Nice weather so I got to remaiden the X5 today! Everything went fine, and it feels almost the same as before. I think any difference I think I feel is due to the change from Gaui main blades to Rail. The heli feels less floaty in turns to me, but it could have been to a different wind direction today...out of the NW. I ran 4 packs through the X5, then 3 through the Goblin 500, to get my fill of flying until I return from vacay. The Gobby flew fine today too. I stayed conservative with both helis due to very overcast skies, the hardest background for my old eyes.
When I got home, I inspected the X5 and noticed it was sitting tilted when viewed from front or back. Finally figured it out...the frame got cracked down by a LG brace in the crash last Thurs, and I did not notice it till now. Mostly aesthetically unpleasing to see the tilted heli, I am going to use it as is and not worry about it. It has no impact on flyability, nor on alignment of the important stuff above. If I crash bad again, I can replace the frame at that time.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
X5 is Stayin' Alive!
Here are pics of the rebuild after my inverted crash last Th. I ordered parts on Fri AM from AnythingHeli and the box of parts arrived on Monday before 10AM! Holy moly that is fast service. Parts ordered were identified in the previous post.
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| $190 lol. |
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| I bought this special pliers to remove the C ring holding the gear to the hollow shaft of the gear assembly. Well worth $3.99 from Harbor Freight! |
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| This pliers works great and prevents lots of cussing! |
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| You can see missing teeth on the stock red main gear. Not evident is the fact the new black gear is slightly larger than the red gear, causing difficulty in just dropping the black one in place until the engine is removed or loosened! |
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| New tail boom on top has GAUI printed on it! |
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| New turnbuckles and ball links are much larger, from the X7. |
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| Old canopy mounts were bent badly and sheered apart during removal from the frame. New ones in the middle. |
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| New LG skids and braces already on the chopper. Only front brace and one skid had to be replaced, but I did both skids and will keep the old one for a spare. |
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| New main shaft on bottom. Old one is slightly bent when rolled on smooth surface...cannot tell by picture! |
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| New Rail blades on left. Believe me, the stock Gaui's are busted, not bad, but not usable anymore. |
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| Rails are only 8mm at the grip and need two 1mm spacers to be same thickness as the Gaui blades in the blade grips. Rails are definitely better finish than Gauis. |
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| All new parts installed! |
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| All done with the new Fusuno Mango canopy . Stock formula canopy was slightly damaged so I repaired it to use as a spare. |
The X5 is definitely staying alive, and is ready to remaiden, possibly tomorrow if weather permits. Hopefully I replaced all that needs to be, and don't find issues that only arise in operation and flight. It sure appears to be as good as new! It really has a new look with the Fusuno Mango canopy that is much smaller than the stock formula canopy, and with the new Rail blades. Glad to have it back as flight ready. It was out of commission only 5 days but I missed it.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Alex went flying with me today, and Tad met us there at the field. Quang and Anthony flew too, and we had a good time with lots of heli action. This was Tad's 2nd day with his new Goblin 700, plus he brought his 500. I flew my 500, both 450s and the Star. Alex flew his MCPX and also for the first time took the sticks on both 450s. Star was enjoyed by all of us as pilots, even Quang for a brief shot, lol.
In all, I flew the G500 for 6 packs, and maybe one pack on the Star, and one on the 450 FBL. Alex really did well, as I thought he would, in control of the 450 DFC and FBL. Like me, he seems to prefer the FBL more. He also handled the Star well in the air and in takeoff and landing.
Tad's new 700 seems great...easy to see since it is bigger and the color stands out. Flies nice and graceful.
In all, I flew the G500 for 6 packs, and maybe one pack on the Star, and one on the 450 FBL. Alex really did well, as I thought he would, in control of the 450 DFC and FBL. Like me, he seems to prefer the FBL more. He also handled the Star well in the air and in takeoff and landing.
Tad's new 700 seems great...easy to see since it is bigger and the color stands out. Flies nice and graceful.
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| The lineup...MCPX, 450's, my G500, Star in back |
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| Tad's new G700 and old G500. |
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| Taking off on another satisfying flight over the North field. |
X5 is not alive!
I reported this to my sons on Thursday after it happened:
X5 took a grass nap today INverted!
Bye bye.
Just got home....dunno why it happened.
All of a sudden just no neg pitch!
Kept it flat but ended too fast!
If I was fast enough I should have flipped upright.
Dunno if that would save it or not.
There is a bent link/rod to the blade.
