How to improve my flight times

[PrancingPlane]

Any specific torque i should watch out for? I normally start walking in around 1.2 torque and finish in a range from 1.6 to 1.8.

[coachchuckaahs]

Honestly, it would appear you are maybe waiting too long to walk in, and then having to walk in fast. We have been winding full pull to about 0.9, then walking in to 1.8-2.0 landing. We are getting in the range of 1350 winds on a 2g motor at about 0.080-0.082 g/in.

So maybe try walking a little earlier, but keep packing in turns the first half of walk-in, and slow down turns second half. About halfway in we are at 1.2 or so.

Coach Chuck

[nulluser]

Sorry for waking up this old thread, but if possible, I'd like some help with improving my times past 2:00. Currently, I average around 1:40 to 1:50 depending on the amount of torque I put. Launching around 1.2 or 1.3 normally gets me around 1:50. I have gotten some two minute flights before, being a 2:01 and a 2:03, both on 1.5 torque, but I'm scared to continue launching on that because it sometimes ties up with the truss or shatters the motor when I unwind. (I wind up to 2 and wind down to 1.5) Both helis are FFM. I also pretty much try to copy Coach Brian's winding technique, and our motors are made by holding the rubber with a hemostat, lubing it, tying it and putting a bit of CA glue like you suggested in your video.

Now for info:

All motors are 13 in, 0.125 width rubber, and according to Coach Brian's calculator, the avg linear density is around 0.081 g/in. (We ordered new rubber from Mr. Dave) Masses of rubber loops are 2.25 to 2.3g, mainly because there might be some variation (very tiny) in the lengths of our rubber.
While winding, I normally go up to 1200 turns or so before backing off (using stretch-winding technique) The first FFM's weight is 4.03 g, and the second FFM's weight is 4.22 g. (ik, kinda heavy but we wanted the motorstick to be incredibly strong this time).
I unwind 30-40 turns, slowly and carefully. If desired, I can attach my entire flight log here (some things might be blurred out becoz its my partner and I's names, school, etc...)
Any more info i need to add?

Prancingplane,

Good job progressing and studying the resources!

You’ll see on the turn calculator that 1,200 turns is only 80% of breaking turns for a 13” 2.25g motor. To get long flights, you’ll want to follow the instructions in the NFFS resources and wind to 80% on the first use of the motor and then to 85-90% on each use thereafter. This will take you to over 2.0 inch ounces for max torque. Backoff to the launch torque that you are comfortable with. Launch torque above 0.8 is the minimum that my new students use and the FF Helis appear to be rather unstable with launch torque above 1.3.

As your Heli is 5% above minimum weight it will get about 5% less duration than a 4.0 g Heli. Based on this, the maximum duration for your Heli with a 90% winding and launch torque of 1.2 or 1.3 is about 2:20. Weight really matters. The FF kit fuselage with the truss threads installed and the noses wrapped with thread and glue are plenty strong enough for this winding and should allow you to build to 4.0g.

Keep up the good work!

Brian T

Hello, and sorry for crashing this thread. Which NFFS resource mentions winding to 80% of breaking? Thanks!

[PrancingPlane]

The online calculator made by Coach Brian. I'm pretty sure its on the NFFS website

[PrancingPlane]

Also, a quick update: I wound almost exactly like Coach Chuck and Coach Brian described, climbing to 2.05 torque and winding down to 1.3. The first launch resulted in a 2:03, but when we wound for the second time, the motor shattered (probably because i didnt walk in enough) around 1.8 torque. Ever since then, my torque meter's been acting funky, going up by 0.2 torque and decreasing the same amount (digital torque meter, I think we bent the shaft on the FFM one). After the first launch, all of our times have been below 1:50. I will try again tomorrow night, hopefully it does better.

[coachchuckaahs]

Prancing:

It is hard to evaluate with "almost like the coaches say". Numbers would help give feedback.

On the digital TM, which one are you using?

A few things to look for, first, is the hook and shaft straight. If the hook got bent to the side, or vertically, pulling on the motor may change apparent torque. Second is to check for free movement of the shaft when under load. If the rear string is too loose, then under load it could be that the arm or rear hub is pressing against the case causing issues. Third, with a straight hook, it is important to pull in line with the shaft. Pulling to the side can impact the readings. We always have a black centerline on our table to align the motor with while winding.

Coach Chuck

[PrancingPlane]

Sorry about that. I stretch 5 times my motor length, which in this case is 65 in. (measured with a tape and everything), and start walking in at ~0.9 to 1 torque (or approx 75 turns) like you suggested. After that, I slowly inch forward while winding until the torque hits 2 to 2.1.

The digital tm i'm using is the IFFS one found on the website.

Are you talking about the helicopter or the winder/torque meter when you mention shaft and hook?
I will also make a mark on my table to align with winding, thanks for the suggestion.

[coachchuckaahs]

As far as the varying/strange torque readings. I am talking about the hook on the torque meter. If it is bent, then pulling on the rubber can induce a rotational force that looks like torque reading.

There is nothing hidden in the TM that would have failed when the rubber broke. It would have to be something mechanical, such as the hook bent, or something is now binding when you pull

Coach Chuck