RE: HobbyKing Tuff Trainer
It's been over a year since I purchased this airplane & waited for the replacement part. It never came. HobbyKing customer service is horrid. I will only buy from them if I can consider it a throw away as they won't stand behind their products. On a much more pleasant note, I'm taking much needed flight instructions. I brought the Tuff Trainer to the field & the instructor could not get it to make left turns. Sound familar? He inspected the plane & decided the right thrust of the motor was way too much. Another instructor took it up & couldn't make left turns either. We checked lateral balance & it was spot on. The instructor thought about it for a minute & then taped a quarter on the left wing (viewed from the rear of the plane). Flew it again. Decided the quarter was too heavy, so he put a nickel on it instead. It now flies as it's supposed to! I have about 7 flights w/ the buddybox & even did a harrier (sp?) into the wind today. Floated like a kite. Chuck
Posted on: 9/14/2012 8:43 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "Park Flyers & Backyard Flyers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11228937

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Phil - were's that nite vid??? Dave - What is diameter of that big guy? Way cool looking. Now that my life has less stress in other areas, I find crashing no longer has as MUCH effect on me! LOL Bring on that good karma though! The parking lot is not that big but these guys accelerate at amazing speeds. My neck hurt watching them. NM has zero trees & almost no water. LOL Thanks any way. Lookin' to take a trip to TN & see what the housing is like down there Ivan - better luck next time. Was it that mini castle you showed me pics of? The 300 is flying but not quite right yet and it changes sound after a hard tail move. I've had 2 flying lessons on an airplane w/ a buddybox. 2 flights w/ the club gasser & 5 flights on the HK TuffTrainer. One of the instructors is an "Ivan" for planks. One short flight w/ the Tuff Trainer & a nickel taped to the wing & it was flying like a champ, well until I take over. LOL Chuck
Posted on: 9/14/2012 8:15 AM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11228318

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Ivan - since you're in car mode, what would make the Slash jerk under full acceleration? I've changed every parameter I could on the ESC & nothing seems to help. Another odd thing is it is worse w/ some packs than others. I'm starting to think that there might be a mechanical issue causing excessive current draw? Except if I continue to hold the accelator full, after a number of jerks, it takes off. Stop. Full Accel. jerk for awhile. Then go like a rabbit! Any ideas? House hunting sucks. We pretty much decided we can't afford to live on a fixed income here in IL which is on the verge of finacial collapse. Except where do we move to?? I personally would like some where a tad warmer (longer flying/driving/hovering season). I just finished installing the new tail servo. I assumed nothing would change (I am hoping) except the tail endpoint which I set. So with the new SuperSkids & new servo went out in the driveway to do a test flight. Gusts were hittinig 8MPH, steady about 4 mph, a tad breezy for my likiing. Lifted off & hovered about 2ft off the drive for about 10 seconds & all seemed well. Kicked it into idle up & raised the hover to about 3 ft & still everything seemed OK. Went another 20 secs & landed & put it a way for a calmer day! As soon as the wx clears up a bit, I have an appointment w/ an airplane flight instructor. I can't wait to get that Chinese trainer flying (& then the 55" t-28!)! I think they have a heli guy too, so I'll tap him later. Have a great holiday weekend. Chuck
Posted on: 9/2/2012 9:59 AM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11214506

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Scott - I try to keep my expectations low so when these "things" happen, I try not to get too upset! LOL The tail servo showed up to today - way to go Quantum Hobby. Nice folks out in CT! Ivan - I got thinking about what we talked about on the buddybox. I spent the morning on the deck in a nice cool breeze reading both manuals on how each could do this. Turns out the 7s has 4 trainer functions. I had to move the Tuff Trainer over to it so it could be the master & the 6i the slave. But super simple after that - the 6i does not need any setup at all & only the 4 joysticks are used as trainer. It worked like a champ (on the deck, not in the air!). Thanks for the idea! While I was redoing the plane any way I double checked centers, throws, etc. Tweaked the best I could. A little thread lock on the screws. Now I just need a trim flight. Chuck
Posted on: 8/30/2012 9:00 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11212227

