Swashplate: Gazaur Poseidon 480 - 2010/05

May 2010 51
HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY to build
and fly something different is a challenge that
I’m ready to take on. Sometime ago I was
introduced to the wonderful world of
helicopters, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
I attended the 2009 IRCHA (International
Radio Controlled Helicopter Association)
Jamboree in Muncie, Indiana. Nothing short of
“shock and awe” comes to mind. I spent a
good portion of the day checking out all the
products the vendors had to offer.
It quickly became apparent that the
helicopter market was exploding with a
multitude of new machines and parts. There
are many different types and sizes of
helicopters on the market, and the Gazaur
Poseidon definitely qualifies as new and
different.
Until that day, I had never heard of that
manufacturer. My curiosity led me to do some
research, and what I found was a surprise;
Gazaur has actually been around for many
years.
Gazaur—Generation of Advanced and
Zenful Atypical Unique Rotormachine—was
17 years in the making. It was established in
2005, with goals to present innovative ideas to
the remote-control industry and become a
world-class company.
Gazaur currently sells two 480-size
helicopters with multiple options. The Mars is
intended to be a 3-D performer. The Poseidon
is laid out to appeal to the more precision
aerobatic types, so it’s labeled an “FAI”
machine.
These models are available with either
Silver Surface Graphite (SSG) or carbon-fiber
frames and in packages with a variety of
combination systems. I opted for the SSG
frame and Lingo motor package.
When I opened the 80%-assembled kit to
do initial inventory, my first thought was that it
looked like some kind of robotic machine that
belonged in a futuristic sci-fi movie. There are
mixed opinions about the Poseidon’s looks, but
it was purposely designed with aerodynamics
being one of the many focal points.
The canopy is white plastic with a unique
shape—not your standard streamlined type.
Decals are included to dress up the model, but
my artistic thoughts were being stirred. How
could I trick out this canopy?
The frame is made in a similar way to
some other helicopters on the market, in that it
comprises stacked upper and lower sections
with multiple frame stiffeners throughout.
However, when fully assembled, the frame has
a one-of-a-kind look that resembles some
steampunk robotic animal.
After inspecting the frame closer, I found
that the pieces were cut precisely. It needed
only a light sanding to remove some sharpness/
roughness.
SHAWN RUBUSH
Swashplate: Gazaur Poseidon 480
helicopter
big feel
A unique electric
with a
Above: Gazaur has two 480-size
electric helicopter designs: Mars
and Poseidon (shown) . The
Poseidon proved to be solid in a
hover and in flight.
Right: This model has almost a
f loating feel in a hover and
doesn’t feel pitch sensitive at all—
amazing for a machine that has
up to 30° of collective travel.
05sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/24/10 1:52 PM Page 51
52 MODEL AVIATION
The author raised the tail blades out of the rough with a small skid modification.
Although they’re called “landing skids,” they don’t allow the helicopter to slide
on the ground.
The frame will accommodate 2100-2800 mAh, three-cell Li-
Polys. The 2500 mAh Enerland battery from BP Hobbies was
large at the time and has worked well through months of testing.
Hitec HS-5065MG servos offer the power and centering
performance that the Poseidon deserves. Their arrangement
on the frame delivers linear movement.
The tail servo tray can accept a mini or
micro high-speed servo such as the
Futaba S3156 shown. A Futaba 401 gyro
rests in a protected area and is wrapped
with a Velcro strap for safety.
The floating flybar is a signature feature
of Gazaur mechanics. Its multipoint
support assures that less maintenance
of this critical control point will be
required for solid performance.
The tail gearbox is belt driven to a
secondary tail rotor transmission, to
prevent overspeeding. The counterbalanced
tail blades help keep the tail locked and
the control servo unloaded.
Several Lingo motors are available
with varying Kv values. The 4100 Kv
motor matched with a 12-tooth pinion
offers good power without much
compromise in flight time.
