[great white]

Hi all.

I just recently was posted from Greenwood NS to Comox BC. I fly Search and Rescue in the Cormorant.

I just picked up a raptor 30 v1 from a friend ready to fly, http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...QAdIdZ55642820, and am looking to fill in some time while in BC. I got it for a bit less than the ad price too (500 bucks and many extra's not in the ad).
I'm just flying the sim right now in realflight g 3.5 to get the feel before attempting the real thing.

Here's a pic:



Ultimately, I'd like to build a tandem and "do it up" like my first helo, the ch113 labrador, but that's years off yet. The raptor is intended to be a learning platform for now, and maybe for a little 3d fun in the future (if I ever get that good).

I'm currently collecting all the little things that are a PITA (field box, starter, tools, ball link pliers, etc).

If anyone can suggest any clubs or hobby stores in Comox (or on the island) it would be much appreciated.

Cheers

BJ

[cassat]

Congratulations !
Welcome to the FUN club !
Looks like you have a pretty decent setup to start.
You might want to get some training legs set up with carbon tubes and hollow baseballs
......or easier yet, the purple hoola hoop from the dollar store with some dowels across.

sending you a private message

Cassat

[keithgr148]

WAY TO go good luck with your heli flying ! you mite want to get some crash kits ? and to save some money you mite want to take off those nice CF main blades and put on some woodys ! save the CF main blades when you can good ! have fun play safe .

[great white]

Originally Posted by cassat

Congratulations !
Welcome to the FUN club !
Looks like you have a pretty decent setup to start.
You might want to get some training legs set up with carbon tubes and hollow baseballs
......or easier yet, the purple hoola hoop from the dollar store with some dowels across.

sending you a private message

Cassat

yup. Already have training gear made from dowling and wiffle balls. thanks for the advice though (and the PM).

Originally Posted by keithgr148

WAY TO go good luck with your heli flying ! you mite want to get some crash kits ? and to save some money you mite want to take off those nice CF main blades and put on some woodys ! save the CF main blades when you can good ! have fun play safe .

I was lucky enough to get a complete crash kit off my buddy who sold it to me. I also got a spare tail boom and two extra sets of wood blades. So I've got two tail boomsand three sets of wood blades altogether as well as spare glow plugs, pulleys, blade grips, tail fins, tail blades, flybar, etc.........He threw in pretty much evrything he had lying around.

I was planning to put the wood blades on until I was relatively safe from crashing.

I figure once I can auto reliably, I'll slip the CF blades back on.

Here's a vid of my day job, a medivac we did off a cruise ship south of Yarmouth. I'm the guy standing on top of the helo at the beginning (yeah, white hair, hence the forum name!):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=z4SYAslLSrg

Your tax dollars at work................

(I didn't pick the music, a guy we had with us that day made the video)

Like I said before, new to heli's, but not to flying or real helo's!

[DWS]

Welcome to the westcoast great white,check out Frank McCrindle's Flight supply in merville just north of Comox up the island Mike his son is a very good pilot with helis and aircraft. his # is 250 337-5320.l8r

[Konrad]

BJ
Contact Frank Jaerschky in Comox. He is an Air Traffic Controller who I believe is working in the Tower. If not, he will be in Terminal. Frank got me started in Trenton. We worked together in the tower. Great guy who is involved with the club out in Comox. He wont steer you wrong. I've been flying fixed wing but just bought a little electric heli to try it out. Have fun, you're going to love Comox!!!

Konrad

[great white]

Thanks guys, I'll check out the shop and make the contact once I'm there.

I'm guessing CFB Comox has an RC club then? I've seen reference to an RC "fly in" at the base on the web here and there.

I've been to Comox before, beautiful place, but this time it's going to suck for me.

I'm being forced to go out without my family for the next 1-2 yrs. Even then, I have to leave my 5 yr old behind with her mom (divorced). What's a guy to do with 18 years in? Just too close to pension to leave, sometimes I think they do it "on purpose".................

Supposedly, I'm being sent to the school to "pass on my years of experience" to the next generation. I suppose it's a compliment, but the school is like a sausage factory, and I'd rather be flying SAR missions.............need my adrenaline rush!

Bought the heli to try and fill in the time while away, try and keep my mind off the bad stuff and a man can only golf so much!

I'm thinking about a small electric for the office now, just to give me some distraction now and then. I've got one of those "pico micro" jobbies (walmart, 30 bucks) but thrust and rudder is just not enough to control it very well and it's not much fun once you figure out hover (took all of 2 minutes). Pretty much hover taxi is all you can get out of it.

Any recommendations for a small heli flyer with actual swashplate controls? Something manuverable? Something I can chase "the boss" around the office with? (Keep it cheap please, under 80-100 bucks!)

[inhissteps]

Welcome to Beautiful B.C. and welcome to the wounderful world of RC Heli's.
Learn with baby steps.. Pour over the wealth of info on this site. There is alot of people who are very experanced on this site who can troubleshoot and give valuable insite on any given issue. There is tons of great info on other websites with reguards to heli's don't be afraid ask questions. Its beter to ask a question then to start repairing because you did'nt know what to do.

Ps, I'm sure you know this but I stress that you respect your new heli and those around you. Heli's are alot of fun but they can bite any of us in the butt when disrespected.

Have fun and fly safe