First flight of my new Vario Lama SA 315 B 1:4
First flight with my new Lama👍
First flight with my new Lama👍
Hello, my fellow pilots. Today, I tried dropping an RC glider from an RC helicopter. It worked. Does it make sense? Probably not. But it was an interesting experiment. I flew in full manual acro mode, and at a higher altitude, I switched to GPS mode. This made it possible to fly to high altitudes.
I hope you like the video. It`s just for entertainment.
Hello fellow RC flying enthusiasts. What do you think of the new Noro-Ion flight batteries? Or in other words, what`s your experience with them? I managed to get over 15 minutes of flight time with my Blade 230S microheli UH-1 scale heli. With LiPos, the maximum was 6–8 minutes. So I`m happy for now. Has anyone else had experience with scale heli flying using these new Li-Ion cells?
You can...
Hello fellow RC flying enthusiasts. What do you think of the new Noro-Ion flight batteries? Or in other words, what`s your experience with them? I managed to get over 15 minutes of flight time with my Blade 230S microheli UH-1 scale heli. With LiPos, the maximum was 6–8 minutes. So I`m happy for now. Has anyone else had experience with scale heli flying using these new Li-Ion cells?
You can watch the full 15min flight video here if you wan`t:
Happy new year...
It's not only nose-in or turning inside, it's scale flight at its best with the scale helicopter in all of it's full scale brother attitudes. It's quite easy with practice on standard tail helis (raised or straight) which have much better tail authority. Last summer I flew my new 1/6 Vario H145 which is a modified EC-145 with a Vario 10 blade fenestron. The new fenestron is...
Happy new year...
It's not only nose-in or turning inside, it's scale flight at its best with the scale helicopter in all of it's full scale brother attitudes. It's quite easy with practice on standard tail helis (raised or straight) which have much better tail authority. Last summer I flew my new 1/6 Vario H145 which is a modified EC-145 with a Vario 10 blade fenestron. The new fenestron is lighter and a lot more efficient than the old 8 blade or 9 blade Roban. And easily adaptable since it has the same form factor as Align. But I dont use either and against all detractors mine flies perfectly with a belt drive. The new fenestron does not bring tail authority to levels attainable with standard tail blades but provides enough for most circumstances. Although it's still a light wind flier. So far I have built 4 fenestron scale, two H130, one H145 and the latest one a 600 size Gazelle (with the old 8 blade and CW blades), I will complete setup this year. I intend to build a 3rd H130 with the 10 blade Vario for this summer also.
https://youtu.be/mJ8nn5DdGQs?si=t0U6CKuQK_DpS-sf
https://youtu.be/zPySNsuKMVg?si=1RCE34gi1EM3aEpd
https://youtu.be/qx-QkmtXhxI?si=nG3i9noape3gaevX
https://youtu.be/Uiz6wcz_BCA?si=C6CWJOwLu5P8Kg9A
This very much outlines last season...
For 2026, I have the Vario 520n on the work bench. I ordered a 1/4.5 R22 from my friend at RVE, I should get in a few days and, will build a 5th H130. All to explore and improve orientation flight for scale.
Have great new flying season and remember if they stay on the shelf, your skills are not improving.
With experience, well built and fine tuned helicopter, once can gain confidence and team up, like with a horse. Find my video, where I let it go almost every time once given the direction. Just smooth inputs to tell the intention. Per example, the high speed low passage over the field was done with almost no correction once altitude settled by ground effect. Just let it go, until deciding to quit...
With experience, well built and fine tuned helicopter, once can gain confidence and team up, like with a horse. Find my video, where I let it go almost every time once given the direction. Just smooth inputs to tell the intention. Per example, the high speed low passage over the field was done with almost no correction once altitude settled by ground effect. Just let it go, until deciding to quit the manoeuver.
I'm looking forward to saying goodbye to winter and flying again in the coming season 🤩👍🤗
MD500 Defender
After purchasing the kit from a friend here in Australia in Sept 2024, I spent many hours isolating a very bad vibration, it was 80 on the Ikon vib scale, I eventually found the problem and fixed it, on the way improved the tail gear mesh, balanced the blades. The net result was the highest vib is now the motor at 1-1.5 on the Ikon scale. I was never ever happy with the kit lights, so upgraded...
After purchasing the kit from a friend here in Australia in Sept 2024, I spent many hours isolating a very bad vibration, it was 80 on the Ikon vib scale, I eventually found the problem and fixed it, on the way improved the tail gear mesh, balanced the blades. The net result was the highest vib is now the motor at 1-1.5 on the Ikon scale. I was never ever happy with the kit lights, so upgraded them with a AR light kit, with a SX5 style search light, a big improvement. The video is my 10th flight with the model, since certification as required here in Australia as the model is 9.1 kg, models over 7 kg need to be inspected.
The slight wobble on take off was me trying to find the switch assigned to the lights. I’m getting 8 min on 12S5000.45C @ 1070 rpm with around 45% remaining, so could increase the flight time. A bit more practice to smooth out my flying🤞

