I've been doing a lot of thinking on this subject lately and figured I'd start a discussion on it.

Before we go any further, let me lay out some ground rules for this discussion so it doesn't get out of hand.
1. This is a discussion thread, not an argument thread. Don't let it escalate to an argument.
2. If an opinion is in conflict with yours, resist the urge to belittle, curse, flame, or degrade the poster in conflict with your opinion.
3. If you feel the need to defend your position, do so in a respectful manner. If it comes to it, agree to disagree, as there isn't always just one right answer.
4. Don't flame or degrade other aspects of RC or other hobbies. Use them as comparisons only.
5. This is a broad topic, so it should be easy to keep it on topic. No technical discussions here.
6. No "x" helicopter is better than "y" helicopter for "z" purpose. There are many different opinions on this, and it has been discussed in many other, more specific threads.

RC helicopters are gaining popularity in certain classes of helicopter, and in certain regions of the country.

Electrics are booming all over the place with the advent of better batteries, gyros, servos, motors, better flight qualities, decreased sizes, and decreased costs involved. The magazines and discussion forums are largely made up of electric reviews and information.

Though still covered and widely used, nitro helicopters seem to be dwindling from the limelight. This may be due to the increased costs, increased complexity, noise, mess, larger size requiring larger flying areas, and overall lack of qualified helicopter instructors as would be used to "buddy box" a new pilot (more common for fixed wing than rotary). I've also found that club type fields that offer good support is difficult to find. The largest group of heli pilots in my area flies in a guy's back yard, and it can be difficult to get with them for help. You practically have to know someone in the group to get in the group yourself. Out of 3 local club fields, 1 doesn't even allow helicopters, and the other 2 only have 1 or 2 pilots or so that fly helicopters. Even with those pilots, helicopters are secondary to airplanes.

We all know that RC helicopters draw lots of interest from people that have not been exposed to them before. Many people that come to an RC flying field for the first time, most of whom usually just happen to be passing by and seeing the planes from the road or have done so before and finally decided to stop and watch, enjoy watching the planes fly. However, when they see a helicopter, all of their attention soon turns to it and the owner/pilot of the helicopter. If the pilot of the helicopter is skilled enough to do aerobatics and/or 3D flying, the spectators jaws begin to drop in amazement as they see what the helicopter is capable of.

Even experienced fixed wing pilots often watch in amazement, even with new heli pilots that can barely hover. They tend to comment of the difficulty of flying helis and their complex setup. Often stating that it is too much for them.

What many prospective RC heli pilots soon find, is that it seems to be to expensive for them. And that's just for a decent quality coaxial helicopter, much less a 400-450 size electric. What many of them fail to look at, is that a "hobby" that is much more common among the general public is/can be just as expensive when broken down.

For example:
80GB Sony Playstation 3 Console w/ 1 controller and no games- $400
Extra DualShock3 wireless controller- $55
3 Games @ $60 each- $180

Total to start with a Playstation 3 Console- $635

Each additional game usually runs from $40-$60

Remember, this is an example for someone to get started with a decent setup from scratch and not buying 2-3 helicopters to get to a helicopter that they would be happy with.

e-Flite Blade 400 RTF- $470
Extra LiPo Battery- $62
FSOne Flight Simulator, no controller- $80

Total- $612

Each crash runs from $15-$50

Other common hobbies can run much, much more money, and are generally more accepted among the general public.

With all that being said, many still view helicopters as an annoyance and are barely tolerated. It's time to change that and spark the interest in more new helicopter pilots and local groups. We also need to change fixed wing pilots view of helicopters from merely being tolerated to accepted.

To do this, we must learn to share the airspace with airplanes, even if it means waiting for clear skies at an predomenantly airplane field before we take up our helicopters. We must always follow the field's rules for airplanes in absence of specific helicopter rules. When there is someone interested in getting started in helicopters, take the time to help them out, even if it means taking up a few minutes of your flying time. Sometimes you can help new pilots keep the bug by letting them watch you fly. Don't get an I'm better than you attitude towards ANY pilot regardless of whether or not they are a new fixed or rotary pilot, or an experienced fixed or rotary pilot. If someone gives you a compliment on your flying with your helicopter, don't get all cocky about it. Try to maintain some level of humility and flip it back onto the commenter to boost their confidence. At an airplane field, show some interest in the planes and their pilots. Give positive comments to the fixed wing pilots. If when talking to someone, the subject of the difficulty of flying helicopters comes up, try to make it sound like a challenge, but not overly difficult. Try not to scare the spectators and other pilots with your flying, helicopters do that well enough to some people. If while flying your helicopter you somehow loose control, try to save it while in front of you, and if it starts to go into the pits, ditch it. The fixed wing pilots will respect you more for abiding by their rule of not going into the pits than for saving it if you have to fly the helicopter over the pits to do so. Bear in mind the size of the helicopter, as the nitros and larger electrics are VERY intimidating to those that have never seen one fly, or have had a scary experience with one in the past.

Enough of my babbling. Chime in on these topics, and if you have one of your own, bring it up. Let's here everyone's opinion on the subject.

Happy flying.