Hi Guys I am new to the hobby and want some advice on how to get started. I have been flying the small toy helicopters indoors for a couple weeks now and decided that I want to get into this all the way!!! So help get me started, which helicopter, radio, etc. I am interested in the Electric type.

Jay

I enjoy my Big Lama.  you can search Utube videos to see more info

There are a lot of ways and opinions on how to "jump in all the way". I will give you my opinion. First...a good flight simulator is well worth the money...will save you money in the long run and will definately help as you get better and want to practice new "tricks". Ihave realflight G4.5...but there are other good sims out there also. Ialso think that getting a fixed pitch heli like the Blade mSR is a good heli to start with as it is very durable and very easy to hover. It's for indoor use only though as it is small. Mine has crashed many times and I have never broken anything or had to replace anything on it...it is one tough "son of a gun". Your budget has a lot to do with how you start out.....a good simulator and a mSR will run about 300 - 350 dollars. Ibought the flight sim....a Spektrum DX7 radio...and the bind and fly mSR...and a used Raptor 50. This has been a great way to start for me as the radio will work with any heli I get...the mSR I practice with indoors....and then Ifly the Raptor which is a big heli that was fairly easy to hover with training gear on. This has worked well for me...hopefully some others will chime in with what has worked for them.

Hey Real2You thanks for replying and the advice, as for budget that's not a problem. What I would like to do is not buy a bunch of Heli's that I don't need. I planed on the SIM and a good radio like the one you have. The LHS advice was to get a Blade CX2 to start with and then move up, I am thinking he wants to sell me a bunch of Heli's that I really don't need. I have read where some say start with a 450???

Jay

Yes...a 450 is a good size to start with...Iwould'nt go with anything smaller though. I would make some training gear for it as it will help a lot with landings and take offs......the first few times you fly it will help you to not tip the heli over. The mSR for me was just a way to fly indoors and practice all the different orientations and get that "muscle memory" in my thumbs so things will come more naturally when Ifly the much harder collective pitch heli. Take small steps and don't try to do to much....practice on the SIM(especially the hover training)....and you will be on your way!!

My local hobby store wanted me to buy a CX2, but I went with the MSR. Came with 2 batteries. I'm a first time flier just started yesterday the MSR is great in my opinion.

Be absolutely honest with yourself, and put a solid number on your budget. Be realistic and consider that some of that budget will be used to buy spare parts during the first few months. A 450 is a good place to start, but if your budget is really not a problem, I would start with something a little bigger, like a 500 or even a 30 or 50 sized nitro, or electric. The bigger the helicopter the better the flying characteristics.

Rafael

jscflyer

I am a newbie as well. Ihave a 4 channel fixed pitch Knight II from Blitz RC. Ireally like it and have not had any experience with 4CH before but Iam getting the hang of it. In my opinion Iwould say a 4 channel is good to start for beginner-intermediate and a good stepping stone before moving to a 6CH heli. I am actually thinking of buying a good simulator to practice on before Iactually go bigger than my 4CH. as Ihave experienced that even 4CH is hard to start on and is way different in flight than any 3CH. If Iwent straight to a 6CH before practicing with a good flight sim~ I would for surely crash and burn with my heli.....definitely invest in a simulator and play the crap outta it until you are confident in your ability to fly 6CH......otherwise you are wasting money crashing expensive heli's!!
GOODLUCK whatever you decide.</p>