I have one of the Original Ikarus Piccolo’s.

I now just went to a “component setup”. This has separate controllers, gyro and RX instead of the Piccoboard.

Equipment I use:

- GWS ICG50 2A ESC for tail

- GWS GS400 (15A) for main motor (Ikarus 410)

- HeliMax Micro Piezo gyro

- FMA Direct Xtreme 5 Channel RX

- Expert Pico Servos (gears don’t strip, and use standard servo arms)

- 8 Cell Nickel Metal Hydride 720 mAh battery pack

Right now it’s fixed pitch, but collective pitch is coming.

FP mods:

I use a small carbon plate on the head between the blade bolts to brace the head for forward flight. This is one of the best mods out there. Use long 4-40 nylon screws to mount the blades and brace. You can even tap the head to screw the bolts into.

I got a high-quality anti-rotation link as well as the swashplate ball mod, which both of them make a FP piccolo tolerable to fly.

I broke the landing skids many times, so now I use a “tripod” gear. Just two sticks in front, and the stick on the tail. It saves some weight.

I have soldered all of the connections, including all servo leads. All of those connectors are heavy. Even heavy-er than needed wires are removed and 22-28 awg is used.