I am looking to get started. I found a great deal on a NIB E-Flite Blade SR, but it may be more than I can handle for some time. With that in mind, what brands and models of heli's would you recommend for a newbie? I would like 4-ch, single rotor. It needs to be for outdoors, and where I live it can get breezy, so a little weight is good.
The closest thing to unbox and fly would be great. I seem to do better at responding to what went wrong/ what broke than avoiding breaking to begin with. AS I fix things, I really come to know how they work. I guess I could just smash my SR and fix it, but...
If there is something that uses the same xmitter and batteries as my SR, that is awesome. Just xmitter, great. If there is something I can get, and also find a better xmitter that both can use, that works as well.
By no means am I stuck with E-flite, but the parts are locally available.
So, if someone can recommend something about the size of the SR, but is 4 channel, fixed pitch to get started on, or if you do not think that is the best way to start, let me know.
Thanks.

Hi,

My answer assumes you have experience with airplanes. If you don't, go get a foamy trainer and get accustomed to flight. When you are ready, move to helis. I would not start with a mini helicopter. I currently fly turbine helis (only) and have been flying helicopters since 2001 (airplanes since 1974). I tried starting with the small ones and they are very difficult to control (single rotor models). If it were me starting now, I would get:

1. Either a simulator or a coaxial heli to learn orientation in hover mode. Forward flight is much easier than controlling the heli close in at any orientation. Most guys start forward flight too early.

2. Something the size of a T-Rex 600 / Raptor 50. Electric is fine, but for repetition and training, glow is great. Burn fuel and get good! Plenty of used ships on RCU.

Michael

I would also call Len Sabato for your beginning heli...he's awesome!

http://www.advantagehobby.com/pages.php?pageid=10

I would also add that it's essential, in my view, for you to build your first few helis. You will gain valuable and necessary insight on flight controls, setup and overall maintenance. You will be fixing this thing and ensuring everything is flight ready, so it's best to build it. You don't have to be a painter, epoxy expert, or artist. I have my scale helis built and painted for me, but I can overhaul any aspect of the mechanics because I built at least 10 helis on my own first (e.g. Hirobo CH 47, Hirobo Cobra, Raptor Titans, T-Rex's etc.)

I also would say that much of the joy I get in the hobby is from tinkering with heli mechanics!!

do not waste your money and time on a coaxial. They fly good but teachyou bad habits.
They do not fly like a real heli.


1) get DX6i Tx or JR of your choice if you have the money
2) buy pheonix flight sim basic. fly for a month at least
3) 1st heli Blade mcpx. It will be difficult but go slow. Fly in normal mode at first.
4) 2nd heli after 6 months of flying mcpx, Blade 450

enjoy

I have to disagree with the Blade as a starter. It is just too squirrelly as evidenced by ror's experience of having to go for 6 months before moving to a TRex which can be similarly unstable and unforgiving. Go larger to begin with and you'll be way more likely to succeed and stay in the hobby.

Hi cragmor,

What kind of budget are you trying to keep with? That above all else will determine what to do next. Also, do you know of any RC clubs near you that have heli's fly? If so, visit one on a weekend and talk with the heli guys there and learn, learn, learn. (Heli guys love to talk of their experience )

Next, a collective pitch heli as your first heli experience can be a hairy experience...esp using a small heli (like the SR) and going at it by yourself. When your ready to try it again you may want to first get a pair of training gear for it.

A simulator of some sort will be your best teacher...it will be very cost effective as your just hit the spacebar after a crash and your flying again...something you can't do in real life.

Larger heli's are better but there's the financial issue to deal with, hence my first question to you.

For me...I started out on a coaxial heli (a Blade CX2) then moved to a collective pitch heli. Just be prepared to use the coaxial for a few weeks only as your skills will progress beyond its capabilities quickly. It's just meant as an intro to heli's and will give you the basics to try out indoors.

Good luck!

Mark