Raging Rotors: Holy Helicopter Kit, Batman!

Another week, another fun installment of Raging Rotors! Granted I’m not bringing atomic batteries to power, but I have a project that I have been working on since IRCHA this past August. As I mentioned, I did acquire a SAB Heli Division Goblin 570 helicopter kit and have been diligently working on it in my free time. I have to say, it has been one heck of an experience so far.

Here are a couple of things I’ve learned as well as some advice for all you new kit builders or aspiring heli-builders:

• Goblin seems to be doing it right. I have only built this one kit, but from observing other brands of helicopter kits and repairing a few helicopters at work, SAB Helidivision really has the right idea in the design department. The motor mount and primary transmission system for the main and tail rotor system is on a single aluminum mount. In event of major crash, replacing a frame piece is just a matter of a dozen or so screws, thats it. That earns major engineering points in my book.
• Do your research. Picking a helicopter kit is like picking a car, every model has its pros and cons. Some brands may have brittle main gears, where others may not have as readily found parts at your local hobby shop, and others may not have manuals with part numbers or listings. When you find the right kit, you will know it. For those of you looking for a kit helicopter, here are a few brands to take a look at: SAB Heli Division, Align, Mikado, Blade, Gaui, and Futaba. NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list, and my list does NOT mean that those brands are the best; it is just a list.
• Know your resources. Always have something else besides the internet and your manual to bounce questions at when deciding on a kit, electronics, and building questions. So check your local hobby shop, ask if they know anyone, and feel free to stop by the local flying field and ask, too! I consider myself pretty lucky to have such a great knowledge base here in the midwest. Not only did I have a representative from Team SAB to throw questions at, but a coworker, and my fellow flying club members to talk through a lot of things. A HUGE THANKS to my fellow SAC (Suburban Aeroclub of Chicago) members Ed Henschel and Mike Zubik, my coworker Tony, and Team SAB’s Mike Linko for putting up with me during this whole process (I think I asked hundreds of questions between them all, and they’re still going…).

I will be doing a full ‘summary post’ about the Goblin 570 build as well as expenses, components, etc in the near future, so stay tuned for that. Brian gave me a pile of stuff to unbox and review, and I’m hoping that will get me a shiny and new 180CFX since I got all excited with last week’s reveal. The guys around the office were close to killing me because I have been acting like a kid who pinky-swore not to tell Mom about the broken vase, because I have been holding on to some of those pictures and video for weeks with explicit instructions to say nothing.

I am still accepting emails for this month’s Ask Hot Sauce! The post will go up later in the month, and the best entry will get an ESTES ProtoX for their question, as well as 15 minutes of internet fame! Send all your questions to kevin (at) bigsquidrc (dot) com with your questions and you may just make the cut!

Don’t forget the 10th Anniversary Bash this Sunday!!! Details can be found Right Here, and I cannot wait! I will be in attendance and will be driving my heart out (-gasp- Yes I do own a surface vehicle!). Until next time, Stay Shiny and Keep Flyin’!