For those considering the HBFP...some videos.

[racin06]

I thought I would share some of my early videos flying the HBFP during my first year of forward flight. I'm flying the HBFP in numerous stock and modified forms. Prior to beginning forward flight, it took me 4 months to learn hovering in all orientations.

I know the HBFP is recommended by many, including me. The HBFP isn't a perfect heli; however, once you learn to fly a stock HBFP, you'll be capable of flying any larger CP heli.

Stock HBFP (2 months FF experience)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6qiwszIVp8&feature=channel_page

Stock HBFP in 10 mph wind gusts (3 months FF experience)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MidonBgnX_w&feature=channel_page

Modified HBFP w/Slo-Max 300 main motor and Kyosho M24 Blades (4 months FF experience)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSq9FNrdWYw&feature=channel_page

Modified HBFP w/Slo-Max 300 main motor, DD Tail, Kyosho M24 Blades (4 months FF experience)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv5US_E5Y-0&feature=channel_page

Modified HBFP w/AR6100 Rx - All other components are stock (5 months FF experience)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KMqYcnSb3c&feature=channel_page

Modified HBFP w/Slo-Max 300 main motor, DD Tail, Kyosho M24 Blades, AR6100 Rx (8 months FF experience)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WJ-mO2IXNY&feature=channel_page

Modified HBFP w/Slo-Max 300 main motor, DD Tail, Kyosho M24 Blades, AR6100 Rx (12 months FF experience)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDH_SnPKO2E&feature=channel_page

[jasmine2501]

I should pick up one of these just for fun, just to try it out. Is there any way to get it ARF so I can use my DX7? Or is that even worth it?

[Blade_Killer]

yes you can get a bare bones Jazz, they run about $40

[jasmine2501]

yes you can get a bare bones Jazz, they run about $40

No way :eek:

Do you have a link? Hobby-Lobby doesn't seem to have it?

[Blade_Killer]

well.......

this is what you want (EK1H-E004D), other places sell it, but BP seems to be out of stock atm

http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id=W262062&pid=W289468

[jasmine2501]

Thanks that is really cool :)

Might be a good one for my kid to start after he masters the CX2.

[norcalheli]

Easiest way is the barebones, which has the motors, and an Eflite 3-in-1 for the CP Pro. That way you can use one of your Spektrum receivers. Or do the Guru-Z thing with a belt tail, brushless motor, and the head from a HB FP. I did both of the above with a Century Hummingbird, essentially the same thing.

[Balr14]

If you do the GuruZ upgrade to the HBFP, you can always swap the head assembly for the one in your BCP. The GuruZ frame will handle a number of different heads.

[jasmine2501]

Yeah but I want to fly it "stock" I think - kinda wondering what all the fuss is about and if it's really as good for a trainer as people say. Might just get the $99 version with the radio, so I can really test what people might be likely to buy if they are new to all this. I am working on some videos for the RWMAA... sort of a "what to buy and what to do with it" series for new people, and I would love to be able to present some options of inexpensive ways to get started with a complete kit.

http://rwmaa.org/

[Redslotman]

racin06,
Thanks for the great videos.

[cherokee]

I just ordered another HBFP, the first one could not swim....it was killed when the bacement flooded.

It was the first heli I tried, and by the end of the first day I could tail in hover. There are a couple of parts I would get from the get go. but you can get all the spare parts you can think of....and several of each for under $20.
Parts are cheap. And the little thing is very tough.

I was looking at getting a more advanced heli but after looking at my needs/wants this little guy fits the bill, and for a C-note you can't go wrong.

[Blade_Killer]

Yeah but I want to fly it "stock" I think - kinda wondering what all the fuss is about and if it's really as good for a trainer as people say. Might just get the $99 version with the radio, so I can really test what people might be likely to buy if they are new to all this. I am working on some videos for the RWMAA... sort of a "what to buy and what to do with it" series for new people, and I would love to be able to present some options of inexpensive ways to get started with a complete kit.

http://rwmaa.org/

Jazz, the HBFP has been cover forwards and backwards in the owners thread, just about anything that can be done to it, has and is covered in the three owners threads......check it out

[racin06]

racin06,
Thanks for the great videos.

You are welcome. I just wanted to share how I started out in helis. Sure, beginning with an FP heli certainly isn't the only way to learn to fly helis, but it IS a way. I do recommend starting out with an FP heli; however, there is no reason why a person can't learn on a CP helis as well. It's just my preference.

Jasmine,

It's interesting that you are helping out the RWMMA. I know Lou Peragallo, who is an RWMMA board member. Lou lives here in the Indianapolis area. Lou owns a couple of nice turbine helis :cool:.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ4HkGW-5YQ

[jasmine2501]

Jasmine,

It's interesting that you are helping out the RWMMA. I know Lou Peragallo, who is an RWMMA board member. Lou lives here in the Indianapolis area. Lou owns a couple of nice turbine helis :cool:.



Yah, I spoke with Wayne Brown on the phone for a while one night, and basically they asked for my help with the Big Hover, which I think is pretty cool. It's a great idea, and I think they want a perspective from someone who still remembers what it's like to be new at this. He asked about the Blade 400 specifically, but I think it would be nice to present some options - there are many good entry-level machines out there right now.

I like those turbine helicopters - one of my all time favorite full scales is the Apache, and I think it would be really cool to build one 'correctly' with two turbines :)

[LSF226]

My wife got me a HB FP for Christmas. I was curious to see if I could master a heli. I think without all the posts and assistance that you can find on the web today I would have given up. Jasmine, to name one lister, was very helpful and one of the resources I relied on. I haven't "mastered" the Honey Bee but I can do a very consistent hover. I try to fly in the garage once a day and it took about 5 weeks before I could get much confidence. I've crashed three times - one blade joiner and two center hubs for about $23.00, which I think is pretty good.

Don't give up. It can be done!

RichardS

[kryznic]

I'm moving up to HB myself, been playing with my coax comanche for a while, ordering one next week. Nice vids btw, helps seal the deal.

[1320fastback]

Here's some of my beginner videos, I have been flying since Christmas 08 and have mastered tail in and am working on side in (both)

These FP helis are great to learn on because a crash only costs a few dollars if there is any damage at all. Because of the slow head speed the blades usually survive mishaps undamaged.

Stock body with GWS EDF40 tail (way to fragile)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BvDp4j1aGk&feature=channel

Xtreme body with GWS DD tail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GisW1K1Udlw&feature=channel_page

[kryznic]

can someone explain to me what 'tail in' is?

[jasmine2501]

can someone explain to me what 'tail in' is?
With the tail facing you - it is the easiest position to hover with. "Nose-in" is the other way around and most folks say that's the hardest position to hover with.

[1320fastback]

Yea tail in is easy because left is left and right is right, but nose in is right to go left and left to go right....or is it up to go left and right to go down :D

just remember - stick to the low side.

[racin06]

Thanks that is really cool :)

Might be a good one for my kid to start after he masters the CX2.

BP Hobbies has the BB kit with the yellow canopy in stock -

http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id=W262062&pid=B3915414

[Redslotman]

My wife got me a HB FP for Christmas. I was curious to see if I could master a heli. I think without all the posts and assistance that you can find on the web today I would have given up. Jasmine, to name one lister, was very helpful and one of the resources I relied on. I haven't "mastered" the Honey Bee but I can do a very consistent hover. I try to fly in the garage once a day and it took about 5 weeks before I could get much confidence. I've crashed three times - one blade joiner and two center hubs for about $23.00, which I think is pretty good.

Don't give up. It can be done!

RichardS
I crashed three times in the first day. Keep up the good work.
P.S. Your garage is way to clean.