Where do I go to Learn?

[Cpt Marvel]

Good morning. My first heli is an e-sky honey bee king II. I've had it for two weeks and still it has styrofoam stuck to it. Don't want to put power to it until I'm sure I will only more than likely crash it instead of definatly crash it. I know generally how helicopters fly, and how they crash from being around Army aviation for a few years. Don't seem to have much to do with r/c tho. So where is a good place to learn the things I'll need to know? Such as:

1. What does ccpm mean?

2. What type heli do I have? Meaning base model/style.

3. What is the blade gauge that was included used for and how do I use it?

4. How tight should the blade retaining screws and all the other head screws be?

5. Where can I find an instruction manual for this aircraft in FREAKING ENGLISH?

6. What should I check out after a crash or sudden stoppage?

8. What function do the paddles above the main rotor blades serve?

9. Being as how I'm left handed, which would be better to learn: Mode one (left elevator/rudder & right throttle/aileron) or Mode two (opposite obviously) I find advantages and disadvantages in either like right stick is selfcentering; might that be better for throttle to keep the airplane from getting away? Or would that be a disadvantage?

10. Whats better for a beginner: wooden blades or composite? Seems wooden blades would shatter on a crash causing less stress on the rest of the airframe. But that's just my reasoning.

11. Should I try to fly when intoxicated?

12. What is a good upgrade? Only thing I think is realistic for me at the beginner point is a battery upgrade.

13. What affect does hovering low have on this size? With a real helicopter hovering within ground effect has defenate effect on the aircraft.

14. Does this forum have a spell check? Hate to appear ignorant and stopid.

15. The twx included with this kit seems pretty Mickey Mouse. Is that the standard for "out of the box" items?

[Balr14]

Here's a place to start: http://www.dream-models.com/eco/index.html

[Jimbo45cn]

Here's a place to start: http://www.dream-models.com/eco/index.html

And here. And keep reading RCG
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=584463

[Cpt Marvel]

Balr: thanks. I have checked out that site and find it informative for the flight training, but everything aircraft specific is focused on the ECO. Or at least seems to be.

[Balr14]

Balr: thanks. I have checked out that site and find it informative for the flight training, but everything aircraft specific is focused on the ECO. Or at least seems to be.

All RC helis are basically different applications of the same design. You will find the differences between an HBK2 and ECO8 to be mostly in the details. Of particular interest to you should be the flight training.

[grnbrg]

Good morning. My first heli is an e-sky honey bee king II. I've had it for two weeks and still it has styrofoam stuck to it. Don't want to put power to it until I'm sure I will only more than likely crash it instead of definatly crash it.You'll definitely crash. Siming or RADDs will be the difference between the flight time between crashes being measured in minutes or seconds.

I know generally how helicopters fly, and how they crash from being around Army aviation for a few years. Don't seem to have much to do with r/c tho. So where is a good place to learn the things I'll need to know? Such as:

1. What does ccpm mean? (electronic) Collective, Cyclic, Pitch Mixing. Three servos attached to the swash plate that work in concert to provide the coordinated changes in blade pitch that make the bird fly.

2. What type heli do I have? Meaning base model/style.The HBK2 is a brushed motor, eCCPM helicopter with a belt-driven variable pitch tail. Note that upgrading to a brushless motor and ESC is a required "upgrade". The stock motor won't last.

3. What is the blade gauge that was included used for and how do I use it?Not sure what that is, but I'll guess it's a pitch gauge. Clip it onto the blade, and align the top edge with the flybar, and it will tell you the current pitch of the blades. Ideally, with the tx in "Idle up" (and the motor disconnected first!) you should have zero pitch at mid-throttle, and +/- 10 degrees at either extreme.

4. How tight should the blade retaining screws and all the other head screws be?The blade screws should be tight enough that if you hold the K2 nose down, and extend the blades parallel to the floor then give it a bit of a shake, the blades should pivot to about 45 degrees down. All head screws should be tight, but be careful not to tighten bushing screws to the point that they bind. Metal-metal screws and bolts should be lightly locktited.

5. Where can I find an instruction manual for this aircraft in FREAKING ENGLISH?You can have document of happy download on website. One of the joys of getting an E-Sky product. Check out the forum threads dedicated to the King 2 (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=826551).

6. What should I check out after a crash or sudden stoppageAssuming nothing is obviously broken, check the feathering shaft (the shaft that holds the blade grips together) for straightness. On the K2, the nubs that anchor the flybar holder into the head block can shear off as well.

8. What function do the paddles above the main rotor blades serve?Deep magic. :) They gyroscopicly stabilize the main blades, and slow their response to control inputs. Adding weights to the paddles will make the King less twitchy.

9. Being as how I'm left handed, which would be better to learn: Mode one (left elevator/rudder & right throttle/aileron) or Mode two (opposite obviously) I find advantages and disadvantages in either like right stick is selfcentering; might that be better for throttle to keep the airplane from getting away? Or would that be a disadvantage?Find out what mode is commonly used in your area, and learn that. If you ever need help, and your setup is different than what everyone else uses, no one will be able to fly your bird. Depending on what mode the TX is set up for, the self-centering spring will be different. The throttle is always unsprung -- it would be difficult if not impossible to fly otherwise.

