Mario Arguello has been busy upgrading and developing his line of micro helicopters. Here is the latest info. from Mario.

Hi Wayne, Hoping all is well with you. Attached are some new photos of the Robin 280 micro heli and some hop up parts I am making for it. I read on some of the electrical model forums people wanting to know more about how to connect all the neat little components to make a micro heli work so here is my version (please see attached the Robin 280 Electrical Diagram in .GIF form). I prefer to use separate modules because this way if any particular module does not work you can always swap it with a spare one. I thought of designing a single electronic module for the Robin 280, but I thought about it and thought it would be a hassle, if say the single unit were to break and had to send it back and wait for it to return. The other benefit of using separate modules a la Robin 280 is that people may already have the equipment suggested (i.e., micro receiver, servos, ESC's, gyros, etc.) One of the things I am always particular about is the mechanics and looks of models so I am constantly looking for new and better ways to improve on my designs, sometimes this creates a bit of a delay in putting out the kits, but I ask people to be patient since the output is worthwhile. This brings me up to some new parts I have designed originally for the Robin 280 but will also work with a similar heli. These are the new MIA Pro Blades and Booms made from aircraft lightweight aluminum and anodized in brilliant colors. These are available for Clockwise and Counterclockwise rotation. I hope your readers find it as neat and fun as I do. As always looking forward to your column although lately I have not had time since I have been working very hard on the Robin Kits. You may want to take notice the Robin 280s have been ground designed, produced, manufactured and sold by me. There are no middle companies, yet :) I don't know if that is good or bad but anyone buying the Robin or any related products from me, also get personal one to one technical support via my E-mail or phone number 480-218-6334. Until next time.. when I will have more surprises. Best Regards, Mario I. Arguello MIA Micro-FLIGHT http://www.micro-flight.com

Mario Arguello <MIADsgns(at)aol.com>, Mr Robin 280, sent in some great information on the modification of a cheap radio to produce a "heli radio" for under $175 USD.

Hi Wayne, The Robin 280 kit is now in circulation! and along with it, I have done a very hot little modification to Hitec's Flash 4X transmitter to convert it from airplane to helicopter radio. This is geared towards giving consumers an alternative to buying expensive helicopter radios equipped with Revo. Mix or having to purchase a basic 4 channel transmitter with a separate mixing module. The modification is very simple and can be done by anyone who can follow instructions. The mod will allow for the Flash 4X transmitter's AIL/RUD % Adjust Mix Ratio to be configured as Rev. Mix thus allowing the transmitter to function as a heli transmitter. The end result, a heli radio with revolution mixing capabilities for under $175 US dollars!. Here is the link to the FLASH 4X Transmitter Modification web page, it has all the info along with easy to follow diagrams: http://www.micro-flight.com/flsh4mod.htm Hoping you will be able to fit this latest news in Wayne's Indoor World Column. Best Regards, Mario I. Arguello

I checked out this modification, and it looks pretty good. Follow Mario’s instructions explicitly and you should have no real problems. Mario then followed the transmitter mod up with details of his new smaller Robin 140 chopper. Read on….

Hi Wayne, I am attaching photos of the Robin 140 Sub Micro Heli which is currently undergoing measurements for injection molds and vac forming. I may offer this in the future in a similar kit like the Robin 280, but for now it is just another working prototype. The heli can be equipped with basic micro RC equipment or Infra Red sub-micro components developed by a good friend Sergio Zigras of Z-TRON here in the USA. It can fly on a number of rechargeable batteries ranging from 6 to 8 1.2 v cells. The Robin 140 is a 17" Sub Micro Heli weighing 4 ounces complete with RC micro equipment listed below. It can also be equipped with Sergio's IR equipment for greater weight reduction. No canopy at this time, but it will sport a good looking compact Hughes 500 (a favorite of mine) shell similar to its prototype foam visual model as seen in one of the photos. I am using standard inexpensive motors which are 1/2 the size of the Robin 280. My intention with this particular size was to make a heli even more compact for indoor flying, yet maintain the basic heli features and similar modular RC/IR components as for the Robin 280, for flight control. Miniaturizing models any further becomes harder, since the smaller they get, the harder they are to control. Also, the control mechanics become more and more complex to manufacture because of their smaller size and greater precision required. I think the Robin 140 offers a small enough yet controllable heli size, but because it uses the same basic heli mechanics as larger counterparts, it still requires proper trimming and balancing before it can perform successfully. When this is done the results are amazing! RC/Equipment: Alpex 4 channel Micro receiver (no mods) Hitec Hs-50 Micro servos (no mods) Cirrus MPG-10 Sub Micro Piezo Gyro (no mods) JMP Dual ESC prototype for micro helis *** Hitec Flash 4/5 Transmitter with the mixing modification I sent you earlier. *** Jean Marie Piednoir sent me a sample DESC prototype a long time ago for test with the Robin 280. I tried it on the Robin 140 and it works very nice! Perhaps JMP might be already producing these little controllers. A number of years ago when I started the IR heli experiments, I had tried a 4-channel custom IR receiver unit from Sergio and it worked very well with its associated transmitter module which I modified to mimic a two stick heli transmitter. Now Sergio has increased the sensitivity of his I/R receiver/transmitters modules with his third Generation Upgrades. Again, many thanks JMP, and Sergio, your endeavor and support is greatly appreciated. It is this type of support that enables advances in this new found hobby. As always, looking forward to your column. Many Thanks Wayne. Mario http://www.micro-flight.com http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/microhelicopters   (Web Robin Club full of pictures and information)