Probably not the best way to get started...
03-01-2018, 12:04 AM
#1
Probably not the best way to get started...
I might be acquiring a somewhat older gas-engine helicopter (probably around 5 and 15 years old.) I have zero experience, and I don't expect to get out and fly it without considerable training. I read a post recommending a newbie use a simulator program. What simulators are available, and what prices should I expect?
My only real radio-control experience is with 1:10 scale cars, and that was more than 25 years ago. Well, I did build a ARF plane that I destroyed first time out because the wind was way too strong and I was too eager to wait.
Here's the situation: I'm helping a friend liquidate her late-husband's collection. I might be keeping one of the helicopters, if it looks like I can actually use it.
I don't even know how to identify or classify these things. I'd appreciate it if someone can look at my photos and give me a little guidance.
My only real radio-control experience is with 1:10 scale cars, and that was more than 25 years ago. Well, I did build a ARF plane that I destroyed first time out because the wind was way too strong and I was too eager to wait.
Here's the situation: I'm helping a friend liquidate her late-husband's collection. I might be keeping one of the helicopters, if it looks like I can actually use it.
I don't even know how to identify or classify these things. I'd appreciate it if someone can look at my photos and give me a little guidance.
03-01-2018, 04:00 AM
#2
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Canada
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whoa... nice.... yes.. those are not for beginners... if you truly want to keep them then you should invest in a SIM, as well as a Nano CPS, the nano in safe mode is like a FP and as you progress then you would be getting into a CP heli. Once you master the SIM and nano, they say GO BIG is easy to fly.
Good luck.
Good luck.
03-01-2018, 04:52 AM
#3
Hi,
If you crashed a plane on your first time out then you know what will happen with these if you try to fly them ?
They will be history in 1/8 of the time it took to crash that plane!
A few of the copters are very old and you will have a hard time trying to find parts to fix them. Some of the scale copters are nice looking but who knows what lies underneath.
If you like the looks of one then buy it and put it on a shelf or hang it from the ceiling but don't fly it and don't pay too much for it..
As mentioned, if you want to learn to fly helis then you have to start at the beginning and learn to fly a fixed-pitch copter. Then after you have crashed and repaired it and improved then you can try a collective-pitch copter(much harder to fly).
Start out with something like this:
https://www.horizonhobby.com/product...nology-blh4100
Or this:
https://www.horizonhobby.com/product...-s-rtf-blh2600
Then after you improve(a lot)you can try one like this:
https://www.horizonhobby.com/helicop...nology-blh1500
If you crashed a plane on your first time out then you know what will happen with these if you try to fly them ?
They will be history in 1/8 of the time it took to crash that plane!
A few of the copters are very old and you will have a hard time trying to find parts to fix them. Some of the scale copters are nice looking but who knows what lies underneath.
If you like the looks of one then buy it and put it on a shelf or hang it from the ceiling but don't fly it and don't pay too much for it..
As mentioned, if you want to learn to fly helis then you have to start at the beginning and learn to fly a fixed-pitch copter. Then after you have crashed and repaired it and improved then you can try a collective-pitch copter(much harder to fly).
Start out with something like this:
https://www.horizonhobby.com/product...nology-blh4100
Or this:
https://www.horizonhobby.com/product...-s-rtf-blh2600
Then after you improve(a lot)you can try one like this:
https://www.horizonhobby.com/helicop...nology-blh1500
03-01-2018, 08:42 AM
#4
In addition to the above advice before you fly any helicopter make sure it is set up properly by having an expert fly it. I offer the same advice on airplanes, always have an expert do the first flight on a newly built, or newly repaired airplane.
BTW, I have Real Flight 3.5 and have practiced helis a lot with it to the point where I can actually fly nose in hover for a few minutes. I still, however, have problems with my RC heli because I have not taken it field with an expert to make sure it flies right. Not following my own advice. But it's also been sitting on a shelf for a few years now while I work on a sailboat.
BTW, I have Real Flight 3.5 and have practiced helis a lot with it to the point where I can actually fly nose in hover for a few minutes. I still, however, have problems with my RC heli because I have not taken it field with an expert to make sure it flies right. Not following my own advice. But it's also been sitting on a shelf for a few years now while I work on a sailboat.
Last edited by rgburrill; 03-01-2018 at 08:46 AM.
03-01-2018, 03:30 PM
#5
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Personally, FP heli is becoming an obsolete step in advancing with RC helis. With the new technology of SAFE, The Nano CPS is the best way to get in. The SAFE gives the nano that FP fell and it is very passive little heli. Once you start moving on within the nano, you start getting a real CP feeling heli it gets real aggressive once you are in expert mode.
03-01-2018, 06:54 PM
#6
whoa... nice.... yes.. those are not for beginners... if you truly want to keep them then you should invest in a SIM, as well as a Nano CPS, the nano in safe mode is like a FP and as you progress then you would be getting into a CP heli. Once you master the SIM and nano, they say GO BIG is easy to fly.
Good luck.
Good luck.
03-01-2018, 07:05 PM
#7
A few of the copters are very old and you will have a hard time trying to find parts to fix them. Some of the scale copters are nice looking but who knows what lies underneath.
As mentioned, if you want to learn to fly helis then you have to start at the beginning and learn to fly a fixed-pitch copter. Then after you have crashed and repaired it and improved then you can try a collective-pitch copter(much harder to fly).
Start out with something like this:...
Start out with something like this:...
03-01-2018, 07:08 PM
#8
I will keep that in mind. Much appreciated.
03-02-2018, 02:04 AM
#10
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all those heli you have are CP... collective pitch....
Collective Pitch Flight School - RC Helicopter Guide!
Collective Pitch Flight School - RC Helicopter Guide!
03-03-2018, 04:07 AM
#12
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if you want to cheat... buy a small quad... it gives you the scope of orientation... but remember it's not the same as CP.. kind of a FP heli. If you can not muster a 4 bladed heli.. chances are you will have some issues with a 1 bladed heli.
03-03-2018, 02:18 PM
#13
I have a Parrot AR.Drone 2. It uses a phone or tablet as the controller (via WiFi). I've only flown it a couple of times, and I have mixed feelings on it. Being a quad-rotor, it maneuvers equally well regardless of orientation, so I tend to neglect "aiming" it in the direction of flight. I also get a bit distracted watching the video feed.
03-03-2018, 03:01 PM
#14
I have a Parrot AR.Drone 2. It uses a phone or tablet as the controller (via WiFi). I've only flown it a couple of times, and I have mixed feelings on it. Being a quad-rotor, it maneuvers equally well regardless of orientation, so I tend to neglect "aiming" it in the direction of flight. I also get a bit distracted watching the video feed.
If you want to learn to fly a heli then get one of those I listed above.
If you want to fly a real RC quad and get some good practice indoors then try this:
https://www.horizonhobby.com/drone/r...nology-blh7600
