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Ratvader · 06-13-2012, 09:18 PM

Im definatly a newby, having a blade 400 on the repair bench as a result of a crash, i decided to get a blade 120 sr for practice while i debated repairing the 400... so far its been great and a refreshing break from sim practice! Its also great to work on orientations other than "tail in" and not worry overmuch about a slip up... that said.....

although it still flies well enough, it wont hover stable anymore. It sort of 'wanders' if you will, in a slow oval over one spot with no input from the sticks. it also seems to 'wobble' a bit or shake, although you have to really look to see. I hope this dosent sound contradictory, but although it shakes its 'stable', meaning its consistant in flight.

im sure there is a logical explanation... but beyond my limited experiance.... any thoughts?

markus45 · 06-14-2012, 01:11 AM

Not knowing how much air time this heli has seen it could be as simple as chipped blades . I also have a 120 SR i would suggest checking out the 120SR forum, all your anwsers are there, Great people always willing to help. Have fun.
Cheers Mark.

Kneedragger75 · 06-14-2012, 11:33 AM

What you are describing is known as "TBE" or toilet bowl effect. It is caused by
something being bent or damaged in the main rotor system. You will have to check
all components for straightness. Mainshaft, feathering shaft, flybar, etc.

wocka_wocka · 06-14-2012, 04:58 PM

Does it owe you anything, if not, can it and move on. If it does, or if it has loads of life in it, replace the shafts and fly the heck out of it.

"Never crashed" doesn't mean one heck of a lot when selling a heli. A fixed wing yes, because they never repair up the same, but put a heli in and you just replace the bits that are broken or bent and hey presto, you have a new heli again!

Ratvader · 06-14-2012, 10:39 PM

Ahh cool thank kuncledragger! Did some reading on that effect and i think you are spot on..

And nope the 120 dont owe me anything. Been loads of fun and still flies well enough! Will keep it rolling till it does otherwise... But definatly gonna work on the 400... Once i get and fly the mcpx for a while i will want to go back up, i just want to build some confidance back on a smaller bird

dfgipe · 06-15-2012, 02:03 PM

For sure, check everything in the head, flybar and main shaft. Being a rather small heli, it's easy to over look something. Good luck.

06-13-2012, 09:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ratvader Registered Users Join Date: Jun 2012	Sorry uneducated newbie needs a little help... Im definatly a newby, having a blade 400 on the repair bench as a result of a crash, i decided to get a blade 120 sr for practice while i debated repairing the 400... so far its been great and a refreshing break from sim practice! Its also great to work on orientations other than "tail in" and not worry overmuch about a slip up... that said..... although it still flies well enough, it wont hover stable anymore. It sort of 'wanders' if you will, in a slow oval over one spot with no input from the sticks. it also seems to 'wobble' a bit or shake, although you have to really look to see. I hope this dosent sound contradictory, but although it shakes its 'stable', meaning its consistant in flight. im sure there is a logical explanation... but beyond my limited experiance.... any thoughts?

06-14-2012, 11:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Kneedragger75 Registered Users Join Date: Dec 2011	What you are describing is known as "TBE" or toilet bowl effect. It is caused by something being bent or damaged in the main rotor system. You will have to check all components for straightness. Mainshaft, feathering shaft, flybar, etc. __________________ Raptor 50 OS50 Hyper, Futaba 520 Spektrum DX8 G2 T-Rex 500 ESP fbl Ikon2 mini

06-15-2012, 02:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
dfgipe Registered Users Join Date: Jun 2010	For sure, check everything in the head, flybar and main shaft. Being a rather small heli, it's easy to over look something. Good luck. __________________ Happy flying , Dale EXI 450 Beater / 450 EC-135 / 450 OH-58 Kiowa / 450 MD 500 / EXI 450 AH-6 Little Bird / EXI 500 (the flying woodchipper!) / HK500GT UH-1E Huey / EXI 500 EC-135/ Love the scale!

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06-14-2012, 01:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
markus45 Registered Users Join Date: Dec 2011	Not knowing how much air time this heli has seen it could be as simple as chipped blades . I also have a 120 SR i would suggest checking out the 120SR forum, all your anwsers are there, Great people always willing to help. Have fun. Cheers Mark.

06-14-2012, 04:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
wocka_wocka Registered Users Join Date: May 2012	Does it owe you anything, if not, can it and move on. If it does, or if it has loads of life in it, replace the shafts and fly the heck out of it. "Never crashed" doesn't mean one heck of a lot when selling a heli. A fixed wing yes, because they never repair up the same, but put a heli in and you just replace the bits that are broken or bent and hey presto, you have a new heli again!

06-14-2012, 10:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ratvader Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Jun 2012	Ahh cool thank kuncledragger! Did some reading on that effect and i think you are spot on.. And nope the 120 dont owe me anything. Been loads of fun and still flies well enough! Will keep it rolling till it does otherwise... But definatly gonna work on the 400... Once i get and fly the mcpx for a while i will want to go back up, i just want to build some confidance back on a smaller bird

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