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One of the coolest parts of my job is getting to help bring helicopter products like the Blade Bell 206 to life. As someone who was involved with this project from the beginning, it's been awesome to see the community's reaction now that it's in pilots' hands.

What I love most is that it delivers a scale experience that normally comes with a much bigger price tag. The Bell 206 looks incredible in the air, is approachable for a wide range of pilots, and doesn't require the investment or complexity that many scale heli projects demand.

I'm curious...what's your favorite part of the Bell 206?

🚁 The scale appearance? 🚁 The flight performance? 🚁 The value? 🚁 Something else?

And for the scale heli crowd: what do you think is the toughest helicopter to beat in this price range?

#BladeHelicopters #Bell206 #RCHeli #ScaleHeli #Rotorhead #HorizonHobby #RCPilot

As the founder and principal software author behind RCUniverse (back in the day), I am excited to have you here to see what RCPilot is all about. I can share a few things:

- If you want to see what your RC World can be, change worlds using the menu by the logo up top and visit Scale Helicopters. We have lots of content there from the predecessor site, HeliStorm. It illustrates how phenomenal the platform can be when the folks commit to adding valuable content.

- This is NOT like Facebook in the sense that every contribution here gets analyzed by AI (subject to your final say) and cataloged by topic and, if applicable, product. This makes it possible for other members to easily find and benefit from the knowledge you shared. That said, we have a SHOTGUN SHARE feature that lets you share your posts with all of your favorite Facebook groups and forums.

- Unlike Facebook, we are not divided into little groups that spring up monthly. Trying to keep up with dozens of groups just ruins the community experience. Here, we are divided into "RC Worlds" but those divisions have proven to be useful over time. You can hope from one world to the next, but most of us are aligned with one primary discipline so that's likely where we will be.

- Our "build stories" are very cool. The link each chapter in your build journey into one story so that people can easily drill into a chapter to learn what they need while others maybe just follow along with every chapter.

- Our integrated "RCMarket" is the most advanced classified market software on the planet. Lots of security.

- There is a ton more here. Look around and please contribute. In this community, rank is achieved by the QUALITY of your contributions. There are no "Like" buttons. Instead, we have sentiment sliders that let you grade a post on 4 different criteria. That's meaningful feedback. Those whose posts earn high marks from the community, get status.

After much internal debate and input from the RC community, at large, I decided to rewrite the entire HeliStorm platform and integrate it with RCMarket.com and the functional elements of RCChecklist. The result is a community for all those who fly and all those who place a high value on being able to efficiently share and find things relative to our hobby.

On RCPilot, scale helis has a head start, so if you know someone who flies other RC stuff (or if you do), please feel free to contribute!

Hey Guys, most of you who know me understand that I despise the countless selling areas on Facebook and forums simply because they fragment an already small market. A week or so ago, I launched RCMarket.com, a central market for ALL RC stuff. The market is amazingly simple to use and it has powerful filters and mobile capabilities. Since I wrote the software, I can adapt it as needed to user feedback.

The Buy & Sell link here on HeliStorm now link to RCMarket. It's free so please use it! The only way a market works is if people use it!

I have 5 helicopters on my Jeti transmitter. Over the years, I have learned that I simply cannot remember the different functions I have assigned to different switches. I have Axons in three models and Futaba CGY’s in the others. I have three Pahl turbines, a Jako and a JetCat. One model has a Bambi bucket, one has a winch and water cannon, and another has retracts. 🤪

So, to keep my mind in a good place, I bought a Brother P-touch D410 (which lets you make micro-sized labels) and I labeled my transmitter as shown. I also take the extra time to use as consistent a setup as possible so the controls match the labels.

This is not revolutionary; it’s just practical!

