Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Helicopters / October 2005

Hi Gary,

Sometimes but generally speaking, no!  Whether or not the rotor blades
survive an impact is very problematic regardless of whether they're wood or
composites.  About the best I've seen at surviving crash damage are the
V-Blades.  As rotor blades go, they're tough as nails, BUT, if there's ANY
visible damage to the blades whatsoever, DO NOT fly them again, regardless
of whether you "think" they're Ok or not.

Do not underestimate the forces being applied to the rotor blades in flight.
They are huge, even on the smaller machines.  If the blade fails in flight,
at the very least, you'll loose the model.  At worst, you could be setting
yourself up for serious bodily harm up to and including "death!"

I don't mean to sound overly dramatic here but, while it's rare
(fortunately), people have been killed by these things.  The cost of a $100
set of rotor blades isn't worth risking your life over, or the lives of
anyone else who's in the area.

Fly Safe,
Steve R.

Yes. No they won't. They may LOOK like they have taken less damage, but they
have.