What tools for checking links

[Delarado]

Great, thats the right way to go about it! Sorry to get on at you, but the amount of people I have approach me when Im flying these things, and either stand right next to/ underneath it or ask for a go and then cant understand why I say no... Its clear to us heli fliers that most of the "joe public" have no perception of how dangerous they are and merely see it as a toy!

Im glad your doing things the right way round. I'd certainly suggest investing in a simulator or getting some lessons, they are both extremely worthwhile investments. Phoenix is a good one, a lot of people use it on here - and you can fly in groups online too, so to a certain extent people will tutor you when flying online. We are all very helpful

Just FYI since its a nitro, you shouldnt have a problem plugging in that battery and switching the transmitter on and checking everything moves like it should do, the engine will not start on its own - so you should be safe to do that.

Does it have an autoglow thing? (Some nitros use a special module fitted to them so you can flick a switch on the transmitter to ignite the glowplug, others require the use of a separate glow plug ignitor thing like the below)

http://img.dxcdn.com/productimages/sku_122538_1.jpg

If it has a built in auto glow module just check its not on before you plug the battery in. you dont want to burn out the glow plug or flatten your battery.

Things you should probably research now are a bit of battery technology, charging, caring for them etc, and then things like starting procedures, engine tuning, have a read of the manual for your transmitter and whatnot. Its important to understand things like trim, sub trim, dual rates, swashplates etc.

You may find this series of videos very interesting. Its quite high level stuff, but explains a lot of concepts very clearly. I think there are 7 in the series.

Helicopter Physics Series Intro - #1 Smarter Every Day 45 - YouTube

[tomatwalden]

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You may find this series of videos very interesting. Its quite high level stuff, but explains a lot of concepts very clearly. I think there are 7 in the series.

Helicopter Physics Series Intro - #1 Smarter Every Day 45 - YouTube

Totally agree. I really enjoyed this series by Destin. Very interesting/educational - cool flying demos from Carl Groover and fantastic music to boot!

Well worth the time to watch ..

[Delarado]

Keratos - there is no defacto correct way to do things.

With a flybarred head you MUST set the links correctly and have a level swash etc.

With flybarless, its not so important but still a good idea to get it about right.

Use the manual for your heli to set the link lengths to about what the manual says. Then use a swashplate levelling tool ( I think this is the one but not sure Swashplate Leveling Tool V2 for T-REX 550/600 CNC AL /Carbon 30410026) to get the swash level, you take the head off so you just have the shaft sticking up, slip that tool over the shaft and the legs should contact the 3 legs of the swash. If not, adjust link lengths / transmitter sub trims and go from there.

However, you may need to do something with the 3g unit to stop the gyros interfering, but im not sure - ive never used a 3g before.

once this is all level put it all back together. However, if the heli has flown you shouldnt need to do this. IMO just turn it on, check the swash is about level by eye and you shouldnt need to do much else.

Is a different matter with a newly built heli, but since its been used before you should be ok.

[helijohn]

Some paired links in some situations need to be equal in length particularly in a new build or if re-setting the mechanics. I think it applies more to non eCCPM set-ups. I was a bit lavish many years ago and bought a Century link gauge which is a great piece of kit and it gets used more often than not.

Century Control Rod Set-up | Midland Helicopters Ltd

That said, a lot of times I make extra tweaking adjustments as has been pointed out above by others.

[PKNEC]

Can you provide a link/explanation of what this does and How do i do this

By inserting the plugs into the eye of the link you can then use a vernier caliper to measure the links and then adjust them to the correct length then when you reattach the links to the swash it should be level.
Considering yours has been flown already I would suspect everything is as it should be.

[waveydavey]

If you are really that bothered about checking them accurately, take a vernier, insert the inside measuring anvils into a ball link, open out against the the inner walls. Zero your vernier. Then measure from outer (inside) edge on one ball link to outer (inside) edge on the other ball link, an accurate reading can be observed of centre to centre.

[Keratos]

ok guys, thanks for the excellent advice. I understand but need to post a new topic as my understanding has led to another topic question

[Keratos]

Resolved. Many thanks.