mid air wobble

chopper54 · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 11:18 pm Post subject: mid air wobble

just crashed my sr today. had a sudden mid air wobble followed by an ungainly plummet to earth from 5 foot up. a few bent bits but only one missing part and that is a small link arm. all the links are original parts from first purchase so maybe it was getting a bit worn. my hovering has improved quite a bit over the christmas break because i have practised every day despite the cold fingers but maybe my pre flight checks need to be more thorough. not to worry though it will soon be fixed and back in action.
im glad it wasnt my new blade 400 that looks a bit more complicated to repair.

tombo242 · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 11:33 pm Post subject:

You have my sympathy there Chopper, those mid-air faults are not easy to trace in the wreckage. Sad

You are right with the better pre-flight checks, but even then you can't always tell. My metal tail fractured in mid-flight, seemed solid on pre-flight. I could see it at 45º as I brought it down, so I knew what was causing loss of control. Landing was as good as could be expected on ceramic tiles. Just a pair of neatly chamfered main blades, bent tail rotor shaft and broken tail rotor.

Tom.

chopper54 · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 11:49 pm Post subject:

thanks tom
the good thing about the sr is its easy to repair. that crash will probably cost about £20. the only part i dont have is the anti rotation guide for the swash. the rest is all in my spares box. actually i might renew all the links as well just to be safe. thats probably the first crash i have had that wasnt pilot error on my part so i must be improving. its annoying when these things occur but not the end of the world Smile

tombo242 · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 7:59 pm Post subject:

You're right there Chopper,

My crash was very disappointing in that the wifes' first words were "I heard you crash out there!" Bad enough when you caused it yourself - but when the cause was 'In Flight Failure' well it kinda knocks your ego a bit.

Tom.

chopper54 · Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 2:13 am Post subject: post subject

does she wear that look that says i dont know why you waste your time on those things. my wife does.

tombo242 · Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 8:49 am Post subject:

Very frequently Chopper!

Have to compensate now and then!!!

Tom.