I think the maintenance regime depends upon the model of helicopter. Before flying, pre flight checks of what is typically vulnerable with your model helps tremendously. I think its fair to inspect your helicopter thoroughly once every 2 weeks and every time before you fly, check for your models vulnerabilities. Learn by checking forums as to what your models vulnerabilities are. Some models are very reliable and others are not.

One thing I always do before taking off is checking how the swash plate levels when moving the model. This confirms your gyro is working right. Other things which I should do but don't is performing a range check. Also allways check your servo to swashplate, rudder links and feather shaft.

 

that's funny I have seen smakmeharder fly the mini p when the tail had that much slop the bearings had no balls in them lol

 

SHHHHHHHH @3dmick .. As long as it flys!!! lol .. I never said I was great at maintenance!....lol And I think it was the thrust bearings in the main head and in the tail. I had that many flights the thrust bearings actually wore out!!!

 

yes I know mate that thing must of had over 2000 flights buy now lol

 

Oh yeah I calculate even more than that... Cant fly it much lately due to the way work is, but i managed to put a 12 packs through today and had an absolute ball. The MiniP doesnt need much maintenance thats why i fly it...lol. Its easy to check over.

 

This is why nitro rc helicopters are good, as they spurt out oil from the muffler like no tomorrow, your bearings are constantly lubricated, its a self maintaining system.

As its a hobby, I dont have any set maintanenc schedule, however, I do surprise checks for loose screws, fuel lines and cable condition, gyro foam not about to separate etc.

And since its a fair drive to the flying field, I do have a good look over things before leaving home to avoid a wasted journey.

 

I mostly do unscheduled maintenance. Crash is a big help with that.

 

I do the usual pre flight.. oil the main shaft tail shaft pretty much weekly.. motor one a month...

The rest the occasional visual inspection of gears... and silicon spray for the belted helis as needed... when I notice movement in the head then ill check dampers bearing etc then...

If you fly the model regularly I tend to find you know when things are starting to get warn...

Generally on a really crappy weather weekend in winter I'll give it a thorough once over pull the head tail apart check main shaft bearings... the usual... but generally crash gets to a heli before I have that chance...

 

Yeah that's why I asked... Trying to avoid @crash ...

My first crash was likely due to no maintenance. The last flight of the previous weekend the heli made a really strange noise as I came in to land. I thought hmm that's not good, I need to give if the once over.

If course I didn't other than a casual glance. The next weekend I took off at the field with an unusual feeling in my gut like something wasn't right. ( I should have listened to that ) ...

Got down the field and during the first turn the tail just came out of the heli completely. Suffice to say the heli did not fare well at all and was nearly a total rebuild.

So now the hex driver is my friend...

 

@crash you'll take credit for anything.. I'm sure we give you more credit than you deserve..

 

Btw... that was harsh taking out @BladeBandit heli today... didn't even get off the ground... of course @Min was flying it...