HITEC FunCopter - Manual (Page 30)

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the rotor blades from the blade holders; this minimises the
risk of injuring someone or damaging property if interference
occurs during the check, causing the motor to burst into life
unexpectedly. We recommend that you place the model on a
table for range-checking; leaving the model on the ground could
result in false readings.
Whenever you carry out a range-check, repeat the procedure
with the motor running and with the motor stopped. Helicopters
must never be fixed to the ground, as this can easily cause a
build-up of resonances which may completely wreck the model.
Ask a friend to stay close to the model and inform you when
and if “servo jitter” occurs, while you walk away from it carrying
the transmitter. The range-check itself should be carried out in
accordance with the RC system manufacturer’s instructions.
6. First flight
For the first flight wait for a day with as little wind as possible.
It is always best to fly your model at an approved model flying
site. The first reason is that of legality, but just as important is
that you will usually find expert help there - especially if you
are a beginner.
We also recommend that you fit a training landing gear,
as this makes it less likely that the helicopter will tip
over. Place the machine on the ground about 5 m away
from you, facing directly into any breeze. Closely-mown
grass or a tarmac surface is advantageous, as the skids
are not so likely to get caught up, and the tail rotor can
spin freely without obstruction.
After a final check of the working systems, cautiously and
gradually open the throttle until the helicopter becomes “light
on its feet”; at this point you can check that all the functions
work properly, and that the model’s basic trim is correct.
For the first few flights keep the helicopter flying at a height of
about 1 to 1.5 m above the ground - no higher. On the other
hand, don’t keep it too low: it is not a good idea to just let it
skid around on the ground. It is also sensible to avoid letting
the machine fly any further away from you than ten to twenty
metres, but for safety reasons you should not fly closer to
yourself than five metres. If things get out of hand, land the
helicopter immediately. Don’t be tentative with the throttle stick,
but on the other hand never move it abruptly. If a crash or a
hard landing is inevitable, it is often safer just to switch the
motor off, as the model will then generally “survive” the crash
with less damage than in a “power-on” arrival.
7. First circuits
When you feel reasonably confident of hovering the model in
front of you, it is time to alter your position: stand to one side
of the helicopter, again at a distance of about 5 m, and hover
the model in the usual way from this position. Now try flying
the machine slowly forward. The helicopter should always
maintain the same position relative to you. Keep your distance
and height, and turn with the model as it flies forward. Don’t be
downhearted if the first circuit does not work out well: just land
the helicopter and try again. It should be borne in mind that
the FunCopter has a tendency to balloon up (nose high) when
descending. Keep this in mind, and push the nose down slightly
to compensate. If the ballooning tendency is too pronounced
for comfort, reduce the rate of descent.
To lose height you must reduce the throttle setting, but please
note that you must never shut the motor down completely. If
the rotor falls below a very low basic speed you may find that
the rotor blades fold upward in response to the machine’s rate
of descent, and there is no way to correct this.
8. Flying figures-of-eight
The next hurdle is “flying towards yourself”. This is much more
challenging, and to make things easier it is best always to
start by flying “eights” into wind, in front of you. You will soon
notice that this is much more difficult than flying around yourself.
Initially simply fly to left and right, then expand the manoeuvre
into a flat figure-of-eight. The more practice you put in, the
rounder and larger the “eights” become.
9. Landing, emergency landings
The simplest way to land is from the hover: simply reduce the
throttle setting slowly, and wait for the model to respond - if
the helicopter descends too fast for a comfortable flare, you
need to open the throttle again slightly. Keep things steady -
there is no need to do anything hastily.
From forward flight you should first reduce the throttle setting
and apply “back-cyclic” (pitch-axis, or up-elevator control) to
slow the machine down, then carefully open the throttle again
a little as the machine makes the transition to the hover. From
this point you can land the helicopter as if from the hover.
If things really get out of hand, and a crash or hard landing is
unavoidable, it is often advisable simply to switch the motor off
completely, as the model then has a better chance of surviving
the crash than if the rotor strikes an obstacle whilst under
power.
10. Vibration
The FunCopter is a fixed-pitch helicopter, i.e. its rotor speed
varies constantly according to the momentary phase of flight.
During a descent the rotor speed may become so low that the
model starts to resonate, i.e. it starts to vibrate. Don’t panic if
this occurs: simply raise the rotor speed until the FunCopter
“calms down” again - which happens very quickly.
When the rotor is running up to speed it is normal for the
helicopter to shake briefly; this is due to fundamental resonance
which will cease immediately if you raise the rotor speed briskly.
If you notice persistent vibration after a crash or transport
damage, then something is not in order: check whether the
main rotor shaft or tail rotor shaft is bent by removing the shafts
and rolling them on a perfectly flat table top. If you find even
minimal distortion, replace the offending item.
The model will still fly when persistent vibration is present, but
please remember that vibration places a severe load on the
helicopter’s components - especially the electronic units - and
they may suffer long-term damage as a result. If the model
vibrates even though it has not suffered damage in a crash, it
may be necessary to re-balance the rotor blades. This is
accomplished by applying adhesive tape in the region of the
blade’s Centre of Gravity (outside end of the moulded-in
turbulator - raised plastic lug - on the top surface of the blade)
until the rotor blades are accurately balanced to within a tenth
of a gramme.
11. Safety
Safety is the First Commandment when flying any model
aircraft. Third party insurance should be considered a basic
essential. If you join a model club, suitable cover will usually
be available through the organisation. It is your personal
responsibility to ensure that your insurance is adequate
(powered model aircraft).
Make it your job to keep your models and your radio control
system in perfect order at all times. Check the correct charging
procedure for the batteries you are using. Make use of all sen-
sible safety systems and precautions which are advised for
your system. An excellent source of practical accessories is
the MULTIPLEX main catalogue, as our products are designed
and manufactured exclusively by practising modellers for other
practising modellers.