Lite Machines 110

[BotleRocketWar]

Hey guys,

I've gotten a great deal on a Lite Machines 110 heli. I should have it in a week or two. I'd like to get it in the air in a week or two too. :)

I know I should of gotten a Raptor, but I got a good deal and can always get what I paid back out of it when I want to go to the bigger ones. I just want to screw around in my backyard with it to take the place of my Tigermoth...:) It should be fun...and when it's not fun anymore, I'll pass it on to another newbie in heli's.

If you're wondering, I've been flying airplanes for a while now and also flying a full scale plane. I've had mostly gas planes (Slow flyers, 3D planes, and propjefts) I plan on teaching myself how to fly this thing-just like I did airplanes. I never crashed trying to learn either! Yeah...I know! I should get an instructor. That's what I tell everyone too!

I hear these heli's can take some abuse. True? Are they like the SPADS of the heli world? Is Lite Machines a good company to do business with?

It's got 4 HS-81's, the Norvel .061 heli engine, a century piezo gyro, and a 270 MAH battery.

Besides a Rx, starter, and some fuel(what kind of fuel do these things like, 1/2A fuel OK?)...Is there anything else I will need? I've got a computer radio that can do heli's, but I guess that really doesn't matter with this thing...As you know, it's a fixed pitch blade. How sensitive will it be to throttle changes with the fixed pitch? I'm in KC (about 1400 feet above sea level). If it is too sensitive, can I add some weight to tone it down a bit? How does this thing do in wind? The Norvel a reliable engine? I had their .074 in my planes and it was incredible...Hope their heli engines are just as good!

Can you guys give me any tips? Any advice? Any experiences or stories about this heli? Anything to watch out for? ANYTHING else? I know you guys are all wanting to tell me to get a .30 sized heli, but it's just not going to happen right now. No reason to try and recommend it to me! I'm going to have fun with this thing, whether you think I should or not! :)

Also, do you know how much this thing can lift (how much thrust)?

Thanks a lot everyone!!!

[beardeddone]

Originally posted by BotleRocketWar
Hey guys,

I've gotten a great deal on a Lite Machines 110 heli. I should have it in a week or two. I'd like to get it in the air in a week or two too. :)

I know I should of gotten a Raptor, but I got a good deal and can always get what I paid back out of it when I want to go to the bigger ones. I just want to screw around in my backyard with it to take the place of my Tigermoth...:) It should be fun...and when it's not fun anymore, I'll pass it on to another newbie in heli's.

If you're wondering, I've been flying airplanes for a while now and also flying a full scale plane. I've had mostly gas planes (Slow flyers, 3D planes, and propjefts) I plan on teaching myself how to fly this thing-just like I did airplanes. I never crashed trying to learn either! Yeah...I know! I should get an instructor. That's what I tell everyone too!

I hear these heli's can take some abuse. True? Are they like the SPADS of the heli world? Is Lite Machines a good company to do business with?

It's got 4 HS-81's, the Norvel .061 heli engine, a century piezo gyro, and a 270 MAH battery.

Besides a Rx, starter, and some fuel(what kind of fuel do these things like, 1/2A fuel OK?)...Is there anything else I will need? I've got a computer radio that can do heli's, but I guess that really doesn't matter with this thing...As you know, it's a fixed pitch blade. How sensitive will it be to throttle changes with the fixed pitch? I'm in KC (about 1400 feet above sea level). If it is too sensitive, can I add some weight to tone it down a bit? How does this thing do in wind? The Norvel a reliable engine? I had their .074 in my planes and it was incredible...Hope their heli engines are just as good!

Can you guys give me any tips? Any advice? Any experiences or stories about this heli? Anything to watch out for? ANYTHING else? I know you guys are all wanting to tell me to get a .30 sized heli, but it's just not going to happen right now. No reason to try and recommend it to me! I'm going to have fun with this thing, whether you think I should or not! :)

Also, do you know how much this thing can lift (how much thrust)?

Thanks a lot everyone!!!

Hi,

I have one of these as well as a Raptor 30, I'll take the Raptor anytime over the Lite Machine, I had to put a vmax7 in it just to get it to be able to lift off, the vmax6 just would not do the job, I still have a problem with holding the heading just as it lifts off, I must say that I still only use the machanical gyro on the tail rotor, could be why, but I know that when I bring the Raptor up to rpm, it fly's and is much easier to control in a hover.
Good luck with yours :-)

You can see both chopters in the forum at : http://www.skyport.dynip.com

[BotleRocketWar]

Thanks for the reply and all that, but that's exactly what I DID NOT want to hear...:(

If the engine couldn't lift it, it wouldn't still be sold with the heli. If it had all of the problems you mentioned Lite Maches would not be in business either!

