Thanks for the tips. I'm guessing the 8t pinion is to lower the gearing since the PlastiBlades are heavy. Does that just extend the life of the motor?

I now have to buy parts and fix the birdie, so I think I'll make some of these other mods as well. I was practicing a bit today and doing a wobbly hover, when the tail blade managed to touch the ground. SPROING! The tail bits went everywhere. Nothing seemed to break back there, but the parts all disappeared. I found the blade but will have to buy replacements for the rest. There must've been some main blade strike as well, since I noticed one of the connectors just under the hub came off as well. I'll have to look for further damage when I disassemble it, but I don't expect anything else since it didn't hit that hard.

This sure is challenging to fly, but at least I was making some progress!