nodak_heli
New Heliman
Location: Bismarck, North Dakota
| Hello everyone,
I will introduce myself as this is the first time I have posted anything on these forums. I am an 18 year old high school graduate that became interested with r/c helicopters about sophomore year. At that time I purchased a JR Vigor from my local heli store with a JR 8103 for the transmitter. The heli came with almost everything that I needed. It was such a big investment for me that I never flew it because I was afraid to crash it and my money supply had been exhausted. I eventually bought Realflight's simulator and started practicing on that. Eventually as I rounded up enough cash, I finished getting all the needed starting supplies and chargers, and got around to flying the heli. The first start up was fun, as I put some stuff(piece of wood with golf bags on either side) under the skids and made sure she could not get away. Boy did she roar once I got above idle, I can see why this is such an addictive hobby!
After the first time starting her up, I started spending hours a day with it, trying to figure out what I needed to know before the first maiden flight. I finally decided I had enough sim practice and guts to try and hover the heli for the first time(training gear...no thanks). Everything went well for the first tank of gas, and the adrenaline effects of the first flight were quite satisfying.
The next day I got up early and was at it again. I got her up and hovered another tank of that precious 30% fuel. After that I managed to hydro-lock the engine on refueling. After Some playing around with the engine I finally got it to start again. This time after about a minute of hovering it started to fall out of the sky. I was lucky to be able to set it down with out any damage. A Spark Plug later I was at it again. This time on spool up there was a loud pop and the engine died. I guess I did not have the spark plug in tight enough as it shot out, lucky break for me the heli was still on the ground.
A spark plug later and a turn of the low speed needle on the engine the bird was in the air again. Hovering in my driveway, all of a sudden the bird started to fall out of the air again. Lucky break for me she ended right side up on her skids. After inspection, the low speed needle actually fell out of the heli midflight, which I believe led the engine to a super rich setting so no power and loss of altitude causing a controlled crash.
These are my experiences as an r/c pilot. Thanks for reading my short log book and keep practicing on your sims, as they save thousands in crashes, trust me! I will see you in the air once I figure out how to find another low speed needle and get that engine cranking again!
untell next time
73 |
Enjoi
