Used conversion? Worth it?

[MKlinkerRC]

Hey everyone-

I'm an 18 yr old kid who has been flying planes for a while, and got into heli's this summer. I've gotten pretty good with the 450 and now have a 500.

I think I may want to convert it to nitro... as I have some nitro gear from a nitro plane I have. I like the idea of the nitro because i can bring a gallon of fuel to a field and fly for hours... not a half hour with the 3 batteries that i have...

I am seriously considering it. However being a high school kid I could barely afford the 500 as it was. Would you guys recommend me trying to find a used 500 conversion kit or is that risky in terms of a worn engine/etc? The new conversion kit w/ motor and muffler is PRICEY.

What do you guys think? I also don't know much about governors and all that fancy kind of stuff...

Thanks -

Mike

PS if any of you have a conversion kit laying around... :)

PSS I was just admitted to MIT!!!!! I want to study Aero engineering. Planes and helis has inspired me! :thumbup:

[Finless]

Buying used is always a hit and miss... Sometimes it's fine other times not especially a used engine as you really have no way of knowing it's condition unless you absolutely trust the seller that the motor is in good shape!

For the Trex500 nitro I would make sure it's an OS .37 nothing smaller. Also your airplane fuel wont be the best. You really need 30% nitro HELI fuel.

Bob

[MKlinkerRC]

Buying used is always a hit and miss... Sometimes it's fine other times not especially a used engine as you really have no way of knowing it's condition unless you absolutely trust the seller that the motor is in good shape!

For the Trex500 nitro I would make sure it's an OS .37 nothing smaller. Also your airplane fuel wont be the best. You really need 30% nitro HELI fuel.

Bob

Yeah I was referring to the fuel pumps and starting equipment.

(Thanks finless!)

[banzai37]

This is a bit off-topic, but ..

Congratulations on getting into MIT. I'm a course 16, Aero-Astro alum.

When you arrive, I'd suggest you check out the UROP (undergraduate research) program. This gives you a huge opportunity to get involved with professors, senior students, and cool projects. There are several ongoing unmanned aerial vehicle projects like this one:
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/helicopters-1203.html?tr=y&auid=5734571

These projects are built by the students and they need people skilled in building models, understanding flight controls, and, in many cases, they need test pilots.

Good luck!
- Ben
MIT SB, SM

[freewheel510]

Congrats on getting into MIT! Hope that all goes well for you.

I'm lurking around trying to learn stuff, but your PPS caught my attention. Remember the Yogi Berra quote "When you come to a fork in the road, take it."

Good luck,

Chris