CENTURY SWIFT NX
Page 16
MAINTANANCE
To keep your Swift NX in optimal and safe flying condition, routine maintenance is highly recommended. Some of the most important
things to check are as follows:
• Ball Links: Before each flying session, check to see that the plastic ball link ends are secure, but not tight (binding), on the linkage/
control balls. The plastic ball links can wear over time, and if they become too loose on the control balls, they can separate from the
ball in flight and cause a crash. Be sure to replace any worn ball links before they fail.
Also, any ball links that are tight (binding) on the linkage/control balls can be loosened by using a ball link sizing tool. When sizing the
ball links, extreme care should be taken as it is possible oversize the ball links causing them to be too loose which could result in the
links separating from the balls in flight.
• Bearings: Maintenance of the bearings is a very important step to keep your helicopter flying in the most efficient condition. If the
bearings are not cared for, the helicopter can feel uncontrolled or very “sloppy.” The one-way bearing in the autorotation unit should
be cleaned using isopropyl alcohol and then lubed with a lightweight oil such as Tri-Flo approximately every 50 to 70 flights. All other
bearings typically exhibit very long life and normally only need to be replaced if they ever become notchy (sticky in places when turning)
or exhibit rolling resistance. If there happens to be a mishap, the bearings should be checked for notchiness.
• Oiling: It is important to apply a small amount of lightweight oil to any areas where a bushing may ride on a shaft especially after
replacing any of the parts with new ones after a crash. Some areas to oil:
Washout base and swashplate control ball area that rides on the main shaft
Tail rotor control pitch slider on the tail output shaft
• Head Dampeners: The rubber head dampeners in the head block will periodically wear and lose their elasticity. Worn out dampen-
ers can cause main rotor blade tracking problems as well as stability and control response issues. If you begin having trouble with the
blades going in and out of track during flight, or if the helicopter feels loose and “sloppy” during flight, it is likely time to replace the rub-
ber head dampeners. The rubber head dampeners can wear out in approximately 50 to 70 flights depending on how the model is
flown. When replacing the rubber head dampeners, it’s important to lubricate them with a silicone based grease to prevent friction.
• Tail Rotor Drive Belt
Even though the belt is manufactured from automotive grade materials, It’s typical for the tail drive belt to stretch slightly over the
first few flights. Adjust the belt tension by pulling the tail boom away from the helicopter after loosening the four bolts holding the tail
transmission box together. After approximately 20 to 40 flights, the belt elasticity will stabilize, requiring little to no additional tension
adjustment.
