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ROGER RYTON got hooked after we laid the bait,
and now he's getting started with a Nexus 30 model heli. He's been
practising on the CSM flight simulator and has come up with an
interesting puzzle . . .
Here's an update on my performance with the simulator.
Having changed to mode 2, I was delighted to find that I improved
fairly rapidly and within hours reached 50% safe landings - which I felt
mighty
proud about. While still glowing, I thought I might just try out the Nexus
characteristics and image; so that it would feel more like the real thing.
The file for a Nexus 30 was available, and since the appearance is
identical to the 46, this was fine for me.
Upon starting again I was shocked. Very shocked. How shall I describe
it, let me try, perhaps a brick with a jet engine and a tantrum.
Gently increasing the power for take-off, a little more power than
usual was required. Height was then gained rapidly with the heli soaring
high into the blue yonder. Now, a steady and gentle reduction in power
appeared to have no effect at all. Still climbing. Yet a further gentle
reduction in power brought it plummeting to earth in no time at all!
During flight the controls were acting very quickly but in a
"working to rule" fashion. All changes were exaggerated as if
intending to spite. The rudder, which had needed minimal attention
previously in the simple model, now required constant and extreme
adjustment.
I was now dreading the time when I would have to try on the real
helicopter. This simulation was just about impossible. Every control
needed constant and immediate and precise control, something I could not
achieve. Crash rate back to 98% and confidence evaporated. I was worried
that if this was genuinely the ability required I would never manage it.
Coming to the rescue fortunately were facilities of the simulator.
Height hold and Position hold. Using these, I successfully tamed the wild
gyrations of the heli, first with sticks, and then substituting trimming
to stabilise. When stable I found it hard to believe that every trim had
needed a 1 click shift, except the rudder which required a 12 click shift,
i.e. almost at the end of the scale!!
Despair is now replaced with delight once more, as the heli has become
controllable again. Amazingly, that brief struggle with the dreadful
set-up makes the current configuration seem utopian, with 90% plus
safe landings now being achieved.
Have you any idea what might be the cause of the severe rudder offset?
It's not the heading lock gyro - since I have a switch that to turn that
off - with a visual cue to confirm it's status.
I'm therefore relieved to report that excitement has returned.
Must stop playing simulation soon and get the heli in flying condition.
roger.ryton@ntlworld.com
I could only wonder if the rapid
changes in altitude indicated that the Nexus 30 in the simulator was
configured with a very steep pitch curve, giving rapid changes in positive
and negative pitch each side of the neutral position - would that result
in this sort of flying characteristic or am I barking up the wrong tree?
But what about that rudder - why should it need such a massive amount of
adjustment? Heli experts, please tell us what you think.
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It's a small world, says MIKE GIBBINGS
Hi Reg,
I live in Chestnut Avenue, Andover [my
home town - Reg] and am
a life-time member of the Heswall MAC (featured on ModelFlight #29). I've known John Lee
(pictured on ModelFlight #31) for 34 years
now and we keep in touch quite regularly. My main interest is electric
powered flying which I have had a lot of success with.
John has introduced your website to me.
Cheers
Welcome to ModelFlight,
Mike; tell us more about your electric flying!
I see that Heswall MAC's 50th
Anniversary celebrations last year are featured in the current BMFA
News and John gets a mention.
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DENNIS WOLFF
Many thanks for info on York Model Aircraft
Society - I move to Bridlington on June 1st.
Can I recommend SAM Zero (Association of Vintage
Aeromodellers) for all vintage
R/C types - a bi-monthly magazine called the ECHO, published by K. J.
Harris, 21 Burns Lane, Warsop, Mansfield, Notts., NG20 OPA
I wish there was a society for ancient types who are
happy with slow flying vintage a/c with old engines (where the wing
provides lift instead of vectoring the thrust !).
All the best for your move, Dennis.
I hope we'll hear from you in due course that you have settled in both
to new home and club.
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