Difference between shaft and belt driven tail

[Eric C.]

What are some advantages and disadvantages to the shaft and belt driven assemblies?

[DebianDog]

I am very familiar with this TODAY! Stupid belt drive in my 600.
All my other helis are shaft drive / Torque Tube (same thing)

Belt:Pros
Cheaper
Cheaper to crash (it will probably be fine)

Belt:Negatives
Rubbing/Static possibility
Adjusting it - Belt Jumping
It will wear out

Shaft: Pros
Smooth
Reliable

Shaft:Negatives
It will almost always snap in a crash
More Expensive

[capebob]

In addition to what Dan said, torque tube drives are a little more efficient than belt drives. Gear drag is partly influenced by the number of gear teeth engaged in the drive train at any one time. The number of gear teeth engaged in a belt drive system is much larger than the number of teeth engaged in a torque tube drive system. True, the difference is small, but it's real.

Bob

[bullaculla]

elevated belt drive tails are worse!