Hiya all...I'm learning to hover my Esky Belp-CP. This is a nice little electric heli for 200 or so. Actually 189.95 plus shipping, plus training gear, etc. I'm having alot of fun, since I'm an old airplane flyer, this heli thing is a refreshing change. I've been using a pc flight sim for heli to learn traveling and hovering. I do get crossed up by control reversal when the ship isn't facing away from me. Just like when I first started to fly aircraft ( fixed-wing).

So far I've been through the battery many times, about six or seven, without hurting her. Today though, flying in the front courtyard, I was backing up a little in hover and got her sliiping to fast and hit my friend Diana in the leg with the main rotor. She's fine, but has a bruise on her thigh. At least I cut throttle when the bird got away from me.. She was standing right beside me. I moved away from the Heli, but poor Diana didn't move away. The shaft between the blade holders was bent. I took things apart. Went online to purchase the shaft that was bent ( not the main shaft, just the blade holder shaft that's threaded on the ends.) and found it to be sold out. I disassembled and took the shaft to straighten it and tweaked the shaft, what seems like just so. The was no fatigue to note, and the heli spins up the main blade with very little if any vibration, just like out of the box.

So that little fiasco out of the way I'm looking forward to flying tomorrow.

I do need coaching, from an experienced heli pilot. I have good control of throttle and rudder, and can maintain heading and altitude good. I have some novice proficiency with hover and maintaining the plane of the main rotor, but this needs some hours of practice.

One thing I have found about controlling a heli is that when the rotor is tipped, the exact opposite stick is required to level off, some extra to slow down, and neutral when drifting or cruising. It's knowing the degree of input needed that I could stand some advise with. I'm not afraid the push the rotor around good, just I need lots of safe practice.

Tomorrows flying will not be in the courtyard, but over to the open lot across the parking lot to practice and keep it away from objects and PEOPLE!

I expressed my sincere apologies to Diana for nailing her with my heli, and she's a good sport.  I hope I don't repeat that !

EC