Anyone fly the Swift?

[broke-again]

I was in the market for another heli and after some research i have opted for the Century swift. I did consider the T-Rex600, very nice bird - but a bit too big for my requirements.

Im curious if anyone else flys this bird and before i begin the build, i would be grateful for feedback on your experiences.

Looking forward to getting it airbourne.

[Shinigami]

I just maidened my Swift this weekend. Cool heli, I'm really happy with it. The only negatives I found were the wood blades that came with mine were pretty crappy. Others have had good luck with the stock woodies. I'm looking to get some Heli-Max 530mm carbons instead. The stock paddles are really light, which makes for a quick cyclic, even faster than my T-rex.

What motor/esc/etc. are you using? I'm running the 550+ motor, Century 55/70 esc, Maxamps 4S 4000mah packs. 4S seems ok for me for now, but I may upgrade up to 6S and the 600+ next year for more "pop".

For some good tips on the build, check out the Finless build videos over on helifreak.com. They were pretty helpful, especially regarding setting up the servos with proper horn lengths, etc.

Have fun, you will like this bird!

[broke-again]

Thanks for the response. Im not 100% sure about what power set up will be, probably the 600+, GY401. Servos im still deciding, seems the digitals are better for cyclic (better centering), but at the moment can't decide whether to go for JR 821 or the 9252..JR seem to be less expensive & carry a lot of torque. As for ESC etc, still not decided.

Seems this is a very good heli though, nothing but positive reviews. The only neg's are the stock woodies - seems they a bit weak for the task, so i will order the carbons and try both to see the difference.

What servos, esc are you using - do you use a BEC?

Again thanks for the reply

Bill :)

[broke-again]

OOPs...you already told me what ESC...sorry loooong day!

[Shinigami]

I'm using a separate rx battery pack - no bec. Pretty glad I went that way, because the heli is kinda tail heavy and the rx pack definitely helps balance it out.

I'm using HS-475's on cyclic and a HS-5245 on the tail. I haven't been able to get a nice solid hover yet like I can on my T-rex, so I'm thinking these cheap servos might be having trouble centering - might upgrade. I'm also not sure if the tail servo is fast enough as I haven't been able to get it real stable yet. I'm going to try adding some delay on the 401 to see if that helps (even though the delay should be kept at 0 for digital servos I'm told) any play with the gain some more. I'll know more about my setup after a few more flights.

[broke-again]

Yes, change the servos to high torque digital. I am going to go with the JR DS821 servos. They have plenty of torque and good speed. Finless has also stated on HF that he is swapping over to digitals.

What TX are you using?

[Shinigami]

I'm using the Spektrum DX6. Yeah, I'm thinking I need to go with some digital servos too. I might splurge and get a 9254 on the tail and some HS-6975's for cyclic. :eek:

[CLM]

from what I've read, your hover issues may not neccisarily be the non digital servos, apparently the dx6 has a bit wider signal width causing a slightly less responsive servo. In other words you can move the sticks on the dx6 more before the servos move then other radios, basically digital slop in the linkages.

[AaronS]

the control latency issues with the DX 6 are only when you use CCPM, which would explain why your heli does not feel locked in during hover. The DX 7 has resolved the problem, it was actually the computer in the DX 6 being slow when asked to do CCPM, not the Spekrum transmission system

[Shinigami]

I just got back from flying a couple packs. First day without a lot of wind also, which I think was a big part of the problem. It was out of trim quite a bit, and once I got it dialed in, it felt a lot better. Lowered the gyro gain to like +40 and left the delay at zero. Wag/bounce is pretty much gone and tail still holds solid. Maybe I just need to be more flexible with setup coming from my T-rex :o

Definitely does feel like a slight latency tho, I think that might be part of it. I was already planning to upgrade to the DX7 in couple months, so this is good news. Overall, I like this bird more each time I fly it. Thanks guys!

[broke-again]

The kit arrived today, for the price it seems like a lot of heli for very little $$$. Pretty good quality too. I payed more for my 450se. This will be a fun build - should have it finished by next spring LOL

[Helifino]

Post some pics if/when you can. Looking forward to hearing about your progress. :)

[broke-again]

Well after several hours, i have just about completed the Swift kit build. The kit basically comes in several numbered bags (dont know why they were numbered as the instructions dont make reference to any numbers in the build sequence). In fact the instructions actually had one minor - though irritating mistake, which meant i had to remove some balls and screws and reverse their position (not easy after they have been put in with CA). The tail unit assembly was a little tricky as again the instructions were a little sparse in this area. All said and done the kit went together without too many problems and i really enjoyed the build. One weakness i found was the tail rotor linkages, which are secured using pins - which in my opinion where too loose fitting and a potential crash waiting to happen. I ended up using some CA on the ends for piece of mind.

