Specifications

Futaba GY240 gyro
The GY401 is a more advanced gyro with many adjustment options. It requires a dedicated
channel for sensitivity adjustment so it requires a radio with at least five channels. Also, the
sensitivity is a little tricky to set up properly.
I would recommend purchasing a GY401 unless you have a four-channel radio, in which case
you can only use the GY240.The GY240 also works slightly better than the GY401 on micro
helis with tail motors, such as the FP Piccolo and clone because the GY240 seems to handle
slow tail response better than the GY401.
Most heading hold gyros (other than the Futaba GY series) seem to have drifting problems.
This is caused by the gyro's expectation of the rudder "center stick" position being different
from the transmitter's center stick position. This can be very frustrating because the one click
of the subtrim can be the difference between the heli slowly turning left and the heli slowly turn-
ing right.
The Futaba GY series seems to calibrate the center stick position at power-up which elimin-
ates the need to use rudder subtrim. Therefore I highly recommend the GY240 or GY401 for
beginners.
The inexpensive Hobbico gyro is NOT recommended for beginners. It is a yaw rate gyro, which
makes hovering difficult for beginners. Also, it is very fragile and there are many reports of it
breaking on the first heli crash from only 1.5 feet of altitude.
The Piccoboard used on the Piccolo is a single board with the following items:
• Yaw rate gyro (expandable to heading hold on the Plus or Pro)
• Revo mixer
• Main motor ESC (brushed
• Tail motor ESC (brushed)
• BEC
The older versions of the Piccoboard had extremely fragile gyro sensors and are not recom-
mended for beginners. Supposedly the recent ones are more durable. For more detailed in-
formation on the various versions of the Piccoboard, consult Paul Goelz's Piccolo site.
The newer Piccoboards can be upgraded to a Plus by installing a four pin header into the four
Helicopter Parts Selection
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