When is it time for a new belt?

[madeye]

Been to Pima Air museum a few months ago, looked at the tires of SR-71 standing there, saw the cord, mentioned it to a pilot I've been there with and was *really* surprised when he said "Oh, *these* tires have a lot of life left in them yet"...

That is to say, saw a few strands of brown sticking out of the side surface of the belt - it's right in front of the main shaft in this picture, in the brightest spot, on the side of the belt that is normally bottom. Should I be thinking about replacing the belt anytime soon?

[Russell Harding]

Nah. The teeth will get fuzzy and flat and then the belt will start to slip (usually sounds like a squealing or pulsing).

The only belt I've ever snapped had a flat spot in it from a crash without TH that I kept flying.

[dr dremel]

What Code said. Only time I replaced a belt was when I was not fast enough with TH on a crash and the pinion shaved a few teeth. That was after 5 crashes without damage/450 flights. A few hairs showing is not a problem.