After reviewing the candidate statements for those running for AMA President, I have concluded that Greg Stone offers the hobby the best alternative for growing beyond the current demographic of predominantly old men! I am one of them and I also read Model Aviation Magazine. As many who know me already understand, my focus in the hobby is expanded beyond our own little circle of cohorts. HeliStorm™ is a principal example of this. Of the three candidates, I believe Greg has the most focus on the innovative growth the AMA needs in its near-term strategic plan.

You can read Greg's statement here:

And yes Michael Kranitz, I am a certified LamaHead!

This is for anyone looking at the purchase of a Vario Lama. The smallest one is the Baby Lama (1:8) 600 size, next up is the Lama 1.8 (1:6.3) 800 size and finally the Starwood Lama (1:5). There is another that's labeled a 1:6 but it's actually a bit smaller than the Lama 1.8

Starwood RTF
Lama 1.8 Under Construction
Baby Lama RTF, just have the cabin removed to make some adjustments.

We lost a great member of the hobby this weekend. Rene Gotiear lost his battle with cancer.

Rene and I had a very frank conversation two weeks ago and even given the challenges, he had a great attitude. Rene recently got to fly his dream heli, the Mi-24 from HeliClassics after he and his wife, Rachel drove to my house to get it last year. He told me two weeks ago that he was thrilled that he finally got her off the ground (after wrestling with the programming). Thanks to Rusty Cahall who helped him through that (and I'm sure there were others). I am arranging with Rachel a special tribute to Rene that will take place at ScaleHeliStorm 2025 inside the National Museum of the United States Air Force. I'll have more details in the coming weeks.

Rene was a super kind, creative and bright man who brought a ton to the hobby. We will definitely miss him!

Hi heli people.

Ok, I'm looking for a new project and would like to get my hands on a Hirobo EC120B. It looks like they are very hard to find as Hirobo is a dying breed in the scale. world I found one for sale in Singapore, but they have doubled in price from $3300 Singapore dollars to now $7742. Are they a collectors item now? $7742 is a little crazy for a 60-90 size heli. If Hirobo are not making scale fuselage then they may not need the EC120B mold/plug anymore.

Any info would be great thanks.

Cheers

Well, after many years of toying around with having a MD500e with a 5 bladed head, the up's and downs of freight damage of my MD500 from Hong Kong( thanks to James Kong from jet tech for sorting that out great service) Shit blades from spinblades etc, the fleet is now complete with the new addition. NO more toys for me, I just want to fly now.
300KV from EgoDrift
680mm Witte blades
Funkey 700 size with Roban struts modified to get the correct MD500e stance.

Let's see your face (or anything else you want in its place)! Click your name in the upper right of any screen and choose MANAGE ACCOUNT. Just click the avatar camera icon or the "change photo" button on the banner to customize your profile. If you add your country, a flag will appear on your avatar in all posts! As our community here grows, it's fun to see like-minded hobbyists around the globe (or, for flat-earthers, across the flat spinning pancake in space).

I was given this fuselage and mechanics many years ago when I started flying helis. The mechanics are a Schluter Mini-Boy, but I have no idea who manufactured the fuselage.

The mechanics are complete and I have been slowly, over the years restoring it. Now that I have came over to the scale side I want to get it back into the air.

Any one have a guess as to the manufacturer of the fuselage is?

I am fond of vintage/antique helis and still fly a Futura , a JR Vibe 90 and a couple of Raptors regularly.

The NEHC hosted the Joe Howard Memorial Scale Fun Fly this past weekend in Mansfield MA. About 12-15 pilots were able to attend making for a great weekend of flying. A couple of very unique helicopters (a couple of K-Max prototypes) were on hand along with a maiden flight of a Vario 429.

Smoked burgers and dogs were the lunch fair for each day and pizza at the field Saturday evening so we could fly until dark. If you’re in the north east this is an event you should attend.

Thanks to Joel Rosenzweig for putting the event together each year. Its a fantastic flying site and always a great time.

A few pictures of the machines from the weekend.

