getting started in helis
 

hi all,


i am thinking of getting a small electric heli and i would like to maybe get some advise or help on what to do. i have been flying planes for about 7 years now and i fly a 30% extra 300 and a twist 40. i plan on getting a small 7ch electric heli.


any help would be great thanks, brennan

RE: getting started in helis
 

Wow there is so many models to look at!

There some of the more popular models are: Trex from Align - MX400 Series from Great Planes - 325/550/625 models fro Thunder Tiger & CP Blade models from JR.

Your best bet is to scan the Web and just ingest as much as you can to make a decision.

RE: getting started in helis
 

Hello Brennan,
Welcome to thye world of RC helis. Why do you want a small heli to start with??? The bigger the ship the more stable it is - and thus the more easy to learn on.

I am still a newbie (and I never touched an RC plane) so take my advice with some precaution but nevertheless:
My first heli was a real mini - the Kyosho Caliper M24 bought as a RTF set. You won't believe how tricky, unstable and lively this thing is! It is not a bad heli, though, I have lent it to skilled pilots who take it straight from the ground into stable hover 50 cm above the floor in a small crammed shop with maximum one meter clearance to each side. It looks deceptively easy - untill you start focusing on the pilots fingers on the radio: they move CONSTANTLY.

After a few months and a lot of repair-demanding crashes I bought a second one: the Lite Machines Corona 120 with a good computerised radio system (Multiplex Cockpit X). This is way easier but still difficult.

My conclusion: if you have the money and the flying space: go for a big electric heli like T-rex 600 or Century Swift. And be prepared to spend quite some time on repairs.

Good luck,
Bing117, Copenhagen, Denmark

RE: getting started in helis
 

thanks for your help i was thinking a small electric one because i dont want to pay for big expensive stuff when i crash it and i dont want to end up paying as much for these as i do for these planes

RE: getting started in helis
 

Hello Brennan,

I can see your point. It may sound logical - and it is true that repairs on small helis are cheaper than on the big ones. But the fact that you will crash the small ones more often than the big ones pulls in the opposite direction. And my feeling is that there is no cheap way into helicopters. With the possible exception of cheap, small coaxial helis (i.e. helis with a double main rotor and no tail rotor). They offer, presumably (I've never tried myself), some real heli feeling combined with a stability which exceeds ordinary helis.

best regards,
Bing117

RE: getting started in helis
 

thanks bing i have purchased a cheap 6 channel model from raiden tech i know i should probably stay away from these guys but heres what i got http://www.raidentech.com/wa6rarecorch.html i 86ed the controler and reciever ang put my good futaba stuff in there so wat do yall think

RE: getting started in helis
 

Congratulations with your purchase. It is a place to start and the way into mastering RC helis is probably very individual. The Walkera does get a lot of bad press on this site but I have no personal experience with it. Putting in a better radio should be a good idea - if you can get it to work with the electronics in the Walkera.

Before you start experimenting I should say: get a training landing gear. And consult some of the excellent web sources on how to learn to fly a RC heli like:

Radd's School of Rotary Flight and Electric Helicopters Beginners Guide (should be easy to google).

Be prepared to face the fact that you will crash, you will need to do repairs - it's part of the hobby.

Good luck,
Bing117

RE: getting started in helis
 

sorry i was a bit late but thanks for all your help

RE: getting started in helis
 

ok the heli came in and it is a alot easier than i thought it would be but i see what you were saying about the small plane thing i have been praticing in the living room with some wood dowels and plastic balls for gear