Photos by Michael Ramsey
05sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/24/10 1:53 PM Page 52
May 2010 53
I think the designers had pilots such as
me in mind when they designed the landing
skids, which are made from the same
material that the frame is. The skids are
attached using a slotted fit that interlocks and
is held in place using one of two materials:
silicone tubing or foam.
In the event that the Poseidon encounters
a rapid loss of ground clearance, the skids are
designed to absorb a majority of the impact
and break away from the frame. It is hoped
that this feature preserves all of the vital
electronics onboard, similar to an automobile
“crumple zone.”
Unfortunately, because of some initial
electronic issues I was able to fully test the
design idea. The gear does work as intended;
Pluses and Minuses
+•
Unique rotor head with “floating flybar”
design has fewer moving parts to
wear out.
• Easy to maintain.
• Mechanics operate smoothly, delivering
crisp yet stable responsiveness.
• Easy parts identification during assembly.
• Landing gear designed with “crumple
zone” preserves frame and electronics in
hard landings.
• Speed-up tail-rotor gearbox design
allows drive belt to run slower, reducing
static electricity (a known source of EMI)
while maintaining tail-rotor authority.
-•
Tail rotor blade-to-ground clearance is
short (but review notes easy fix).
• Midframe tail servo mount makes
rudder fine-tuning awkward.
• Wooden blades included, but this
machine deserves better.
Specifications Test-Model Details
The Poseidon 480 is physically larger than the 450-class electric helicopter, so it’s
easier to see and fly like a bigger machine.
The author shows off the confident stance of the Poseidon in a hover. Parts and
upgrades are reasonably priced and quickly available from STA Services.
The flybar paddle is as light as it can get
without making the model feel sensitive
in collective. Weights can be added to
slow response. Other linkage changes
can be made to suit the pilot.
Pilot skill level: Intermediate to advanced
Type: 480-class electric RC
Body length: 715mm
Body height: 230mm
Main rotor diameter: 420mm
Main blade length: 325-350 mm
Tail rotor diameter: 150mm
Fully equipped weight: 820 grams
Motor gear: 10T/11T-2.3mm/3.17mm
Main rotor gear: 150T
Tail rotor gear: 38T
Tail transmission gear: 30T/15T
Gear transmission ratio: 15:1:3.8/
13.64:1:3.8
Requirements: Six channels with CCPM,
four servos, gyro
Motor: 450-watt system, 4100 Kv
ESC: 45-55 amps with 5-amp BEC
Battery: Three-cell 2200 mAh 30C Li-Poly
Price: $229.00-$430.99
Radio: Futaba T9CHP transmitter with
Spektrum module, Castle Creations
Phoenix 45-amp ESC with Castle
Creations BEC, Spektrum AR6250 sixchannel
carbon fuselage receiver
Servos: Three Hitec HS-5065MG
digital metal gear, one Futaba S3156
digital tail
Gyro: Futaba GY401 AVCS
Motor: Gazaur Lingo-8 v1 4100 Kv
brushless
Battery: Enerland 11.1-volt, 3S1P 2500
mAh Li-Poly
Blades: 335mm carbon fiber
Flight duration: Five to eight minutes
05sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/24/10 1:54 PM Page 53
there was no damage to the frame or skid
pieces.
Initially I used the foam tubing to lock the
landing gear in place. But when you spool up
the head, the gyroscopic effect causes the
Poseidon to torque in unwanted directions,
giving a different liftoff every time unless you
“pop” it up.
Using silicone tubing gave the skids a
more rigid feel, greatly reducing the torque
effect. The only downside of the landing gear
design is that the skids have a good grip on
soft ground. Only when the machine begins to
lift and break ground contact do you have
indication of rudder offset trim, which is an
issue solely during the initial setup process.
Also, the stock gear arrangement places
the tail and tail blades close to the ground. The
landing skids can be attached to raise the tail
so that the helicopter will rest on the skids
with forward tilt, known as “California Rake”
in the auto world.
Continuing the inventory, several unique
items jumped out at me. The programmable
head assembly came almost completely
assembled, with all metal components except
the main blade grips and mixing arms (both
available as metal upgrades).