B

With Helidirect now reselling FunKey and Fusuno fuselages , I, would like to pose a question.

What makes more sense, getting a "conversion" fuselage and having to figure out which mechanics are best suited or going the Roban route and get the fuselage WITH mechanics specific to the fuselage?

I personally cannot go with Vario due to cost. But the other two options are/will be pretty close in cost and achievable. I lean towards Roban, due to the fact of being an all in one setup as opposed to getting a fuselage and adapting mechanics to it.

Just wondering what others think?

We got a pretty robust response on the call for top banner images! We have 9 or so in rotation so enjoy this set of models and be thinking of submissions for the April-May timeframe. Don't forget to also check out the Buy & Sell area. The more people who know about it, the better it works. Our Wishlist function is also a fantastic way to get an immediate notification when someone posts an item you are looking for!

First post on this forum. Haven’t flown Heli’s for over 10yrs. Decided to get into the scale game. Picked up a Roban 800 MD500D Magnum PI edition.
I am really enjoying my build and getting acquainted with heli setups again. I have been flying on the sim 2-3 times a week and it’s like riding a bike. It all comes back in a few sessions.
So far I am almost complete with the scale build side of things. Just need to mount the load line hook and a few other minor details.
At the moment…. I have built a test airframe and I am setting up the Demon 3x.
I have been taking my time with this one as I am kind of ocd. Lol Did full carpet and headliner in the interior. Had a co worker work some magic on GI Jane. Who we now call GI Dane lol. I can’t say enough about Tyler Gray Models scale detailed parts for the MD. Really sets it off and functionality at getting to electronics.

Here are some build pics.

A little while ago I had posted about adding a 5 blade head to a new Roban MD500e with TREX 500 mechanics. Well here it is all done. Just waiting on weather to test fly.

I ended up using an Egodrift 4025 1220kv motor with 14t pinion for a target of 18-1900 rpm on 6s.

After reading through the phasing article in the article section and the Brain setup software, phasing seems like it's right.

Time will tell.

Spinblades review.

Well, Where do I start?
I don't like doing this, but I don't want others to go down the same road I did, but if you do, this could happen to you.

On the 20th September 2022, I purchased a 5 blade set of Spin blades for my 60-90 Size MD500E from Germany. After looking around for a very long time at different options, and what is available on today's market, the main thing I was looking for was a scale look.

The Spinblades did it for me because they are 40mm wide blade, long and skinny like a true MD500E. I got them to cut them down to 680mm for an extra 50Euro's, I asked if they could also paint them. They advise, yes not problem for another 50 Euro. As this saves me doing it. As we all know that a 5 blades set is busy in regards to CG, Weight, and then you need to track them etc.

I was told approximately 4 weeks to have them completed and I paid DHL world express to get them fast as it was coming up to Christmas. After 6-7 week I sent Spinblades a message on What'sApp and they said yes, all going well, the blades are in the proceed of being painted and will send them out soon. I replied, Thanks sounds good. Then 3 month later I got my blades and from the photo's below you can see the lack of quality and workmanship of the Spinblades.

In summary the blades are S**t and as you can see and Spinblades won't give me my money back because they are custom built blades, ( all their blades are custom built ) They said, send them back to us at your cost and we will look at them and IF they need to be fixed we will do it, and then we will send them back to you, and you will need to pay shipping again.

I am very disappointed with the quality of these blades and they lack of service.

WT :blowup:

Sorry what?
To be honest, I dont want to send them back because what the hell am I going to get the second time around, if this is what I get as a first time customer. NOT A GOOD LOOK. The blades with shipping cost me $445USD. SO VERY DISSAPOINTING SERVICE SPINBLADES.

Looking for a few exceptional builder and pilots
!

Beginning in 2023, ScaleHeliPilot.com will be offering a new "Master Course" feature. Each course will be taught by a recognized expert in the subject they are teaching. Each course will consist of 4-10 individual video segments, which members can view at their leisure and which will ALWAYS be discoverable (unlike helpful videos posted on FB which get lost very quickly).

