Suggestions???

[dyloch]

First off, HELLO fellow heli nutcases :)

I need a bit of advice. I have not flown a bird for the last 18-19 years, getting the bug again. Being out of practice and effectively a noob again, is it too much to get the following?

MA fury extreme 3d
futaba 14mz
os 91
and all associated hardware

I would like a little direction, my first bird was an X-cell 60, when that was the only one they made, now I want to get back into flying and the 4500 or so to start out with a bird that will never exceed my capabilities is not a problem. So should I just go for it or do you all suggest a smaller ride for the reaquaintence?

Dwight

[blax1]

Hello Dwight
Welcome to the forum
Do you have a Sim?
Cheers Ralph

[phatchantz]

what Ralph said ( sim ) :)

[HeliRaptor]

Agreed with the above said.

[tdswan]

I disagree....you should get a riding mower. :p

Seriously, though. If you've flown helis before, you know what it takes to re-learn your skills. That would be a screamin' "re"-starting packge. You'd never use all the channels on that radio unless you're going scale. I know the gadgets are a big draw, but a nice 8-10 channel radio would be more than enough. IMO, it would be money best spent elsewhere.

MA makes some VERY SWEET and HIGH QUALITY machines. A couple of guys around here fly them. Wanting to go 60+ is entirely up to you. A well-equipped 50 with an OS 50 Hyper would still perform quite well, but it's your money. I'm a conservative guy, can you tell? :p

[heli-cuzz]

I disagree....you should get a riding mower. :p




http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/smilie/frech/h010.gif

4500 to start out. :)

Futaba has a new TX/RX you should look into here>>>http://rchelimag.com/pages/newsarchive.php?date=042007#15452
then buy a sim to practice on{cheap crashes} and two fifty sized helis with everything, that way you have a back-up when one goes down.

Don't forget the lawnmower. :p

[dyloch]

Well, when I first learned to fly, I did it with a JR single stick radio. For those not familiar with one, it had one stick with FBLR cyclic on it and a knob on the same stick for tailrotor control, the throttle/collective was on the side of the radio as a slider, almost like a heavy duty trim tab. I am definately open to radio suggestions, not relearning single stick, not enough people know it to actually find a possible trainer. As for sims, that was part of the $4500, thinking G3.5, thoughts welcome? As for the bird, I figure a 90 sized bird with soft dampening will react slower due to size and mass as well as be a little harder to overcorrect by the same though. I am partial to Miniature Aircraft since that was my first bird, and plan on staying that way. I find it hard to find info on MA Heli's though, seems they are not in the limelight anymore and finding writeups on the fury and stratus line is somewhat difficult. I figure I can detune the bird with soft dampening and heavy paddles and even possibly added weight, then when I'm back up to snuff start bringing in the real capabilities and have a machine fully capable of anything.

TIA
Dwight

[heli-cuzz]

I feel a 50 is more practical and a lot less money to get in the air than the 90. The fifties I have flown are solid and stable. My Caliber5 has a 54-1/2 inch rotorspan. I believe a 90 is around 6 inches longer than a fifty.
Heck, if you want a 90, go buy a 90, I would. :D

[darkfa8]

Dwight,

The components you've selected are of the creme of the crop out of the current selection of goods. It would definitely be wise to re-familiarize yourself with the current set of functions and abilities of the new hardware that had been previously unimaginable the last time you picked up a transmitter.

First thing I'd recommend is to find some other local flyers who can give you some fresh perspective and/or assistence with any reaquaintence to the hobby.

Definitely try a sim before you power up your new heli just so you can get your "air-legs" back before taking up your flying gold-mine of goods :)

You'll also certainly learn about all the nice, new and more convient tools and field equipment that is now available that will make maintaining and flying this heli even more enjoyable then changing out hot vacuum tubes ;)

... and, good luck!

[dyloch]

Fellow tube roller eh?

Well on further consideration, my current plan is to run a DX7 for a radio and maybe upgrade later on if I decide I need the extra channels for scale applications. As for the birds, I figure a Trex 450 for a relearning bird with the Fury Extreme for later. My local hobby shop stocks most parts for the Trex so crashing will be a nuisance more than a time down thing. I am also getting G3 for a sim and will spend a lot of hours relearning to even hover with 2 sticks vs 1. It will be much easier on the pocket with the Trex because IMHO if you ain't pushing it, you ain't learnin', which translates to if you aren't crashin', you ain't learnin'. My goal is far from crashing but I figure it's inevitable so might as well accept it now.

Dwight

[mongoose]

I think my method is the best.......just try and fly everything you got in the garage and crash into the washing machine! That's my theory and I'm sticking to it! Actually, I'm grounding myself for now until I put in more time in on the sim. This is so I don't kill my Titan like I did my T-Rex right from the get go. Just watch out for moving washing machines and the ground jumping up to crash into your heli!! :eek:

[darkfa8]

Dwight,

It's good that you're getting the sim. However, take some time with that first before purchasing an actually heli if you can stand to wait a bit. This will help you immensely since you'll be able to reaquaint yourself with the basic flight characterists without having an actual machine to go run outside with and potentially make any initial, and costly mistake.

The DX7 is a good radio, however, it is limited in it's programming for more advanced heli features that you might likely want to take advantage of if you eventually want to progress. If you can wait another 2-3 months before buying a dedicated transmitter, and want full spread spectrum support, both Futaba and JR will by then have their fully integrated systems out that will offer substancially more ability compaired to the DX7.

Buy once on the transmitter, buy the best you can afford. The best of all worlds is just coming out with JR's and Futaba's full featured spread spectrum radios and will be well worth the wait and money.

While you're sacking away the money you can experiment on the sim. You'll get board, you might even get antsy or jealous seeing other guys with their actual machines out at the field, but heed good advice and get the dirty work done on the sim.

After 1-3 months of work on the sim, whatever machine you finally pick with be incredibly easier to fly, you'll likely be more relaxed and things will go much better.

The Trex has proven to be a great, convient heli, but it is no where near the stability of a larger machine as I'm sure you'd expect. It's also not as resiliant to windy conditions and it's fragile. I've flown my Trex more then any of my larger machines, and it's good to hone your skills on a small machine since it'll make flying the larger ones seem much more forgiving.

For your field equipment, buy the best stuff once...

Dynatron starter, Robbe starter wand, Hot Shot or equivalent ignitior, brand name batteries, quality chargers, etc..