1st Flight and 1st crash. Bye Bye Blades.

[www.HeliRaptor.com]

Well I finally finished my Raptor .30v2 and started practicing hovering
at a local park. I was doing OK and then well I had a mishap and my
wife caught it just as it was about to hit ground. Here's a link if
you wish to see it

http://www.heliraptor.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=38

Part of learning. Luckily the only damage was the Main Rotor Blades.

HeliRaptor

[Joe Bill]

Yep, that pic looks like an impending crash. Been there, done that. It's
learning those kind of lessons that sure make you appreciate woodies.

Did you take the head apart and check to see if the spindle or main shaft
got bent, even slightly? I can't recall if I've ever had a crash where I
didn't bend one or the other (or both).


"www.HeliRaptor.com" <heliraptor@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1118542263.209157.230810@g49g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> Well I finally finished my Raptor .30v2 and started practicing hovering
> at a local park. I was doing OK and then well I had a mishap and my
> wife caught it just as it was about to hit ground. Here's a link if
> you wish to see it
>
> http://www.heliraptor.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=38
>
> Part of learning. Luckily the only damage was the Main Rotor Blades.
>
> HeliRaptor
>

[Steve R.]

Yup! That's what it looks like alright! ;-)

Not bad, all things considered. I'd suggest that you double check the cross
shaft. Some call it the feathering spindle? Anyway, it's the shaft that
runs through the middle of the rotor hub and main blade grips bolt to. It's
rare that you'll have any kind of significant main blade strike on a Raptor
and "not" bend the cross shaft. No one will be more pleased than I if I'm
wrong but I'd be willing to bet, it's bent. Fortunately, it's also cheap
and easy to replace. I've also found that the loop shaped control links
that work the flybar can be cracked in such a way that it's not immediately
obvious. You might want to give them a closer look too, just in case.

Hang in there & Best of luck!

Fly Safe,
Steve R.


"www.HeliRaptor.com" <heliraptor@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1118542263.209157.230810@g49g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> Well I finally finished my Raptor .30v2 and started practicing hovering
> at a local park. I was doing OK and then well I had a mishap and my
> wife caught it just as it was about to hit ground. Here's a link if
> you wish to see it
>
> http://www.heliraptor.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=38
>
> Part of learning. Luckily the only damage was the Main Rotor Blades.
>
> HeliRaptor
>

[Paul Woodsford]

Fully agree with Steve R.
In my case one of the ball joint loops on the flybar loop shaped control
link was cracked. Held on, just, but would come apart under use.
I changed the main shaft as a matter of course as it was in the repair kit,
but on checking the old one on a metalworkers bench it was undamaged and
true.
I had to replace the flybar and tail boom on my first crash, so you got away
with a good one HeliRaptor.

--
Paul Woodsford
Remove NOSPAM to reply.
"Steve R." <srhodes13@houston.rr.nospam.com> wrote in message
news:F%Pqe.39775$j51.4000@tornado.texas.rr.com...
> Yup! That's what it looks like alright! ;-)
>
> Not bad, all things considered. I'd suggest that you double check the
> cross shaft. Some call it the feathering spindle? Anyway, it's the shaft
> that runs through the middle of the rotor hub and main blade grips bolt
> to. It's rare that you'll have any kind of significant main blade strike
> on a Raptor and "not" bend the cross shaft. No one will be more pleased
> than I if I'm wrong but I'd be willing to bet, it's bent. Fortunately,
> it's also cheap and easy to replace. I've also found that the loop shaped
> control links that work the flybar can be cracked in such a way that it's
> not immediately obvious. You might want to give them a closer look too,
> just in case.
>
> Hang in there & Best of luck!
>
> Fly Safe,
> Steve R.
>
>
> "www.HeliRaptor.com" <heliraptor@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1118542263.209157.230810@g49g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>> Well I finally finished my Raptor .30v2 and started practicing hovering
>> at a local park. I was doing OK and then well I had a mishap and my
>> wife caught it just as it was about to hit ground. Here's a link if
>> you wish to see it
>>
>> http://www.heliraptor.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=38
>>
>> Part of learning. Luckily the only damage was the Main Rotor Blades.
>>
>> HeliRaptor
>>
>
>

[www.HeliRaptor.com]

Thanks everyone. I will look at all items suggested from all comments.
Beining new with limited experience I would be crazy not to listen, as
all of you have been through this already. I'll let everyone know the
results when I go back up. It might be a few days or so.

