ORIGINAL: Steve Campbell

Tec, the bigger ones do indeed "fly" better. But, as noted above, the cost factor will eat you up while learning. And, unless you are trying to be latest "3D god", you do NOT need a so-called big block (90) engine. The fuel costs alone are scandalous.

Your servo/radio package is top-shelf. A bit of overkill for a plastic 30, but if you get the bug you certainly won't stay at that level; and that electronics package you list is good for anything. But what kind of transmitter?

If you are using anything less than a 9C, my strong recommendation would be, instead of the digital servos, use 9001s and invest the money saved in a better transmitter. A good radio is every bit as important as the machine. You can always buy better servos, but upgrading one's transmitter is a serious investment.

The entry-level six-channel radios suffice for hovering and basic flying around, but once you become competent you will want to try different mixing, programs, etc, to improve the performance of your ship. One of the big differences between helis and planks, aside from the obvious, is that radio capability/set-up can make a TREMENDOUS difference in how the machine performs. Yeah, you can tweak a plank to do some neat stuff with a computer radio, but basically it is going to fly well or not (depending upon how it was built), regardless of what radio you use. Things like throttle-to-cyclic or throttle-to-rudder mixing, swashplate timing, etc., really affect the way a helo flies. The basic six-channel radios won't do that stuff.

Of course, if you're flying the big iron, I suspect you have a good tx already...

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