Hoverfly FAQs

Below is a selection of questions often posed to our sales and admin lines. If you have any additional questions please feel free to ask, by sending an e-mail to sales@snelflight.co.uk or see the Get in Touch pages for more details.

Q1. What makes the Hoverfly right for the beginner?
Q2. I have seen a number of Hoverfly's on Internet auction sites....(more..)
Q3. I already have a transmitter; can I use it to control a Hoverfly?
Q4. What are the benefits of using genuine Snelflight propellers?
Q5. I have noticed that the pitch and roll controls appear to be switched when the Hoverfly is standing on the floor or held in the hand.
Q6. My Hoverfly has wobbled in flight since I reassembled it. Why might this be?
Q7. What is the difference between the Hoverfly and a computer simulator?

Q1. What makes the Hoverfly right for the beginner?
A. Several factors make the Hoverfly ideal for a beginner: Robust construction, slow rotor speed (added safety benefits!), high flight stability and the Command Line (for unlimited flight time). These benefits give the novice the confidence to learn to fly without worrying about the consequences usually associated with crashing.

Q2. I have seen a number of Hoverflys on Internet auction sites recently, they have been significantly cheaper than purchasing from a hobby store or from your website. My question is, should I buy one at the reduced price?
A. At Snelflight we have monitored these sales and do not discourage this activity. However we would advise that the full facts are obtained regarding the condition of anything bought from the internet. If you do purchase this way you may wish to note that we offer a return to factory repair service at very reasonable rates.

Q3. I already have a 4-channel transmitter; can I use this to control the Hoverfly?
A. Yes: We researched the various transmitters available today, and we offer interfacing signal leads to suit most types. If you go to the On-line Shopping pages you can match your Tx model to a lead.

Q4. What are the benefits of using genuine Snelflight propellers?
A. Our propellers have been carefully designed for optimum thrust and accurate balance. The propellers in each set have been precisely matched to give smooth flight. Propellers from other manufacturers may give poor thrust, high levels of vibration (which can harm the Hoverfly) and unsteady flight.

Q5. I have noticed that the pitch and roll controls appear to be switched when the Hoverfly is standing on the floor or held in the hand.
A. This is normal; the controls will become correct the moment the Hoverfly leaves the ground. Due to the gyroscopic effects in flight the controls have to be offset by 90º counter clockwise, which gives a false impression before the Hoverfly actually takes off. It will try to pitch forward when right roll is applied (and so on).

Q6. My Hoverfly has wobbled in flight since I reassembled it. Why might this be?
A. Possible reasons include rotor mass imbalance, thrust imbalance, misaligned motors, bearing hole not vertical and bad carbon brush contact. Phillip Jermyn, Hoverfly's designer, has written a technical advice article on this topic. Along with others, it can be found on the download page.

Q7. What is the difference between the Hoverfly and a computer simulator?
A. The Hoverfly is an authentic three-dimensional miniature trainer for 30-size model helicopters, and is far more realistic than a flat screen representation could ever be. Because it is real, the pilot feels a similar adrenaline buzz to that felt when flying an outdoor model. This helps the pilot learn to prevent panic reactions in difficult situations: a leading cause of crashes.

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