WARNING: RC Helicopters are not toys

RC Helicopters are increasing in popularity due to the abundance of ARTF (assembled ready to fly) kits usually sold in major department stores.

These should not be confused with real Remote Control Helicopters built and flown by a growing number of aero-modelling enthusiasts around the world.

This is open for debate but I firmly believe collective pitch defines whether an RC Helicopter can be called a toy or not.

Fixed Pitch - the pilot controls the altitude of the aircraft by increasing or decreasing power.

Collective Pitch - the pilot has full control over the angle (pitch) of the rotor blades, thus using them to take the aircraft forward, backwards or to the side, whilst maintaining altitidue controls by increasing or decreasing power.

Using pitch to our advantage we can 'glide' a helicopter and bring it safely down to earth of the engine cuts out by altering the pitch and ensuring the head speed (rpm) is not too high or low to keep the helicopter in the air. These types of landings are known as auto-rotations.

A fixed pitch helicopter would end up in a black bag if the engine cut out in the air.

There is an ongoing debate in the RC Heli community over which is better - Nitro or Electric - the power source of the RC Heli.

Try not to be drawn into this - each has its pro's and con's (as addressed below)

Nitro - Nitro is noisier, but results in longer flight times and has lower start-up costs. However, there is a higher total cost over time due to Nitro being used in larger machines and ongoing fuel consumption costs.

Electric - Electric is quieter but the trade-off is shorter flight times and higher start-up costs. Extra lipo (lithium polymer) batteries can be purchased go increase flight time per session.

Always get your RC Helicopter checked out by an experienced user prior to switiching it on / starting it up for the first time.

RC Heli's can kill or seriously injure people.

Always check your flying area is free of children and pets, as they are drawn to these aircraft.

Join a Club | Find a community

Joining a club can be rewarding and you'll be in the company of likeminded people who will be on-hand to assist with your learning and development.

Your flying ability will improve considerably within this type of environment.

Insurance

Whether you fly in the USA or the UK, you will need Insurance.

In the US, contact the AMA | In the UK contact the BMFA

The first choice you need to make is Kit vs ARTF

Kit - The main advantage building from a Kit is that you have a working knowledge of how the RC Heli has been put together and can ensure that loctite has been used in all the right places.

ARTF models come into their own when given as a gift as the majority of the work has been done and they are 'almost ready to fly' out of the box . Often the cheaper RC Helicopters are sold this way, but when flown (and almost inevitably crashed) the pilot has very little idea about how to repair it properly. The experienced gained in building the airframe and putting the rc helicopter together is used to assess what parts are damaged and need to be replaced.

Resources

There is an abundance of information on RC Heli's, from Magazines such as RC Heli Magazine or the publications available for purchase below, to online resources (how-to websites, forums and internet chatrooms)

Training

The best training aid money can buy is the Phoenix RC Flight Simulator.

Seamlessly combining world-class physics, next-generation graphics and a huge range of features and training modes - including over 100 highly detailed models and full worldwide internet multiplayer

Phoenix takes model aircraft simulation to a whole new level of realism

Available online from Phoenix-Sim

WARNING: RC Heli's are not cheap

This can become an expensive hobby unless you are disciplined. RC Heli kits start from $200 / £100 and go well into the thousands of $ or £.

Buy the best Radio Transmitter that you can afford at the time and then the most cost effective kit for you (check out our Transmitter Hub - now live)

Kits are almost always cheaper than ARTF to purchase

Allow a budget of approx $1000 / £500 to get you started and into a stable and reliable rc heli.