BE-40...

I started with helis first before moving to cars/ planes / jets.

My first heli was a nexus 30.

Learning everything on my own here is what I can recommend from the live and learn experience...

1) Most sims I have found did not represent the helicopted flight characteristics. They are helpful for getting orientation and that is about it.

2) Plan on crashing a couple of times. It happens. Do not let it get you down.

3) Use training gear when learning to hover. This is a must and will save you a couple of $$$ upon uh mishaps...

4) If building your first heli, look for help. Someone that has been flying helis can help trim it out for the first flight...

Depending on where in NC you are I probably can help out.

5) Do not get discouraged... It will take time but once the time comes to take the training gear off let the fun begin.

6) This is my personal preference after loosing 1 heli to battery failure... use a 6V battery with a 5 V regulator. In case of a cell failure you will still have power to your electronics... It was a tough lesson to learn seeing it fly away but I will not make that mistake again.


I have flown all 3 of my helis (all kyosho) with a futaba 8U radio. I started with a standard piezo gyro and now on a futaba 401 Gyro w/ digital servo. So for basic flying skill you can get away with the standard gyro if money may be an issue.

I know most of my fellow club members fly Raptors but it is a preference that you can decide on your own. I went with Kyosho because I didn't want to be like everyone else and I am happy with my current Concept.

heliguy has a good website that I referred to when I was first starting out...

http://www.heliguy.com/rcheli/index.html

Good luck