This heli is much larger than the 450se and i have posted a pic of the Swift (unfinished) alongside the 450 for scale.

Once the electronics get here & weather permiting, i am hoping to get my maiden flight ASAP!.....cant wait.

[Helifino]

I bet your excited. Looking good! :)

[broke-again]

All servos are on, motor/esc & batts arrived yesterday, just waiting for bec gyro (decided to keep the other 401 on the 450) and step down. May get to maiden before xmas if the weather holds.. ;)

I am also going to use / test out the FMA co-pilot system (initially bought it for the sensor, which i will need for planned future AP set up) The FMA FS8cpi comes with additional software etc. Just need time to sit down and go over everything.

There is a lot of debate about the co-pilot system and the majority against it - have never actually used it! Those that have, like it, but call me old fashioned, i like to make my own mind up and when im finished, i will post an honest personal review of not only the swift, but the co-pilot for anyone who may be contemplating putting one on their heli.

Oh well, back to work.

[broke-again]

My new swift is down.....major crash today. Pitch control link on the main blade grips failed in mid air....terrible to watch, 1st time i have seen a heli funkey chicken in the air.

Major damage, including a brand new Polyquest mega buck 20c lipo....looks like a bananna now.

I emailed century and gave them pics, doubt they will do anything but to anyone else who flys the swift..check the main blade grips closely before flying..this was only my fourth flight.

Even the co-pilot system was helpless in this situation.

Oh well, my last crash of 2006.

[Helifino]

Wow...major damage is right! Are you going to try and rebuild her or scrap it and buy a new one? Any idea what caused the link to fail(defective)?

[tdswan]

Holy Crap! Looks like you're Broke-Again. :p
Sorry to make light of it. It's the unfortunate reality of this hobby. I have to tell myself this every time I have one. This year's been rough on me. I've had 5 total with mechanical failures being 4 of them and one because I didn't flip the idle-up. I've spent enough on heli repairs this year to buy a new one. In 2005 I had NONE. It's all in the cards!

Best of luck! I hope she's in the air soon!
Troy

[phatchantz]

jeeze - that's just mean - it's bad enough when you do it to yourself -
but absolute failure :mad:

wish you luck - whatever way you go !

[CLM]

Ouch... What a way to ring out the year... The century E-Helis all seem so spindly to me with those long landing gear.

Chris

[blax1]

Hey broke-
Sorry to read that, it certainly has made a mess of your heli- :(
When you get it going again, I will be interested in your comments on the FMA, I've been considering one however at this point in time they aren't compatible with DX6 (maybe this has changed)

Good luck with the re-build :)
Cheers Ralph

[broke-again]

Hi guys and thanks for the words of encouragement. :)

I cant bring myself to touch the heli just now, still a bit gutted by it. At this moment i dont know if i will rebuild or scrap - undecided. I think the kit i got was an early version, which may have had weak seesaw mixer links. The heli would shake pretty hard on spool up, again an issue with earlier models (Century have since upgraded the feathering shaft) which was the cause of the shake.

When it comes to the co-pilot, i must admit that i was somewhat impressed with it. Even after such a major failure the co-pilot did everything it could to correct the heli, but with no control over one seesaw arm - it was futile - but i still think it helped reduce the damage if you can believe that.

I played back the flight on the PC (a neat feature of the co-pilot) and it showed no failsafes or bad frames and it really fought hard.

Im just glad i didnt have the camera or mount installed or id be even more upset.

I dont know why the co-pilot wouldnt be comaptible with the DX system.

The co-pilot is pretty neat, but isn't fool proof - in the event of such a failure - it cant do anything, but thankfully such failures are rare.

I havent heard from Century about this yet- kinda doubt i will, but i guess how they handle this will determine if i rebuild or spend any more money with them. I have asked that i send the failed grips to them for their own inspections, as at the end of the day they only have my version of events.

Oh well, im gonna go fly the trusty 450......fingers crossed! :)

[blax1]

Hello broke-
Yes its a nasty experience thats for sure, I personally haven't had any dealings with Century, however Td, has with his gasser etc, and he speaks very highly of them, maybe you could discuss this with Td, I obviously can't speak for Td, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping if he can, he may actually have a contact at Century, that you could phone and start some dialog that way, Century have been around for a long time and they will probably standby there products, especially if there has been issues with previous models etc.

