Weekend crash

[Mike S]

I have been reading up on my Ar500 that is in my crashed 3D400. When I lost control I reduced throttle and tried to roll back with aileron control. No repsonce from the aileron or elevator as far as I can tell. I remember thinking and saying I have no control. At this point I watched the plane slowly roll over and nose dive to earth with me still trying to regain control.

I have read today many accounts of other pilots reporting loss of control with the AR500 when far out and up high (100-300 feet), remember Spectrum claim this is a full range rx.

I was at around 700 feet out and 150ft out if I remember correctly

Gareth checked the flight pack with a watt meter and report good cells with good volts.

Something of intrest is the aileron bug that some AR500 seem to suffer from.

So after reading up on the net it appears that what happened to my Ar500 seems to common place with many people avoiding using this and the AR6200.

What is strange is I put this Ar500 in the 3D400 late last year and it was not flown until I did my mock test a few weeks back. It crashed on its third flight but had flown flawless on the original AR7000. Other people have reported crashing within the first to third flight.

I have a new Ar500 in the Whizzza and will be removing it until the problem is solved.

[phild]

Mike ,
I have had similar problems with the AR500 both in a similar place , directly in front of the flight box about as far out as you can go remaining inside the club boundary, once in the ultra stick which resulted in total loss of control and crash. and once in my pawnee which again resulted in total loss of control and crash.
I now use the Orange 6 channel receiver in place of the AR 500 which I have found to be totally reliable.

Phil

[Mike S]

Thanks Phil.

To hear that you also had a similar problem in almost the same place with the same type of RX may suggest some sort of interference issue. The AR500 might be more susceptible to interface than other rx such as the Ar7000 which has not had a problem doing the same flight in the same area.

[phild]

Hi Mike
 Knowing that you have had the same problem that I had I have now ordered another couple of the Orange RX from Robot  Birds.
For sale 2 Spectrum AR 500 rx £10 each plus postage.
Phil

[Russ]

Just to add to this, I lost my WOT4 straight out in front about 20 feet inside the boundary line. This was fitted with an AR500 and the symptoms were identical - total loss of control at around 100ft, no fail safe activation - straight into the ground. RX battery after the crash checked out ok under load and there appeared no issue with wiring or switch harness.

I saw your crash on Saturday Mike, albeit closer in and lower, but otherwise it looked very similar.

Guess the verdict is stay clear of AR500s. Would not speculate further, other than to add it looks like Spektrum may well have a problem with full range, single (non satellite) receivers.

[Mike S]

I think its pointless sending them back to checked by Spektrum. I think they are working 100% but just not compatible with our flying site.

Time to remove and sell on.

[MikeH]

Hi all

Just check that the ar500 is not designed for parkflyers

Just  thoughtu

[phild]

Mike,
 The AR 500 is supposed to be a full range RX according to Mr Spectrum.
Phil

[Mike S]

I agree Phil. Spektrum sell it as a full range rx. However when I brought my first AR500 last from slough rc they suggeted that HH will no longer be selling it as a full range at some point this year. HH seem to like this RX in their parkflyers. Maybe that says something.

[MikeH]

Hmm that's what I heard from the boys at Slough Models that it was a parkflyer rx and chose to go for the AR6200 instead
well we live and learn

[phild]

even if this RX was for park flyers, from the things that have happened at Upton Court PARK they are not suitable for the job, as we are not flying at large ranges only about 300yards distance and some of the aircraft that have been effected have been park flyers. If they were to say that they were suitable for indoor flying I may except that. but I am not sure what the difference is between park flying and what we do at the patch.
It could be defind as the size of the aircraft, but I am still confused as to why a certain RX would be suitable for flying a small aircraft, but not a large one as the receiver only receives the signal from the transmitter and converts that signal into electrical charges to the servos.
Can anyone enlighten me on this.

Phil

[Mike S]

Very good point and question Phil. After yesterday reading through various forums concerning the Ar500 is that most of the lockouts have a common theme many reports suggest around 300 yards out and when up around 100-200 feet high. Our replies and very similar. It seems that when it happens to us is when we are at the furthest part of the flight from the flight line.

So its either a range issue even though the ranged check passed ok which I did prior to the test or interference in that part of the field that the AR500 is susceptible. Either way I not using these anymore and will go back to my AR7000's that so far have work 100%

[Gareth]

I have used the Ar500 in many models and not had any probelms  .

I have one in a glider that i have taken up to about 2000ft with no problems.

Mike, with the loss of control does it come back with time?

Gareth

[Mike S]

I have used the Ar500 in many models and not had any probelms  .

I have one in a glider that i have taken up to about 2000ft with no problems.

Mike, with the loss of control does it come back with time?

Gareth

Mine did not seem to come back. I tried to recover right up until the crash it never responded. 

[phild]

My experience with the 2 crashes I had was that the lockout occurred and there was no responce to control inputs until the crash. However I must say that I have used the AR500 20 0r 30 times with only the two reported incidents, so whatever the problem is its not a constant problem.
Just to add to the confusion, when I used to fly 35 I used to get glitches all the time in that area, as much as every circuit, I would get a momentry loss of height or a sudden twitch of somesort.

I did have a thought that the ar500 situation may have been due to taking off very shortly after doing a range check, and may be the TX hadn't gone back to full power, would that ring a bell to anyone?
Phil