Blade mCX2 Manual

22
23
Flying the Blade mCX2
Note: In addition to reviewing the flight maneuvers outlined below, we
recommend you watch Videos located on the product page for the Blade
mCX2 on www.horizonhobby.com to see many of these maneuvers and
adjustments performed by the helicopter and pilot.
Slowly raise the throttle stick, increasing the speed of the main rotor blades until •
the model begins to lift off. Do not raise the throttle stick too quickly as the
model could climb too fast causing you to lose control or make contact
with objects above.
Lift the model off the ground just a few inches and concentrate on balancing the •
throttle stick position so that the model holds a steady hover altitude. In some
cases it may be best to make a few short “hops” to an altitude of just a few
inches until you become familiar with the control inputs and trim settings required
to maintain a steady hover and altitude.
As you will find, the Blade mCX2 requires minor throttle adjustments to
maintain its altitude in hover. Remember to keep these throttle adjustments as
minimal as possible as large adjustments could result in a loss of control and/or
a possible crash.
While attempting to establish a low-level hover, you can also check to see if any •
trim adjustments are required to help keep the Blade mCX2 from constantly
drifting in various directions. If you find the helicopter constantly drifts without
any directional control input, it will be best to land the model before making any
adjustments to the trim settings. Additional details regarding the location and
function of the trim buttons can be found in the “Understanding the Primary Flight
Controls” section of this manual.
- If the nose of the helicopter drifts to the left or right, adjust the rudder trim.
- If the helicopter drifts forward or backward, adjust the elevator trim.
- If the helicopter drifts to the left or right, adjust the aileron trim.
Continue making trim adjustments until the helicopter hovers at a low altitude
with very little drifting and directional control input. If the Blade mCX2 is your first
helicopter model, it may be best to have the help of an experienced helicopter
pilot to trim the model for you before making your first flight.
With your Blade mCX2 properly trimmed and maintaining a stable low-level hover, •
practice using the rudder, elevator and aileron controls to familiarize yourself
with the helicopter’s responses to control inputs. Remember to keep the control
inputs as minimal as possible.
When comfortable with low-level hovering, you can transition to hovering
and flying the helicopter at higher altitudes of three to four feet. At these higher
altitudes you will become comfortable with the flight characteristics of the
Blade mCX2.
If you feel the helicopter drifting out of control during flight, release all of the •
controls except for throttle. You will need throttle to maintain altitude, but be-
cause of the inherent stability of the coaxial, counter-rotating blade design, the
Blade mCX2 will return to a stable hover on its own, if space allows.
Don’t be afraid to set the helicopter down on the ground quickly by lowering the •
throttle when approaching walls or other obstacles to help prevent main rotor
blade strikes.
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR ROTOR BLADE STRIKE, NO MATTER •
HOW MINOR OR MAJOR, LOWER THE THROTTLE STICK TO THE
LOWEST POSSIBLE POSITION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO PREVENT
DAMAGE TO THE ESCS OF THE 5-IN-1 UNIT. ALSO BE SURE THE
THROTTLE TRIM IS SET TO THE MIDDLE POSITION OR TO A LOWER
THAN THE MIDDLE POSITION.
Failure to lower the throttle stick to the lowest possible position in the
event of a crash could result in damage to the ESCs in the 5-in-1 unit,
which may require replacement of the 5-in-1 unit.
Note: Crash damage is not covered under warranty.
Once you have gained experience and confidence in hovering the Blade mCX2, you
can attempt more advanced maneuvers including:
Forward Flight Skidding Takeoffs
Backward Flight Skidding Landings
Pirouettes Spot Landings
Advanced Swashplate Settings
Short Swashplate
Control Balls
Long Swashplate
Control Balls
The Blade mCX2 comes with an adjustable swashplate. Advanced pilots may benefit
from a more aggressive setup.
To achieve a more aggressive setup, pop off the lower rotor head links and move
them onto the longer set of inner swashplate control balls.