Interested in F3C

[Hovergirl01]

I am interested in F3C competition. I am wondering what would be a good bird to start with. I see the larger birds are pretty common as well as electric.

I have a TSA 600E. Could I get started with that or will I need to go to something in the 700 size?

Thanks for your help.

Kandace

[Roger Fowler]

I was going to ask the same question. My Trex 450 doesn't seem to be the machine. What is a good entry-level machine?

Thanks in advance,
Roger

[Ace Dude]

See the article in the first post of this thread. It explains everything you need to know to get started.

https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?p=6945263

In 2014 the entry level Sportsman class was won with an Align Trex 550.

[Roger Fowler]

Thank you for the reply. Good info.

Regards,
Roger

[Ace Dude]

Here's some additional info:

http://rc.runryder.com/helicopter/t471243p1/

If you search for contest or championships in the event listings here you can find the contests listed to date:

http://rc.runryder.com/helicopter/events/

[seanh]

You can have a lot of fun with the heli you have...no reason to go out and buy something else at this time especially if you're using a flight controller.

At one time you couldn't use the flight controllers (FBL unit) as they were thought of as cheating. With the growth of the FBL system usage as a whole in the hobby that rule has changed...giving a heli like yours a significant advantage. No longer do you need to have a head with a range of adjustment, you simply make them in the FBL controller.

Back when I flew regularly I got into practicing F3C and was using my Rex 600E and nitro...never an issue, well, sort of- the head had zero adjustment which meant "I" had to do a lot of counter correcting. While it was fun to practice with it didn't have precision of a dedicated F3C style heli.

When I got my Raptor 90SE with a G-force tuner head and got it tuned my precision went up. One, the head allowed for removing issues of the Trex and two, the size of the heli gave a

[Hovergirl01]

Thanks for all the information. I really appreciate it.

Kandace

[albertoc]

I have started practising F3c sport class (B) some months ago and attended my first national F3C contest 2 weeks ago with good results (2nd) flying a couple of old school Trex 700 nitro FBL 3G head.

I would recommend to use what you have now, just adjust low rpm on hovering maneuvers, limit yor roll rates to the max you can fly (DR & EXPO), use the softests dampers available for your main rotor ( this will allow you to fly low rpm without wobbles).

And keep investing hours and hours repeating the tables.

No need for a Quest/JR 800 fused machine to start in this discpline IMHO.

Good Luck!

[seanh]

can't be "old school" if it's FBL...LOL

[Hovergirl01]

Lots of good information here! Thanks to all of you.

I like the idea of practicing with the nitro. I love the smell of nitro in the morning!

Although the electric sure is quiet and smooth!

Kandace

[albertoc]

Originally Posted by seanh

can't be "old school" if it's FBL...LOL

Great contribution to the thread...

[Full Montee]

Kandace, as others have suggested, fly what you have.
There is a lot to practice.
if you've come up with other questions, please post them.

Also if anyone is interested in entering Heli NATS Be mindful of the late fee. This year entries after July 8th have to pay a late fee.

[MariaFan]

I'm really interested in watching the NATS.

I know you mentioned that the NATS are Monday through Wednesday.
If I just want to watch some precision flying, would Monday provide this?
I live within 90 minutes of Muncie, and would just like to drive over, watch some cool flying and then drive home.

[Full Montee]

Monday we fly rounds 1-3
Tuesday we fly rounds 4-5
Wednesday is rounds 6-7
Monday will most definitely provide this.
What's stopping you from joining us in AMA Class I, Sportsman?
https://www.modelaircraft.org/files/...Helicopter.pdf
Maneuver diagrams start on page 35.

[MariaFan]

Originally Posted by Full Montee

Monday we fly rounds 1-3
Tuesday we fly rounds 4-5
Wednesday is rounds 6-7
Monday will most definitely provide this.
What's stopping you from joining us in AMA Class I, Sportsman?
https://www.modelaircraft.org/files/...Helicopter.pdf
Maneuver diagrams start on page 35.

Thanks for that great PDF!

What's stopping me?
You mean, besides the fact that I can't even fly a circle yet?

[Full Montee]

Oh those circles............

Look forward to seeing you out there.
Make sure to say hi and ask questions.

Also if you have questions on maneuvers feel free to ask.
Also here is the PDF for the maneuvers that the F3C class and F3N class fly.
http://www.fai.org/downloads/ciam/SC...licopters_2016

[jome]

An inspirational video

F3C Grensecupen 2016 (4 min 18 sec)

Go F3C 😬

[MariaFan]

Originally Posted by Full Montee

Oh those circles............

Look forward to seeing you out there.
Make sure to say hi and ask questions.

Also if you have questions on maneuvers feel free to ask.
Also here is the PDF for the maneuvers that the F3C class and F3N class fly.
http://www.fai.org/downloads/ciam/SC...licopters_2016

My wife says I should get a Tee shirt with my avatar on it so people will know who I am.

And thanks again for your help. I think you will have a new precision flyer.
(at least I'll try. Don't know how precise I'll be)

[MariaFan]

jome,

Thanks for the video.

[MariaFan]

I've been working on Danica (my Trex 450 Plus DFC).
I was already running low head speed, but I read where the precision folks shorten
their servo arms to achieve more resolution due to longer servo travel.
I can feel the difference.

On a side note: I almost flew a circle the other night.
Almost.
Darn wind...