Bell 206L Long Ranger

Started new project, but I'm not sure I know what I'm doing.
I got this fuselage long time ago and finally I got some time and start to work on it.

I found few scale accessories on Thingiverse.

Added few details to the fuselage and some painting preparation.

I used in the past Phoenixtech 600ESP and this time I'm going Flybarless.

I started with a K-Bar flight controller but my furry consultant engineer, suggested to upgrade to a 3X.

I started to put everything together but there are many adjustment to do. I'm not sure I'm doing it right but I'll learn from my mistakes, as usual.

This part was challenging for me.
I had to 3D print a smaller Vertical Stabilizer Mount and find smaller screws to be able to squeeze everything into the fuselage. New servo pushrod and new opening in the tail to be able to lock everything in.

I'm working on the lights system. I decided to build my own with an Arduino and few LED's that I have left from other projects. I'll need to paint everything before the final installation but it's a starting point.

Some of you will say “Elementary, my dear Watson”, however, I was struggling to get a good hovering and I tried different gyros, V-bar, Ikon2 and then the Demon 3X, but I couldn’t get it right. I changed the receiver and radio but no changes, hovering was an issue, the heli couldn’t hold the position, it was waving up and down feeling that I had no control. Then after checking and re-checking the pitch, I noticed that from 0 to 50% on the radio, the pitch was fine -2° to + 3.7°, BUT after reach 100% on the radio and 12° pitch, moving down to 50% again, I was no longer back at 3.7° but 5°. I looked everywhere to see what I was doing wrong, change controller setting, radio settings, I re-done the setup several times but nothing same result. Then, I thought that the only thing I didn’t replace was the servos. So, I got a new set of MKS 1210 and hovering at the first test was a piece of cake. “Elementary, my dear Watson”, get good servos next time... lol.

The past weekend was pretty good temperature for some fuselage painting. I will need to do some touch ups but overall I'm happy with the results.

Finally I got some free time to work on the heli again. I got some Spring Loaded Magnetic Pogo Pin Connector on Amazon that should allow me to remove the front of the canopy to access the battery and keep clean the wires that power the landing lights. I made a little spacer to allow the connector to close properly once the canopy is back in place with the rest of the fuselage.

In case someone need the spacer for the connector

I'm starting to put together all the pieces of this puzzle and trying to find the better way to organize the wires.

I'm trying to finish this project but still lots little things to put together. Lights and mechanics installed and paint touch ups.

It's too cold to be outside, so, better "complete" this project and wait for some warm days.
Thanks to Callie-Graphics for the Decals.

Adding few accessories

Quick test of the transport platform and see if i can do a test flight, but it's coold.

I'm not sure i can call this a test flight or cold test for my fingers.
As soon I start the telemetry was giving me warnings on temperature, and voltage, even if the battery was 99% full. However, got to the field, in a quite chilly day (-6C-21F) but I couldn't wait anymore, I had to test the heli.
I was able to check few things until I could not feel my fingers anymore. So, I need to add some weight to the front, but for the rest it feels almost ok. The date on the video is not correct...

I think a few more tests and I'm done with this project. I think...

Inspired from Michael K. training video (workshop & transport) I started to setup my van to safely transport the helicopter. The wood base has foam padding underneath to absorb the road shocks. It is nothing fancy, but I think it will work fine for me.

I'm still making adjustment to the 3X, but i think I'm getting close to have it setup in the way I like it.

Just another nice day at the Tower Field.

I'm quite happy with the tune up and how feels to fly this 600. I need more practice but no more changes.