Official RotorScale 470 Size MD-500E Super Scale GPS Stabilized Helicopter Thread

[3D-Seth]

Does anyone know if installing the horizontal tail stabilizer is necessary for stable flight on the 470 MD500 models? I have a 470 MD500D PI on order and am considering not installing it right away if it is safe to do so. Anyone flying without it?

Its not necessary - primarily just for scale appearance. I've flown many test flights on these helis during development without the horizontal.

[xviper]

Does anyone know if installing the horizontal tail stabilizer is necessary for stable flight on the 470 MD500 models? I have a 470 MD500D PI on order and am considering not installing it right away if it is safe to do so. Anyone flying without it?

I've seen variations in tail stabs on the original Magnum, PI heli. They went through a few due to crashes. One iteration did NOT have the horizontal tail stab, but it did have an "angled" one instead, so on the real chopper, it would seem that some sort of stab, even at an angle was needed for stability. However, on a model such as this, I doubt it is absolutely necessary due in part to the fact that it doesn't really fly very fast (except perhaps in "manual" mode) in GPS or "angle" modes. If flying in manual mode, it's possible to go quite fast but for most owners of these types of helis, going fast isn't how they fly. I think it's the higher speeds that the stab helps in stability in these models. , Manual mode is for the more skilled pilot for doing more stunt like flying, which don't usually involve a lot of straight line speed. I have the 470 size MD500 and I kept the stab. I think it looks more "normal" with it.
Because this heli has the slower GPS/angle modes, try it without and see what you think.

[Helifly]

I've seen variations in tail stabs on the original Magnum, PI heli. They went through a few due to crashes. One iteration did NOT have the horizontal tail stab, but it did have an "angled" one instead, so on the real chopper, it would seem that some sort of stab, even at an angle was needed for stability. However, on a model such as this, I doubt it is absolutely necessary due in part to the fact that it doesn't really fly very fast (except perhaps in "manual" mode) in GPS or "angle" modes. If flying in manual mode, it's possible to go quite fast but for most owners of these types of helis, going fast isn't how they fly. I think it's the higher speeds that the stab helps in stability in these models. , Manual mode is for the more skilled pilot for doing more stunt like flying, which don't usually involve a lot of straight line speed. I have the 470 size MD500 and I kept the stab. I think it looks more "normal" with it.
Because this heli has the slower GPS/angle modes, try it without and see what you think.

Thank you. At the speeds I will initially fly it, I don't think it will matter. When I am ready to start the inevitable tweaking phase, I will install it along with the side windows, unless the electronics are really heating up. If that happens, I will look into installing one of the Traxxas clip-on ESC fans that I use on my stampede monster truck in the summer.