Hdskullfire2’s Blog

Latest Update: June 11, 2009

My name is Steve Nordahl, and I’m from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA.

Note: If you are visiting for the first time, the more recent updates can be found further down the page.

Latest Update: June 8, 2009

Check Out my new Gallery Page!! Now Completed and up to date!!!

Visit my Photo and Video Gallery Page!

Having lots of fun with this machine. I continue getting lots of flights and it’s getting better each day as i tweak things.

Thanks for visiting. For those following the continued progress….I’ve added two more video’s for all to see. Enjoy…

Steve

Flight Progress

Here are two more video’s from this weekend of the Avro flying.

Flight #1

Flight #2

Here is another video of the Avro flying on Memorial Day. Enjoy

Here are a few action shots of the Avro doing what it does best…

This next video is from the first break-in flights during April 2009.

Here is a shot from the Fun Fly in Dover, Delaware….
Flying just outside Dover, Delaware on a very windy day while attending an all weekend Fun Fly.

Previous Updates:

February 27, 2009 Update!

My Painted Blitz Avro Canopy Sections & Tail Fin’s Have arrived!

Special Thanks go out to Bill at “Arizona Heli” for an outstanding job and remarkably quick turnaround!

Visit Arizona Heli for your Custom Paint Jobs!

March 15, 2009 Update!

Blitz Avro 90 Kit Ordered!

Good News! My Avro order has been completed and it should be on its way 3-day International this week. The kit should be arriving sometime around March 20 and I plan to get construction underway right away.

As of today, my inventory of supplies consists of:
The custom painted F&R Canopies & Fins, RotorTech 105mm Tail Blades, YS91SR Long Stroke Engine, Hatori SB-19FH “Todd Bennett Special” Muffler, JR DS8900G Tail Servo, Spartan DS-760 Gyro, Outrage 2S2P 7.4V 5000mAH Lipo, Outrage Zip Straps, Quick UK Header Tank kit, Spektrum AR-7100R Receiver.

Later this week I expect to receive the main blades, flybar paddles, and JR-8717HV (x4) cyclic/throttle servos.

Along with the kit order, I added some optional parts: Spektrum RX tray, CSM CarbSmart Servo bracket, and some other odds and ends.

Special thanks go to both Neal & Amanda at Blitz for all their help and support during the early planning stages, and finally the order of this fine kit. I feel comfortable knowing this support has not ended just because I’ve ordered a kit, and know it just doesn’t end there…not anytime soon. I know both of them take great pride in the product they sell and it shows in many ways throughout the process of joining the Blitz family. Thanks Neal & Amanda.

In addition, I’d also like to thank all the guys at Hobby Hut, down in Audubon, Pa. for all their help in getting me all the critical supplies I need to build the Avro. Thanks Wayne & Allen!

Visit Hobby Hut for all your R/C Heli Needs!

Next update: The Avro kit arrives.

March 19, 2009 Update!

Great news!!! My Avro kit has Arrived!!!

After much anticipation, my Blitz Avro kit arrived following a short 14 hour international flight from London via air & ground, and finally via a UPS ride to my home.

I will tell you this much….it was worth the wait!

Kudos to Neal & Amanda. The packaging alone is astonishing, and clearly shows the pride they take in this product. Neal & Amanda sure know to pack heli kits!!!

OK, now I only have a little time to drool over the packaged parts….

It’s time to build!!!!

Here are a few shots of the kit and packaging. Build photos will be posted on separate build pages as I get underway and start making progress.

Enjoy, I will keep you all up to date..

Next update: The Build – Part I

March 19, 2009 Evening Update!

The Build – Part I

Well the build has begun and I’ve gotten off to a good start. As of this evening I’ve completed sections 1-1 through 11-2. I have the two frame sections mostly done.

I can say this, without a doubt, this kit has the best manual one could ever ask for. The hardware is super! And if you’re into CNC stuff, this kit is for you. I feel like I’m building the “Bentley” of Heli’s.

I’ve set up pages for build photos by section completed. They can be found in the upper right corner of this page.

Or you can go direct here:

Build Sections 1-1 through 11-2

Next update: The Build – Part II

March 20, 2009 Evening Update!

The Build – Part II

Things are going very smoothly with the build so far.

As of today I’ve completed sections 12-1 through 18-2, mounted the YS engine, fan shroud, adjusted all the belts, checked the mesh on all the gears, and made sure the shroud is clear. I also put together the Quick UK Header Tank, and did a test mounting on the side of the engine mount.

One thing positive, I found it really nice of Blitz to have tapped and drilled a 3mm hole in the side of the engine mount just in case someone wants a future header tank on board.

I must say things go together so smoothly on this kit its just downright hard to stop for a minute and just look at it and admire my progress!

