Thinking of going scale

[Eckchaz]

I'm thinking of making my redundant 450 into a mini scale. I was looking at some bits and may go with changing the head to a 4 blade system aswell. What I want to know is do you need a FBL system for them, as i read on some places that you dont need to

[p4ddy]

I'm 98% sure you don't

[Eckchaz]

I'm 98% sure you don't

Thanks p4ddy, Is that because the other two blades act like a FB?

What If I went 3 or 5 blade head.. would I need one then?

[Rotorhead]

You dont need to, but in forwards flight it will tend to want to pitch up so you will need to hold the stick forward, same with other numbers of blades.

[antsis]

Thanks p4ddy, Is that because the other two blades act like a FB?

No, all the blades work together just like a normal 2 blade setup.

What If I went 3 or 5 blade head.. would I need one then?

The thing that is very important with multiblade setups is the blade phasing. This can be set mechanically or with electronics. However, most 3-5 blade heads available are designed to eliminate the need to set the phasing.
Multi heads are also very sensitive and you would need to change your pitch curve, reduce the cyclic D/R and add quite a bit of expo.

A FBL system would greatly help with the control aspect, but depending on your skill level, a multi head can be flown without.

[Eckchaz]

Thanks Ant, so why is it you dont need a FBL system? I remember Trev at MH telling me you need it (unless I misunderstood him) as the heli is always prone to pitching?

[antsis]

Eddie

Apart from electronically adjusting the phasing, a FBL system for multi heads works the same way as the ones used for two blade FBL systems i.e Align 3G.

As mentioned, multiheads have a tendency to pitch up (much like the old hummingbird FP used to do in FF) and the electronics react to the pitching. However, if you reduce the cyclic D/R and add expo, it is possible to fly a multi head just as a conventional FB one. They can be a handful in the wind though. You have to fly the head constantly and be much more aware of the model's behaviour.

Here is a vid of the 3rd test flight of my T600e mechanics with the 5 blade head and no stabilisation.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IuyhQsuDAI"]YouTube - trex multi head test.mp4[/ame]

[Mark_T]

Thanks Ant, so why is it you dont need a FBL system? I remember Trev at MH telling me you need it (unless I misunderstood him) as the heli is always prone to pitching?

Plenty of people have been going FBL for years now without using electronic assistance, just needs the skills to be able to handle it.

If you have the skills then you don't need the electronics.

If you have the electronics then you will make life easier for yourself.

Just comes down to confidence and ability, so you just need to ask yourself, 'Do I feel lucky ...?'

Good luck with your experiment and do post the photos.

[Eckchaz]

Thanks for replies guys!

Mark_T, its nothing special mate but will post photos if I get it done.. just been thinking that the titans been sitting there since jan and not flown.. so toying about having a little scale project. So I may get the TT Agusta, 4 blade head and Navi lights aswell.. It should be nice and straight forward and it gives me something do do over xmas!

[macca221]

I am flying a 450 with 5 blade and hughs 500 e fues and have had no real problems one thing that helps is to set your trans for mild flight as we are not trying to fly 3 d reduce blade angles and soften axceleration and there are no problems one other thing if the fues has upper windows like the 500 e they must be closed as if left open to airflow they cause problems and vibration

[Eckchaz]

Thanks for suggestion Macca221

However, I'm putting it on hold now as I've just brought a Velocity 90 to keep me busy!