Hummingbird & Mini Dragonfly, setup, upgrades

[Pipistrelli]

Firstly a little about myself. I bought a Smartech Aerohawk (FP) many years ago and after becoming frustrated with trying to hover in the conservatory (pendulum crashes) I shelved it until the XRB Lama came out.

After much practice I decided to try the Aerohawk again and found I could fly...... well at least hover it! Over time as my skills developed I had to carry out many repairs and did a lot of internet reading which ultimately led to improvement through upgrades.

It wasn't until I bought a bog standard T-Rex 450x that I learned forward flight outdoors and have progressed to sport flying with a few loops for good measure. After learning forward flight with the 'Rex I went back to the FP Hummingbird and found I could really throw it around and it was good fun too, A few friends have commented that it flies like a CP machine rather than fixed pitch.

My point is that I have a lot of experience getting heli's to fly! I am not a brilliant pilot, but I can get most stuff to take off and land in a controlled manner.

Although this topic is intended to cover the Century Hummingbird heli, most of the upgrades are applicable to all micro helis, some are essential, others are just for refinement.

regs

Pip

[Pipistrelli]

Firstly essential upgrades, assuming all electronics are working properly:

1. High Authority Tail motor (GWS/EDP 50) & Direct Drive 0302 prop.
2. High Head Speed Fixed Pitch Wooden Main Rotor Blades.
3. Dragonfly Performance Motor.
4. Head stiffener.
5. Bin the birdseed, use a 3 cell Lipo, 700-1200mAh.
6. Lipo alarm or monitor for 3 cell packs.

These upgrades will ensure that it can be flown outdoors, even in a slight breeze. Forward flight works just like a CP heli. Loops and rolls are possible, but

Non-essential upgrades:

1. Ball-in-swash swashplate.
2. Shaft collar.
3. Battery Plate, CF or ply.
4. Lightweight Rx and micro aerial, or Spektrum AR6100.

These upgrades will refine cyclic control, help set a forward CofG and make the heli more responsive whilst keeping AUW to a minimum.

regs

Pip