Faifa vs TDR

[trillian]

Just curious to hear from anyone that has a Faifa and a TDR. For years I have thought the TDR seems like a mystical magical heli, it seems to fly amazingly well both at very low headspeeds and also screaming fast speed flying.

Soooo, in a nutshell, if I have a Faifa do I really need a TDR? I know that may sound a bit silly because I'm sure, as always, there will be subtle differences at the very least not to mention a very different appearance and construction.

I'd like my Faifa to be able to do low headspeed 'TDR esque' type smooth aerobatic stuff but be able to just easily flip to idle-2 for more lively flying.

I do have a Minicopter Triabolo, so that might fly more like the TDR, I don't know.

--Just to add, I do have the lowrider head and main shaft.

[irresponsibility]

I've flown both, a few others here have as well. My general opinion is that the TDR flies a lot more like the Logo series. I prefer the flight characteristics of the tdr, it's a minor difference from the Kasama but it is noticeable. They both have similar low headspeed capabilities. Either way they are both great machines.

[trillian]

Originally Posted by irresponsibility

I've flown both, a few others here have as well. My general opinion is that the TDR flies a lot more like the Logo series. I prefer the flight characteristics of the tdr, it's a minor difference from the Kasama but it is noticeable. They both have similar low headspeed capabilities. Either way they are both great machines.

Thanks. I always find it fascinating how 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts' when looking at how a certain airframe flies. You'd think you could boil it all down to mass distribution, dimensions, overall weight and stuff like that but not always.

I started thinking about the TDR again recently as there was one for sale (a 2009 model and I don't know the difference between the versions from various years).

[irresponsibility]

They're always worth snatching up off the forums if you see one. Generally the biggest difference that I felt was in overall speed. A tdr just gets up and goes even in a low rpm band; they are very narrow and slippery.

I believe that the biggest determination of flight characteristics right now is the fbl controller, after that it is airframe and overall setup.

[Puttputt maru]

I fly both with a BD3SX FBL unit. They were both my favorite helicopters till I crashed the FAIFA and have been chasing a vibration ever since my rebuilt. Both inspired great confidence right from the get go.

I have put my FAIFA asside for now because I got frustrated but I still think it is a great machine and will chase my vibration over the long winter months. For now the TDR is too much fun.

Both great choice but the TDR I is out of production as we are waiting for the TDR II and TDS.

[Mercuriell]

I've had both for years. Very different helis, the TDR is more graceful but the Faifa more agile, the Faifa is also very fast. Best to have both - Kasama has a TDR a- I gave him one for a Xmas present one year

Both helis ahead of their time and illustrate the thinking outside the box of their creators. I'm a big fan of both !

[Romeo RL67]

Based on my experience, TDR flies smoother & faster on lower headspeed (below 2000). But when you go to higher headspeed like more than 2300, the faifa will fly more smoother, agile, & dependable but you have to limit your tail/piro.

[wadders248]

So, have you bought the TDR on RCHA yet??

[trillian]

Originally Posted by wadders248

So, have you bought the TDR on RCHA yet??

Yeah I have. I must now check myself into some kind of support group to stop buying helicopters!

[TommyBear]

Both are great helis.
Both have very light disc loading and are very fast. You can't go wrong with either. Better yet, get both and enjoy.

[trillian]

Originally Posted by TommyBear

Both are great helis.
Both have very light disc loading and are very fast. You can't go wrong with either. Better yet, get both and enjoy.

Yep, like the quote from the film 'Aliens' (and I paraphrase) "better nuke 'em from space, it's the only way to be sure" . Only substitute the part about nuking with 'better yet get both' :-)

[rchelijc]

Originally Posted by Puttputt maru

I fly both with a BD3SX FBL unit. They were both my favorite helicopters till I crashed the FAIFA and have been chasing a vibration ever since my rebuilt. Both inspired great confidence right from the get go.

I have put my FAIFA asside for now because I got frustrated but I still think it is a great machine and will chase my vibration over the long winter months. For now the TDR is too much fun.

Both great choice but the TDR I is out of production as we are waiting for the TDR II and TDS.

I might be able to help with that vibration thing. Too bad you're not it Au!

[wadders248]

Glad it's gone to a good home! I can't believe it didn't sell at the nationals... I contacted him when I'd seen the 'bump', but only half-heartedly. I need to stick with what I've got and spend time flying!

