iFlight Helion 10 o3 6s HD (ELRS) - Maiden Flight with first impressions

Superb maiden flight for the iFlight Helion 10 and the Fullsend-E 6S 8000mah LiPo. The Helion was a December 25, 2023 Christmas present (thank you wife!) Weather in my region was poor, but I finally flew the maiden sorties on January 4th.
Launch conditions were cold and windy (43F, winds 20 knots gusting to 25 knots.
Like most, I am simply a drone hobbyist - I fly for fun (and not for KZread). This was an extended flight (and so, this KZread in lengthy). For those only interested in certain aspects here is the timeline of the video:
-- Preflight with commentary: 00+00 - 01+48
-- Arming and launch with commentary: 01+50
-- First flight observations to simple "aileron roll": 01+50 - 03+45
-- Cruise flight with observations: 03+50 - 12+40
-- GPS "failsafe" / GPS Rescue demonstration: 12+45 - 14+15
-- Maneuvering and landing with commentary: 14+15 - 17+55
-- Post-flight commentary with photos: 18+00 - 20+00
My thanks to #iFlightUSARepairCenter (Pat Byars) and 2Raw (Josh Enriques) for FaceBook and email suggestions on drone setup and minor configuration adjustments.

Пікірлер: 31

  • @jojo42069
    @jojo420696 ай бұрын

    Wow. Really appreciate the detailed shared experience. This is really helpful to spec my build. Imma go with 6s3p 13500mAh Liion and try to rip it 20min. Awesome!!

  • @formacionrpas
    @formacionrpas6 ай бұрын

    J.C. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience. Congratulations and I hope you continue to update us on this new concept of long range +, iFlight Helion. Greetings from your namesake Jose Carlos Lozano.

  • @nighthawkvs
    @nighthawkvs6 ай бұрын

    Just found your channel. Enjoying your flights. Thank you.

  • @jc.cantrell

    @jc.cantrell

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks and welcome

  • @AcruxFPV
    @AcruxFPV6 ай бұрын

    Happy New Year, J.C.! Glad you finally got to fly it, and knew you'd love it! Like you, I find the TrueRC Matchstick a bit easier to install in that rear VTX slot. Nice video mate, look forward to seeing more of you and Helion. Greetings from South Oz! 👋🦘

  • @jc.cantrell

    @jc.cantrell

    6 ай бұрын

    A friend convinced me of the TrueRC antenna line. The iFlight antenna are also good (very similar specs). I added a little shrink tubing to the "nut end" of the iFlight long-range antenna and now those iFlight antenna are as easy (and secure) to mount as the TrueRC

  • @charleselliott3109
    @charleselliott31095 ай бұрын

    Winter radio transmitter bag.... Amazon.

  • @moveworkforward
    @moveworkforward5 ай бұрын

    Nice video, could you please share how you setup the dron and charged the battery? Sorry for the noob questions.

  • @jc.cantrell

    @jc.cantrell

    5 ай бұрын

    I received a very similar question today, and I am also happy to address yours, however, I am unclear as to your question(s). The drone is a "bind and fly" which means it is "setup" when you get it. Now, you may want to make some adjustments to drone flight characteristics and goggles display, and many (most?) of us learn to make those adjustments using the free/download software of BetaFlight (BF) configurator. For the Helion, 2RAW and iFlight recommend everyone download and use BF 4.5 (I think RC2 is current). This is important as 2RAW has released new "tune" that is compatible with BF4.5 and you will want to have those settings. I recommend you review the new tutorial released by Joshua Bardwell (kzread.info/dash/bejne/q3ucz9Z_ZJe1eJc.html). Charging the batteries - iFlight recommends several different batteries (both LiON and LiPo batteries are available). I own several of the recommended batteries. shop.iflight.com/Fullsend-6S-8000mAh-Li-Ion-Battery-Pro1914 and shop.iflight.com/Fullsend-6S-3300mAh-95C-Battery-Pro1912 and shop.iflight.com/Fullsend-E-6S-8000mAh-Battery-Pro2077. Many good batteries and battery chargers are available - either from iFlight or other reputable dealers. I use the Hota D6 charger (shop.iflight.com/batteries-cat138/HOTA-D6-Pro-AC200W-DC650W-15A-1-6S-Dual-Channel-Charger-Pro1796). When used correctly, modern battery chargers will safely charge these batteries and stop-charging when the cells are balanced and at the correct voltage. I provided iFlight links because it was convenient (the information on these parts was readily available). You might find in more convenient to purchase from an in-country etailer (such as Pyrodrone for USA-based purchases.

  • @jc.cantrell

    @jc.cantrell

    5 ай бұрын

    An additional (excellent) resource: MadsTech: kzread.info/dash/bejne/Y4l-mKd_XZy_crw.html

  • @AndreyZzz
    @AndreyZzz6 ай бұрын

    👍👍👏👏

  • @JJKarta
    @JJKarta21 күн бұрын

    Nice flight! What is your RC controller?

  • @jc.cantrell

    @jc.cantrell

    21 күн бұрын

    My "daily drivers" are ELRS controllers and I use the RadioMaster TX16s and the RadioMaster Boxer. On this flight I was using my TX16s

  • @JJKarta

    @JJKarta

    21 күн бұрын

    @jc.cantrell thank you for the fast reply! I am considering buying a helion 10 with a radiomaster boxer max and dji goggles 2. I now own an avata 2 but unfortunately the goggles 3 and dji controller 3 does not support o3 unit.

