Specifications

3.4.1. Lite Machines Corona

• A very good trainer

• Moderately inexpensive (retail about $180-$199)

• Very durable

• Manufacturer is in the US. Parts availability is very good.

• 1250-1500 grams AUW, 610mm rotor diameter, 6-8 cells

• large, moderate headspeed, easy to learn hovering - not indoors in small venues (gym ok)

• Backyard flyer, maybe in gyms

3.4.2. Ikarus Fixed Pitch Piccolos (Fun or ECO)

• Trainer, but harder to learn (probably 50% harder than Corona)

• Inexpensive (Fun retail ~$90, ECO retail ~$140)

• Fairly durable but landing gear is flimsy; requires reinforcement for beginners.

• Manufacturer in Germany. Parts availability is good.

• 280 grams AUW, 500mm main rotor diameter, 6-8 cells

• Small, low headspeed, hard to learn hovering, but can be flown indoors

• Living room/Gym flyer

The main differences between an ECO Piccolo and a Fun Piccolo are:

• The ECO Piccolo includes six ball bearings for the rotor head, the main shaft, and the tail

shaft. The Fun Piccolo includes bushings instead.

• The ECO Piccolo has CF main and tail rotor shafts. The Fun Piccolo has steel main and tail

rotor shafts. The steel shafts run smoother than the CF shafts but they are somewhat heav-

ier.

• The ECO Piccolo includes tail motor connectors. The Fun Piccolo includes with no tail mo-

tor connectors, and the tail motor wires must be soldered directly to the Piccoboard or the

ESC wires.

• The ECO Piccolo has a very lightweight tail boom. The Fun Piccolo has a slightly heavier

tail boom

3.4.3. Ikarus Collective Pitch Piccolos (CP upgrade/Pro)

• Medium to advanced flyers

• Inexpensive (CP upgrade ~$99, Pro retail ~$199)

• Fairly durable except for balsa main rotor blades (68213) pitch arm base(68211) and land-

ing gear.

First Helicopter Selection Guide