Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Helicopters / August 2007

They are called fuses, and you can usually get them in auto parts stores.
I don't know what current that your motor and  ESC draw, so I cannot
recommend a fuse.
The fuse should be placed in series with the positive ESC  lead.
Assuming a brushless ESC it will need to be on the input side of the ESC,
unless the ESC has some sort of open motor lead detection.
The drawback is that if the fuse is too small, or opens while the helio is
in the air, and the brushless ESC is providing 5vdc to the receiver, There
is a loss of control.
A brushed ESC can have the fuse on the positive motor lead, and the receiver
and servos continue to be controllable if the fuse opens.

"Oh as a point of interest, is there a safety device or method that can
protect the ESC, motor etc against this devastating motor
stalls/crashes?"

Define "expert"  :)  Like I said, it's a good idea to poke around the
various online forums for info.  There are a LOT of people out there
that started the same way you are.

I still get into that mode sometimes myself.

Small, smooth movements on the controls.  Heli's are about "touch" and
"anticipation".  I fly full scale helis as well as models and the
"anticipation" is the same for either.

Basically, what you're experiencing is pilot induced occillation (PIO)
and YOU are doing it.  It's a simple premise to get the heli "stable",
but it's going to take practice.

Let's say you're in a hover..  The heli starts to move left, so you
apply some right cyclic to compensate.  The heli stops it's left
movement and begins to move right so you add left cyclic.  You've just
entered PIO and it'll get worse the more this cycle is followed.

To "fix" this, you need to modify the way you're applying control
inputs.

Again, you're in a hover.  The heli starts to move left so you apply
right cyclic to stop this movement.  The trick is to remove that
corrective input JUST before the heli stops moving to the left.
That's the "anticipation" part.  Conversely, if the heli starts moving
right, you apply left cyclic and JUST before the heli stops moving
right, remove the left cyclic input.  It's the same regardless of
whether it's left/right or forward/backward movement.  Hope that makes
sense.

One thing you may have realized already..  You will ALWAYS be moving a
stick when hovering.  You'll have to constantly make SMALL corrections
to maintain a stable hover.  It'll come, but it'll take practice and
one day you won't even think about what you're doing, it'll just
"click" and you'll be hovering.  Once you get to that point, you'll
work on nose-in hovering and REALLY screw with your head 'cuz
everything is reversed at that point.  :)

In the mean time, keep working with the sim as it'll help you develop
muscle memory.  Nothing will replace actually burning electrons, but
the sim does help.

One last thing.  I hope you've got a good job.  This is a seriously
addictive hobby..  I was out of it for about 12 years and got back
into it a couple years ago.  I now have 7 (yes, SEVEN) helis and am
looking to buy another one before year's end.  :)

Good luck!