Helicopter inspection

[Loutysh]

I have tried multiple helicopters (of the same kit and some parts are just better than others sometimes) and seen many resources (one which says that a normal helicopter that has no build problems should hit around 1:30). So I was wondering how to spot more specific build problems so I can further increase the efficiency of my helicopter. A guide on what to look for and how to fix it would be helpful.
Background info: Right now, out of the box, my heli started at 40-ish seconds but we got it up to 60. My guess is that building wings at certain angles would result in better times but I don't know what angle that be.

[bjt4888]

I have tried multiple helicopters (of the same kit and some parts are just better than others sometimes) and seen many resources (one which says that a normal helicopter that has no build problems should hit around 1:30). So I was wondering how to spot more specific build problems so I can further increase the efficiency of my helicopter. A guide on what to look for and how to fix it would be helpful.
Background info: Right now, out of the box, my heli started at 40-ish seconds but we got it up to 60. My guess is that building wings at certain angles would result in better times but I don't know what angle that be.

Good job reaching out for help and doing research. Have you read the NFFS Heli flying resources and watched the rubber winding video?

Brian T

[Loutysh]

I have tried multiple helicopters (of the same kit and some parts are just better than others sometimes) and seen many resources (one which says that a normal helicopter that has no build problems should hit around 1:30). So I was wondering how to spot more specific build problems so I can further increase the efficiency of my helicopter. A guide on what to look for and how to fix it would be helpful.
Background info: Right now, out of the box, my heli started at 40-ish seconds but we got it up to 60. My guess is that building wings at certain angles would result in better times but I don't know what angle that be.

Good job reaching out for help and doing research. Have you read the NFFS Heli flying resources and watched the rubber winding video?

Brian T

I've read the helicopter flying resources, such as Where Are You Now, and the glossary, but I haven't watched the rubber winding video because I'm not the one winding, but I guess I will. Does that have tips on spotting build problems? Or is there another resource that I'm missing that's really useful

[bjt4888]

I have tried multiple helicopters (of the same kit and some parts are just better than others sometimes) and seen many resources (one which says that a normal helicopter that has no build problems should hit around 1:30). So I was wondering how to spot more specific build problems so I can further increase the efficiency of my helicopter. A guide on what to look for and how to fix it would be helpful.
Background info: Right now, out of the box, my heli started at 40-ish seconds but we got it up to 60. My guess is that building wings at certain angles would result in better times but I don't know what angle that be.

Good job reaching out for help and doing research. Have you read the NFFS Heli flying resources and watched the rubber winding video?

Brian T

I've read the helicopter flying resources, such as Where Are You Now, and the glossary, but I haven't watched the rubber winding video because I'm not the one winding, but I guess I will. Does that have tips on spotting build problems? Or is there another resource that I'm missing that's really useful

Build quality is rarely the prime factor in low duration flights. Definitely focus on the rubber winding video and the NFFS resources under the "Flying" tab that focus on rubber matching to helicopter and proper sequence of rubber motor testing.

In order to give you the best quality advice, please give us as much as possible of the following details. ** items are the most important:

2. ** Helicopter kit or design you are using
3. ** Helicopter weight in grams **
4. Center of gravity (CG) - balance point of helicopter, measured as distance from the top of the fuselage stick
5. helicopter rotor blade pitch measurement for all rotors and all rotor blades
6. ** Rubber motor loop length (before use; not including knot) **
7. **Rubber motor weight after tying the loop and including o-rings **
8. O-ring(s) weight and/or o-ring type (ex. Black rubber, clear plastic washer, etc.)
9. **Total turns wound into the motor **. If winder turns are given, indicate winder ratio (ex. 10:1, 15:1, 20:1)
10. **Backoff turns (turns reversed out of the motor to get to desired launch torque)
11. ** Maximum torque (highest value displayed on the torque meter immediately upon completion of winding) **
12. **Launch torque (torque after backoff turns are completed) **
13. **Remaining turns at the completion of the flight
14. **Flight time **
15. **Ceiling height **
16. **Number of times the motor has been fully wound including the flight for which you are supplying data
17. Motor testing completed (ex. Different linear densities tried, different motor weights tried, sequence of tests completed)
18. Copy of a flight log documenting all of the above for a series of tests

Coach Brian