Anyone got anything positive to say?

Thanks!

[rcav8r2]

I taught myself to fly a heli on the LMH. For what it is, it is an excelent heli. As it is used, be sure it everything is free. I had 3 Norvel Vmax 6s in mine. They last about 2 gallons of fuel ( that is a lot of fuel for a little engine) before they no longer develope the power needed for the heli. Mine hovered at 1/2 throttle with ease. It will loop and roll ( sloppy but it will do it)
I used Omega 25% fuel. Big caution, do NOT use a fuel bulb ( the brown ones Sulivan makes) to fuel the heli. The nitro eats the rubber over time, and the rubber in the fuel will foul the plug. A plug should easily last 50+ flights.

YES it is VERY tough. I never really dorked it while learning ( too cautious I guess) but once I started tossing it around, it crashed a few times. Only part I had to replace due to a crash was a single blade. I even figure 9ed it while attempting my first loop. It cartwheeled down the runway. The engine was still running... I just "fluffed it up" , and took off finisheing the tank. Try that with anything else :)

I had the mechanical gyro in mine, and absolutly loved it. The tail wondered a bit, but that's what the left stick is for. It is not as persice as a colective machine, but with proper throttle management "checking the desent" is not an issue...just plan ahead.

I have since sold my glow LMK for the Corona.... I have to say I like the glow one a lot better.

with the Pizon on the Corona the tail is a bit more stable, but you don't have the tail authority that you have with the mechanical. Also the Corona is quite a bit heavier, it has plenty of power, but the delay of it reacting to throttle is more noticible. It almost looks like it is suspended with a rubber band. The glow isn't like that.

PM me if you have any more questions. I flew mine for about 4 seasons, and have a ton of tips.

[beardeddone]

Originally posted by BotleRocketWar
Thanks for the reply and all that, but that's exactly what I DID NOT want to hear...:(

If the engine couldn't lift it, it wouldn't still be sold with the heli. If it had all of the problems you mentioned Lite Maches would not be in business either!

Anyone got anything positive to say?

Thanks!

I wasn't trying to sound negitive, just relaying the problems I had, the vmax6 problem is a known issue, check around on the internet like I did, you'll find out the same thing, some, not all vmax6 motors had design problems, I called Lite Machines and they just about all but admitted this, was a problem.

The vmax7 was redesigned and a far better motor.

[Majortomski]

I had one of the very first LMH 110s out about 6 years ago now and it's still flying! I'm on my fourth engine and I've been lucky that the first one was the only bad one with a mis machined head (beveled instead of flat) that only lead to a lot of over heating no matter how rich.
As for tough, my brother in law flew mine into a brick wall. It fell, it was still running, we straightened the blades and took off again. I had an engine sieze at 40 feet up dropped straigt down and bent the tail boom slightly. Replaced the engine and was flying the next day

There used to be a great BB on the bird and it runs 50-50 you either love it or hate it.

Remember it’s a TRAINER it's supposed to teach you how to fly all the sticks at once! Most of the complainers griped that it wasn't stable enough. Funny my record is an eight seconds hands off hover. Most big birds won't stay up that long.

Use the two four degree pitch blade holders for better rpm.
Check the gear lash in the drive train, get all the slop and all the drag out first.
ALWAYS make sure the tail gyro set screw is pointing STRAIGHT down or the mech. gyro will work back wards..Makes it a real pisser to hover.
Never use a rubber fuel feeder does clog the glow head.
If it is getting sold because it is a bad Norvell then go to the 074 conversion, but that won't help much if you don’t free up the drive train.
AND lastly since you're converting from fixed wing stop trying to flair! Biggest indicator of a transitioning pilot is they keep pulling back on the stick to flair and all the helicopter does is back up
Watch for cracks in the relief holes in the clutch flyweight . These cause the weight to stick out and stay engaged on the clutch. If working properly the engine will idle with the rotors stopped.

Have tons of FUN
After all that is what it is all a bout

[BotleRocketWar]

Thomas , thanks a lot for all of the great information!!! I'll probably understand it a lot more when I can get my hands on the heli. Thanks again!

How much am I looking at if I need to buy a new .074 engine? What kind of fuel do they like? Will it be ok with 30% heli fuel?

