point it etc (because of the slop)? It's just hard work to fly, most 'new' machines will do the majority of the flying work for you. Even with the craptor having the phase issue the machine will still fly a whole world better than the shuttle and be easier to learn on.

Also, having more power will help you in the learning curve, (more power to get out of dumb thumb situations) but a 600 / 500 electric is not a good plan unless you can afford to stock up on lipos, at the beginning you need to be able to constantly fly which electrics do not offer with the current state of battery technology. There are 3 heli's that are ideal for learning. Firstly, the craptor, will be fairly reliable, low maintenance and cheap-ish to repair and flies really well. The Knight Sport, flies really well, little less reliable than most machines but cheap to repair. The Trex 600n, flies really well and very reliable and cheap to repair, most crash parts are buy one and get 2 in the packet .

Find a local club, and join it as flatspins mentioned.

The cost of building a 500 would be approx as follows:
- Kit with blades: £285.95
- Servos: Hitec HS-225BB - £11.12 from GrandRC
- 401 Gyro with tail servo: PM philiphenderson for a 401/9257 combo
- Lipo: Aurorra Revolution 6s 2200 - £78.68 to the door (deans connector included)

Trev.

[Ade_Law]

agreed, shuttle is just cheap rubbish that your gonna end up blinging to hell and it will still not perform even once you have doubled what it orriginoally cost you.

Ade

[Sesame]

Im fast comming to the conclusion in these things, that the modern machines give a whole lot better experience to the new pilot, if your gonna give the hobby a propper go then you need something that will give it justice. the knight/trex arguments will go on forever but they are both capable flyers comparable in cost even to an older design like the raptor.

If you like the hobby and take it up seriously you have a good machine if not then at least you have an upto day machine that has some decent value to another flyer.

my 2 penneth

[kingchopper]

yes the shuttle has a lot of slop built in, but for a newbie who hasnt mastered the minute movements required to fly a sensive modern heli, the slop helps to overcame the over reactions of the newbie.

i agree why would an experinced agressive 3d pilot want to fly a shuttle? question they wouldnt.

but we getting away from the question, this guy has never flown, owns nothing. and appears to be going it alone. and is asking for our help.

why spend almost a grand on a new helicopter, which youre only going to smash on your first flight (if youre going solo (not recommended by the way)).
i mean you never learnt to drive in a ferrari did you.

i tell you, if i smashed a new model on my first or second flight it would put me right off.

so i stand by my advice, get a nice cheap model from e-bay, get lessons or join a club. once you think your ready for the dream model only then go spend the grand or so

[marktigere1]

I'm only going to say three things....

1. You learn to fly the Shuttle NOT the other way round. As a result I have progressed quicker. Just need to over come the 'letting go' problem.

2. The Shuttle if setup well does NOT wobble or shake. Some members on here can confirm that my Shuttle is steady as a rock. Its also the older one without the Sceadu swashplate.

3. Its £135. Even a Trex 450s is £149. If you want to have a go with a model Helicopter, thats a cracking price. If your a 3D pilot (seems everyone is now) don't bother with it.

Mark

[trvo]

So what you guys are basically saying is, don't buy a gyro, learn to fly without one and then move on and get one later???

Seriously, the learning curve can be shortened incredibly by having a heli that does what you tell it to do! I'm talking from the 'beginners' view, not a 3d pilot. I've owned the majority of helis available and I only progressed once I brought the Sceadu, Knight and Trex.

Trev

[marktigere1]

So what you guys are basically saying is, don't buy a gyro, learn to fly without one and then move on and get one later???

Sorry Trev but that statement is why I am not commenting further on this thread.

No one said anything remotely like that nor implied it.

Unless you are gifted, it would take a long while before a beginner out grew a Shuttle frankly.

[trvo]

Unless you are gifted, it would take a long while before a beginner out grew a Shuttle frankly.

Only because they are hindered by it...I've been through the beginner stage and do still own a shuttle, it's had 5 flights in total and I realised it was holding me back. Why buy an ancient piece of technology when there's easier and more efficient ways of learning. So many people are put off because they purchase similar helicopters and find it harder to pick up the hobby...It's hard enough as it is without making life difficult for yourself. These other machines that I mentioned can be set up to be wild, or docile and are much easier to get to grips with as a first timer.

Trev