I took a break from the shop today........

[lrogers]

......and went flying! I was joined today by John Kelly (as usual) and by Ed Adams. Between us, we brought eight helos out. John even brought his 4 wheel drive R/C truck and put on a little show for us.

It was a bit windy today so Ed and I really had to work the sticks when we went up. John didn't seem to bothered by the wind at all. That's what ten years worth of flight experience will do for you.

We had the following birds with us today:
John's OS 90 powered Freya, YS 90 powered Freya, OS 70 powered Vigor, OS 70 powered Fury, OS 50 powered Raptor, Ed's OS 70 powered Predator, My OS 70 powered Freya and OS 50 powered Sceadu Evo. All the birds that went up today came home in the same condition they started out in; a good day!

I didn't really take a complete break from the shop today. I got another sheet of ply wood for the train toy box, did a bit of sanding and showed LOML what was ready for her to start priming. She also got the paint today that will transform the toy box in the COCONUT EXPRESS!

[cabinetman]

Those are really cool. What kind of expense is there for one. I heard that it's hard as heck to fly a helio, more so than a plane. Is that true?



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[lrogers]

Yeah, they are a handfull while you are learning, but with the new computer simulators, the learning curve isn't as steep as it used to be. Also, the new generation of computer radios with their mixing programs and the "heading hold" gyro really help to lessen the pilots work load. They are still more difficult to fly than a plane, but with training and help, I think anyone could pick it up. They REALLY look cool in the air.

As for cost, it's a VERY wide spread. There are a lot of micro electrics that come complete with everything you need for about $200. Buyer beware, with just a few exceptions, these are NOT for beginners and are usually of poor quality, DAMHIKT! One of the exceptions to this is the Blade CX. This is a co-axial bird with counter rotating rotors and no tail rotor. Very stable in the air.
Starting from scratch, for a good quality 50 size machine, computer radio, gyro and the gear needed to build/maintain/start you'll be looking at about $1500 and it goes up from there. I recently priced out a large scale Huey with a turbine (yes, an honest-to-God jet engine) and it topped out over $10 grand.

One word of warning about R/C helos, they are more addictive than crack cocain! Procede at your own risk!!!!

[D_Epler]

Brings back memories of when I was stationed at Nellis AFB (Vegas) in the early 80's...

Circus-Circus Casino owned a model airfield just up the road from the base a few miles...they used it for the Tournament of Champions pattern flying contest every year and it was a really nice field - paved, etc...

I had the luck of having a gentleman by the name of Mike Lee teach me to fly. He used to write a column by the name of Pattern Matters for Model Airplane News (MAN)...GREAT GUY!! It's just too bad his student (me) didn't have a lot of talent in FLYING, just in BUILDING planes...

I miss my Goldberg EAgle 63.....may it rest in pieces

Never tried the helo's - not after my bout with fixed-wings...not enuff hand-eye coordination, especially when reversing controls due to flying toward vs away from ya...

DAve

[JTimmons]

Yeah, this is what I needed to see. My wife would choke me to death in my sleep.

Neighbor of mine in Oklahoma got me playing around with RC Nitro Monster Trucks. Not quite as expensive as the helicopters, but addicting all the same. There wasn't a cat in the neighborhood that was safe.

[lrogers]

Here'a another picture that John took and sent to me this week. It's a nice shot of my Freya in the air. The play ground equipment is MUCH further back than it appears in the picture; just a trick of the zoom lens. I think this is the best in-flight picture yet of either of my helos.

The smaller helo has been returned to a kit, not by crash, but by design. It was time for a complete tear down, inspection and replacement/up grade of some parts. when it takes to the air again next spring, it will be a scale bird. Stay tuned!