I guess I ought to order a little starter...

Thanks guys!

[rcav8r2]

Not sure about the .74, but I used 25% Omega ( caster/synth blend) in my .61 with no issues. I hear Byron 1/2A fuel is no good for the plug.
A small starter is not a must, but will certinaly help. It spins faster and has less torque. I have seen the con rod in small engines bend when being started with a large electric starter when there is Hydraulic lock.

Yet another thing to check is to make sure the bolts that attach things to the crutch are tight. The wood will compress over time, and if not tight will cause all sorts of unexplained issues. As this is a used heli , check to make sure the crutch is not fuel soaked. After about 3 years I had to replace mine. The heli was responding weird when applying throttle. I found that the crutch was so fuel soaked that it was soft, and the torque from the engine was flexing the cructh. Once replaced it was a back to "normal" I could actually bend the old crutch in a U shape it was so fuel soaked. It was sealed with about 8-10 coats of dope (soaks in to the wood really well, and each coat bonds to the previous), but it still got fuel soaked. Took a while to figure that one out. :)

[flyboy9503]

my light machine sits on the ground at full speed and will not lift off. it has the v6
motor which was rebuilt. any suggestions?

[darthdrk]

I have alot to say about the LiteMachines 110-117 and its all positive for the most part. Http://darthdrk.4t.com is my web site. Usually if the Vmax 6 isnt lifting your Heli its can be many factors. I would like to say that the Vmax6 is borderline sufficient just because it has to be running just about perfect to fly. If your sitting on the ground and at full throttle and it is a rebuilt v6 engine, it sounds like you have an air leak somewhere such as the heatsink, backplate, and or muffler. Also it could be cause by a restricted fuel flow, binding gears(drag), washers under the head, dying glow plug, bad fuel. It could be a number of things or just one thing. Try using some blue locktite on the back plate and the heatsink threads. A well sealed engine will fly the heli. Ive flown my bell 222 body with the Vmax6 engine which is my heaviest body for the LMH.
The V7 engine is a better engine it will even fly the LMH Heli running rich.
Alot of people who have given up their LMH for a bigger heli regrets it after their first crash. At least when your waiting for parts and repairing, you could still be flying if you keep the LMH Heli. There have been quite a few guys who rebought the LMH Heli after going to bigger Heli.

[ap0the0sis008]

i owned a 110 for a few months. I can hoestly say that it never flew right. The engine was under powered. I changed the head, added shims, removed shims, changed pinions, changed bearings, changed rotors, changed fuels.. balanced everything (many times) made a new crutch (lighter) and it still wouldnt fly right. Hopped more than a scared frog.

I admit it is one tough heli and can help you log some hours of heli flying but i believe a 30 size heli is WAY better. More stable, doesnt bounce around in the air, makes less noise...(that is one loud v-max)

I ended up selling it on ebay for $500.00

Here is a link so you can see my 110

http://geocities.com/ap0the0sis/heli2.html

It has been sold so pleas dont send me emails asking to buy it.

ap0

[Dr. Chmod]

Where did you get that canopy?

[ap0the0sis008]

I modified the original canopy and added transparent plastic as the windows. The plastic was attached using double sided tape. The finished result looks awsome. As you can see the pictures were taken with a video camera so the quality is not its best. It was a real eye catcher. It also didnt add any weight to the canopy, If anything it weighed less because of the plastic used.

If anyone is interested I can make one of these canopies for you for a small charge. You have to supply the canopy.

ap0

[ap0the0sis008]

Oh, the lines are trim tape, not pen or paint....I found the trim tape to be the most fuel proof

[littleT]

you can convert to electric---i have 2 --110s and a 120 corona---it flies great with a brushless motor - i am converting one now---getting parts together.if you are learning the heli---you made a good choice.it can take a beating and get up and go some more.electric is the way to go .i get 10 minutes hovering around.i tore up a few small helis trying to hover ---the corone is so easy to sit in front of you and hover.

[Majortomski]

i owned a 110 for a few months. I can hoestly say that it never flew right. The engine was under powered. I changed the head, added shims, removed shims, changed pinions, changed bearings, changed rotors, changed fuels.. balanced everything (many times) made a new crutch (lighter) and it still wouldnt fly right. Hopped more than a scared frog.


ap0

Sadly these are the things that gave the 110 such a bad reputation, but once it did fly it was great.

[4bus]

were can i buy glowplugs for my litemachines 110 thank you