Thanks

[Goldies Gold Plating]

Here's something no one seems to have mentioned.
I see you practicing on grass with training gear...... This is NOT the best
way since the training gear give you a larger "footprint" (a good thing) but
the grass tends to "grab" that larger foot and flip the heli.
Training with training gear on is best done on HARD, SMOOTH CONCRETE or
similar. This will let you "slide" the heli around and really learn ALL the
controls WITHOUT leaving the ground (or flipping over).

Freddy http://www.goldiesplatingservice.com

"www.HeliRaptor.com" <heliraptor@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1118542263.209157.230810@g49g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> Well I finally finished my Raptor .30v2 and started practicing hovering
> at a local park. I was doing OK and then well I had a mishap and my
> wife caught it just as it was about to hit ground. Here's a link if
> you wish to see it
>
> http://www.heliraptor.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=38
>
> Part of learning. Luckily the only damage was the Main Rotor Blades.
>
> HeliRaptor
>

[www.HeliRaptor.com]

You know that is a great point. I talked with a buddie this morning
before I saw your post and he said the same thing. He said that had I
been on concrete it might not have happened. As far as the trainer
gear I definately need the advantage of the larger footprint (as you
pointed out). As soon as I put new blades and verify that the spindle
and main shaft and any other potential parts are true I will give it a
try. Thanks. You helped confirm what I heard from a friend.

HeliRaptor http://www.heliraptor.com/phpBB2

[Dingo]

did your wife used a zoom on the cam.
Well if not she was definetly to close to the chopper. you could blame her
for that.
heli's and wife's keep them appart

;)

"www.HeliRaptor.com" <heliraptor@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1118542263.209157.230810@g49g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> Well I finally finished my Raptor .30v2 and started practicing hovering
> at a local park. I was doing OK and then well I had a mishap and my
> wife caught it just as it was about to hit ground. Here's a link if
> you wish to see it
>
> http://www.heliraptor.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=38
>
> Part of learning. Luckily the only damage was the Main Rotor Blades.
>
> HeliRaptor
>

[www.HeliRaptor.com]

No Zoom on her camera. It's an older digital. I wish she had mine,
takes video and 5 Mega Pixel Pics.

But yes she was close. I told her to move several times, but insisted
on getting good pics. I told her that it's not a good idea especially
where I am just learning on the real thing. I guess she doesn't
realise the danger of these things.

I guess I should get rid of the wife and keep the heli.

[Beav]

"Joe Bill" <joebill@swbell.net> wrote in message
news:BbNqe.2598$I14.1143@newssvr12.news.prodigy.co m...
> Yep, that pic looks like an impending crash. Been there, done that. It's
> learning those kind of lessons that sure make you appreciate woodies.

I never needed to crash to appreciate woodies.
>
> Did you take the head apart and check to see if the spindle or main shaft
> got bent, even slightly? I can't recall if I've ever had a crash where I
> didn't bend one or the other (or both).

You'd be lucky not to. A "must check" whenever the blades get busted.


--
Beav

Reply to "beavis dot original at ntlworld dot com" (with the obvious
changes)

[www.HeliRaptor.com]

When I made the original post I did not take it apart and look at
anything. But I will listen to all you experienced pilots because I do
not need another crash because I was to proud to listen. So here is
the results:

Well after spending 2 days going through the entire Heli and checking
everything it appeared that nothing was damaged but the Main Rotor
Blades. I put the new Blades on and started her up and put her just
aove idle to see if anything appeared warped or bent. Everything
looked good so I attempted a hover and it was fine. After some engine
tuning it seemed OK. Now to fine tune the engine and break her in.
Now I can practice my hovering and enjoy my efforts with this thing. I
should have a video of my first successful practice. I can assure you
that I was shaky and nervous but no crashing hapened. I will post the
link to the video when I have it. I am waiting for a friend to convert
it to media for the computer.

[Steve R.]

