450 / 500 & Windspeed

**anti** · 22-02-2012 04:26 PM

So this might seem like a daft question but as I'm looking into my first proper Heli that isn't an MCPX I'm down to between a 450 or a 500 to keep repair costs reasonable. Flying my MCPX in anything over 5mph is a bit of a ball ache to be honest, and I'd like to think the bigger helicopters will stand up to it better.

What sort of max windspeeds am I looking at safe and comfortable flying with a 450 or 500 respectively? Also does flybar/no flybar make a difference in these situations?

**Randall** · 22-02-2012 04:38 PM

450's are a handfull in the wind, i have both and my 500 handles the wind ALOT better than a 450 yes FBL makes even more difference in wind. I have flown my 500 in 20mph winds and more where as i would not try that with a 450. TBH having both get a 500 you will never look back it just feels way more like a big heli and is alot more visible. + crash cost is not much more

**Syclick** · 22-02-2012 04:52 PM

I'll fly my 450 Pro up in wind up to 10 -12mph as long as that's not with gusts on top. My 500 to 15-20 mph - again no heavy gusts.
Wind isn't a problem - it's the gusts that get you!

But don't even think about those speeds unless you are in I/up and a reasonably competent flyer - those w/speeds can double at 20-30 feet and your heli will be a dot in the sky or a smudge on the deck!

Randal (with one L

)

**Delarado** · 22-02-2012 04:58 PM

^^ agreed,

Wind not a problem. Gusts are. You can be hovering happily and the next minute after a gust your pride and joy is 100 feet away from you and climbing fast.

**Randall** · 22-02-2012 05:03 PM

General rule of thumb the bigger the heli the better it will handle the wind, But of course there are other factors including the headspeed and most importantly the pilot. I have flown in some pretty stupid winds just to see if i could. its challenging to say the least and they shift down wind. If your learning the bigger the heli the easier your life will be but the more intimidating it will look and the more it will cost to fix so the 500 is a good happy medium.

**Randall** · 22-02-2012 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by Syclick

Randal (with one L

)

Im just greedy

**Syclick** · 22-02-2012 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by Randall

Im just greedy

I'm just lazy .... and dyslexic

**Randall** · 22-02-2012 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Syclick

I'm just lazy .... and dyslexic

Must run in the name then. Me too

**Syclick** · 22-02-2012 05:27 PM

**anti** · 22-02-2012 05:28 PM

Cheers, looks like the 500 is edging it then. I'm not going to be taking it out in much wind at all for a long time, but I don't want in 6 months time to be looking at a 500 because my 450 is getting blasted in moderate winds or something.

**Randall** · 22-02-2012 05:38 PM

get a 500 then, the 450 is just a bit too small to be a "real" heli (waits for 450 owners to jump in here) dont get me wrong i love my 450 but it just does not make me smile like the 500.

**Syclick** · 22-02-2012 06:31 PM

I smile until the 500 goes in hard - then I wish I'd been flying the 450.

Anglesey? Pretty breezy there I guess? 500 country maybe?

**AcidDrink** · 22-02-2012 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by anti

So this might seem like a daft question but as I'm looking into my first proper Heli that isn't an MCPX I'm down to between a 450 or a 500 to keep repair costs reasonable. Flying my MCPX in anything over 5mph is a bit of a ball ache to be honest, and I'd like to think the bigger helicopters will stand up to it better.

What sort of max windspeeds am I looking at safe and comfortable flying with a 450 or 500 respectively? Also does flybar/no flybar make a difference in these situations?

About 10-12 mph (for real, not weather forecast speed which is usually way too low or way too high) for a 450 FBL. Anything more than that I find no fun.
FBL makes big difference.

Tbh, after last season of flying, I think in this country (at least where I live, SE), you need minimum 550 size (preferably a 700) because of constant windy weather, if you want to fly every weekend.

**anti** · 22-02-2012 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by Syclick

I smile until the 500 goes in hard - then I wish I'd been flying the 450.

Anglesey? Pretty breezy there I guess? 500 country maybe?

Breezy indeed. I'd like 5-10mph to be "comfortable" rather than edge of the pants stuff.

If a 500 FBL is considerably more wind resistant than a 450 then that's the way I'm heading. I seem to remember there's not a huge difference in repair costs between the two on an average crash. I'll have to figure it out again. It'll be a wee while before I actually fork out, but I want to have done the most homework possible. Figure out which size first, then from there onwards.

**Randall** · 22-02-2012 07:12 PM

500 does not cost much more and tbh you are likely to crash it less any way due to stability and visability etc so i doubt there is anything in it. But i agree with other comments fbl makes the biggest difference, having now flown both vbar and beastx they are both very good and both certainly more capable than myself.

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