[jeffjs]

Hello,

I'm fairly new to flying helis and I bought a used blade 400 and wanted to inspect it. My question, is it safe to run the motor without the blades on the main rotor?

Thanks

- Jeff

[craneman32]

Assuming everything is snug including feathershaft. I wouldn't spool it right up but it won't hurt anything.

[waylander]

Agreed, if you're just trying to test then that's fine but don't put full power with no load.

As a note though, this isn't your first single rotor heli right?

[jeffjs]

Great I didn't think it would cause a problem, but better safe than sorry. Thanks for the quick replies. No this isn't my first single rotor heli but it is the first kit model (?). I have a blade 120, which I'm pretty good at flying.

[waylander]

I'd suggest you take a look at the following.

http://www.dream-models.com/eco/flying-index.html

The guys writing is a bit strange but the lessons he makes you go through will get you up with a much higher chance of success.

A B400 is a much different type of heli over the 120. The 120 has a 45deg off set head and is fixed pitch. The B400 has a 90deg head (relationship between the flybar and main blades) so it's not going to be stable like the 120 and it won't return to level when you let go of the stick on its own. If you input a direction it will continue in that direction until you input the opposite direction.

Good luck.

[jeffjs]

Yeah I've been flying the model in Phoenix rc simulator and have noticed that. I think I'll practice alot more in the sim and put on the training gear for the first few flights.

It's fun learning about the different parts of the heli, I've upgraded the receiver and am thinking of upgrading to aluminium cnc'd parts. Also upgrading the servos, but all this in the future, no sense in rushing.

[waylander]

TBH, you're better off with plastic over cnc as a beginner. they are more forgiving and cheaper. plus metals will transmit shock to other parts of the heli. upgrade the servos and gyro first they will make more difference to the heli than aluminum parts will.

[jak3All3n]

Originally Posted by waylander

TBH, you're better off with plastic over cnc as a beginner. they are more forgiving and cheaper. plus metals will transmit shock to other parts of the heli. upgrade the servos and gyro first they will make more difference to the heli than aluminum parts will.

+1

i got a used b400 a couple of months ago, all stock except hs65 on cyclic and futaba s3154 on tail. i only upgraded the gyro to a futaba 401. i think the only upgrade a beginner learning to fly would benefit from is a better gyro and tail servo, i never tried the stock servos but with the stock gyro, the tail was all over the place. now, she flies great.