ParkFlyers R/C, makers of the Picco-Z Havoc heli and the Hovercraft coaxial helicopter introduce the Aerocopter coaxial helicopter. The Aerocopter includes nearly everything you need and the preassembled helicopter only requires a few simple steps to get the fledgling pilot in the air quickly.

Kit Name: AeroCopter
Price: MSRP $144.99
Main Rotor Span: 345mm (13.6")
Engine Used: Included (2) Electric Motors
Gyro used: Included in 4 in 1 receiver.
Radio equipment: 4 Channel transmitter included

• 8 AA Batteries

Not much to do here! The helicopter itself is completely assembled. A good common sense practice is to read the instruction book on any new model cover to cover before plugging things in and hurting yourself or innocent house pets. Please note that no such pets were injured during this review, though my cats clearly do not like having these things around!

The instruction book included with my AeroCopter was actually the instruction booklet for the Hovercraft, which is nearly identical. ParkFlyer R/C included an insert for the AeroCopter that has the photo and specifications on one side and the parts listing on the other. Comparison of the two parts listings confirms that these helicopters are identical in all but a few parts.

The instructions are well illustrated and cover several areas I find important for new pilots. The first is the emphasis on proper safety and frequency control. The second thing that is properly emphasized is the warning about making sure the transmitter is turned on and the throttle at idle before plugging in the motor/receiver battery.

The AeroCopter arrived quite well packaged, with each part in its own section of the styrofoam insert and several foam dividers to keep things from moving around. I read through the instruction booklet and unpacked the included LiPo battery and charger and put the battery aside to charge. The transmitter requires 8 AA batteries which are not included.

Although there is no mention of it in the manual, the transmitter includes provisions for rechargeable batteries. A new owner could purchase 8 AA NiMH batteries and a suitable charger so that he or she didn't have to replace dry cell transmitter batteries frequently. My fresh batteries lasted several flights with no sign of losing much voltage. One thing to be aware of though, if you choose the rechargeable battery route, is that the charge jack is center pin ground. That means that it's compatible with JR type chargers. Futaba chargers have the center pin hot and would likely cause problems as I am sure that a transmitter in this price range does not have polarity protection on the charge jack.

One problem I had with the transmitter, and it's common among park flyer style models, is the lack of a channel number label on the transmitter. The frequency is clearly marked on the back but I had to go to the AMA Frequency Chart to make find out that 72.150 was channel 18. A quick trip to my trusty label maker and I felt safe that I wouldn't knock anyone out of the air if I decided to bring this along for a trip to the local flying field. I wish the makers of these models would take the simple step of labeling their transmitters in this manner.

This lesson was reinforced recently when a young man brought a small electric biplane to our flying field. I saw his AMA card pinned to a blank spot on the frequency board and asked him what was up. He said he couldn't find the spot for channel 72, which is what his transmitter said on the front. Turns out this was a reference to 72 MHz not channel 72! Examination of the back showed the frequency was actually 72.430 MHz.

I walked him over to the frequency chart and showed him he was on channel 32. It was a busy day at the field and it's possible only his fear from flying when anyone else was out there kept him from shooting down some one's larger model. If you only plan to fly at home this is a non-issue.

I made him a label and said a silent prayer of thanks that nobody was on the helicopter flight line with that channel at the time he was by himself on the separate fixed wing flight line. If you don't plan on outdoor flying with your AeroCopter, this is a non-issue.

After the battery is fully charged, the green light will come on and the battery is ready to go. As the instructions properly emphasize, you should turn on the transmitter first with the throttle in the full low position and the trim all the way back. Connect the battery and the light on the 4 in 1 controller will flash for a few seconds and then come on green. You're ready to fly!

The first flight my AeroCopter required quite a bit of trim. I decided to get the trims neutralized by adjusting the two pushrods to the swash plate. This is simple to do and is even detailed in the well written instruction manual.

The AeroCopter was stable and easy to fly, though as with any fixed pitch helicopter, there are a few things you need to be aware of. Altitude is controlled solely by the RPM of the main rotor system. A moderate descent rate is the order of the day because if you wait too long on a descent to get back on the power, a collision with the ground is normally the result.

The AeroCopter flew very well inside the house but outside, with even a moderate breeze, flying was a stick banging affair, and it was nearly impossible to do any precise flying. Inside, even the downdraft from the ceiling fan caused the little AeroCopter to get bounced around.

The advertisements indicate the AeroCopter is more aerobatic but I found that it flew much like any of the other coaxial helicopters I have flown. I let several new and seasoned helicopter pilots and even a couple of plank (fixed wing) pilots have a go at it and everyone with some R/C experience flew it without any problems.

The AeroCopter did have one annoying tendency that turned up in flight testing. The gyro trim would constantly change as the battery discharged. Once I got it trimmed it would hold for 15 or 20 seconds then start drifting again. The trim didn't change drastically, but it was distracting.

See the ParkFlyer R/C AeroCopter in action!
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ParkFlyers R/C AeroCopter is a fun little package. Everything you need with the exception of transmitter batteries is included, and the helicopter only needs two simple steps to get in the air. Charge and install the receiver battery, and install the transmitter batteries.

The flying characteristics are spirited but stable. It's a pretty good looking model with the 3D style canopy and tail boom. If you own a larger helicopter but are intimidated by nose in hovering, this may be just the ticket to get you over the hump or to get some stick time on a rainy day. You should be realistic in your expectations though; don't expect to fly much outdoors and as with any fixed pitch helicopter, don't expect anything in the way of aerobatics.

AeroCopter

ParkFlyers R/C
Support Phone: (732) 363-6181
Sales Phone: (800) 470-8932
Website: www.parkflyers.com
email: parkflyers@aol.com