Tip: I use a 4K camera + onboard Insta360 to analyze vibration status at ground and in flight, and zooming with video editing software (some patterns are not necessarily
detected by FBL unit vibration detection feature). Also, whole fuselage must be sharp when scrutiny pictures taken with 200mm lens (aperture and shot speed are important). Budy needed!
Typically, the pilot might only notice tail vibration as very visible and focus on it, but can be another problem; watch my slo mo vid revealing both head and tail behaviors. All the rest well balanced such as blades, shafts are straight and no hard landing/crash.
Here the upper side of the mechanic isn't correctly attached to the fuselage, which allows an oscillation (not really a vibration). Added afterwards more carbon rods connecting to the upper fuselage structure, plus 6mm alu tubes, bended accordingly available doghouse space. Worked perfectly.
Just one example of possible cause of vibration or oscillation and how can be checked.
https://youtu.be/A0fADnsNXnE?si=LeOyl4HiiwbxD8Fa
Let's have some fun after concreting a new grill at my club
With SAB Comet mechanics and using the same ratios as the HSM8, the helicopter is perfectly flyable but not for the novice. Unfortunately Roban's instructions are so bad they started urban legends.
After 10 years of building scale helis using belts, it works!

Hi Romeo, It's been a long time since we last had a chat. I am now back in the hobby after a 4-5 year lay off and really look forward to getting back into Scale. I sold my Starwood Lama when I left the hobby and have since picked up a Vario Baby Lama which I hope to maiden this week. I also hope to get my Starwood Lama back, just working out the final details.
I have seen a number of your videos and have to say I am quite impressed relative to your mechanic conversions to Pod&Boom setups plus belted tails. Good work!
This document contains drawings and descriptions of each flight maneuver under AMA Rule 518. Thanks to Mark Smith for updating and illustrating this new version!

Love the film!! The pilot view is perfect!
First decent day with time off from work so took advantage of the weather and took TIKI out to the club.

You flyin’ boy!!
Vario Helicopter 50 Years Anniversary
Vario Helicopter 50th Anniversary Celebration
Vario Turbine Lama 1/4 scale
Vario Helicopter 50th anniversary celebration
1/4 scale H135 electric
Vario Helicopter 50th anniversary celebration
Opening ceremony
Vario Helicopter 50th anniversary celebration
1/6 scale 206 Jet Ranger
Vario Helicopter 50th Anniversary Celebration
1/4 scale Turbine Lama performing multiple smooth bambibucket water drops
The weather finally got nice! This video shows me practicing slow, controlled flight. Nothing fancy. Just fundamentals. Still knocking the rust off. I have found over the years that the less I think about HOW I am executing a maneuver the better it is and the MORE I think about it, the more I screw it up!
Our field is not great for large machines so I tend not to wring it out. Doing that leads...
The weather finally got nice! This video shows me practicing slow, controlled flight. Nothing fancy. Just fundamentals. Still knocking the rust off. I have found over the years that the less I think about HOW I am executing a maneuver the better it is and the MORE I think about it, the more I screw it up!
Our field is not great for large machines so I tend not to wring it out. Doing that leads to more violent inputs at field flight boundaries. For some, this style is boring. For me, it’s an exercise in focus. Yes, tail needs right trim. 😆 Video is unedited. HeliClassics Mi-171.
I discovered a video from 2022. It's always nice when memories like this come across by chance 😁
Blade 230 Smart Heli🚁 with Microheli UH-1 Scale body and ⚠️functional⚠️ Bambi Bucket!‼️ 🚁💦🔥 Here is the link to my youtube video:
If you like Longline rc-helicopter content then check out my other rc-helicopter scale longline videos

If you don’t want to change the YouTube settings, just upload the original video to the post and nobody can embed it.
Flying over the water is really a special feeling I'd recommend to anyone.

