Lost Tail at 150ft :O

[VVazzo]

Just got back from the field. Was flying my first tank of the day, when my Raptor unexpectedly flipped inverted, and started spinning.

I managed to flip it back right-way-up, then hit throttle hold, and prepared for my first emergency auto. (first auto of any non-simulated kind actually)

Had no forward speed as I was setting up for some high tic-toc practice when the tail went, so I fed in some negative and hoped for the best.

Raptor came down about 300 ft infront of me.

Quickly ran out to my poor stricken heli expecting at least some damage - but there was none

Turns out I'd lost a grub screw from the hub of my tail output shaft. Quick check over and a new grub screw, and she was back in the air in no time.

May I take this oportunity to thank Phoenix RC, SAB blades, and Thunder Tiger for making proper solid products

Decided I'm going to work on elective autos for a while now. But what a rush!!

Safe flying guys 'n' gals!

[PsiLo]

congrats on a safe recovery!! Practicing autos is great and once you get in to it very addictive, prepare to burn loads of fuel just doing autos

[Mart61]

Nice recovery! Bet you're a happy bunny!

[Gav]

nice one! Excellent when there's no damage or repair bill.

I did crash my Gaui200 inverted this morning - hit t.hold before it went it (long grass). Pulled off the nettles wrapped around the main shaft and back up again no damage. Result! Not as impressive as a AUTOROTATION save but still had a good feeling from surving what seemed to be the end

[VVazzo]

nice one! Excellent when there's no damage or repair bill.

I did crash my Gaui200 inverted this morning - hit t.hold before it went it (long grass). Pulled off the nettles wrapped around the main shaft and back up again no damage. Result! Not as impressive as a AUTOROTATION save but still had a good feeling from surving what seemed to be the end

Nice job

The mad thing was, as it was spinning, I pulled TH, and thought to myself, 'at least it won't do the chicken-dance'. But as soon as I had hit TH, I regained almost full control, - minus yaw control ofc - and the descent was actually quite a relaxed affair!

It's really inspired me with the confidence to start doing them on purpose, and translating my Phoenix skills to real life. I can do all kinds of autos in Phoenix, even inverted to right-way-up with long floaty glide at the end, and 99.9% soft landings.

From what I've read, I'm led to believe that when learning to fly full scale, autorotation is learned very early on. In the book, Chickenhawk, the student's instructor would unexpectedly cut the engine several times during both hover & FF. Talk about being pushed in at the deep end!!

[p4ddy]

Wow, lucky you getting it upright, well done that man. Well done on an instictive auto aswell, a great example of hours on the sim being 200% worthwhile

[xygax]

150ft = 45.72M

for those of us that cant get our head around olde money...

SSteve

[p4ddy]

150ft = 45.72M

for those of us that cant get our head around olde money...

SSteve

What's that in yards for us golfers???


Or maybe tell us if it's a par 3 or par 4 etc

[xygax]

Probably a birdie.... that narrowly escaped becoming a bogie and doing the chicken dance

So does taht qualify as an Eagle ????

Steve

[p4ddy]

If you put it like that then i reckon an Albatross

[GravityKills]

when you practise autos, don't forget airspeed.
There are some articles on the web that tell you to go straight down. This is totally misleading, it's the hardest kind.

[VVazzo]

when you practise autos, don't forget airspeed.
There are some articles on the web that tell you to go straight down. This is totally misleading, it's the hardest kind.

Thanks.

Yeah, I always practise them with airspeed (in Phoenix). Didn't have a choice this morning though. That's why I'm all the more chuffed

[zoombolt]

Well done Chris. Another manouver under your belt.

[millerman]

Well done for saving your heli i had the same thing happen with my 250se
a couple of weeks ago that grub screw coming loose luckly for me i was 10ft in the air but despite the mad spinning managed to land it !
think im gonna keep practicing my auto's on phoenix though !