"www.HeliRaptor.com" <heliraptor@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119212796.246906.258630@o13g2000cwo.googlegr oups.com...
> Well after spending 2 days going through the entire Heli and checking
> everything it appeared that nothing was damaged but the Main Rotor
> Blades.
>

You broke main blades on a Raptor and "didn't" bend a cross shaft??? :-0

You're one lucky son-of-a-gun! Glad it worked out Ok, but don't expect that
to ever happen again! :-D

Fly Safe,
Steve R.

[www.HeliRaptor.com]

Tell me about it. I was afraid to check anything. I took it home
waited almost a week before I took her apart to check. All I did is go
home and order new blades. Anyway I don't expect that I will ever be
that lucky. But here is a link to the video of my 1st practice
session.

http://heliraptor.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=48

[Beav]

"Goldies Gold Plating" <goldiesDELETE_THISplating@mindspring.com> wrote in
message news:KuYqe.3120$VK4.1164@newsread1.news.atl.earthl ink.net...
> Here's something no one seems to have mentioned.
> I see you practicing on grass with training gear...... This is NOT the
> best way since the training gear give you a larger "footprint" (a good
> thing) but the grass tends to "grab" that larger foot and flip the heli.
> Training with training gear on is best done on HARD, SMOOTH CONCRETE or
> similar. This will let you "slide" the heli around and really learn ALL
> the controls WITHOUT leaving the ground (or flipping over).

Yeah, and it'll also do NOTHING for the resonance problem that 2 bladed
heli's suffer from at low level over or when sat on concrete. Grass is (and
always will be) the best surface to use and with training legs attached,
it's just about perfect.

Mind you, what would I know?


--
Beav

Reply to "beavis dot original at ntlworld dot com" (with the obvious
changes)

[www.HeliRaptor.com]

As you can see in the video, I am still on the grass. I think that the
grass poses a greater challenge for me to practice with. And all
fields I have been to seem to be grass. I figure that it will keep my
alertness going when I am close to the ground, if I don't pay enough
attention I will lose it. I went out again last night and burned 2
tanks full of fuel and slowly improved my stability.

I am not saying grass or concrete is better just that I think it is
better for me. I also realise the comment was to me but to Goldies
Gold Plating.

[Goldies Gold Plating]

Also the training gear I started with 10-15 years ago had a center "hub"
that angled the "legs" with balls attached down and away from the heli and
elevated the heli about 6-8 inches higher than on bare skids eliminating the
resonance problem AND providing a soft "bouncy cushion" when chopping the
throttle accidentally.

Freddy

"Beav" <beavis.original@ntlwoxoorld.com> wrote in message
news:11bgpon9rpe2aab@news.supernews.com...
>
> "Goldies Gold Plating" <goldiesDELETE_THISplating@mindspring.com> wrote in
> message news:KuYqe.3120$VK4.1164@newsread1.news.atl.earthl ink.net...
>> Here's something no one seems to have mentioned.
>> I see you practicing on grass with training gear...... This is NOT the
>> best way since the training gear give you a larger "footprint" (a good
>> thing) but the grass tends to "grab" that larger foot and flip the heli.
>> Training with training gear on is best done on HARD, SMOOTH CONCRETE or
>> similar. This will let you "slide" the heli around and really learn ALL
>> the controls WITHOUT leaving the ground (or flipping over).
>
> Yeah, and it'll also do NOTHING for the resonance problem that 2 bladed
> heli's suffer from at low level over or when sat on concrete. Grass is
> (and always will be) the best surface to use and with training legs
> attached, it's just about perfect.
>
> Mind you, what would I know?
>
>
> --
> Beav
>
> Reply to "beavis dot original at ntlworld dot com" (with the obvious
> changes)
>
>
>
>
>

[Goldies Gold Plating]

I still stand by my advice regarding STARTING on concrete WITH training gear
attached. I believe this is the SAFEST (and potentially cheapest) way to
learn the CYCLIC controls and rudder which SHOULD be mastered BEFORE the
PITCH/THROTTLE (up/down) is even ATTEMPTED. Achieving a hover without
knowing COMFORTABLY left right and spin is BEGGING for a crash and a
potentially SERIOUS accident. What good is getting airborne if all you
accomplish is being chased around the field by your OWN heli when you panic
and loose control?