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Scott - sometimes I feel that way too! LOL And it gets better: I decided I can't wait a month for a replacement tail servo so I found one & ordered it online. This morning the UPS guys shows up w/ a box from HH. First I'm excited, then I'm furious! If they sent me the servo & I ordered one too.... ARGHHHH! But, no, all is well, they sent me the wrong servo! Philly - always look forward to your vids. I saw a vid on plank retrieval from a tree using a shootgun! So we call Eddie if we need help! I couldn't find a repalcement plug for the new T-28 so I replaced it w/ a XT60 which is on most of my packs now. I taxied it in the basement & all seems well. Now if I only knew how to fly an airplane! LOL Chuck
Posted on: 8/29/2012 1:56 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11210614

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
I took the 300X for a spin this morning to try out the new SuperSkids landing gear & the tail servo failed in flight. Landed w/o any damage but they are not in stock at HH until end of Sept. I can't wait that long, so i need to do a search on the Internet to find one! Chuck
Posted on: 8/28/2012 10:32 AM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11209135

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Sorry Ivan! Life got in the way of fun, again! I hope I'm still elegible to rx the bag of non dog droppings! How about one evening this week (except Tuesday)? I found some 4mm motor plugs & I think I can figure out how to make an adapter from those. If you have just the housing, that might help as well! I fired up the retracts today w/ the servo tester- way cool! As soon as I get it powered up, I'm going to challenge my neighbor's E-Revo to a drag race down the street! A little down elevator & WOT & I think I can take him. Chuck
Posted on: 8/26/2012 8:15 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11207108

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Thanks, Scott. That Freak link is one I did not find. Yet more to read LOL. Ivan - grab those car kits if you see them. I almost bought one at an estate sale I thought the tag said 25 cents but it was 25 dollars! I have some thing to do until later in the afternoon. I'll give you a call when I get back. The manual warned against updating the AR7200 unless you're willing to reprogram everything for the 300X by hand after the update. Thanks for checking on the connector for me. It's a P-n-P so it's going on the 7S & it is 55" wing span. I think I can sit on it & take it for a ride! I'm still trying to find a club who will help me learn to fly. Chuck
Posted on: 8/26/2012 9:47 AM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11206485

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Thanks Scott. I do have the manual but it just tells me how to change the parameters not what they actually do and/or why you'd want to change them! I was trying to guess which parameters would be affected by just changing the gears on the servos. I think I guessed right as it did not crash after the repairs. The factory defaults [b]are[/b] specific to the 300X according to the 300X manual I was thinking it might be time to get a digital pitch gauge! Though I might try the tape method 1st. Ivan - when did you dump your 300X? I eyeballed leveling the swash since my leveler was too big to fit. What do you use on the smaller helis for that? The blade tracking is slightly off after the crash. I'm probably around all day tomorrow (Sunday). I'd be happy to stop by & help you setup your 300X LOL! jerrymac - always good to be flying - welcome back. I watched a bunch of vids about the BeastX & AR7200BX & each one had a nugget some where in it. I still have a lot to learn though. Chuck Phil - I was thinking about you when I put this in my shopping cart! LOL
Posted on: 8/25/2012 9:03 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11206096

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
So how do you measure pitch w/o a flybar? I went to check pitch on the 300x w/ my pitch gauge & realized, da! no flybar! LOL Just came back from an impromptu race track in the parking lot of a shopping center. The fast car was clocked at 101 MPH & it was electric. Most were running between 65 & 80 MPH! Too dark to take a vid. Chuck
Posted on: 8/17/2012 9:18 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11197481

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Scott & Ivan, I just rebuilt the 300X & I was wondering what the minimum settings I should set on the AR7200BX? I replaced the main shaft & gear, straightened the tail boom & rebuilt 2 of the swash servos. From what I can see, I would need to adjust Setup Menu G (servo centering). How about J (cyclic pitch geometry), K (collective pitch range), L (cyclic limit). Then there's the Parameter Menu A (cyclic center adjustment). Your advice will be greatly appreciated1 How's IRCHA going? It's been raining here & not sure which way the storms have been moving. Chuck
Posted on: 8/16/2012 2:46 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11196139

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Thanks, Scott. Have a great time! I found another club w/ a flying field so I took my Tuff Trainer over there w/ 5 packs ready to fly my brains out on the buddybox. Nice bunch of fella's. They all had BIG gassers though. The flight instructor took the TF for a quick flight & changed some settings. Then spent the next hour trying to get the 6i & the DX7 to both control the TF. He failed. I watched a couple of flights & went home. Sigh.... Chuck
Posted on: 8/14/2012 2:32 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11193463

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Thanks, Dave. Some good stuff there! Scott & Ivan, How long is the extended boom on the mCP X? From where it goes in the frame to where it goes into the tail motor holder. Thanks. Got a tail wag since I rebuilt the tail section. I have to look for more damage I guess. Chuck
Posted on: 8/13/2012 2:55 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11192060