Originally Posted by trillian

Yeah I have. I must now check myself into some kind of support group to stop buying helicopters!

[trillian]

Originally Posted by wadders248

Glad it's gone to a good home! I can't believe it didn't sell at the nationals... I contacted him when I'd seen the 'bump', but only half-heartedly. I need to stick with what I've got and spend time flying!

Yeah I was a bit hesitant myself so I didn't contact him till after the nats when I saw he still had it. I'm a bit reluctant to get into yet another different airframe for which I don't have spares etc. but I can satisfy my curiousity about it. I had a good look at George Jone's 2011 TDR at the midlands flyin and it's extremely similar in so many ways to the Minicopter Diabolo / Triabolo so I really expect it to fly almost the same (but maybe not, we'll see).

From what I have been reading about the early TDR rotorhead, there is a white plastic sleeve that prevents the feathering shaft from teetering (or from teetering more than a tiny amount). Which might be similar to the insert used in the Faifa lowrider head. There seems to be a common thread in the general idea of getting the C of G closer to the rotor disc.

[Puttputt maru]

Originally Posted by rchelijc

I might be able to help with that vibration thing. Too bad you're not it Au!

PM sent, much appreciate

[wadders248]

Well I'll be able to add my own comparison soon... I couldn't resist buying the one that Maj was selling! It's a 2012, so hopefully has all the latest parts :-)

[trillian]

Originally Posted by wadders248

Well I'll be able to add my own comparison soon... I couldn't resist buying the one that Maj was selling! It's a 2012, so hopefully has all the latest parts :-)

Ah! I did casually wonder who bought it :-) That's excellent!

Mine arrived on Saturday and I am happy to say it is in lovely condition and was very nicely packed and boxed. I may sell one of the canopies I got with it as it's a grey and darkish colour scheme, it's kinda cool with a lightning bolt theme and stuff. I remember seeing it before on the forum. I just think it's not going to be great for visibility as we go into cloudier weather.

I have the servos mounted and just received another Spartan FBL, I'm trying the VX1e this time. I just need to grind another flat spot on the motor shaft and I can get the motor installed and there's not much left to do after that, just setup the FBL unit. My setup to start with is, JR8717s on the swash and 8900G on the tail, Align 750MX/450 motor, Jive 80HV, VX1e. I guess I'll try standard Radix 710s first.

That just reminds me, I may need to get another Spektrum sat, I must check on that today.

My understanding is that the main difference between the 2009 version and the 2012 is the headblock is different and the tail grips are metal and maybe a few other minor things. I think the swash might be a bit different. But I don't know as yet if I'd change anything on this one I think I have to fly it first.

[wadders248]

Sounds like you're almost ready to fly!

Hopefully I'll receive mine this week. Not in a big hurry to have it flying, though I've already got most of the parts. Just have to wait for another Bavarian Demon 3x and would really love one of the new Jive Pro 120s... capacity limit flying is so good, but I don't really want to use a Kosmik.

What pinion size are you using with the 450kv motor? Are you going to setup for a classic TDR 1,900rpm max head speed?

[TommyBear]

From my experience, the TDR works best with a motor KV > 500.
I've tried one on 450KV setup and it was not as crisp as the others on a 500KV, 520KV setup.

[trillian]

Originally Posted by wadders248

Sounds like you're almost ready to fly!

Hopefully I'll receive mine this week. Not in a big hurry to have it flying, though I've already got most of the parts. Just have to wait for another Bavarian Demon 3x and would really love one of the new Jive Pro 120s... capacity limit flying is so good, but I don't really want to use a Kosmik.

What pinion size are you using with the 450kv motor? Are you going to setup for a classic TDR 1,900rpm max head speed?

Well I have a 16 and a 13 and I don't know yet what is going to be the best headspeed so I might start low and then go up rather than the other way around and just see how it flies till I get it where I like it the best. I also have an 18 tooth pinion I got with my Triabolo that seems to be the same modulus and angle.

Ideally I am hoping to go lowish on the headspeed, keep it really light, which is essentially the same approach I am taking with the Faifa now.

I just got a JLog so it will be very interesting to see the comparison of motor amps drawn between them. I just have to figure out how to get the ID number so I can download the key to enable logging :-o