Oops! Hoyt Park

Scrapped my tail blades on the rocks 1 minute into my 1st flight :(

I headed out after work Friday 9/4/15, for some tunning of my 3gx FC after updating the firmware to v5.0.  I flew with the broken tail blades, trying to tune the gains, but soon gave up as the tail was doing weird stuff.  I also kept turning up the gains in a hover, but nothing wobbled or wagged, so I ended up with really high gains. Then the first time I flew a figure 8, the heli wobbled and wagged!  I guess I need to tune the gains in normal flight?

Also, Hoyt Park is becoming my favorite place to fly since its so close to home. I like that there are trees for shade also, so no need to bring my Quick Shade. The bad features here are no pit tables, or helipad. It is just an empty lot though. 

Vbar Neo setup for the 380

I was able to bind the Neo to my DX8, complete the radio calibration, and initial setup. How the Neo handles flight modes, governor functions, and throttle hold is different than what I'm used to and will take some time to figure out. 

At least I can finally install the servos!

UPDATE:  Well instead of installing the servos, I reprogrammed the Neo and my radio to reassign the functions to the switches I'm used to using on all my helis!  The only difference was the "Throttle Hold" function, which needs a 3-position switch while my other helis use a 2-position. I was able to assign this function to the rudder d/r switch for the Neo and all my other helis. So now my switches will control all the same functions for all my helis. Whew!

Now I'm considering upgrading to the Pro Resuce firmware for my Neo and buying a 2nd one for my 550 rebuild, also with Pro Rescue. I will also need to open up my radio and swap the bind/trainer and gear switches. 

3gx upgrade

In getting my DX8 radio ready for the 380, I rearranged the model list in the model memory to make room for the 380. Unfortunately I forgot that the receiver is matched to the model number in the radio, and since I moved the 450 to a new model number, I'd have to rebind it. 

V4.0 of the 3gx firmware has a problem binding in DSMX mode. After numerous attempts I was finally able to bind the receiver, but in the older DSM2 mode.  A quick check of Align's 3gx website revealed a newer version of the firmware, v5.0!  Hopefully this version doesn't have an issue binding in DSMX mode. 

Updating to v5.0 should also mean I'd need to redo the head setup, but when I check the settings display, nothing seems to have changed. I think I'll repeat it anyway just to make sure.

At least after the update to v5.0 I was able to bind my radio in DSMX mode on the first try!  Whew!

This time I'd like to optimize the head/tail precomp and gains.  To optimize the head gains I'll need to hover, turning up the elevator gain until the heli wobbles, then back it down. Then repeat this for the alerion gain. To optimize the tail gain I will need to perform a fast piro, then stop, turning up the gain each time until the tail wags, then back it down.

To optimize the precomp, I need perform a pitch pump. For the head, the precomp should be turned up if the heli drops the nose or tail during the manuever. For the tail, if it kicks right. 

I'd also like to get the CG right, as it tends to wander while doing a piro, and I'd like it to stay in one spot. 

Hoyt Park 2nd session

Happy Birthday Rally!

I headed back out to Hoyt on Saturday morning 8/29/15, to use up the batteries I had charged up for my 450 that I couldn't fly Friday night, on my way to SDRC.

I flew from the north field this time and found an asphalt pad to take off from!  It was rough, but at least it was flat and didn't have any weeds. 

I brought the heli into the track since I didn't want to leave it outside in my hot car. 

Hoyt Park 1st Session!

My buddy headed out after work Friday to try flying at this field.  I had a good time and was able to to hover my 130x inverted for the 1st time!  I crashed it on my 3rd attempt at inverted hovering.  On the 3rd crash the front servo quit working. 

I was able to get 6 flights in on the 130x, but only 1 on the 450 before the sun set  I guess I charged too many packs. 

Marky flying and Ming resting. 

My 450 and Marky's quad FPV racer. 

Hoyt Park Dr field in Scripps Ranch

So, I stopped by the Hoyt Park field to check it out and ran into a guy flying a 300cfx and 180cfx. I chatted with him for awhile and it turns out he flys there after work almost everyday!  I plan to try flying there tonight and see who's flying there Saturday morning on my way to the track. Maybe I'll get a few flights in also!

Scripps Ranch heli field!?!

Found this field while looking for place to fly near my home during the week, as the traffic going south to SEFSD is usually bad.  Turns out it's really close to where I used to work and only 10-15 minutes from home!  I'll need to check it out soon!