If you have the chops and are willing to become an expert, please contact me directly. In some cases, we will send a professional film crew out to record your segments. The minimum commitment is ONE full course.

Here is a link to the application:

Hi Scale Pilots,
have had the following experiences. Perhaps one or the other already knows or takes it for granted.
Namely the following:
When starting up the heli, I sometimes had a slight shaking up to the nominal speed and then vibrations in flight. I don't tighten the rotor blades too much, just enough so that there is resistance.
Interestingly, the phenomenon wasn't always 🤷‍♂️.
In any case, I finally figured out that the blades were still too tight.
So the leaves couldn't align themselves 100% I'll say again, they were always nice and flexible, not fully slammed 😉
Tests have shown that the looser the better. But too loose is also not good as the blades could fold in during assembly or transport to launch site etc.
Michael Rösener and I then developed the "Blade BlockerV3" 💪
In combination with the Vario Scale head and M Blades, a simple component was created that serves as a stop. The leaves only have enough slack to align themselves. Pre-run or post-run depending on the blade type must be observed.
In the meantime I leave the leaves quite loose. No vibrations, shaking or anything else when starting up, as it should be😊
Everything was inconspicuous in the air, actually more than perfect😍
Michael also tested the BladeBlockerV3 on his Big Lama and was really excited👍😊
The BladeBlockerV3 is from the 3D printer. In the middle there is a thread for a screw to press out.
The assembly is easy, just push in 😉
Maybe one or the other has the same problem 🙏😊
I'm from Austria and use the Google translator if the English doesn't fit 😉

Roban 800 Huey. My first Scale Heli. I was flying a Trex 450 and decided to take the plunge. Finally learned how to nose in hover the Trex so I have the Huey a go. Steep learning curve. Got some great help from friendly experts.

I made a test rig from some snow skis I built for a plane project. After that flew I stuck the mechanics in the fuse. Looks so nice in the air.

Running -2°/9° pitch curve with gov set to 1250/1350/1450 in idle up. Hovering the motor gets hot but with forward flight and the doors open, it's barely warm after 6 minutes of flying. That's about all my nerves can take right now as I'm learning.

Definitely have to be proactive on the throttle/pitch.

I'm eager to learn how to fly it in a more scale manor.

Still dialing it in but tons of fun. Might repaint it in a proper dark green color. But gonna learn to fly it first.

Any advice is appreciated!

Roban 800 Kit
Promodeler DS630BLHV on Cyclic/Collective
Promodeler DS135BLHV on tail rotor
Bevarian 3X gyro
align 750MX 530kv motor
Castle 160amp ESC
FRSKY X20S Radio
FRSKY TD10 RX with TDMX satellite 2.4/900mhz
Pulse 3800mah 2S Life for radio
Jetti 1300mah 2S life for lights, fans, pilots
The RC Geek random servo motion generator
Warbirdpilots.com 1:7 scale pilots

Some videos here

https://youtu.be/InK0uNjfgZc

https://youtu.be/ktz0rZqvFh0

https://youtu.be/xmB94JCB9lc

Thank for looking. You can follow me on
Instagram: balsadust_enterprises
TikTok: balsadustenterprises
YouTube: BalsaDust_Enterprises
Reddit: BalsaDust

The decades old Warbirds Over The Rockies event, hosted by Brian O’Meara, handed out an award, for the first time ever, to a scale helicopter! Best Post WWII went to my recently acquired HeliClassics Mi-171, which I flew in front of a jam-packed crowd at Arvada Associated Modelers field in Colorado.

What is remarkable to me is the fascination and interest by grizzled jet veterans! More of us need to show up at these events and expose the cool models we fly. I think we can grow this segment of the hobby just by revealing what is possible. There are many skilled pilots in the US who can turn heads with their models and flying skills.