Crazy Hobby - building for flying helicopters

Getting set up

OK, so you've got your new helicopter, all the associated electronics and accessories, what now?
First up, if you brought the machine brand new, you've gotta build it! Building a machine need not be a chore, infact, it can be very rewarding! Just make sure you follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and if in doubt, ask questions.
Right, so your machine is all built and everything's installed and your pride and joy is sitting there all charged up and ready to fly! What next? You're itching to get to the field aren't you? You wanna crank it up and get some action! Well hold up there Rambo, you got some more homework just yet... First you gotta set up the pitch and throttle curves in your radio, for more on that see our section on Pitch and Throttle Curves.

Setting up your helicopter is one of the most crucial aspects of helicopters. The helicopter will only fly as good as the way it has been set up.
I can't emphasise enough how a well set up helicopter helps in your learning stages. Flying helicopters is hard enough without having to fight a less than ideally set up helicopter.
If you haven't got anyone near you to help set up your helicopter, it's often worth driving to where ever there is someone to help, just so you get off to the best start.
Cool, so now your machine is about ready to fly. Give it yet another checkover following the list below: - All screws are tight
Check and double check all screws are nice and secure.
- All linkages are secure
- Linkages make your helicopter act. They transmit movement from the servos to the control surfaces of the helicopter. Are your fuel lines safe and secure?
- Servos
Make sure the servos are reversed if necessary. Check to make sure that the direction of the servos movement yeilds the correct response from the control surfaces (ie pitch, cyclic, throttle, rudder etc).
- Gyro set up
Make sure that the gyro has been either reversed, or not reversed, as the case may be, so that it yeilds the correct response from the rudder of your helicopter. - Pitch Curve

Other Links:
Tours Agency | Site Awards | Karma & Merits | Your Blessing