The main blade grips are designed with
thrust bearings and multiple types of spacers,
to take on the centrifugal load generated when
using the recommended power system. The
thrust bearing design helps cyclic inputs
remain smooth and responsive without
exerting too much demand on the servos.
The “floating flybar” is designed to
maintain linear head movement, to improve
stability and cyclic responsiveness while
keeping moving parts to a minimum. Routine
inspection and maintenance of the head
assembly are reduced compared with some
designs on other helicopters.
The servo mounting platform is configured
to keep the servos positioned close to the
swashplate, which allows the equal-length
aileron, elevator, and pitch control rods to
remain virtually parallel to the main shaft
throughout the range of movement. This
symmetrical setup helps improve the
mechanical advantage of the servos and
allows the user to program a ridiculous
amount of throw.
The tail rotor is belt driven—again, not in
the standard setup. The tail assembly is a
gearbox design using three gear sizes that
allow the belt to run at a slower speed. That
reduces the amount of friction and static
electricity generated, while maintaining tail
rotor speed and authority.
The tail rotor blades are also one of a kind.
Besides the fact that they are made to rotate
clockwise, unlike on most helicopters, they
have an additional section at the root of the
LE that is similar to the bow of a large ship
hull.
The intention of this tail blade design
eluded me until I caught a thread on the
RunRyder forum. The idea is similar to the
modification some pilots call “Chinese
weight.” It improves the balance of the blade
and achieves a better CG.
The effort reduces the tail servo loading
and pushes the blade into proper position
better than the traditional-design rotor blade.
Efficiency is also improved. Whatever the
reason, the blades work well.
Construction: After going through all the
parts and verifying that everything was
present, it was time to start the build. Opening
the instruction manual to the first page (A1), I
saw a breakdown of how to read and
understand the instructions. Nothing is left for
the builder to guess.
Each step includes a position number to
match the corresponding assembly picture and
the quantity of that specific part needed to
complete the step. In the lower right corner of
the quantity box is a part number. The
hardware is separated, by type and size, into
heat-sealed sections with a part-number label
on each.
There is a picture of how a finished
component should look. In addition, every
step includes items that might need specific
tools or adhesives by putting an icon beside a
given sequence number, caution notices,
assembly tips, and specific sizes and
measurements.
During the building process, the only step I
deviated from was mounting the servos to the
mounting platform. The manual instructs you
to use servo grommets.
After mounting the servos as instructed, I
had reservations about servo movement,
especially in hard 3-D maneuvers. With that
in mind, I decided to solid-mount the servos to
prevent unwanted movement.
The head and tail gear assembly are
provided almost completely put together,
which makes the construction process quicker.
But to familiarize myself with the working
mechanics and to verify that all parts were as
they should have been, I thoroughly went over
both sections to ensure that no unforeseen
problems would arise. The use of thread lock
was verified.
After doing the initial programming, a
quick check to ensure that the swashplate and
flybar were centered and level with the servos
at 90° made it apparent that a small
adjustment was needed to bring the floating
flybar down to achieve zero pitch on the main
blades. With a few tweaks, the Poseidon was
ready to go.
Flying: The initial few flights required finetuning
here and there to achieve proper blade
tracking. The mechanics have a massive
amount of collective pitch travel available.
Using a pitch gauge, make sure that the
maximum limits do not exceed 14° in positive
or negative travel. Program the head
mechanics so that the travel limit in the radio
remains near 100%; otherwise, there will be a
reduction in control resolution.
Comparing this helicopter to one that is a
similar size (450 class), I was surprised by
how quiet the Poseidon was. It almost gave
me a false sense of head speed.
At midstick, the Poseidon maintained a
nearly perfect hover with little to no correction
needed. This model has a big feel; it’s more
like a 30- or 50-class machine.
Upright or inverted hovering is a solid
experience, which is probably because of a
combination of mechanics, power system, and
blade size. All I know is that I’m flying the
machine so often that I can’t keep the batteries
charged.