If that bent before the crash, it could explain no neg pitch.
Lots of damage.
Prolly just get whole new chopper....too many parts to replace!
I sure liked this x5 for using same packs as the g500.
Oh well, had to get back in the saddle fast....I still had two packs to burn, so I got the 500 back out of the truck, and put 2 packs through it, for a total of 6 for the day. Tried more inverted, and did not repeat x5 incident, so I really wonder if I dumb thumbed it, or if that link bent and caused the lack of neg pitch. Likely never will know. Should be sadder, but maybe still in denial, lol. Dad/Jon
Updated with this later that night:
Need full assessment part by part, but for sure it needs blades, boom, canopy, main gear, canopy posts, landing skids. Nothing apart yet. Have to inspect shafts, swash, frame, etc. Sservos seem to turn without skipping. I think they are good to go, along with all other electronics for another heli! Or maybe the FES version of the x5. Sure liKe how this heli flies.
And a little later:
Repair order done for $190 with mostly in-kind replacements and a few upgrades such as heavier turnbuckle rods to the blade holders, main gear, and Rail main blades. Thought it would be worse. Gaui parts are pretty reasonably priced. The Rail blades alone are $70. Hope it flies as good as before, or better actually, lol.
The order from anythingheli is in the mail, and hopefully I ordered exactly what I needed!
X5 took a grass nap today INverted!
Bye bye.
Just got home....dunno why it happened.
All of a sudden just no neg pitch!
Kept it flat but ended too fast!
If I was fast enough I should have flipped upright.
Dunno if that would save it or not.
There is a bent link/rod to the blade.
If that bent before the crash, it could explain no neg pitch.
Lots of damage.
Prolly just get whole new chopper....too many parts to replace!
I sure liked this x5 for using same packs as the g500.
Oh well, had to get back in the saddle fast....I still had two packs to burn, so I got the 500 back out of the truck, and put 2 packs through it, for a total of 6 for the day. Tried more inverted, and did not repeat x5 incident, so I really wonder if I dumb thumbed it, or if that link bent and caused the lack of neg pitch. Likely never will know. Should be sadder, but maybe still in denial, lol. Dad/Jon
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| Could be worse! |
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| Shucks, it happened so fast, lol |
Updated with this later that night:
Need full assessment part by part, but for sure it needs blades, boom, canopy, main gear, canopy posts, landing skids. Nothing apart yet. Have to inspect shafts, swash, frame, etc. Sservos seem to turn without skipping. I think they are good to go, along with all other electronics for another heli! Or maybe the FES version of the x5. Sure liKe how this heli flies.
And a little later:
Repair order done for $190 with mostly in-kind replacements and a few upgrades such as heavier turnbuckle rods to the blade holders, main gear, and Rail main blades. Thought it would be worse. Gaui parts are pretty reasonably priced. The Rail blades alone are $70. Hope it flies as good as before, or better actually, lol.
The order from anythingheli is in the mail, and hopefully I ordered exactly what I needed!
| Cart Items | SKU | Qty | Item Price | Item Total |
| Blade Spacer Ø4 x Ø18 x 1mm (4pcs) - [H0265-S] - Goblin 500 / 570 | H0265-S | 1 | $5.00 USD | $5.00 USD |
| Gaui Canopy Posts 4pcs Silver anodized X5 and X5 FES | G-208344 | 1 | $7.99 USD | $7.99 USD |
| Gaui Landing Skid Set Silver anodized X5 and X5 FES - 208370 | G-208370 | 1 | $4.99 USD | $4.99 USD |
| GAUI NX4 / X5 120T (BLACK) High Performance Main Gear - 208900 | G-208900 | 1 | $14.25 USD | $14.25 USD |
| GAUI NX4 High Rigidity Brace Set 313080 - GAUI NX4 / X4II / X5 | 313080 | 1 | $6.50 USD | $6.50 USD |
| GAUI Spindle Feathering Shaft (with Hardware) - GAUI X4II / NX4 / X5 | 208345-1 | 1 | $6.49 USD | $6.49 USD |
| GAUI X5 FES Flybarless MAIN MASTS 8MM 2 PCS G-208503 | G-208503 | 1 | $9.99 USD | $9.99 USD |
| GAUI X5 Fusuno MANGO Airbrush Painted Fiberglass Canopy | FUC-GX510 | 1 | $36.99 USD | $36.99 USD |
| GAUI X5 TAIL BOOM with Hardware (X5 SHAFT VERSION - BLACK ANODIZED) G-208321 | G-208321 | 1 | $12.99 USD | $12.99 USD |
| GAUI X7 (NEW DESIGN) V2 Stainless Steel Main Blade Turnbuckle Linkage Push Rods - 217121 | 217121-1 | 1 | $9.99 USD | $9.99 USD |
| GAUI X7 Ball Link Set for Pitch Control Linkage Rod - 217180 | G-217180 | 1 | $5.50 USD | $5.50 USD |
| Rail Blades 516mm Flybarless Carbon Fiber Main Blade - Goblin 500 / GAUI X5 / HD Cell 500 | RB516-1 | 1 | $69.99 USD | $69.99 USD |
| Subtotal: | $190.67 USD |
| Sweet.., here's some cash back! : | -$0.61 USD |
| Shipping: | $0.00 USD |
| Grand Total: | $190.06 USD |
Gee why did they give me a whole 61 cents cashback...keep it!
