Training gear

[n1lul]

Hey,

I was just starting to get into FF with no training gear on my Raptor 30 before I lost my field and sold everything about 18 months ago. My recent time on the Phoenix sim indicates that that is still about where I am skill wise.

I am finishing up my Lepton (what a BEAUTIFUL machine!!) and am thinking that I should have training gear on her for until I get everything dialed in and my knees stop shaking every time she leaves the ground.

Anyone have any idea what size gear would be best since she is bigger than a trex but smaller than a .30 size?

I can eye ball a set about the right size and make my own from arrow shafts and wiffle balls, but if there is a commercial set out there, that would probably be best.

Thanks

Ray

[nogod]

considering the cost of parts maybe you should consider a different heli for a trainer. maybe a T-Rex.

[z11355]

he was already able to FF a Rap30 before he shelved it.

I'm not aware of a commercial training gear in that size. You need to keep it
pretty light. I'd recommend arrow shafts, wooden dowel or FG driveway poles
and whiffle balls in either hardball or softball size. Just rubberband them to
the landing gear. Dont make them too long. This isn't rocketscience.

[docjoe]

My Lepton with the 4S setup has so much power (much more than a 30 sized heli). I would make sure that you try to keep your headspeed low when you're first starting to hover it. I have various different helis and when I first spooled up my Lepton, it was awesome and stable, then I put it into idle up (about 2600 head speed) and because I had a defective gyro, it didn't hold well. I brought the heli down with considerable force on asphalt. Broke the Logo 10 skids I originally had on them (you should be fine with the stock ones which are much better) and scraped the blades.

My point is that depending on your setup, it may be a little more twitchy than your Raptor 30. Also, I would recommend using a SIM if you don't have one already to get your flying reflexes back. As was stated earlier, you don't want to use this as a trainer heli due to the crash costs.

[n1lul]

Well, I thought I would get some grief, but I asked the question anyway.

As they say "this is not my first rodeo" I have been flying RC for over 20 years. My first heli was a Schluter Champion back in the 80's. Most of my RC time has been spent flying open class sailplanes, but I have dabbled in just about all forms of the hobby.

I choose the Lepton over the Trex for on reason- Quality! Everything I read on Helifreak lead my to make the decision that the Lepton was the best engineered small heli out there. The cost of spares is not a huge concern, I know well that if you fly (anything) you will put it in eventually. I am prepared to keep her flying as my skills progress. I am putting in a LOT of time on the sim. Excellent learning tool.

I want to thank everyone out there for all of the great info on this heli. I know I will have a blast with her.

Ray

[Voyager]

Ray,

The Lepton is a great choice. If you use a lower head speed, it's a good stable machine. A little harder to fly than the Trex 450 but more predictable due to the better quality so in some ways, its actually easier to fly.

Just enjoy it.

... Rob