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How To Choose A Beginner Remote Helicopter

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#1

How To Choose A Beginner Remote Helicopter
Author: Gen Wright

Today there’s so many choices for a Remote Helicopter that choosing the right one is confusing for the beginner just getting started. The good news is these choices can tailor a RC helicopter to the pilots skill level and preference of flying indoors and or outdoors.

For the sake of learning to fly a rc Helicopter, only 4+ channel rc helicopters will be recommended. A true hobby grade remote control helicopter will have a swashplate. A swashplate takes the input from the pilot via servos ( small electric motors) and transfers that signal to move the swashplate from side to side or forward and back. This motion changes the angle of blades allowing the helicopter to move in all 4 directions with great control. In a 6 channel collective pitch helicopter the swashplate will also move up and down changing the blade pitch to increase/decrease lift.

Most true beginner rc helicopters, the easiest of all to fly will be the dual rotor blade helicopters. The dual counter rotating blade system makes the heli hover by itself allowing the operator to fully concentrate on moving the helicopter in the direction desired. The downfall of a dual rotor blade rc helicopter is it does not fly in wind. Most micro dual bladed rc helicopters can fly only indoors, some of the larger dual bladed helicopters like the E-flite Blade cx2/cx3 can handle winds up to 5-7mph.

#2

Some choices available for a beginner RC Helicopter are:

The E-flite Blade mCX and Blade mCX2. The Blade mCX was released at the end of 2009 and is a very easy to fly remote helicopter. It is very stable and has limited movement making it great for younger and older beginner pilots. The Blade mCX2 was just released May 2010, it takes the ease of the mCX2 but adds more reaction for a faster and more aggressive flying helicopter. The Blade mCX2 is great for those beginners who catch on quick or the experienced pilot who wants some fun in the house or office. Other manufactures have also released a similar helicopter to the Blade mCX2. There is the Novus cx, also a very fast helicopter in the same price range or the lower costing Proto CX. Overall comparing parts availability, upgrades, battery cost and charging time, the Blade mCX2 is the recommended choice.

Moving to the next level up on the micro rc helicopters, there’s the single bladed micro heli. These helicopters are almost as stable as a dual bladed heli in a hover, but when pushed, they take on the flying characteristics single bladed helicopters are known for. Fast, responsive and with that comes an easier chance to crash. One such rc helicopter, the Blade mSR comes in a RTF (ready to fly) and BNF ( bind n fly) configuration. Revell also just released the Proto Max. Both come in 2.4ghz, but only the Blade mSR comes in BNF.

Lastly, not quite a micro helicopter, is the Blade SR. Released April 2010, the Blade SR has proven to be a very popular helicopter. A little smaller than a 400 size helicopter, it has a 6ch 2.4 radio, head holding gyro, brushless motor/esc at an affordable price.

More details on these Radio Control Helicopters can be found at Rc & Me Hobbies.

One thing can be said, if truly interested in learning to fly an Rc Helicopter, then starting with one of these helicopters will get you started in the right direction.

If interested, pls go to oomodel( dot com) to get very cheap helicopters and RC Accessories.

#3

I want to equip one with tiny missles so I can blast anyone who speeds their trains on my layout.

#4
John Bouck said:
I want to equip one with tiny missles so I can blast anyone who speeds their trains on my layout.
I want mine in exactly 1:22.5 and modeled after the Swiss REGA choppers ca. 1975 [url=http://www.rega.ch/en/rega/alpinerettungschweiz.aspx?pid=040203020000]to get "silly people" off of my mountains[/url]. :P :P :P
#5
John Bouck said:
I want to equip one with tiny missles so I can blast anyone who speeds their trains on my layout.
Are waivers available for purchase so one can speed on your layout? ;)