As the photos show, I gave the canopy a
retro flame paint scheme and added color
contrast by filling the vent holes with a
screen-painted red. The chrome trim on the
canopy ties the whole look together, but, most
important, the dark base color helps with
orientation. Since you’re left to finish the
Poseidon’s canopy, carefully consider a
scheme that will help you see the helicopter.
The Futaba servos and gyro system
provided solid performance. To assure that the
right amount of power was given to the
system, I wired the Castle Creations CC
BEC to the Phoenix-45 ESC for good
measure.
I mentioned the fantastic hover
performance, and part of that is the 30%
exponential added to the rates at the low
setting. I know that this is supposed to be an
FAI machine, and it is exactly that on low
rates; using the high rates is an amazing 3-D
experience. It’s hard to believe that Gazaur
made a different helicopter for such a thing.
I’m thrilled with the Poseidon’s aerobatic
performance on low rates, because it’s easy
to do my FAI thing. In forward flight the
machine tracks well with good vertical
balance. Tracking through loops and flips is
consistent.
Rolls have a tendency to pitch the nose
up, which is typical but perhaps more
pronounced because of the tail-high frame
arrangement. It’s nothing that input
corrections and perhaps mixing can’t fix.
Pirouette rates are equal and strong in
both directions. Tail-hold ability in
backward or sideways flight is strong as
well. Maybe that’s why those tail blade
counterbalances are present?
What I like most about the Gazaur
Poseidon is that it likes to fly, which
satisfies my enjoyment for both helicopters
and airplanes. MA
Shawn Rubush
[email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor:
STA Services, LLC
10624 S. Eastern Ave. Suite A-729
Henderson NV 89052
(702) 966-8051
www.stasvc.com
Sources:
Hitec RCD
(858) 748-6948
www.hitecrcd.com
Futaba
(217) 398-3630
www.futaba-rc.com
Spektrum RC
(800) 338-4639
www.spektrumrc.com
Castle Creations
(913) 390-6939
www.castlecreations.com
Chinese weight design:
http://rc.runryder.com/helicopter/t388772p1

May 2010 51
HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY to build
and fly something different is a challenge that
I’m ready to take on. Sometime ago I was
introduced to the wonderful world of
helicopters, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
I attended the 2009 IRCHA (International
Radio Controlled Helicopter Association)
Jamboree in Muncie, Indiana. Nothing short of
“shock and awe” comes to mind. I spent a
good portion of the day checking out all the
products the vendors had to offer.
It quickly became apparent that the
helicopter market was exploding with a
multitude of new machines and parts. There
are many different types and sizes of
helicopters on the market, and the Gazaur
Poseidon definitely qualifies as new and
different.
Until that day, I had never heard of that
manufacturer. My curiosity led me to do some
research, and what I found was a surprise;
Gazaur has actually been around for many
years.
Gazaur—Generation of Advanced and
Zenful Atypical Unique Rotormachine—was
17 years in the making. It was established in
2005, with goals to present innovative ideas to
the remote-control industry and become a
world-class company.
Gazaur currently sells two 480-size
helicopters with multiple options. The Mars is
intended to be a 3-D performer. The Poseidon
is laid out to appeal to the more precision
aerobatic types, so it’s labeled an “FAI”
machine.
These models are available with either
Silver Surface Graphite (SSG) or carbon-fiber
frames and in packages with a variety of
combination systems. I opted for the SSG
frame and Lingo motor package.
When I opened the 80%-assembled kit to
do initial inventory, my first thought was that it
looked like some kind of robotic machine that
belonged in a futuristic sci-fi movie. There are
mixed opinions about the Poseidon’s looks, but
it was purposely designed with aerodynamics
being one of the many focal points.
The canopy is white plastic with a unique
shape—not your standard streamlined type.
Decals are included to dress up the model, but
my artistic thoughts were being stirred. How
could I trick out this canopy?
The frame is made in a similar way to
some other helicopters on the market, in that it
comprises stacked upper and lower sections
with multiple frame stiffeners throughout.
