Skids Up - RC Heli Podcast - podcast cover

Skids Up - RC Heli Podcast

A podcast devoted to all things RC Heli! Join Javier, Frank, Darren, and Steve on our monthly quest to master the dark arts of 3d flight (among other things) along with special guests who we *guarantee know more than we do!
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Episodes

Episode 84: Glorious Pitfalls of Sponsorship

Steve, Frank, and Darren dive into the complex world of RC helicopter sponsorship, discussing both its glorious benefits and frustrating pitfalls. They cover different sponsorship tiers, the challenges for team managers, and the personal impact on pilots, including the pressure to maintain a public image and acquire new gear. The episode also explores the motivations behind seeking sponsorship and whether it's truly beneficial for a hobbyist.

May 20, 20261 hr 55 min

Episode 83: Spring Has Sprung

Steve, Frank, and Darren share their strategies for the upcoming RC heli fun-fly season. They dive into personal heli maintenance philosophies, from proactive overhauls to reactive repairs, and discuss necessary non-heli gear like generators and shelters. The episode also features humorous anecdotes about travel woes and the critical importance of carrying spare parts, drawing from real-world mishaps.

Apr 11, 20261 hr 5 min

Episode 82: Rotor Live with Andre

Guest Andre Van Grieken recounts his exhilarating trip to Rotor Live in Germany, highlighting the unique atmosphere of the horse track venue and the non-stop demo flights. He offers a firsthand look at innovative new RC helicopter releases, including the XL Power Stratus 700 and 200, and the SAB 590, alongside discussions on extreme power setups and event-hosting challenges. The episode provides an insider's view into the global RC heli scene and community.

Mar 24, 20261 hr 13 min

Episode 81: Chill the F Out

Jay Treadway and Tanner Ingram from RCHO join the podcast to detail the upcoming Chill Out Fun Fly, highlighting significant field upgrades like new grid power and future RV hookups. They outline exciting event activities including a large fire pit, micro combat, and the club's renowned chili cook-off, emphasizing RCHO's welcoming community spirit. The hosts also share personal updates, from overcoming flying plateaus with VR simulation to tackling new nitro helicopter builds, and discuss recent battery experiences.

Feb 22, 20261 hr 23 min

Episode 80: Colin Bell: For Whom The Bell Tolls

The Skids Up crew, joined by special guest Colin Bell, recap recent fun fly events, including Gator's Bash, and share personal experiences with helicopter tuning, battery issues, and unique RC projects. Colin discusses his return to the RC hobby after a break, highlighting changes in technology and the challenges of balancing family life with hobby demands. The episode also delves into the decline of competition, the importance of community support, and the accessibility of micro helicopters for new pilots, reflecting on the hobby's evolution and future. They contrast old flybar systems with modern flybarless units, discussing design advancements and the impact of technology on flying styles.

Jan 13, 20261 hr 50 min

Episode 79: Aeon Servos with Auggie

Join Steve, Frank, Darren, Jason Bell, and special guest Augie as they delve into the groundbreaking Eon Servos. Augie explains his frustration with outdated servo technology and how Eon Servos leverage 21st-century hardware design, event-driven architecture, and N-MOSFETs for superior speed, efficiency, and reliability. Jason shares his 'jaw-dropping' flight experience, highlighting the immediate responsiveness and precision, as Augie details innovative features like the A-Shot protocol, adaptive performance, and user-friendly programmer with firmware updates.

Dec 11, 20252 hr 1 min

Episode 78: It is all about that tail

Hosts Steve and Darren delve into their latest RC helicopter adventures, from new builds and event highlights like RCHO's micro heli combat and fire pole, to the challenges of diagnosing a persistent tail wag. The discussion emphasizes the absolute necessity of precise mechanical tail setup before electronic tuning, offering practical advice on everything from blade choices and FBL controller settings to the nuances of V-Bar endpoints and collective management. They also share insights on maintenance, break-in periods, and even a unique vintage heli restoration project, all underscoring the confidence derived from a well-performing tail.

Nov 12, 20251 hr 57 min

Episode 74: Preflight

The hosts share personal updates, including tuning RC helis, upcoming fun flies, and career ambitions. They discuss detailed plans for Urcha, covering travel logistics, competition expectations, and the overall community experience. The episode concludes with a poignant remembrance of Gator, a cherished friend and vibrant member of the heli community, reflecting on his impact and shared memories.

Aug 02, 20251 hr 10 min

Episode 73: Trinity with Nick and Chris

Thanks for downloading this months episode as we talk to Nick Maxwell and Chris Diamanti about the new Trinity FBL that will be available soon. Unfortunately we had some internet issues to deal with but the important information is still there so sit back, relax and enjoy!

Jul 09, 20251 hr 52 min

Episode 67: RC Video Reviews

This episode features John, known as RC Video Reviews, who delves into his extensive RC experience, covering his shift from technical long-range FPV to embracing open-source flight controller systems like Rotor Flight and Nexus. He shares his philosophy on unbiased product reviews, advocating for value over brand, and details his voltage-based battery alert system for maximum reliability. The hosts also provide personal updates on their latest helicopter builds, event attendance, and the challenges and joys of the RC hobby, including a discussion on the future of FBLs and community engagement.

Feb 04, 20252 hr 4 min

Episode 62: FlyRightRC - Louis Mazurek

The Skids Up hosts catch up on recent RC flying mishaps and exciting event plans, including a unique nitro conversion and a debate on what constitutes a

Aug 26, 20242 hr 3 min

Episode 60: Freefall Who?

Join us as we have a Freefall Podcast reunion with a special secret guest as well!

Jun 26, 20241 hr 52 min

Episode 58: My name is Kammerer. Bert Kammerer

This episode features the Skids Up hosts discussing their recent RC flying activities and event experiences, including Frank's decision to step back from organizing his fun fly. Bert Kammerer shares his revitalized enjoyment for the hobby after expanding BK Hobbies beyond exclusive brands, detailing new product announcements and business challenges. The conversation also covers the latest from Rotor Live, new helicopter models like the Il Goblin and Tron 5.5, and the frustrations of evolving RC flying regulations in different countries.

Apr 26, 20241 hr 47 min

Episode 57: RCHO in da house

This episode features the Skids Up hosts and RCHO organizers Jay Treadway and Tanner Ingram, detailing their recent RC helicopter activities. Discussions range from personal flying practice, new heli setups and repairs, to their experiences at the RCHO Chill Out 2024. They cover the event's massive scale, numerous sponsors, the infamous crash count, and standout moments like the Saturday storm, specific pilot incidents, and the overall camaraderie, emphasizing why RCHO is a beloved event in the RC heli community despite its unique challenges.

Mar 26, 20241 hr 47 min

Episode 55: Plankers Divide: Civil War

This episode features hosts sharing personal updates, including Frank's repeated heli crashes due to maintenance oversights and Darren's challenging retrieval of a heli from a moat, highlighting electronics repair. The core discussion revolves around club politics, specifically a controversial proposal for a segregated RC heli flying field, sparking a debate on shared airspace and fixed-wing vs. rotary wing pilot relations. The hosts also touch upon their love for nitro helis, Javier's new Gundam hobby, and the anticipation of the magical RCHO fun fly.

Jan 26, 20241 hr 47 min
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