Living with a bipolar Heli. (ESC reset to defaults)

The unfortunate fact is any ESC that depends on software will have defects. I say this because I have been a Software Engineer for 25 years, worked on many products and have yet seen a software based system get released bug free, sorry Futaba that includes you.

This Saturday, when trying to fly my Logo 600, it showed its dark personality. Upon getting ready to fly, the ESC reset itself to the defaults, meaning Airplane mode and no soft start up. I usually set my helis up to arm the ESC based on the throttle hold, so I start the heli up in stunt mode 2, depending on the soft start of the ESC. Once the throttle hold is switched off my blades spin up and up and away!

Not this time the heli went wild spinning out of control. I was quick enough to shut her down and save the heli. Keep in mind that I have flown this heli maybe 12 times and all the sudden she goes nuts. When I took it home I found out that the ESC had set itself to the defaults. Then I immediately emailed Castle Creations.

As they said 3.24 had the fix for that situation, I did not want to be put into that situation again, so the tech at Castle Creations offered this advice for any ESC you are using.

“Set the motor direction to Reverse in the Castle Link & then set the correct direction with the motor leads. By doing this if the controller resets to default the motor will spin the one way so as not to drive the main gear. Therefore saving your heli.”

Seems like good advice!

Raining outside and this is what happens.

This is what happens when I don’t have anything Heli’s to build, waiting on parts for aircraft and it’s raining outside. I put batman in as the pilot. I wanted to make it cartoonish as I know this craft is going to have a short life hanging around me and Cooper.

Nampa Model Aviators Club

Looking for a place to fly? Check out Nampa Model Aviators!


Flying helis and planes is fun, and flying by yourself can be fun as well, but if you are looking for help with a setup, issue or just trying to prefect a stunt, there's nothing like flying at a club.

Nampa Model Aviators has a wonderful area to fly at, cut and well keep grass, electric out let for changers and such, covered area to keep you and your craft out of he sun (or rain/snow for some of us), It has a 400' x 40' asphalt runway flanked by a 500' x 50' grass runway, pilot pits, 6 benches to work on and a gas barbecue.

We fly everything from small trainers, large scale IMAC machines, to Helis of all sizes shapes and colors.

So come on out and join us!!

Located right next to a golf course so you can bring your clubs to.

Contact Tim Cooper at HobbyTown USA or Jack Reed. (www.nampamodelaviators.org)


Pictures taken 11/6/2010.

Trex 700 Nitro at Nampa Model Aviators club

Stevie has been working out the issues on his Trex 700 and I think he has finally got. He added an Align governor and his YS91 is running like a top. Also take a hard look at the canopy, he paints them himself!

Nice inverted in a good wind.

Batman from Extreme Flight

Heli dudes, looking for a fun little break from your heli? Check out this little 48" profile Yak-54 from Extreme Flight. With the setup below she has enough power and control area to rip through the sky, turn on a dime and do some real stupid stunts with. Lots of fun!!

Setup:
Prop: 13x6.5
4s 3.3mah 30C
Hitec 65MG
Torque 2814/820
Scorpion 60Amp ESC
Pulls 51 amps.



Try a 12x6 prop as it will pull around 40 amps. Both props will slow her down real quickly.

Hey Trex 600 and 500 owners!!!

Looking for something a little different to set your heli apart from the others at the flying field? Stop by RCHobbies and take a look at these custom painted canopies!!