We are dedicated to helping any newcomer to model helicopters. PLEASE feel free to email your questions.

Since learning to fly helicopters several years ago I have been asked on numerous occasions about the hobby and what it takes to fly a helicopter, the cost and all about the learning process. These questions have come from the total novice to commercial airline pilots with many thousands of hours of flight time to R/C fixed wing pilots. The only real advantage for an R/C fixed wing pilots that wants to begin flying helicopters is that he understands how the control systems respond.  Other than that all R/C heli pilots start on the same common ground and go through the same learning curves as anybody else. Each and every new student has to go through the process of learning eye to hand coordination that can only come with time. The commercial pilot has no advantage over a beginner, it is going to take him just as long as everyone else.

The beginning heli pilot can expect to purchase just about all of the same support equipment as a fixed wing pilot with a few differences. ( I will list them later) Anyone serious about getting into heli's needs to expect to spend about $750 to $1000.  There are exceptions to the rule, but don't run out and try to find the deals or buy your first helicopter at a garage sale on your own without first obtaining the advice of an experienced heli pilot.  His advice will SAVE you money in the long run!  The biggest piece of advice is to read everything you can get your hands on about helicopters! I will provide you with links to a variety of heli sites found on the web on the pages following.  If you live in the area close to the Mad River Flying Assoc. I am more than willing to help any newcomers to the ranks of heli flying. Just email any of our contacts and I will get the message.

VIDEO'S , BOOKS & SIMULATORS

The following items are very worthwhile buying. If you have a computer the purchase of an R/C simulator is about the best investment you can make. A $200 investment will pay for itself in a VERY short period of time. It seems that the most popular brand out there right now is the Reflex simulator and the "Real Flight" G2  and new version G3  The only draw back to real flight G3 is the system requirements are greater than most simulators. If you have an up to date computer about the only thing you may need to add is a high speed video card.  ( about $65 to $100)  Other brands are the Reflex simulator,  the  "CSM simulator", the "Dave Brown" simulator,

Tru-Flight and there are others right now I can not name that provide more than adequate response. The Microsoft flight simulator is not a radio control simulation!

Rotary Modeler, Model Helicopter Technique, Model Helicopter World and a new publication "RC Helicopter" are a few of the Magazine publications out there. (links to these publications can be found on the heli links page)  "Ray's Helicopter Manual" is another publication that covers a plethora of questions. Some of these books are monthly and some are bi monthly or quarterly. All have a lot of information for the beginner.

Videos are another great tool.  The "helicopter technique" video is a wealth of information, although for the beginner it can be a little intimidating. It is produced by Ray Hostetler. He also published "Ray's Helicopter Manual". That is another book that will be a must on your list.  Mike Mas has a splendid set of videos and "Model Sport" offers a video series that is well worth looking into. Expect to spend $125 to $250.

Instruction 

The do-it-yourself instruction is by far the most expensive in terms of replacement parts, time and the inevitable frustration that will lead to many to giving up. Try to find an experienced R/C heli pilot anywhere within driving distance. Without his input you can find yourself way over your head in no time! One of the links I will provide has an R/C heli pilot locator. Use it to find someone in your area to help you!  There is no replacement for the help from an experienced pilot. There are 2 or 3 R/C heli pilot schools in the country.  They can provide a years worth of learning in a week.  Some of these can be prohibitive to the beginner as cost can approach $1000. ( that includes lodging and food at most) If you can not find anyone in your area willing to help, spend your time on a simulator.  Before investing in a heli use the sim to get the feel, then follow the instruction videos and books advice.

What Do I need To Buy ?

A helicopter is a significant investment. There are many brands to choose from.  The best advice is to see what is being flown in your area by the people that are willing to help you.  If you walk in with a bird they know little of, you may be getting bad advice from them unknowingly. The following are great starting machines.

Raptor .30 or the Raptor .50 , Hirobo makes a .50 and more.

Currently many pilots seem to be flying the Raptor 50  The machine provides you with plenty of power to move into advanced maneuvers and a good stable machine to learn your hovering without the intimidation of a 60 or 90 size machine.  There are many more to choose from, having access to replacement parts is a must and needs close consideration.  There are so many that I could go on for many pages, but will stop to save space.  If you have a question please email me, I will be happy to respond.  Heli questions  please put "heli help" in the subject.

Items Not for the beginner:  

Non collective pitch helicopters, electric heli's or Older used helicopters.