I am happy to report I picked up more stuff today. My 8717HV’s (x4) came in today and they are pretty sharp looking servos. Since the RotorTech Scott Gray 720mm’s are on back order, I purchased a set of RotorTech 710 main blades for the break-in until the SG’s come in. I also got a set of RotorTech 90 sized F3C paddles. With the exception of a few items still incoming from Quick UK and Real Raptors, I have most every thing I need to complete the kit.

As I’ve noted previously, I’ve set up pages for build photos as sections are completed. They can be found in the upper right corner of this page.

Or you can go direct here:

Build Sections 12-1 through 18-2

More to follow!

Enjoy, I will keep you all up to date..

Next update: The Build – Part III

March 22, 2009 Weekend Update!

The Build – Part III

Things continue to move along very smoothly with the build so far.

Following a fairly nice weekend here in the northeast US, I got a chance to get out flying with my heli’s which gave me an opportunity to take a short break from the Avro build. However, I was able to complete sections 19-1 through 28-1 which got me through the first phase of the head assembly. What a nice piece of hardware.

Also nice was the way Blitz setup the Flybar/Mixing arm link assembly. The very short studding is manufactured with a hex socket on one end to allow driving of the stud into the ball link with ease.

Next steps will include assembly of the torque-tube and tail.

As I’ve noted previously, I’ve set up pages for build photos as sections are completed. They can be found in the upper right corner of this page.

Or you can go direct here:

Build Sections 19-1 through 28-1

More to follow!

Enjoy, I will keep you all up to date..

March 26, 2009 Update!

The Build – Part IV

Well I’ve had a very good week so far with the Avro build. Things have continued to move along very smoothly and I’ve gotten a lot completed.

As of tonight, I’ve been able to complete sections 29-1 through 36-1, and section 39-1. These sections included the entire torque-tube and tail assembly. All four of the JR-8717HV servo’s and the JR-8900G tail servo are in!

In addition, I’ve finished the head assembly and completed all the linkages though-out and mounted the RotorTech main and tail blades. I also managed to install the gyro mount and Spartan Gyro.

When construction began, I mentioned that I was setting the Avro as a F3C machine. So is the case so far. Many will notice that I’ve built the head up following the instructions from the setup guide for “Stable” flight. Everything is “Trailing Link” and I’ve used the recommended configuration of O-rings and bearings in the blade grips. As of this update, I’ve set everything to match the “Manual” specifications, and I’ve not done anything with the phasing ring at this time. I can say this much, the ball links and linkage rods are beefy! To those who consider building this kit. Be prepared, your little fingers will get a good workout with these guys. You (and your fingers) will be glad once you’ve completed the last linkage assembly.

All that’s left to complete now is the Main/Battery mount, RX mount, switch mount, CarbSmart bracket, get the rest of the avionics on board, lipo, muffler, fuel lines, and a small hand-full of little things. I hope to have her on her own on-board power by Monday or Tuesday next week.

As I’ve continued to state though-out this build, is the shear quality! Things go together so well it’s a wonder many haven’t caught on!! ….This kit is a real joy to assemble.

As I’ve noted previously, I’ve set up pages for build photos as sections are completed. They can be found in the upper right corner of this page.

Or you can go direct here:

Build Sections 29-1 through 39-1

March 27, 2009 Update!

The Build – Part V – “The Final Stages”

As of tonight, I’ve been able to complete section 38-1 which includes the main battery bracket, installed the Outrage 2S1P 5000mAH Lipo, test fitted the Spektrum RX tray, installed the Spektrum Rev limiter sensor, and completed the fuel delivery system. At this time I’m leaving off the header tank to see how the system works without it. I may install it at a later date. TBD

I also installed some Quick UK needle valve adjusters. Really nice item, much easier to get a grip on the needle valves for fine adjustment.

The list of remaining items to complete is the Hatori Muffler and slight modification on the fan shroud, install the two Spektrum RX Brackets, mount the RX and satellite RX, switch mount, CarbSmart bracket, and a small group of little things to tidy up. I hope to program my JR-9303 2.4 TX with the Avro setup, RX bind, servo’s centered and trimmed, and the final head setup by Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

Here are a couple of shots from tonight’s effort.

As I’ve noted previously, I’ve set up pages for build photos as sections are completed. They can be found in the upper right corner of this page.

Or you can go direct here:

Build Sections 38-1 through Final Fit Out – Pt 1

March 28, 2009 Update!

The Build – Part VI – “The Final Stages”

As of today, I’ve installed the Spektrum Satellite bracket and Satellite RX unit, completed the installation of the Hatori SB-19FH muffler which also required a modification on the fan shroud for clearance, and mounted the Main RX on the the Spektrum RX tray. (For now I need some room to move around in the frame for wiring, so I will hard mount the tray a little later). In addition, I labeled all the servo leads, Rev Limiter sensor lead, and the Satellite RX lead.