10. Whats better for a beginner: wooden blades or composite? Seems wooden blades would shatter on a crash causing less stress on the rest of the airframe. But that's just my reasoning. Exactly correct. For hovering and FF, woodies are just fine, and will somewhat protect the rest of the head. Somewhat. :)

11. Should I try to fly when intoxicated?Depends how much you can afford in replacement parts and potential lawsuits. Don't underestimate the energy stored in the blades of even a King. It's a dangerous little machine, and needs to be respected.

12. What is a good upgrade? Only thing I think is realistic for me at the beginner point is a battery upgrade.You will need a brushless motor. The stock motor won't last you through a half-dozen flights, and might not last for the first. The King tail is weak, and will benefit from the Extreme 43T tail pulley upgrade (http://www.xtremecx2.com/servlet/the-137/Xtreme-43t-Belt-Pulley/Detail). The Mystery 2400mAh, 15C (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12821) lipos from DealExtreme are great for $23 delivered.

13. What affect does hovering low have on this size? With a real helicopter hovering within ground effect has defenate effect on the aircraft.Ground effect has a significant effect on the King, and all helicopters. Everything is happier about 2 rotor disks off the ground.

14. Does this forum have a spell check? Hate to appear ignorant and stopid.Nope, and as long as you STAY AWAY FROM ALL CAPITALS, Or Strange Capitalizations, or l337sp33k, or silliness like that you won't have to worry. Or download the latest version of Firefox -- it has a spell check built into form entries and such. Very useful.

15. The twx included with this kit seems pretty Mickey Mouse. Is that the standard for "out of the box" items?Pretty much. However the Blade 400 and Axe 400 (450?) come with decent radios. But they are the exceptions in the RTF class.

Welcome to the hobby.


grnbrg.

[Cpt Marvel]

Thanks Grnbrg; that was big time help. I'll make sure to post all my inane questions here! btw; the flying intoxicated and spell check questions were actually in jest. I spel most wurds will. And I'm not going to waste money flying drunk. Maybe high. later.

What about the tightness of the tail rotor blades. These things are almost flopping around.

[jasmine2501]

Grnbrg got it all right - nothing to add there. Tail blades spin up to ridiculous speeds and if they are a bit floppy it will be ok. They should have a little grip to them, and I've heard some people put thread-lock on the screws, but I've never done that - I just check them before each flight.

#11 was either a really stupid question or begging to see this video. Not the one I wanted to post, but can't find that one - check the username on this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTBzbZLPM6s

[Cpt Marvel]

#11 was actually in jest.

[helicopterdave]

http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/index.html

Lots of good information here, plus an awesome e-book!

[TMorita]

Good morning. My first heli is an e-sky honey bee king II. I've had it for two weeks and still it has styrofoam stuck to it. Don't want to put power to it until I'm sure I will only more than likely crash it instead of definatly crash it. I know generally how helicopters fly, and how they crash from being around Army aviation for a few years. Don't seem to have much to do with r/c tho. So where is a good place to learn the things I'll need to know? Such as:

1. What does ccpm mean?



CCPM is defined in the EHBG glossary:

http://www.swashplate.co.uk/ehbg-v17/ch31.html



3. What is the blade gauge that was included used for and how do I use it?



See section 13.2.4 "Pitch Curve Setup" in the EHBG:

http://www.swashplate.co.uk/ehbg-v17/ch13s02.html



4. How tight should the blade retaining screws and all the other head screws be?



See section 13.3.2 "Blade grip tension adjustment" in the EHBG:

http://www.swashplate.co.uk/ehbg-v17/ch13s03.html



8. What function do the paddles above the main rotor blades serve?



See section 30.1.4.3 "The Bell-Hiller Control System" in the EHBG:

http://www.swashplate.co.uk/ehbg-v17/ch30.html#heliwork



9. Being as how I'm left handed, which would be better to learn: Mode one (left elevator/rudder & right throttle/aileron) or Mode two (opposite obviously) I find advantages and disadvantages in either like right stick is selfcentering; might that be better for throttle to keep the airplane from getting away? Or would that be a disadvantage?



Mode 2.



10. Whats better for a beginner: wooden blades or composite? Seems wooden blades would shatter on a crash causing less stress on the rest of the airframe. But that's just my reasoning.



Blades will usually shatter in a crash, and wooden is cheaper.



12. What is a good upgrade? Only thing I think is realistic for me at the beginner point is a battery upgrade.



Section 6.5.1 "Other upgrades" in the EHBG may help:

http://www.swashplate.co.uk/ehbg-v17/ch06s05.html

Toshi

[1320fastback]

So where is a good place to learn the things I'll need to know? Such as:

14. Does this forum have a spell check? Hate to appear ignorant and stopid.

15. The twx included with this kit seems pretty Mickey Mouse. Is that the standard for "out of the box" items?

Where are you at? Maybe you could meet up with someone for some one on one instruction.

14. If you are using windows you should have a spell check icon at the top.

15. Most all RTF TX's will be very MM.

[richard55]

I love the Honey Bee King II, of course it has shortfalls, but I learned all about helicopters fixing them on it. Brushless motor, frame design weaknesses, tail mechanism design, all need improvement and require learning how they work.

In the end I ended up with something very far from what the King II started out to be, but am much wiser for it.

I have started a website to help beginners and has valuable resources for all skill levels. Not an easy thing to pull off imho.

http://www.iheartheli.com

beginners can check out info on the flight school, more advanced pilots can check out the Tips & Tricks with video on the Tips and Tricks page.

Hope it helps.