Hi Uwe, here is my home made adapter, as you requested. Took some time to keep it simple and find ideal dampening so the software can best process accordingly - see settings below.
From the top:
- fir wood glued to fuselage
- thin carbon plate cut from small heli battery tray
- dampeners and plate from cheap drone - must be not to much soft!
- left and right hand made arms to attach insta360 support
Camera settings:
- PRO mode to record gyro data
- Angle: Near or as you like
Insta360 Studio software export settings:
FOV: Near or as you like
FlowState: enabled, type FPV (using gyro data)
ColorPlus: enabled 30%
TrueAudio: disabled

Me at Geneva Lake doing too tight Flare and descend as approaching the beach. Detected potential risk: managed forward transition with smoothly reducing pitch, to not overload disk/turbine and avoid entering Vortex.

Nice flying!
MD 500 Defender - Saarland Airshow
TRNC Flag & MD500E
Vario Day 2023 R22
Check out this very nice 1/4 Vario R22 built and flown by pilot Sammy saenen
Vario Day 2023 : Baby Lama
Check out the first flight of the just released 600 size Baby Lama flown by pilot Philip Noi
Check out this very nice Vario 1/5 BK117 built and flown by pilot Philipp Koeppen
Check out the Vario prototype 1/7.5 “BIG” Chinook designed and built by Stefan Reusch
Check out the Vario 1/5 Bell 429 flown by pilot Sammy Saenen

Zermatt rules over there.
Check out the Vario Aouloette 2 expertly built and flown by pilot Francis Paduwat
Vario Day 2023 : BO 105
Check out the acrobatics performed by pilot Stefan Reusch
10 years ago when I came back to the hobby I set myself two goals, stand-off scale, and slow flight or should I say scale flight? I just don't see a 1/7 scale doing 70 mph. That's almost 500 mph, a helicopter lol? I tried 450 to 700 sizes (I'm just new to 800 and it's even easier). I find the 450-500 size marginal for everyday wx but they are great indoors or on a calm day. The 600 size is a...
10 years ago when I came back to the hobby I set myself two goals, stand-off scale, and slow flight or should I say scale flight? I just don't see a 1/7 scale doing 70 mph. That's almost 500 mph, a helicopter lol? I tried 450 to 700 sizes (I'm just new to 800 and it's even easier). I find the 450-500 size marginal for everyday wx but they are great indoors or on a calm day. The 600 size is a good compromise between visibility and cost but I prefer 700, it's even easier to see. I try to keep the weight around 15lbs (7kg) for my back lol. 800 is a stretch but it will fit in my small car once the blades are removed. Cost also is a factor so I capped my builds to 3-4K$. Reliability can impair concentration and progress so I opted for the most reliable I could find. I looked at 3D helis because they are very rugged. If they can stand 2500 rpm, my guess is they would be ok at half the head speed. Parts availability and costs are important factors also. So I went with SAB. It was not easy at first but after 15 builds I got the hang of it. They are extremely reliable, smooth, and run silently because they use belts and 2-stage gearing. It's important because beauty is not only skin deep for me. It has to run to my liking. I love the good old days but prefer the newer technology: latest motor/esc, controller system with telemetry, and FCU (for easy programming). I had to learn all that too. Motor for efficiency, telemetry for diagnostics, and FBL for precision. I spent hours on those and it paid off. A properly set heli almost flies by itself and makes progress easier. I also managed to stretch my flying times to almost 10 minutes with my 700 size on 4100 12s packs. But I find 7 to 8 ideal and it's in the first minutes I feel most progress is made, the rest of the flight I enjoy. I practice one maneuver at a time until it's dialed into my brain (no pun lol). I figure one day I will be able to do a complete scale flight of 8 minutes. It takes time it's there that lies the fun.
I'm a "noob" when it comes to scale flying but....I want to collect the following helicopters in "800-size":
Airwolf Bell 222
Redwolf Bell 222
Santini Air Bell JetRanger206
Of course, all three of the above helicopters are from the 1984-1986 series "Airwolf" and I'm a huge, huge, huge fan of the show. Even if I don't wind up actually flying these behemonths/beasts, they will still be nice conversational pieces.