However, when fully assembled, the frame has
a one-of-a-kind look that resembles some
steampunk robotic animal.
After inspecting the frame closer, I found
that the pieces were cut precisely. It needed
only a light sanding to remove some sharpness/
roughness.
SHAWN RUBUSH
Swashplate: Gazaur Poseidon 480
helicopter
big feel
A unique electric
with a
Above: Gazaur has two 480-size
electric helicopter designs: Mars
and Poseidon (shown) . The
Poseidon proved to be solid in a
hover and in flight.
Right: This model has almost a
f loating feel in a hover and
doesn’t feel pitch sensitive at all—
amazing for a machine that has
up to 30° of collective travel.
05sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/24/10 1:52 PM Page 51
52 MODEL AVIATION
The author raised the tail blades out of the rough with a small skid modification.
Although they’re called “landing skids,” they don’t allow the helicopter to slide
on the ground.
The frame will accommodate 2100-2800 mAh, three-cell Li-
Polys. The 2500 mAh Enerland battery from BP Hobbies was
large at the time and has worked well through months of testing.
Hitec HS-5065MG servos offer the power and centering
performance that the Poseidon deserves. Their arrangement
on the frame delivers linear movement.
The tail servo tray can accept a mini or
micro high-speed servo such as the
Futaba S3156 shown. A Futaba 401 gyro
rests in a protected area and is wrapped
with a Velcro strap for safety.
The floating flybar is a signature feature
of Gazaur mechanics. Its multipoint
support assures that less maintenance
of this critical control point will be
required for solid performance.
The tail gearbox is belt driven to a
secondary tail rotor transmission, to
prevent overspeeding. The counterbalanced
tail blades help keep the tail locked and
the control servo unloaded.
Several Lingo motors are available
with varying Kv values. The 4100 Kv
motor matched with a 12-tooth pinion
offers good power without much
compromise in flight time.
Photos by Michael Ramsey
05sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/24/10 1:53 PM Page 52
May 2010 53
I think the designers had pilots such as
me in mind when they designed the landing
skids, which are made from the same
material that the frame is. The skids are
attached using a slotted fit that interlocks and
is held in place using one of two materials:
silicone tubing or foam.
In the event that the Poseidon encounters
a rapid loss of ground clearance, the skids are
designed to absorb a majority of the impact
and break away from the frame. It is hoped
that this feature preserves all of the vital
electronics onboard, similar to an automobile
“crumple zone.”
Unfortunately, because of some initial
electronic issues I was able to fully test the
design idea. The gear does work as intended;
Pluses and Minuses
+•
Unique rotor head with “floating flybar”
design has fewer moving parts to
wear out.
• Easy to maintain.
• Mechanics operate smoothly, delivering
crisp yet stable responsiveness.
• Easy parts identification during assembly.
• Landing gear designed with “crumple
zone” preserves frame and electronics in
hard landings.
• Speed-up tail-rotor gearbox design
allows drive belt to run slower, reducing
static electricity (a known source of EMI)
while maintaining tail-rotor authority.
-•
Tail rotor blade-to-ground clearance is
short (but review notes easy fix).
• Midframe tail servo mount makes
rudder fine-tuning awkward.
• Wooden blades included, but this
machine deserves better.
Specifications Test-Model Details
The Poseidon 480 is physically larger than the 450-class electric helicopter, so it’s
easier to see and fly like a bigger machine.
The author shows off the confident stance of the Poseidon in a hover. Parts and
upgrades are reasonably priced and quickly available from STA Services.
The flybar paddle is as light as it can get
without making the model feel sensitive
in collective. Weights can be added to
slow response. Other linkage changes
can be made to suit the pilot.
