Blade/Horizon Hobby 330X RTF
A new spin on an old favorite
Blade RC has blanketed the small helicopter market with a full range of micro- and mini-class helis for every need and experience level. With the 330X, Blade is getting back to its mini “roots” with an updated version of its classic 450 3D.
UNIQUE FEATURES
The Blade 450 3D was released in 2012, and Mikel Graham’s design was an immediate success. The 330X starts with the 450’s simple plastic structure and belt-driven tail and adds a flybarless head, carbon blades, improved servos and electronics, and a higher-Kv motor. It’s all topped off with a high-visibility fiberglass canopy. The result is a tough and easy-to-service helicopter that sells at a lower price point than Blade’s carbon-fiber and CNC-aluminum 360 CFX. The 330X is available in ready-to-fly (RTF) and bind-and-fly (BNF) versions.
The 330X makes extensive use of plastic components, making repairs inexpensive. Also, the belt-drive tail is far more resistant to damage than a torque-tube design. So the 330X scores points for its simple, durable structure.
The main shaft has triple ball bearings and helical gears, features usually seen only on larger helicopters.
The heart of the 330X is a special version of Spektrum’s AR636 receiver. The H3050 cyclic and H3060 tail servos have metal gears for durability. With its 4200Kv outrunner motor, the 330X runs on
no-hassle 3S 2200mAh LiPo power. The flybarless receiver and speed control come preprogrammed, and the RTF version includes a Spektrum DXe transmitter and a simple charger for the 3-cell battery. So you can literally be flying in the time it takes to charge the battery.
IN THE AIR
On initial flights, the 330X handled reasonably well, but there was some slight tail oscillation, indicating the gyro gain was set a little too high. Also, I felt the handling would be more precise with a little expo dialed in. Because I was using the
RTF version’s DXe transmitter, I ordered a programming cord so that I could adjust the settings (see sidebar). With gyro gain reduced to 60% and 15% expo programmed in, handling was greatly improved.
GENERAL FLIGHT PERFORMANCE
Stability: The 330X is a traditional 3D helicopter, with no Stability or Self-Leveling mode. You need to be capable of controlling a helicopter with neutral stability as this is required for smooth 3D flight. The flybarless receiver works well, and the 330X handles nicely even in significant wind.
Tracking: With the gyro gain adjusted and 15% expo programmed in, tracking is accurate in both forward and backward flight. The 330X goes where you point it until you point it somewhere else.
Aerobatics: With its relatively light weight and the higher head speed in Stunt 2 mode, the 330X has more than enough power for full aerobatics. The flip and piro rates are quick, as you’d expect for a heli running relatively short 330mm blades.
Landing: The 330 is a breeze to land from a straight-in approach. Although it’s fitted with an autorotation clutch, in practice, I found that with the friction of the belt-driven tail, autorotations are pretty challenging; head speed just bleeds off too quickly.
PILOT DEBRIEFING
The Blade 330X is a simple and durable helicopter, capable of more advanced acro and 3D. Flight handling is solid, and the tough plastic structure can survive minor mistakes.