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Any plank experts reading this?? I just flew my balsa Telemaster. It made nice tight left stick turns but when I tried a turn in the other direction, it was a really wide, sweeping turn. Any ideas? The rudder moved the same amount on the gnd. The wind was pretty light & variable. The wing just brushed a tree but enough to pop off the magnets, so the wing fluttered down to the gnd while the fuse did the lawn dart routine! Any ideas? My HK Tuff Trainer acted the same. Chuck Hi Eddie.
Posted on: 8/12/2012 11:26 AM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11190516

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Ivan - you aren't the only one w/ a bad motor. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw6lmo-M790&feature=g-vrec[/youtube]
Posted on: 8/10/2012 5:42 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11188770

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Dave +1 what Ivan said. I remember yo-yos when I was a kid, though they were made of rocks & weren't round! That Towel looked interesting. Ivan - sorry I haven't had time to make it over to pick up the skids The parts went from Indianapolis, IN to Elk Grove Village, IL (about 10 miles from my house) to Kansas City, KS! What the h3ll?? So if you're not working and you go away for a week, what do you call it? It can't be a vacation from doing nothing can it? LOL Chuck
Posted on: 7/27/2012 7:53 AM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11171170

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
. Haven't won anything in about 3 years! I'll try to do better. The "clp.eng Heli
Posted on: 7/25/2012 11:30 AM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11168781

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Scott - thanks, I think I got it now! Ivan - I'll take the skids. Thanks. Chuck
Posted on: 7/23/2012 12:07 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11166001

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
A real mixed day yesterday! 1. MCP x made 3 attempts to do a flip - first failed & popped off main gear, 2nd real ugly but successful flip w/ 2 witnesses but no vid(!), 3rd failed w/ broken link & tail boom 2, 300 X - did a bunch of single piros in each direction. Started doing some skinny figure 8's & the last one I lost site of the heli in the trees & poor lighting instead of giving lots of up I did a throttle cut, Results: Main shaft main gear damaged the blades but might be flyable 2 servos w/ stripped gears blade strike on boom damaged canopy broke off landing gear I just ordered a bunch of parts & if the wx stays hot I'll have a lot to do in the cool basement fixing broken helis! LOL Went to 5:30 & put 900mAH back in, so next time I'll up the timer to 6:00 minutes Dave - welcome back! Is your skin wrinkled from being in the water this long??? Scott - so I guess I'm fuzzy on the difference between attitude & motion. Got any references I can read? Ivan - good to see you yesterday. Had a good time flying with you. Did you get the tail issues workd out yet? Chuck
Posted on: 7/22/2012 10:40 AM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11164531

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Scott - there is some kind of stabilization in the AR7200BX as one of the preflight tests is to move the heli & make sure the swash moves in the opposite direction, just like my KDS. I just put the 2 new Turnigy packs through the 300x. I'm liking it! Needs a bit more tweaking but I found myself being much more comfortable flying it, almost like the KDS 450. I took the canopy off & the noise dropped almost in half. The canopy is a bear to get on as well. I set the timer to 5:30 since I'm not doing any 3D (yet!?!). At 4:30 I put back 700mAH in the stock pack out of 1350. Chuck
Posted on: 7/21/2012 6:43 AM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11163386

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Scott - thanks. I need to read up again on pitch vs throttle, etc. Ivan - does the CP blades fit on the 300X? I've been looking for replacement blades & CF especially. There are a lot of 245mm blades for the CP series & others. Got the converter connector finished not pretty but should work OK. A bit windy today for me to want to try the 300 again. Maybe later in the day after the COOL front moves through. It was 69° F when I woke up this morning. I almost froze to death! LOL Chuck
Posted on: 7/20/2012 12:00 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11162660

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
I've got 5% expo on the rudder. I'll try decreasing the endpoints as well. I set it up (D/R) just like the book said 85/100. Maybe I used the wrong term but I thought there was no expo for up & down!?!? LOL I vaguely remember something abt changing the swash mix for that but I can't find the info at the moment. I have trouble controlling this on all my helis. I think my left thumb is very nonlinear due to some scar tissue (or probs w/ that side of the brain!). Thanks, Scott. The 2nd pack looked much nicer. I was REALLY nervous on that maiden (1st time w/o Ivan standing next to me!)LMAO It is very loud compared to the 2 450s I flew right after. I will say, it did not bog down when I punched it! Darn near soiled my drawers it went up so high so fast! Chuck
Posted on: 7/19/2012 5:07 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11161732