Pilot skill level: Intermediate to advanced
Type: 480-class electric RC
Body length: 715mm
Body height: 230mm
Main rotor diameter: 420mm
Main blade length: 325-350 mm
Tail rotor diameter: 150mm
Fully equipped weight: 820 grams
Motor gear: 10T/11T-2.3mm/3.17mm
Main rotor gear: 150T
Tail rotor gear: 38T
Tail transmission gear: 30T/15T
Gear transmission ratio: 15:1:3.8/
13.64:1:3.8
Requirements: Six channels with CCPM,
four servos, gyro
Motor: 450-watt system, 4100 Kv
ESC: 45-55 amps with 5-amp BEC
Battery: Three-cell 2200 mAh 30C Li-Poly
Price: $229.00-$430.99
Radio: Futaba T9CHP transmitter with
Spektrum module, Castle Creations
Phoenix 45-amp ESC with Castle
Creations BEC, Spektrum AR6250 sixchannel
carbon fuselage receiver
Servos: Three Hitec HS-5065MG
digital metal gear, one Futaba S3156
digital tail
Gyro: Futaba GY401 AVCS
Motor: Gazaur Lingo-8 v1 4100 Kv
brushless
Battery: Enerland 11.1-volt, 3S1P 2500
mAh Li-Poly
Blades: 335mm carbon fiber
Flight duration: Five to eight minutes
05sig2.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 3/24/10 1:54 PM Page 53
there was no damage to the frame or skid
pieces.
Initially I used the foam tubing to lock the
landing gear in place. But when you spool up
the head, the gyroscopic effect causes the
Poseidon to torque in unwanted directions,
giving a different liftoff every time unless you
“pop” it up.
Using silicone tubing gave the skids a
more rigid feel, greatly reducing the torque
effect. The only downside of the landing gear
design is that the skids have a good grip on
soft ground. Only when the machine begins to
lift and break ground contact do you have
indication of rudder offset trim, which is an
issue solely during the initial setup process.
Also, the stock gear arrangement places
the tail and tail blades close to the ground. The
landing skids can be attached to raise the tail
so that the helicopter will rest on the skids
with forward tilt, known as “California Rake”
in the auto world.
Continuing the inventory, several unique
items jumped out at me. The programmable
head assembly came almost completely
assembled, with all metal components except
the main blade grips and mixing arms (both
available as metal upgrades).
The main blade grips are designed with
thrust bearings and multiple types of spacers,
to take on the centrifugal load generated when
using the recommended power system. The
thrust bearing design helps cyclic inputs
remain smooth and responsive without
exerting too much demand on the servos.
The “floating flybar” is designed to
maintain linear head movement, to improve
stability and cyclic responsiveness while
keeping moving parts to a minimum. Routine
inspection and maintenance of the head
assembly are reduced compared with some
designs on other helicopters.
The servo mounting platform is configured
to keep the servos positioned close to the
swashplate, which allows the equal-length
aileron, elevator, and pitch control rods to
remain virtually parallel to the main shaft
throughout the range of movement. This
symmetrical setup helps improve the
mechanical advantage of the servos and
allows the user to program a ridiculous
amount of throw.
The tail rotor is belt driven—again, not in
the standard setup. The tail assembly is a
gearbox design using three gear sizes that
allow the belt to run at a slower speed. That
reduces the amount of friction and static
electricity generated, while maintaining tail
rotor speed and authority.
The tail rotor blades are also one of a kind.
Besides the fact that they are made to rotate
clockwise, unlike on most helicopters, they
have an additional section at the root of the
LE that is similar to the bow of a large ship
hull.
The intention of this tail blade design
eluded me until I caught a thread on the
RunRyder forum. The idea is similar to the
modification some pilots call “Chinese
weight.” It improves the balance of the blade
and achieves a better CG.
The effort reduces the tail servo loading
and pushes the blade into proper position
better than the traditional-design rotor blade.
Efficiency is also improved. Whatever the
reason, the blades work well.
Construction: After going through all the
parts and verifying that everything was
present, it was time to start the build. Opening
the instruction manual to the first page (A1), I
saw a breakdown of how to read and
understand the instructions. Nothing is left for
the builder to guess.
Each step includes a position number to
match the corresponding assembly picture and
the quantity of that specific part needed to
complete the step. In the lower right corner of
the quantity box is a part number. The
hardware is separated, by type and size, into
heat-sealed sections with a part-number label
on each.