AFTER learning to "slide" your heli around side to side and front to back,
and maybe a little "nose-in" practice while GROUNDED..... you'll be much
more comfortable and PROFICIENT getting airborne, which is ONLY when you
should THEN switch to grass.

But if you don't mind getting whacked by a carbon fiber blade tip traveling
at 300 MPH or at BEST flipping over and spending a couple hours/days fixing
your broken heli and PRAYING that you fixed it "WELL", then go ahead and
learn on grass. Your own EXPERIENCE ALREADY should have taught you this is
sound advice.

Beav I KNOW your reputation and respect and admire you more than most, but I
really feel you MAY be giving "expensive" advice on this one.

Freddy


"Beav" <beavis.original@ntlwoxoorld.com> wrote in message
news:11bgpon9rpe2aab@news.supernews.com...
>
> "Goldies Gold Plating" <goldiesDELETE_THISplating@mindspring.com> wrote in
> message news:KuYqe.3120$VK4.1164@newsread1.news.atl.earthl ink.net...
>> Here's something no one seems to have mentioned.
>> I see you practicing on grass with training gear...... This is NOT the
>> best way since the training gear give you a larger "footprint" (a good
>> thing) but the grass tends to "grab" that larger foot and flip the heli.
>> Training with training gear on is best done on HARD, SMOOTH CONCRETE or
>> similar. This will let you "slide" the heli around and really learn ALL
>> the controls WITHOUT leaving the ground (or flipping over).
>
> Yeah, and it'll also do NOTHING for the resonance problem that 2 bladed
> heli's suffer from at low level over or when sat on concrete. Grass is
> (and always will be) the best surface to use and with training legs
> attached, it's just about perfect.
>
> Mind you, what would I know?
>
>
> --
> Beav
>
> Reply to "beavis dot original at ntlworld dot com" (with the obvious
> changes)
>
>
>
>
>

[Mark Smith]

www.HeliRaptor.com wrote:
>
> You know that is a great point. I talked with a buddie this morning
> before I saw your post and he said the same thing. He said that had I
> been on concrete it might not have happened. As far as the trainer
> gear I definately need the advantage of the larger footprint (as you
> pointed out). As soon as I put new blades and verify that the spindle
> and main shaft and any other potential parts are true I will give it a
> try. Thanks. You helped confirm what I heard from a friend.
>
> HeliRaptor http://www.heliraptor.com/phpBB2

I am flying inside, a small motorcycle repair shop,

shop area is pretty small,

we droop air hoses neat the walls, broom handles in fron to fthe
cabinets, etc,

slidding into the air hose does no damage,,,,,,, flying into almost
anything does,,,damamge,

we drapped bath towels over the ends of the furniture, cushions in front
of some stuff,,,,,,,,

still gets away from me,,,,,,,, two sets of blade for the Blade this
week, but i can hover , sort of,

the smooth concrete and the trainer gear, the orange balls thingy, works
weel, no tipping, and mostly skidding into doft stuff,,,,,,,,,,,

hope this helps, I'm new here too,,,,,,,,,

--
Mark Smith
Tri-State Kite Sales
1121 N Locust St
Mt Vernon, IN 47620
1-812-838-6351
http://www.trikite.com
mailto:mark@trikite.com

[doc]

Mark Smith wrote:

> I am flying inside, a small motorcycle repair shop,
>
> shop area is pretty small,

I made my training gear wider/further than the rotor and tail... Carbon
rods and pingpong balls.

I have yet to try to hover it.

Any foreseeable problem with such a wide gear?

[Mark Smith]

doc wrote:
>
> Mark Smith wrote:
>
> > I am flying inside, a small motorcycle repair shop,
> >
> > shop area is pretty small,
>
> I made my training gear wider/further than the rotor and tail... Carbon
> rods and pingpong balls.
>
> I have yet to try to hover it.
>
> Any foreseeable problem with such a wide gear?


If the heli can pick it up, prolly OK

but really heavy gear might shorten elquipment life and battery time for
sure.

The factory orange balls and rods works very well,,,,,,,,,,,but they
don't extend past the rotor diameter or the tail boom

--
Mark Smith
Tri-State Kite Sales
1121 N Locust St
Mt Vernon, IN 47620
1-812-838-6351
http://www.trikite.com
mailto:mark@trikite.com