Blue Drifter

Get a Drifter, preferably a 582 WB. I am 6'4" won't tell you my weight. My seat is moved back 2". Lots of fun to fly and cheap to buy and maintain. Cheers

I have 3 model helicopters at home, and unfortuanetly the first thing you need to learn is the hover. Training pods are a must. The biggest thing you need is someone who can fly them to trim it for you almost each time you fly it. Once you have a trimmed heli, you start by doing short hovers 1-2 secs, then put it down. with practice you pick it up for longer. then you concentrate on keeping it in 1 area. Also the bigger the heli the more capable and stable to fly( also more expensive), piezo gyros are cheap and heading lock gyros make life a lot easier too. Helicopters with a collective head (5 channel) are easier in forward flight. Computer radios allow for mixing of throttle/collective, also make the controls less sensitive around centre. Plus many other functions. Like most things, you get what you pay for. If you are serious about flying model helis (remember these things aren't toys) there are lots of clubs that are more than willing to help. I have had a lot of fun with them over the years and my original heli (Robbe Schluter mozkito) although it has been repaired many time is still serviceable.

I haven't received my copy of the magazine yet. I would like to know who won what award this year. Did they post all winners this year? I wasn't at the Awards Dinner and haven't been able to contact the guy in charge of the awards. I have heard that 2 awards were given to VH- registered aircraft. My aircraft was also judged only by 1 judge (not 3 as most were) and it was there all day Fri and Sat. - . They wanted to encourage the 95.10 catergory this year and there was little there for the Rag n Tube people.

I too went to Natfly this year and although I know that my Drifter is not a true 95.10 machine it was 1 of about 5 Rag n Tube machines that were there. I also didn't attend the Dinner night and as a result I have know idea who won which award. I have tried looking at various places on this forum and a few emails and I still do not know. Last year the results were not even published in the magazine. Are they going to omit them again this year now that people are complaining that VH registered machines have won some catergories. If anyone has the results could they please publish them.

G'day Bacon, My Icom radio uses an external antenna mounted in front of the kingpost. It is also using power from the aircraft supply. I have had no issues with this install. I get next to no engine noise and have good reception. Seeya

Using a Icom A24 hand held radio as well. See you at Natfly.

G'day I use an Aerial Persuits helmet and intercom. Wayne Fisher fitted it before I picked up my Drifter. I find with the full face mask and beard I get next to no wind noise in the helmet. I am also 6'4'' so my head is always in the airflow. I find with a passenger on board, as long the microphone is tucked up above the foam on the beard, I get little wind noise through the intercom. I have attached a picture of my daughter, Sabre, flying over Holbrook to show the type of helmet.

For those of you with the time, go to www.419eater.com and see how people have managed to scam the scammers. Some of the stories are brilliant.

G'day Maj, I own a WB 582 Drifter and it lives at Cootamundra. Weather permitting it will be at Temora for Natfly. I also live in Stockinbingal and this year I will be getting ground support from the Air group Commander (wife) so adding a couple of extra chairs will not be an issue. Please send me a private message and I will give you contact numbers. Only too happy to help.

Sabre ( Daughter) and I went flying out towards Gundagai on the weekend. Over the Hume highway.

Haven't seen many pictures lately. Here is one of mine leaving Tumut after my BFR.

This is my Drifter that I have had now for about 6 years. I still get out as much as I can, but not as much as I would like to. This was taken at Peak Hill NSW while up for a visit. I rang the council for permission to use the strip and they slashed it for me. It is bagged up and tied down for an overnight stay. Another photo showing my Drifter at home in Cootamundra, It shares a hangar with a 912 Trike.

And if anyone is looking for Drifter logos, mine was done in Cootamundra and I am sure he would still have the artwork to do more. ( I think all of the artwork - design, printing, labels, names and helmets - only cost around $100.)

He's a pictur of me and my Drifter over Coota. They are lots of fun and easy to fly.

Kiwi, let me know if you are going past Coota.

Or maybe this one.

Beautiful Weather this weekend. Flew up to West Wyalong for lunch.

For all those that went to Natflf there was only 3 Drifters there. This one is mine.

Drifter Here is one of me and my Drifter taking off from Tumut for a spot of sight seeing. And one of my Daughter Sabre flying from the back seat. [ATTACH]10955.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]10956.vB[/ATTACH]

Headsets G'day Depending on the type of headset you have. David Clark and Altronics spare parts are available. If you look at various web sites for pilot supplies they often list the parts that they have. Or your could try EDMO or Aviall. They are not difficult to repair with a soldering iron and can save you money if you get someone else to do it. Just be aware which wire comes from where and just reconnect it the same way. If it is a David Clark the wiring diagrams and part listings are on their website. Have Fun

There are 10 types of people those that understand binary and those that don't:big_grin:

Has anybody fitted a set of Black Max brakes to a Drifter? I am looking at upgrading the brakes on my Drifter but I do not wish to loose the spats.

Nobody has mentioned the fact that the H10-76 headset is a lo impedance set. It is used in our Companies S76 helicopter and the BK117. If you try to use it in a Hi impedance system it might not work, or it will interfere with the other headsets that are plugged in. If you wish to convert it you will need to change both the mic and the earpeice speakers. These parts are avialable from AVIALL or EDMO. Also the lead you need is about $50 bucks from EDMO. Hope this helps

Hello all, Recently found your forum and wanted to show off my new Drifter, Wayne Fisher rebuilt her for me and did a stunning job. I've only got about 25 hours in her but Iam looking forwardto summer.