The list of remaining items to complete is getting smaller. Finalize the installation of the Spektrum main RX Bracket, switch mount, CarbSmart bracket, and a rather small group of little things needed to tidy up around the Heli. Tonight I’m planning to program my JR-9303 2.4 TX with the Avro setup, do the RX bind, and get the servo’s centered and trimmed, and finally any left over head setup in the next couple of days.

Here are a couple of shots from today’s work.

As I’ve noted previously, I’ve set up pages for build photos as sections are completed. They can be found in the upper right corner of this page.

Or you can go direct here:

Build Sections – Final Fit Out – Pt 2

April 1, 2009 Update!

The Build – Part VII – “The Build is Complete!”

Over the course of the last couple of days, I’ve completed the build and have the heli all fitted out. I finalized the installation of the Spektrum main RX Bracket, switch mount, held off on the CarbSmart bracket for now, and cleaned up everything around the heli in preparation for flight ready status.

So without any further adieu, here are the first shots of the completed Avro prior to maiden.

April 3, 2009 Update!

The Build – Part VIII – “The Maiden Flight”

On April 3, 2009 I was able to maiden my Avro and get 2 tanks of fuel before the weather started closing in on me. This heli is stable! Only needed a couple of clicks of trim here and there and it is rock solid. I did some tuning on the YS91SR and I’ve got the low needle set good and it idles real nice. The mid range is getting there, however I still need to find the sweet spot. Im going to a funfly in Delaware this weekend so I hope to get the break-in completed and get some more forward flight with her.

Wow is this heli stable. I was able to just set the throttle at 50% and with fingers off the TX and it just sits there…hanging out on the mains!! I sat 1 foot over a patch of crab grass, and even in a light quartering wind, it did not budge for 10-15 seconds!

I still need to tweek the curves a bit. When I tried the setting from the set-up guide I found with the engine running rich still, the head speed was just a little low at this point. I think I will reset them once she is broken in.

That’s it for now. Stay tuned for more pictures. This time in the air doing what an Avro does best.

April 6, 2009 Update!

Flight – Part IX – “Operational Flights” Pt. 1

Well after a very nice (although unbelievably windy) weekend attending a fun fly in Delaware, I was able to get more time flying the Avro and tuning the engine up, I was able to get a few short hops around the flight line with her.

I’m really impressed with this Avro, and so were many who stopped by to admire the heli while we were in Delaware for a fun fly.

I got some more flights on her and was able to get the tuning closer. I haven’t set up the headspeed with a tach yet. My guess it’s right around 1500-1550 or so in normal mode. I have to get it on the rev-limiter though. At the throttle curve spec’d in the manual I’m running right on the fence with the low needle and hover needle, and it’s making it hard to tune right now. I want to get it into a stable headspeed, setup each needle and see where it goes from there.

I might just keep the head speed limited, and rely on the pitch curves only to maintain stable flight rather then having varying head speeds. TBD

During a momentary drop in the wind, I’m holding a low hover. I had to deal with very high winds (30+mph sustained with gusts to 50+mph) outside Dover, Delaware.


Again, we managed to fire off a few shots during momentary drops in the wind, I’m now getting brave climbing out knowing the full force of the wind will be back any second.


In this shot the wind came back in the form of a really high gust, and knocked the Avro off line and to the right momentarily. I managed to get her stabilized pretty quick.


Yours truly flying the Avro. All geared out in Blitz gear.


Here I’m restarting after a needle valve setting change. I am using a Sullivan Super Hi-Tork Starter with a Outrage XP25 4S1P-3700mAh lipo strapped onto it. Plenty of power to turn over a tight YS91SR without hassles.


Me flying the Avro. holding myself against the wind. The Blitz gear is an essential when flying the Avro, and it really fits great.


Getting higher! Here two friends/pilots from our NE Pennsylvania heli group have joined me to observe the flight at the fun fly in Dover, Delaware.


Posing for the Fun Fly crowd. That heli is as wide as my Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited!.

Still working on breaking in the engine and I’ve got about 3.5 tanks of fuel through her so far.

One thing the pictures above don’t show is the wind factor we dealt with this past weekend in Delaware. Talk about stability, this bird was able to handle 30 mph sustained winds and a few 40-50+ mph gusts at a fun fly I attended in Delaware this weekend.

With regard to Flying, I’m hoping to get out and get more time on the engine. Enjoy the Holiday weekend.

You can visit the “Builders Notes” page here:
Builders Notes

That’s it for now. Stay tuned for more pictures doing what an Avro does best.

The earlier build information @ progress photos can be found in the upper right corner of this page.

More to follow!

Enjoy, I will keep you all up to date..

Next update: Operational Flights – Continued