1. A non collective pitch heli is more difficult to fly, especially for a beginner. You do not have the up & down control that you have with a collective machine.
2. Electric heli's are very fragile, have reduced flight time and many times the parts are more costly than a glow powered machine.
3. Older helicopters (3 or more years old) are subject to several problems.
   1. They most of the time are just plain worn out!
   2. Used birds often have high time on the engines and chances are they have obsolete radio systems.
   3. Parts may be hard to find...... and you will need parts!!!

For the most part a .30 sized engine (and heli) are the most popular for the beginner.  They are cheaper to fix, easier to set up, and less expensive to feed with fuel.  By now you understand that "burning fuel" is the best way to become a good heli pilot!  Some of the most popular are the OS .32, OS 50 & OS Hyper 50,  and the Thunder Tiger .39 and 50 series.  They are easy to adjust, have adequate power to learn to fly with and easy to keep in good running order.  Heli's must have a good running engine. A bad engine can effect the set up in an infinite number of ways. Expect to spend $125 to $175. 

Just this year (2006) there has been one of the most significant additions to the hobby.  The introduction of "Spread Spektrum" radios.  This offers a no glitch advantage, no frequency interference because it operates on the 2.4 gig band and our current radios use 72 mhz band. This is brand new technology but appears to be a solid addition and will prove to be great for the hobby.

You need a good helicopter radio. There are several functions in a heli radio that an airplane radio cannot provide you with. Futaba & JR seem to have the heli radio market. I personally fly with Futaba and have for the last 15 years. In no means am I saying that JR is not a good radio system, it is one of the best!  But when buying a radio you need to consider what others are flying with in the club that you expect to join and what the person that is instructing you fly's with so he can provide you with buddy box capabilities.  You can expect to spend about $350 for a radio system. Like so many things in this hobby the sky is the limit when making a determination on what to spend!  Just because you spend the most does not mean you will fly better or learn faster than the other guy!  Radios come in either FM or PCM.  FM is less expensive and will fly just as well as a PCM.  Many fliers will tell you that you need PCM.  This is a life long question asked amongst the R/C community.  PCM does have its advantages, but is not an absolute need for the new pilot.  It will add a few more dollars to your radio budget however.

Most heli radios are sold with only 4 servos, you need 5!  So do not forget to order an additional one.  You will also need a gyro.  

Gyros (still part of the radio system)

Currently several types can be used. The oldest style is a mechanical gyro (which is now almost obsolete)  there are peizo gyros and heading hold gyros.  This is another subject that we could discuss for hours.  My advise is to buy a good middle of the road heading hold gyro and spend the rest of your money on "burning fuel". Some of the higher priced gyros are more complex on set-up and if you are a novice that is the last thing to need to add to your plate while learning to fly.  At this point you do not know what it should feel like in the first place, so make it easier on yourself and your pocket book. A combination that seems to be very popular is the Futaba GY 401 with a 9254 digital servo.  Going rate is about $180 to $220.  It is the closest to being a plug and play gyro as any and it does a fantastic job!  Higher end gyro will cost as much as $300+ dollars and be more difficult to set up.

You can spend anywhere from $89 to $389 on a gyro. 

Helicopter Special Tools

Today almost all helicopters use metric sized screws, nuts and bolts.  You will need  3 sizes of socket-head hex drivers.  These are 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mm. Also a 5.5 nut driver and a GOOD small phillips head screw driver. You will also need a set of metric allen wrenches which include the above sizes.  A pair of ball link pliers is almost a must. You will most certainly use a variety of standard bench tools too, these are just a few of the special ones. Expect to spend $75 to $100  You will also find yourself in need of the hardware as parts roll away never to be found again. Several suppliers offer metric hardware kits with a few of each size to get you started.  

A flight box and field equipment will be next on your list of must haves. 

A good starter, a hex extension shaft to place on the end of the starter. A glow plug driver cord or a ni-starter, a power panel,  12v gel cell battery to drive your power panel. A fuel pump ( manual or electric) a gallon of fuel. Fuel is another subject that everyone has an opinion about, so this is just MY opinion, again see what other flyers in your club are using. This could be debated for weeks, but I will suggest 15% to 30% nitro content heli fuel. (total synthetic is most desirable. )You will need a hula hoop for your training gear ( see picture on next page)  These are simple to construct and the parts are very inexpensive. 

This has only scraped the surface of model helicopters, please read all of the information you can find and get help from an experienced pilot.

Now there you have it. I hope this has shed a small amount of light on the exciting world of Radio Control Helicopters.

Sincerely  Dave M

Please go to the heli-links page for additional info.   

Link to http://www.ircha.org     International Radio Control Helicopter Association