Any Experience with the 60-ST?

[RLM]

I have a X-Cell 60 ST with an OS 70 SXH engine that my wife bought me over a year ago. I started building it, but basically got concerned that the cost of repair from learning on such a machine, with all the metal parts, was going to be $$$. So, I went out and bought a Raptor 30 kit to learn on. That one is almost ready to fly. I am going to be using JR 8103 radio and a JR G550(?) gyro.

But I really want to get back to getting the 60 ST ready. The LHS where I bought the kit no longer does helis (the shop is actually for sale) and the few heli pilots I have talked to around here all say that it is too much for a first-machine. One of them even suggested that I should just sell the X-Cell kit. (Not!!)

I found a pilot that said he would help me with the Raptor and I have been practicing on the simulator using the Raptor model included there. But the clubs around my house (NE of Atlanta) don't seem to have much heli membership and have a lot of heli restrictions. SO I am not sure how this is going to go.

Any suggetions or experiences on using the 60 ST to learn on? I looked at the MA website forums and there are no posts under the 60ST product forum. So I am hoping someone here has had firsthand experience with this kit.

[ChrisS]

I am moving this to the glow heli section.

Chris

[bighands3d]

You made the right choice the Raptor for a beginner machine. That older X-cell is a great machine. Just depends on the flying style you will get into later. If I'm not mistaken that kit is stacked frames and not sure about the tail rotor drive if it's a wire or TTube style.

I would not recomend flying the X-cell until your truly comforatable with the Raptor. It is a more $$ machine but the feel of it is like a cadilac.

There are several people up North of ATL that will be able to help you. The Mcdonough Field or the guys from CCRC in Cobb county.
They might not want to fool with the JR Radio Since that is FUTABA Country up there. Me I'm a JR fan. The 550 gryo is and older one I think they work pretty well for what you are going be doing to start out with. You might want to change up later.

[mudbogger2]

There are a lot of heli pilots in your area. I have chartered a heli club for this area but we are still looking for a field to lease. I can also help you with setup if needed.

[DavidH]

RLM,
The XL 60 ST is a fine machine. It is probably the less expensive of the MA helis to repair. The stacked metal frames are not expensive. The ST uses a torque tube. All the MA helis use torque tubes to drive the tail rotor.

If the hobby shop that your referring to is Winder Hobbies. I know the person that bought the shop. His name is James Roberson, he is well versed in helis, especially MA helis. James flies full scale helis for someone in Atlanta area. James is very knowledgeable of the hobby shop business. He owned a hobby shop in Sevierville,TN for a few years.
The name of the shop is Main Rotor Hobbies
1141 Atlanta Hwy,NW
Auburn,GA 30011
770-868-4451

Give the shop a call and talk to James. He can help you get the 60 ST flying great.
I have flown and set up several 60 ST's, they all flew great.
In my opinion the 60ST will fly much better than the 30 you have and will be easier to learn on.

David

[RLM]

If this is the 'James' I think it is, he is the one that sold me the 60ST from over at Winder. Last time I talked to him he was flying MedFlights out of Gwinnett.

I have not been over to Winder in a few weeks, but last time I was there Mark still had the rest of the shop for sale, but all the heli stuff was gone.

Did James but the whole shop, or just the heli part?

[RLM]

There are a lot of heli pilots in your area. I have chartered a heli club for this area but we are still looking for a field to lease. I can also help you with setup if needed.

Thanks for the offer Jon. I may take you up on that. I live pretty close to you. I am at I-85 and the Hamilton Mill exit. I will sure need the help.

I had heard someon was trying to get a club together around here. Where are you flying at now?

[mudbogger2]

Actually James is starting a new shop. May have bought some of the heli stuff from winder but not everything. The winder hobby shop is being sold to someone else. I was told the new owner was a plank/heli pilot as well.
That is the James that David is speaking of though.