Some questions for new CP owner

[sefrez]

I have just tried out my first CP helicopter, the V120D02S. It is actually my first helicopter flight experience altogether if you do not include an old cheap coaxial that fell apart before I could actually fly it. The usual advice being to start coaxial, then fixed pitch, then collective pitch, I did not follow. But given my mastery of the Hoten X (I assume near as hard to fly as a coaxial) I felt a CP would not be a huge step with this particular model, given its 6-axis gyro.

All I have done with it as of now is one flight over the smooth flooring of my garage. Just hovers. It is definitely harder to fly than my quad, or at least different. I have the current normal flight mode setup like that in the manual, with a -20% pitch at 0 throttle. I am having to keep this in mind so as to not run the helicopter into the ground. I do like the support negative pitch gives once the helicopter is on the ground though. Someone advise me if I should stick to 0 pitch at 0 throttle being a beginner.

My questions regard mechanical setup to trimming and whether or not to even further setup. I haven't gotten far off the ground so I am unsure of the stability, but the helicopter seemed to sway backward and to the left a little (given by the helicopter in front of me with its nose pointing away from me.) I understand the tendency for it to go to the left due to the forces at the tail (not only is a torque created by the forces at the tail, the center of mass also accelerates as if that force were acting on it.) Should I use trimming or mechanical changes even though the swash-plate seems to be level? I figure trimming is simply going to change the center of the servos (thus making for uneven travel in opposing directions) and so perhaps a mechanical setup would be better? Though, given that I'm new to helicopters I should ask if I should even make changes. Drift may be expected, and is something I need to learn control of.

Any advice is appreciated!

[cds1950]

Let me tell you what I know which isn't much but one thing that is important with all hover vehicles. as long as you are close to the ground say the first foot or so the craft is in what is called ground affect. I have found that this seems to affect helicopters more than quads. This causes them to be very erratic and move to the lef, tip to the left and maybe even backwards. It is amazing how much different they act when they are another foot or two higher. I tell you this because I started trying to work on my trims without this understanding early on. It just didn't seem to work out. I now get all aircraft a foot or two off the ground before touching the trims unless they are just so unstable it is impossible to get even that kind of altitude.

Beyond what I have just told you I am at a loss as I got into quadcopters over a year ago and haven't done much at all with my helicopters.

Anyone else have advice on the questions?

[sefrez]

Yes, the weather has been bad for me since getting the v120, I need to get out and get it up in the air. Thanks for the info.

[cds1950]

Since this is your first non-coaxial helicopter let me make two more suggestions.

First there are very good free training tutorials and videos available on the Internet. Just type "learning to fly RC helicopters" into your search engine and see all the links. Some are free, some recommend using a simulator first, some have a reasonable cost. Check them out. There is a link to one on the Walkera Helicopter Supply Home page towards the bottom.

Second, the reason I got into quads heavily was due to the unavailability of assistance learning to fly helicopters so you may want to consider trying some of the quads that are available on Walkera Helicopter Supply. Just a suggestion.

[tugboat001]

For a new 120d02s beginner like me. You will probly go though a servo or 2 from crashes. I thought about the servo itself as the gears did strip like is posted on other blogs. I have 3 of these coming from WHS. But to get you back into the air on the same servo here is what i did for a quick fix. this is no way permanent. dissasemble the servo.(come apart easy). remember where the gears go. now there is the main shaft gear(the one that connects to the arm). If you pull the gear and turn it 180 degrees and make sure the stripped tooth or 2 are 180 deg away from where they would make contact it will work... i was up and flying with the same servo in less than a half hour. also these do not stand up well coming down too hard on the skids. Flimsy plastick. they should have made it our of carbon fiber or a sturdier plastic. But i am new to models. I prefer the real thing. But fuel is big $$$ now a days. great little chopper and it handles great even in stunt mode. I just started flying rc's 2 days ago. But then i think the legup for me is having flown the real deal and knowing the charecteristics of flight. Good flying and minnimal crashed to everyone. now i have to figure out a quick fix for the landing skid's. Like my wife always says..YOU CAN DO IT! And for Walkera Hellicopter Supply goes. The shipping is like lightning. I ordered last night and it will be delivered on monday. Ordered friday and have it monday. Ya just cant beat that!!!!!! Good work Dave! Keep it up and everyone will be coming to your store for the goos stuff. Betcha cant beat that reveiv on WHS! Thanx again.