  • @jc.cantrell

    @jc.cantrell

    21 күн бұрын

    @@JJKarta If you have the Goggles3, you might just want to wait. Many of the drone-world experts are convinced the Goggles3 software will be updated to be compatible with the o3 air units.

  • @JJKarta

    @JJKarta

    21 күн бұрын

    @@jc.cantrell oh nice to hear that! I live in Greece and i cannot find here the radiomaster boxer max with fcc protocol. Can i flash the firmware with the fcc if i buy the lbt? Also should i buy the helion 10 with eLRS 2.4GZ diversity RX to be compatible with the boxer max and have the longest range possible?

  • @leo-life-abroad
    @leo-life-abroad5 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the video, Could you please share how you connected the dron + charged the batteries. I cannot find any good info on this. Thanks in advance for your help!

  • @jc.cantrell

    @jc.cantrell

    5 ай бұрын

    I am happy to provide you information, but I am unclear as to your question(s). Connect the drone (to what)? Charging the batteries - iFlight recommends several different batteries (both LiON and LiPo batteries are available). I own several of the recommended batteries. shop.iflight.com/Fullsend-6S-8000mAh-Li-Ion-Battery-Pro1914 and shop.iflight.com/Fullsend-6S-3300mAh-95C-Battery-Pro1912 and shop.iflight.com/Fullsend-E-6S-8000mAh-Battery-Pro2077. Many good batteries and battery chargers are available - either from iFlight or other reputable dealers. I use the Hota D6 (shop.iflight.com/batteries-cat138/HOTA-D6-Pro-AC200W-DC650W-15A-1-6S-Dual-Channel-Charger-Pro1796). When used correctly, modern battery chargers will safely charge these batteries and stop-charging when the cells are balanced and at the correct voltage. I provided iFlight links because it was convenient (the information on these parts was readily available). You might find in more convenient to purchase from an in-country etailer (such as Pyrodrone for USA-based purchases.

  • @leo-life-abroad

    @leo-life-abroad

    5 ай бұрын

    @@jc.cantrell thanks. Yes, I bought the batter and the same dron from iflight, but I didn't buy the charger... don't know which one. I need to connect the dron to DJI goggle v2 and the remote controller.

  • @jc.cantrell

    @jc.cantrell

    5 ай бұрын

    @@leo-life-abroad Leo - I think what you need to do is review some of the excellent "starting in FPV" video-tutorials available on KZread. The one that I used is a bit-dated, but still excellent info which Steve (CAPT DRONE) updates (CAPTAIN DRONE: Playlist: kzread.info/dash/bejne/rISam8RmiJnJdto.html). Also Joshua Bardwell has a "new" tutorial playlist that I think you would profit from (Joshua Bardwell Playlist: kzread.info/dash/bejne/haSputOHkc62YqQ.html and specifically: kzread.info/dash/bejne/gal-yrmgftHWnNI.html )

  • @jc.cantrell

    @jc.cantrell

    5 ай бұрын

    An additional (excellent) resource: MadsTech: kzread.info/dash/bejne/Y4l-mKd_XZy_crw.html

  • @permanentlygrounded7770
    @permanentlygrounded77706 ай бұрын

    Thought you where gonna powerloop that puppy.

  • @jc.cantrell

    @jc.cantrell

    6 ай бұрын

    Near the end of the flight, I was going to powerloop, but just as I started I decided the reserve power in the LiPo was lower than my comfort level for a first flight -- I've read comments regarding CG - stability with the Helion and wanted to evaluate the drone without risking an inflight tumble. FWIW - my analysis of the flight characteristics as I observed during the maiden flight lead me to conclude the Helion will perform simple/basic power loops, rolls, freestyle consistent with power/gopro/and LiPo proper positioning.

  • @jc.cantrell

    @jc.cantrell

    5 ай бұрын

    I did power loop on a subsequent flight -- it is in another video

  • @user-eu6qq6sq9y
    @user-eu6qq6sq9y5 ай бұрын

    Great job please can you tell me about your gloggel please

  • @jc.cantrell

    @jc.cantrell

    5 ай бұрын

    For this flight, I was using the DJI Integra goggles.

  • @jc.cantrell

    @jc.cantrell

    5 ай бұрын

    An additional (excellent) resource: MadsTech: kzread.info/dash/bejne/Y4l-mKd_XZy_crw.html

  • @sparkey044
    @sparkey0443 ай бұрын

    Was this flight on a factory tune or did you tweak the settings before the flight?

  • @jc.cantrell

    @jc.cantrell

    3 ай бұрын

    Factory tune

  • @bearlaceration8971
    @bearlaceration89713 ай бұрын

    Knots and mph are different units of measurement

  • @jc.cantrell

    @jc.cantrell

    3 ай бұрын

    Yes. They are. As a former military instructor pilot, private pilot, and degreed aerospace engineer, I am fluent in multiple units of measure. There is no mystery in working with inches/feet/yards/miles, nm/mm/cm/meters/km, grams/kg, pounds (weight and force), and knots/nautical miles.