Michael, thanks for starting this build story! I look forward to future chapters.
Kamov K32 in Northern CA
Flying in high winds are just a part of it.

Quite so! Here in Colorado, it's a given. 10-16 is standard!
The Kamov K32 can be fast!
1/4 scale (8ft) Bell 407 Electric 12s 11000 MAH (8 mins flight) kontronik Kosmik 200 Hacker 195KV motor. 1250 MM metal blades 850 head speed. The authentic sound is due to the combination of blade size and head speed. The flights were for setup/check prior to digital camo paint scheme. This will be transformed into an attack helicopter with twin 134 mini guns and rocket launchers animated pilot...
1/4 scale (8ft) Bell 407 Electric 12s 11000 MAH (8 mins flight) kontronik Kosmik 200 Hacker 195KV motor. 1250 MM metal blades 850 head speed. The authentic sound is due to the combination of blade size and head speed. The flights were for setup/check prior to digital camo paint scheme. This will be transformed into an attack helicopter with twin 134 mini guns and rocket launchers animated pilot and door gunner. It will be ready early spring 2023 and will be available for sale @heliworkshop.com
Testing the snorkel system on the Kamov KA-32 with a Jeti sequence for crane and winch.

Nice build, specially the CG optimized Lipo position. Impressive features at the front gun.
Heliclassics! Wow!
Recently Horizon Hobby came out with their new Realflight 9.5S. If your like me, you want to upgrade. But I also saw a lot of questions saying “how do I upgrade from realflight 9.5 to 9.5S?”. I will show you how in this video:
THIS IS ALL FOR FREE
You will only need your reaflight pin number in the back of your disc case.
I recently just opened this channel RC channel and trying to help it grow...
Recently Horizon Hobby came out with their new Realflight 9.5S. If your like me, you want to upgrade. But I also saw a lot of questions saying “how do I upgrade from realflight 9.5 to 9.5S?”. I will show you how in this video:
THIS IS ALL FOR FREE
You will only need your reaflight pin number in the back of your disc case.
I recently just opened this channel RC channel and trying to help it grow 😁
If you guys have any questions please let me know!!

Excellent!
Hello everyone. I am new to rc helicopters. have been using realflight to train some and have been thinking on making the jump to an actual heli. thinking on going to a align 450 or 500 size. any suggestions for a newbie would be very helpful.

I've been flying helis for 20+ years. START SLOWLY. I hovered 6 inches above the ground with training sticks for months! My instructor emphasized the importance of controlled hovering in all orientations before ever venturing into forward flight. Forward flight is easy if you've flown planes. Hovering 270 degrees nose in and keeping it there is challenging. Get those maneuvers down before you start zipping around. The simulator is great for orientation training. A glow or electric 600+ size heli is the best in my opinion because it is more stable than a smaller craft.
got out and did some flying at an airplane event over Memorial Day....Good to get out with some people!!!
Honestly, we are living in an age now where we can fly a technology packed helicopter for the same price or less than eating out at a decent restaurant. Enter, this amazing RC Helicopter - http://bit.ly/3qh79MX
The Eachine E130 comes in under $100 (by quite a bit) even with 3 total flight batteries! With flight assistance like Flight Stabilization, and now even altitude hold, it really doesn't...
Honestly, we are living in an age now where we can fly a technology packed helicopter for the same price or less than eating out at a decent restaurant. Enter, this amazing RC Helicopter - http://bit.ly/3qh79MX
The Eachine E130 comes in under $100 (by quite a bit) even with 3 total flight batteries! With flight assistance like Flight Stabilization, and now even altitude hold, it really doesn't get any easier to learn to fly RC Helicopters! Remember too, that this RC is completely RTF (Ready To Fly) at this price point, which is why our minds are vey happily blown! Be sure to check out our full flight video linked below over on YouTube @ TheRcSaylors where we very proudly currently have over 275,000 Subscribers and are 100% Family Friendly!
Check out this rc helicopter here: http://bit.ly/3qh79MX
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