Im doing some home work on FMA and DX6 but I did have a conversation with FMA and there system, 9 months ago was only compatible with 35-72 Mhz radio frequencies not 2.4Ghz, but like I said this may have changed.

All the best
Cheers Ralph

[vapochilled]

Hello broke-
Yes its a nasty experience thats for sure, I personally haven't had any dealings with Century, however Td, has with his gasser etc, and he speaks very highly of them, maybe you could discuss this with Td, I obviously can't speak for Td, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping if he can, he may actually have a contact at Century, that you could phone and start some dialog that way, Century have been around for a long time and they will probably standby there products, especially if there has been issues with previous models etc.

Im doing some home work on FMA and DX6 but I did have a conversation with FMA and there system, 9 months ago was only compatible with 35-72 Mhz radio frequencies not 2.4Ghz, but like I said this may have changed.

All the best
Cheers Ralph

Nope not changed, but: they are very aware that 2.4GHz is about to be the default radio of choice in this class of flight. And they are playing catch up right now. I too asked about it :) looks to be an amazing product for us dumb thumbers :D

[blax1]

Nope not changed, but: they are very aware that 2.4GHz is about to be the default radio of choice in this class of flight. And they are playing catch up right now. I too asked about it :) looks to be an amazing product for us dumb thumbers :D

LOL Cheers Vapo-
That is good news it is an amazing product, with the investment I have in the Rex I just thought it could be very helpful.
Ralph

[tdswan]

I'd be happy to help! What's the question? LOL!

PM me, broke-again.

[blax1]

I'd be happy to help! What's the question? LOL!

PM me, broke-again.
Hello Td
Maybe you could PM broke-again, he's off line at the moment :)

[broke-again]

Got an email from Century saying "Stand By" so im standing by. Contacted FMA - they get 100% from me on service. I explained what happened etc and they asked me to send them the co-pilot unit - they can analyze the data properly and rule out a lot.

So to date, most people think i suffered an electrical/radio glitch and not a mechanical failure as i believe...guess time will tell.

Thanks to all for the kind words...i needed the sympathy!!!

[tdswan]

I'll cast my vote and say that I am pretty sure you have suffered a linkage issue of some sort, Your crash sounds exactly like one I recently had with my Predator. Mine was a linkage that had come un-screwed. That comes from your description of how it came down.

[blax1]

Hey broke-again
Whilst surfing I found this!! :eek:

http://www.helitown.com/Swift.html

I'm not sure if it'll help, I haven't read it in detail.
You may have seen it before, you may not have??
Cheers Ralph :)

[broke-again]

Thanks bud,,,loads of info on the swift there!

:)

[broke-again]

Hey all, heres the update. Century told me to stand by...i'm still standing by - no surprises there. I also found a guy on rcgroups who had the exact same failure happen to him. He was just spooling up when it happened, so his damage wasnt as bad.

So anyway, i bit the bullet and ordered a lot of spares from Tower Hobbies, taking advantage of a $30.00 discount coupon i had. I had never used them before and thought i would try them out. So i place the order and wait & wait & wait some more. Order eventually turned up yesterday - it was shipped on the 8th Jan.Slow - Iv'e seen molasses move faster uphill.

So i spent last night putting the bird back together, got the head and tail units done and rebuilt the 9254 servo. The tail pitch linkages on this bird are as weak as water, just slipping them onto the balls resulted in two splitting!

I also treated myself to a 9C super and a few other goodies to console myself :)

Weather permitting, the Swift should be airbourne soon - just hope it stays airbourne this time around. Fingers crossed

[schwa]

wow, i made an order with Tower on a sunday and had it on Tuesday

[broke-again]

schwa - wow, i made an order with Tower on a sunday and had it on Tuesday

Hmm, you must live next door to them... :)

They shipped my order from Champaign, Illinois. Oh and they paid less for shipping than they charged me...snail mail. Guess they have to make up for the discounts somehow.

Most orders i place in the US are with me within the week via USPS.

No big deal, just wont be spending there.

[broke-again]

Yeehaaa. I got the swift out today and put two packs in, it was -10 outside and a bit windy, but i had fun. I was really rusty after being grounded so long with the weather conditions and admit my heart was in my mouth most of the time. One good thing about being grounded, i was able to take my time with the build and it payed off, its the nicest & neatest set up i am ever going to have. I didnt even have to adjust tracking, it was spot on.....lucky i guess. Im also getting used to the 9C super, totally different feel compared to the 6EXH......... :)