New to Helicopters

[wherndon]

Just ordered a Esky Belt CP from www.xheli.co (http://www.xheli.co) which should arrive Monday 6/16/08.

Q - What are the most common spare repair parts that I should have on hand incase of a mishap?

Q - Who do you recommend ordering the parts from?

Q - What about spare batteries? Do I have to purchase batteries with the exact same specifcations it came with? ie 11.1V 1800mAh 20C Li-Po
Is there a more powerful battery that would work ok?

Q - Has anyone used the "Exceed RS Flight Simulator software that xheli.com sells?

I sure hope I made a good choice buying the Belt CP!

[tom dubya]

Well first, yes for the price it is a very capable heli, great value for the money. First thing you want to change though are the main blades. The esky ones are just crap. Get some align 315 pro woodies, some mods will need to be done with them(look in our sticky section) but they are very simple. Here is a list of spares you might want to pick up.
1. feathering shafts(most crashes will bend these)
2. main gear(most crashes will strip these)
3.main blades
4.tail boom
I would read though all of the stickys though, there are lots of better parts that you can change out on the belt vs some of the stock ones. The belt flys fine stock ,but why not replace something with a better part if you can for relatively the same price.

I order most of my parts from http://store.rcsupersales.net or http://www.helidirect.com/. Rcsupersales offers free shipping on orders $95 and above. Slickzero.com also has 1.95 shipping available. But there are plenty more.

As far as the batteries go i do believe you need to stay with the 11.1 v but you can up the mah. Others will chime in here to answer that one better.

Happy flying and take it slow, get some training gear on.

[Ian 777]

Hi wherndon:thumbup:

Welcome to an exellent forum. Getting started in helis is so much easier with the support and experience of those who have already been through it to help you.

I second everything Tom sayes. With the Belt a good set up is very important, I know they are supposed to be Rtf, but sometimes they need tweaking to really work properly
and fighting a badly set up heli can make it really hard to progress in the early stages (well any time really)

Have a good look through the setup stickies and make sure every thing is as it should be, and dont hesitate to ask if your not sure about anything. There are some very knowledgable.

With the batteries there is a vast range available you can use, but generally use those of 1800 MAH and over with not less than 15C dischage rate. Also those of more than 2400 MAH with over 25C discharge rate will probably be too big to fit in the battery compartment and may the extra weight will tend to eat up the extra MAH . 2200 MAH / 20C Is a goood size, but check the weights and dimensions before you buy.

All the best:)

Ian