Training Gear

[plpflyboy]

I have a 60 size heli and am looking to start begining to learn how to fly i was wondering about the best type of training gear to get. I've looked into the basic woden dowels and plactic balls and also the roto pod. Does anyone know which is the better choice or have any opinions on what to use? Any help would be appriciated Thanks and Happy flying

[broke-again]

Make your own and save your money. Use carbon rods and golf practice balls.

[heli-cuzz]

Use wiffle balls for a 60 sized heli, carbon, fiberglass, or wood rods, and a wooden dowel. Make sure the holes in the dowel are at a slight angle downwards. This will help the balance.

[plpflyboy]

OK so im going to make my own but how long should the rods extend past the skids im working with a hirobo X-spec and have no clue on this training gear stuff. Does anyone make a set of plans that comes with a list of materials needed? Thanks for the help by the way ill get this figured out soon and hopefully get flying.

[tdswan]

Here's a pic of the rotopod addatched to a Raptor 50. The arms stick out quite a ways.

[SAAB-o-matic]

I made mine from some PVC pipe I got from my local hardware store (1 inch diameter I think). I layed them out in an "X" and screwed them through the center with a washer between the pipes so they can slide apart. I put some pvc end caps on the pipe and attached some wifle balls on the end. I then wire tied them to the top of the skids. It worked out very well.
As for the size, I copied a set of carbon fiber training gear I had bought (and snapped). Total lenght from side to side was about 2 feet. That was for a .30 size chopper. You can always got to a online catalog and search for training gear and steal the dimensions from that to make you own. Good Luck!

[plpflyboy]

Thanks for all of the help! And Tdswan how did the roto pod work? Im wondering if its worth the xtra money or if i should just go ahead and make my way down to the hardware store and make my own. All the help on here is very helpful and thanks again everyone.

[tdswan]

I started on a bit of a shoestring budget....The money was there, but I was looking to cut cost so that the other half wouldn't get too nervous when I told her what it was costing. The rotopod I used was borrowed, but even if a guy bought one and got his money's worth out of it, you could easily eBay it off and recoop most of the damages.

My honest opinion of the rotopod....I loved it! It works well for those harder "panic" landings because of how springy it was. Crossed sticks won't cusion those. The design allowed it to easily slide on the ground which is a big plus depending on where your skills are when you start. The only problem I ran into with it was that I had a leg fall out once just because it was in need of a minor repair (being used). I was lucky enough not to have it tip over when I brought it down and I was sure to give each leg a tug before each flying session after that. Honestly, the rotopod will make learning quite a bit easier if you can swallow the 60 bucks it costs from the start. The drawback, you'll never use it again once you get into forward flight, but again, you can always sell it.

If it's just a small electric you're dealing with, you can always make a set, but for the 30/50's and above, the rotopod is the way to go.

[team222badbrad]

I just started flying four days ago. I purchased a brand new Rotopod of ebay for $54 shipped.

I know they are expensive, but I now have 5 1/2 tanks without a crash. Tank #4 was flown by Heli-Cuzz without the Rotopod and the rest of the tanks by myself with the Rotopod.

I am pretty sure that the blades would have been into the ground by now if it wasn't for the Rotopod. I have not really had any hard lands just a several loss of orientation and wind "plop downs". I have been practicing on inclined surfaces too which does not help.

Yesterday I also accidentally flipped my Idle up 2 on and the since the blade pitch was negative the whole Rotopod flexed to the ground.

The only problems with the Rotopod I have had so far is that it took me a long time to put together. I had to sand the legs forever to get them to fit in the central hub. The Rotopod also causes my helicopter to wobble once you get moving around in the air.

Helicopter on Rotopod Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcYtl_l_AcA)

[heli-cuzz]

Nice clear pic of your hirobobradness, brad. Looking at the video, I remember those days. :) Take your time with it until you feel comforatable. You don't need the yelling in the background, C'mon Brad!
That'll do more harm than good. Nice job, try leaning your high speed needle two clicks. She was still sounding a bit rich.

Brian

[plpflyboy]

It looks like the roto pod works well. Now the question is does anyone have a used one for sale that will fit a 60 size bird? If not im off to heli proz.

[superflyer]

Did you guys get together and fly or something?

[heli-cuzz]

Yeah, brad met up with me last sunday. :cool: We helped him dial his heli in. He had minor issues with the rudder and engine tuning. We're probably gonna get together this weekend tear up the skies. :)

[heli-cuzz]

It looks like the roto pod works well. Now the question is does anyone have a used one for sale that will fit a 60 size bird? If not im off to heli proz.

I looked around, didn't see anything. I like heliproz :cool:

[helipilot2]

I use the helimax floats. They are a lot cheaper than the roto-pod. I extended the stock legs with aluminum from Home depot about 5" to obtain a wider area...
Plus you will not like a newbie at the field.. :D

Helimax-sells both sizess. 30-50

Good luck!!

[plpflyboy]

I bit the bullit and ordered the roto pod now i have just about everything to get going. Now if the guy that was gonna help me would just make some time to teach me. So excited :D