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Eight is Enough?
Anthony sold me two batteries for the G500 that he does not have anymore i.e. crashed. With those, I now have a grand total of 8 batteries for the G500 and X5 to share. Thus I ran 4 packs through the Goblin, and 4 through the X5 today. Did a lot of attempts at inverted, and nearly dumped the Goblin one time, lol. Came to within 10 feet of eating dirt, or actually tall grass on the North field. Recovered and kept on trying with the Goblin, then with the 4 packs for the X5. I won't say it got easier, but I kept trying anyway, and both helis survived the day. While I should try to learn inverted flying up high, it's a little difficult to see the helis up high with my lousy vision, so I probably am attempting inverted lower than I should, just so I can see the helis better, lol. Danged if you, and danged if you don't sort of thing.
Also had three flights on the Yak 54. It is still flying solid and I enjoyed the pattern type manuevers I was doing with it. Enjoyed the company of Dick, Rudy, and Bob Ross while there. Assisted Bob by flying his Pulse in for a landing when he found it to be rather badly out of aileron trim during his flight. Made a couple passes at low throttle to see how the plane behaved, then landed on the next pass with no issues. Wow, Bob's right hand sure was shaky from his early Parkinson's situation, and also from stress on the flight. Glad to help out and not wreck his plane on the irrigation pipes!
Also had three flights on the Yak 54. It is still flying solid and I enjoyed the pattern type manuevers I was doing with it. Enjoyed the company of Dick, Rudy, and Bob Ross while there. Assisted Bob by flying his Pulse in for a landing when he found it to be rather badly out of aileron trim during his flight. Made a couple passes at low throttle to see how the plane behaved, then landed on the next pass with no issues. Wow, Bob's right hand sure was shaky from his early Parkinson's situation, and also from stress on the flight. Glad to help out and not wreck his plane on the irrigation pipes!
Monday, June 16, 2014
Sat and Sun
Flew Saturday and forget to log in here! 14 batt packs of which 8 went through the Star, 3 in the Goblin 500 and 3 in the X5. Had to play with the wind a little, but it was fun.
Flew Sunday with Tad and Quang. 8 packs through the Star again, and 3 through the Goblin 500. Elected to keep the X5 grounded. More fun! It was Father's Day and a great time with Tad for the occasion, with him being a Dad now too. Jer dropped by with Ariel at the end of our flying, and got to see Tyra who came with her daddy Quang. Fun to see the little ones start to warm up to each other.
Flew Sunday with Tad and Quang. 8 packs through the Star again, and 3 through the Goblin 500. Elected to keep the X5 grounded. More fun! It was Father's Day and a great time with Tad for the occasion, with him being a Dad now too. Jer dropped by with Ariel at the end of our flying, and got to see Tyra who came with her daddy Quang. Fun to see the little ones start to warm up to each other.
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| Tad with his 500 inverted! |
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| Quang and his 700 |
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| Tad landing his 500 |
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| Future ace pilots! |
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
It seemed windy at home, but I went to the field anyhow, and it was indeed a little breezy and gusty there too. Not that comfortable with it, I flew just 3 packs through the Goblin 500, one on the 450DFC, and 3 on the Star. The single flight on the 450DFC was not fun. The little heli got tossed about pretty easily in the wind. I had the FBL version there too, but decided to leave it in the truck. Didn't take out the X5 either. The Goblin handled the wind pretty nicely, but it is just not as positive like in winds under 5mph. The Star was fine in the wind, with takeoffs and landings on the N/S "runway".
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