Got a fair few articles in this newsletter, the LONG awaited 3DMP article, an article on the new Kyosho Caliber 5 and two 14MZ articles. This is a must read newsletter if you have the 14MZ!

GOODLUCK WEBRA!
Those of you who read my last newsletter may recall that one of the things I wished for for 2006 was that someone would make a viable, high performing gasoline powered engine for helicopters. I had hoped Desert Aircraft would do it, but God help me, it looks like Webra of all people have been the first! I really do hope this engine works out for them cause they should be congratulated for bringing this to market.

OS 91 SZ
I’ve had a bit of experience now with the 91 SZ (unpumped version). It looks like it’s a better engine than the OS 91 PS that’s for damn sure, however I haven’t seen enough to make me buy one yet. I still think the Cline Regulated C-Spec combination is still better at this stage. I say this cause all the non-pumped SZ’s I’ve seen, run slightly lean at the end of a tank. Wait till the pumped version comes out, I hear that’s around March. In the meantime, if you can’t wait, get a YS.

BAD RUNS OF LUCK
Every now and then, throughout your helicopter career, you WILL run into a run of bad luck. You can’t avoid it, it will just happen. There’s nothing you can do about it.

I’m going through one of these runs of luck right now.

It started with the T-Rex. While he was here, Jason Krause had a fly of it and pile drived it into the ground when a servo stripped out. That resulted in all servos stripping. On my next flight we had to knock water bottles over. I knocked it over alright, threw it about 15 meters when the blades hit it. Another three stripped servos. Finally the other day, I did a backwards roll, then it did a backwards roll all of it’s own thanks to some more servos stripped in flight. Another three stripped servos…

Then the other weekend, the Vigor wasn’t happy, I knew it wasn’t cause it wasn’t flying as nice as it always does. I put it away and played with the Rappy for a bit. However later in the day I wanted to work on a particular maneuver so bought it out again. On take off the tail went wild and I just managed to set it down. Not before taking out the million dollar gear and tail blades though… The gyro sensor had come off.

Got it fixed, then the following weekend pulling out of a rolling tail slide into a piroflip the thing went berserk pirouetting wildly. Luckily I hit hold before it went in. Saved a lot of damage. Strangely it didn’t do much damage at all. The gyro leads had come out of the receiver…

Now last weekend, the Vigor is up and running again, did a brilliant first flight and I’m happy. On a take off on the second flight a link popped off the swashplate and the thing lurched to the right, again being quick on the hold switch and with the cyclics saved the machine, but cost me the blades…

You would think that would be enough, but no, the little Rappy had something else in store for me. During a tick-tocking loop, on the downward side, the blades flew off. Yep, they flew clean off. The spindle bolt came out and both blades were out of there. The little Rappy free fell from 70 feet. Ironically, the only damage, undercarriage, flybar and two blade grip bearings. The blades were fine. It wasn’t all that spectacular actually.

That was enough for me, four weeks of continuous problems were becoming too much so I just came home.

The frustrating thing is that most if not all of these problems have been due to mechanical/electronic problems that could have been prevented with more stringent maintenance. The problem is, is how much maintenance is enough? Even if you spent all your non-working hours checking your machines, you’d probably never catch everything.

That brings us to the issue of safety. Not through luck, but respect for the inherent force of these machines, did any of them come close to harming me or anyone else. I don’t fly close to myself and I’m quick on the hold switch ready for if things go bad.

Last month I watched Alan Szabo Jr and Jason Krause fly at the Smackdown event here in Australia. These guys are incredible to watch, their control over their machines is impeccable. However they fly very close to themselves which can be really spectacular, but if any thing fails on the helicopter, the chances of getting away unscathed are a LOT less.

Check your helis regularly, fly a safe distance away from yourself and hopefully your encounters with bad runs of luck will be reduced!

NEWS

• The Futaba 12MZ has been announced on Tower Hobbies website. At US$1500, I think we’re all a bit disappointed that it’s not cheaper. It certainly should have been.
• It looks like the JR Vibe is gathering more interest than I expected which is great. Certainly everyone I know who has one loves it. I flew one a couple of weeks ago which was stock out of the box and it was wonderful. I hope this machine does well. The Australian importer is making a big effort to ensure it’s success here, which will hopefully keep the 90 size market competitive.
• The Synergy can’t be far away, the canopy for my one arrived today and looks really good. Nice gel coating.

Pilot Locator
The Pilot Locator has continued to grow in popularity since the last newsletter with it still rating second most popular section of littlerotors.com. Make sure your details are up-to-date! The pilot locator can be found at www.littlerotors.com/findapilot/

Market
The Buy/Sell Market has been growing also. It should be noted that this section will accept postings from all over the world, not just New Zealand. List your items free of charge! See the market at www.littlerotors.com/market/

Articles this issue are:

Kyosho Caliber 5 Review
Kyosho's entry into the 50 size market is the Caliber 5, a great little heli that flies very well, but will it knock the legendary Raptor 50 from it's perch? Click here

Henseleit 3DMP Review
Finally the long awaited review of what must be the best flying 50 size helicopter on the market! Click here

Futaba 14MZ - Getting the most from your CCPM setup
Ben Minor unlocks the secrets to getting the optimum CCPM setup from your Futaba 14MZ. A definate must read if you have a 14 and a CCPM heli! Click here

Futaba 14MZ - Basic Setup Instructions
Cliff Hiatt and Wayne Mann, two of the world's most knowledgeable pilots write about setting up your helicopter on the Futaba 14MZ. Click here

Feel free to contact me at simon@littlerotors.com at any time.

Si