There is a picture of how a finished
component should look. In addition, every
step includes items that might need specific
tools or adhesives by putting an icon beside a
given sequence number, caution notices,
assembly tips, and specific sizes and
measurements.
During the building process, the only step I
deviated from was mounting the servos to the
mounting platform. The manual instructs you
to use servo grommets.
After mounting the servos as instructed, I
had reservations about servo movement,
especially in hard 3-D maneuvers. With that
in mind, I decided to solid-mount the servos to
prevent unwanted movement.
The head and tail gear assembly are
provided almost completely put together,
which makes the construction process quicker.
But to familiarize myself with the working
mechanics and to verify that all parts were as
they should have been, I thoroughly went over
both sections to ensure that no unforeseen
problems would arise. The use of thread lock
was verified.
After doing the initial programming, a
quick check to ensure that the swashplate and
flybar were centered and level with the servos
at 90° made it apparent that a small
adjustment was needed to bring the floating
flybar down to achieve zero pitch on the main
blades. With a few tweaks, the Poseidon was
ready to go.
Flying: The initial few flights required finetuning
here and there to achieve proper blade
tracking. The mechanics have a massive
amount of collective pitch travel available.
Using a pitch gauge, make sure that the
maximum limits do not exceed 14° in positive
or negative travel. Program the head
mechanics so that the travel limit in the radio
remains near 100%; otherwise, there will be a
reduction in control resolution.
Comparing this helicopter to one that is a
similar size (450 class), I was surprised by
how quiet the Poseidon was. It almost gave
me a false sense of head speed.
At midstick, the Poseidon maintained a
nearly perfect hover with little to no correction
needed. This model has a big feel; it’s more
like a 30- or 50-class machine.
Upright or inverted hovering is a solid
experience, which is probably because of a
combination of mechanics, power system, and
blade size. All I know is that I’m flying the
machine so often that I can’t keep the batteries
charged.
As the photos show, I gave the canopy a
retro flame paint scheme and added color
contrast by filling the vent holes with a
screen-painted red. The chrome trim on the
canopy ties the whole look together, but, most
important, the dark base color helps with
orientation. Since you’re left to finish the
Poseidon’s canopy, carefully consider a
scheme that will help you see the helicopter.
The Futaba servos and gyro system
provided solid performance. To assure that the
right amount of power was given to the
system, I wired the Castle Creations CC
BEC to the Phoenix-45 ESC for good
measure.
I mentioned the fantastic hover
performance, and part of that is the 30%
exponential added to the rates at the low
setting. I know that this is supposed to be an
FAI machine, and it is exactly that on low
rates; using the high rates is an amazing 3-D
experience. It’s hard to believe that Gazaur
made a different helicopter for such a thing.
I’m thrilled with the Poseidon’s aerobatic
performance on low rates, because it’s easy
to do my FAI thing. In forward flight the
machine tracks well with good vertical
balance. Tracking through loops and flips is
consistent.
Rolls have a tendency to pitch the nose
up, which is typical but perhaps more
pronounced because of the tail-high frame
arrangement. It’s nothing that input
corrections and perhaps mixing can’t fix.
Pirouette rates are equal and strong in
both directions. Tail-hold ability in
backward or sideways flight is strong as
well. Maybe that’s why those tail blade
counterbalances are present?
What I like most about the Gazaur
Poseidon is that it likes to fly, which
satisfies my enjoyment for both helicopters
and airplanes. MA
Shawn Rubush
[email protected]
Manufacturer/Distributor:
STA Services, LLC
10624 S. Eastern Ave. Suite A-729
Henderson NV 89052
(702) 966-8051
www.stasvc.com
Sources:
Hitec RCD
(858) 748-6948
www.hitecrcd.com
Futaba
(217) 398-3630
www.futaba-rc.com
Spektrum RC
(800) 338-4639
www.spektrumrc.com
Castle Creations
(913) 390-6939
www.castlecreations.com
Chinese weight design:
http://rc.runryder.com/helicopter/t388772p1