Which training gear?

[Mart61]

I'm gonna head out later today to my LHS to pick up some training gear for my T-rex 500.

I'm not on the scrounge for a set but just wondered if there was a particularly good or most suitable set for the 500?

I have an "old" set that came with the vintage heli I posted details on earlier but, to say the least, it's quite big and bulky. I want something nice and light, easy to fit and that has as little affect on the flight characteristics as possible.

What should I go for? Any recommendations?

[squeaky pete]

get some carbon rods mart, say 6mm solid tube, get some ping pongs on the end and used fueltube to hold the balls in place, use i chunky elastic band tight in the centre to hold it and cable tie or elastic abdn it to the skid! robust and ultra light!!

[Mart61]

Thanks Pete. Is there a protocol regarding the diameter of the gear, i.e. should be equal to the diameter of the rotor blades, or 1.25 times, 1.5 times?

[squeaky pete]

to big and it will vibe (alot) i never had a training gear on my 500, but for my blade, it was a 1/4 smaller than my blade dia. as i got better the training gear shrunk to nothingness!

[glen_j]

i used garden rods wich are much cheaper than carbon ones when i made my training gear

[squeaky pete]

garden rod will snap!!! costing more in the long run!!! lol

[Ayrobat]

PM me your address Martin, I have a lightweight set that'll fit the 500.

Pete.

[Mart61]

Many thanks Pete. Just PM'd you.

[squeaky pete]

Many thanks Pete. Just PM'd you.

what did i do???? lmao!!

[Mart61]

Two pete's on the same thread! Spooky!

Update:

Just been out in the garage and found this training set pictured below. They may be a little large and/or heavy. The diameter is about 117cm (my 500 is 97cm). They weigh about 220 grams.

Do you think they'd be OK if I cut them down a little?

[squeaky pete]

fine,cut it down!! all its doing is giving you a larger landing area!

[Mart61]

It's just the 220 grams bit. Wonder what the weight of the CF ones are?

[squeaky pete]

it will be fine mate, that heli cld lift a bag of potatoes!!! lol!!!!

[Mart61]

Well I just cut them down a smidgeon such that the diameter of the gear is almost exactly the diameter of the rotor blades. They now weigh almost exactly 200 grams.

Another step closer!

[squeaky pete]

job done mate, now fix them on the skids and away you go!!! try and use elastis bands to hold it on, with a cable tie to secure, the rubber will stop them slipping around as much on those wobbley landings and the cable tie is for the added sence of security!! lol!!