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
So I did my maiden. Two things I noticed (at least for me), the tail was very fast & I couldn't control altitude at all. It was very noisy (thin canopy, I think). I've got the pack charging & I'll try again. Then I have to find where to calm it down a bit on the left stick. Just for comparison I flew the KDS 450 & the new 450. The KDS is so easy! The new 450 is very "responsive" & I was over correcting a lot. However, the new 450 was closer to the 300X than the KDS. So now I know. [youtube]http://youtu.be/tQ4Ih7Qr-14[/youtube] Chuck
Posted on: 7/19/2012 3:01 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11161431

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Ivan- dose your motor get pretty warm? Mines way hotter than either 450. Chuck
Posted on: 7/19/2012 1:04 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11161449

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Thanks Ivan & Scott. I downloaded the AR manual & I'll need to read that to make sure I understand what all the lights mean. I got the pack charged last night. I'm having some trouble figuring out a good way to make the adapter connectors for the XT60's though. The Tx is programmed, now all I need to do is bind it & power it up & do the preflight checks. If all goes well, then spool up! Chuck
Posted on: 7/19/2012 9:17 AM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11161188

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Thanks, Scott. It is using TX control so I'll be sure to add some expo before I take off. Off to the dungeon to build some FrankenNectors.... Chuck
Posted on: 7/18/2012 10:08 AM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11159975

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Scott - I will! I read the manual last night & hopefully they (HH) did their job & I shouldn't have to worry about the AR7200BX, yet. I noticed all the TX setups had no Expo. I'm guessing that it's OK to use it? Ivan- does that mean you'll be able to offer me some advice as you've maidened yours already??? LOL Interesting that they already had three update bulletins in the box! Apparently, the woodies can't handle full headspeed & then some typos in the setups. I'll need to check their website before I go any farther. Chuck
Posted on: 7/18/2012 8:36 AM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11159869

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
I ordered it on Sunday & figured I have a week to read & try an understand the manual. It came today (Tuesday)! Chalk one up for Red Rocket Hobbies! I can't charge the pack until I make some adapters for the charger, so the maiden vid might be a couple of days. I've got 2 more packs coming from HK (USA). Can't wait to fire this baby up. Chuck
Posted on: 7/17/2012 1:05 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11158889

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
[quote]ORIGINAL: dunkonu23 Chuck, Yep, I have both BeastX and AR7200BX units.  They're functionally the same with the exception that it has been said the AR7200BX has circuitry for a governor.   Stability... that's a toughie.  I guess I can answer that question this way:  Proper setup both mechanically and electronically in the FBL unit will give you a helicopter that goes where you point it with minimal corrections. They're not auto pilots and to my knowledge, neither unit has accelerometers so it does not have ability to tell up from down, upright or inverted, or right from left.  That means they cannot correct for things like drift.  In hover, for example, if they helicopter gets hit by wind it's not going to automatically adjust for that hit and keep the helicopter in the same place.  So, proper mechanical setup is important.  The more time you spend getting the mechanical setup spot on, the better the helicopter is going to fly - no different from flybarred helicopters.  That said, my 7HV will hold a hover in no wind, with very little drift at all.  Last time I checked that, it was well over 20 seconds of hands off hovering.  Leveling the swash plate is super critical.  I hope that's good, bro.  :) Scott [/quote] Thanks, Scott I case you were wondering why I asked...
Posted on: 7/17/2012 1:03 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11158885

RE: Struggling with single rotor basics V2
Ivan - awesome track! Looks like a gas. I think I have some pics of tracks & if I find them I'll send the best, maybe you can get a new idea or 2 from them! You're right smallish but challenging. You gotta' know how to drive! That's what I've been doing w/ the mini buggy, trying todo precision driving down the sidewalk, out into the street back up the driveway, & back again! Scott - good to hear you have your H2O prob fixed. Do you have a BeastX and/or the AR7200BX? Does the FBL electrics help w/ stablity? Or just more "controllable"? J-Micahel - I doubt it! But I keep trying, I EVEN have fun once in awhile! LOL Love Maui - I'm jealous, want a house guest for a couple of years???? Good luck in your new endeavors! (Now that's a move, Ivan!) Chuck
Posted on: 7/15/2012 5:11 PM by Author "clp.eng" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11156501