BUYING AND FLYING A REMOTE CONTROL HELICOPTER
About 10 years ago I got my first remote control helicopter. In those days they were not as easy to set up and fly but they were still great fun. Nowadays prices have come down and the build quality of recognised brands is super. There is a remote control helicopter to suit all abilities and all budgets.
At skymodels.co.uk we want you to get the helicopter that is best suited to your individual needs and once you make that choice and get delivery of your new model, get it set up and flying correctly. Please feel free to reply to any of our posts and share your experiences with other readers.
REMOTE CONTROL HELICOPTERS – LATEST POSTS
PRE FLIGHT CHECKS
Everytime you take to the air it is very important that you check your remote control helicopter for any damage or waer and tear. To someone new to the hobby this can seem like a waste of time but you will soon learn that a loose servo or stray antenna can ruin a good day out and cost you money. Visit our seriers of posts about pre flight checks.
GROUND SURFACE
If you have opted for a toy remote control helicopter such as a Syma S107G then you will not have to worry too much about the flying surface. The same holds true for most coaxial models. They are primarily designed for indoor use and can be flown more or less immediately. For more on this topic click here
FLYING SPACE
Before making your final selection just think about the space you have available to fly the remote control helicopter. It really only becomes an issue when you start getting into more complex collective pitch models. In a series of posts we will outline some of the factors you need to consider, the most important of which is safety. For more on this topic > CLICK HERE
FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE
Anyone getting their first remote control helicoptershould check the specifications of the model they are buying. In particular it is important to verify that the heli control system uses a 2.4GHZ frequency transmitter. A 2.4GHZ system will eliminate the problem of unwanted interference. For more on this topic > Click Here
ARTICLES OF INTEREST : SETTING UP A REMOTE CONTROL HELICOPTER
For newcomers to the hobby of flying a remote control helicopter the amount of information to absorb can seem daunting. There is plenty of help online particularly in forums. Getting a helicopter that best fits your requirements is the first step in the process. After that it is all about setting up your helicopter correctly and getting lots of practice. In this article we will focus on the set up phase.
Assuming that you are a beginner and new to the hobby of flying remote control helicopters, chances are you purchased an electric model that was advertised as “Ready to Fly” or RTF. Any of the main brands such as e-flite and align produce quality helicopters and they will be RTF once the battery is charged, however you may need to make some small adjustments.
Some models are sold without a TX, RX and battery pack. These are known as “Plug N Play” models and are usually purchased by experienced pilots who have a collection of remote control helicopters. In this article will will concentrate on RTF models as most newcomers will not purchase such an advanced model.
The key to getting the set up process right is to take your time. Set aside a couple of hours just to read the instructions. You may not need it but allow for it anyway. Every model will have unique features so do not rush things at the start. There will be plenty of time for flying and it will be a lot more enjoyable if you get things right from the start.
Checking for transit damage should be the first check you carry out, even if you bought the model from a shop, but particularly if you purchased the heli online. This will not take long as any damage is usually easy to identify. If you do spot anything contact the supplier immediately and they will take you through your options.
Getting the battery pack charged should be the next thing you do. This is a straight forward process and usually models are supplied with a battery charger. If a charger has not been supplied or you opt to use a different charger then make sure you are aware of the charging guidelines, especially if it is a LI-PO battery.
When flying remote control helicopters, safety should be your top priority. The same applies when you are setting up your helicopter, particularly when fitting a charged battery. Be sure that the ESC and main rotors are not “armed”, otherwise the blades may start to spin with your fingers in the way. Do not underestimate the damage spinning rotors can do.
You are probably aware at this stage that the pitch of the blades is changed through movements in the swashplate. As part of the set up process you should check that the swashplate moves as expected when inputs are made to the control system. For example, when you apply left cyclic the swashplate moves to the left.
When checking the control system you should also pay particular attention to the tail rotor gyro. To do this you just have to spin the helicopter around it’s vertical axis by holding it between your thumb and fore finger. As you rotate the helicopter you should not the angle of the tail rotor blades changing.
Taking time to go through the set up process properly is something that should be regarded are part of getting to know how your new helicopter works. Once you start flying you will have hard landings and crashes that damage the heli and if you have some idea how the helicopter is assembled and works then getting back in the air will be a lot easier.
ARTICLES OF INTEREST : GETTING STARTED
Over recent years the positive effects of improvements in consumer electronics have reached the world of remote control helicopters. What were once expensive, unreliable “machines” that only the most dedicated enthusiast could master have been transformed into fun, easy to fly and inexpensive models. There is now a remote control helicopter to suit all budgets and abilities.
No only are model helicopters more advanced, they are also easier to use, a lot more stable and most importantly, cheaper. It is now possible to get an entry level helicopter for less than $150. There is a model helicopter to suit all budgets. Toy helicopters are even cheaper, usually less than $30, but because they are only toys we will exclude them from our beginners guide to the hobby of flying remote control helicopters.
If you are thinking of purchasing a model heli there can be a tendency to rush out to the nearest model shop and buy the shiniest and what you think the best helicopter. Anytime we are asked, we strongly advise against such action. It is vital that you take time to consider exactly what you need. There is a huge variety of models available. Taking your time to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each type is the approach we recommend.
Factors that you need to consider include, access to a suitable flying area, cost, time to practice and level of enthusiasm. If you have only a passing interest in the hobby and are just looking for a bit of fun then purchasing an advanced 3D model helicopter capable of serious aerobatics is not something you should do. It can be very easy to get carried away with a good sales pitch in a shop and you could end up with something that is not suited to your needs.
The best place to start is with an explanation of the different types of helicopters that are available. We have limited our classification to electric helicopters only. Nitro powered helicopters are available but they are for advanced “pilots” with a lot of experience. Certainly not for a beginner.
Coaxial Helicopters : These helicopters are very well balanced and will be ready to fly straight out of the box. They are perfect for learning the basics of flying a helicopter. On inspection there is an obvious difference to other helicopters. Coaxial models have two sets of main rotor blades, one mounted above the other. They spin in opposite directions which ensures the heli remains stable in the air. There is no tail rotor.
Fixed Pitch helicopters (FP) : Unlike coaxial models, fixed pitch helicopters are configured as you would expect. There is one set of main rotor blades and a tail rotor to prevent the tail spinning as power is applied. They are not suitable for advanced, precision flying. Because the pitch of the rotor blades is fixed the only way of controlling the height of the helicopter is through the use of the throttle (power). This can be a rather “blunt” control and can take some time to master. Having said that they are definitely a step up from coaxial models and will be an enjoyable challenge.
Collective Pitch Models : These helicopters are great fun, powerful and not for those who just want to fly a model now and then. Don’t waste your money if you are not going to practice regularly and get the most from the helicopter. They have a full set of controls similar to what you would expect to find on a real helicopter and can be flown at speed. These helis are better suited to the outdoors or large sports halls.
Purchasing the wrong helicopter will not only waste money but may also deter you from getting more involved in the hobby. The quality and cost of model helis is fairly standard, what you need to ensure is that the capabilities of the model match your expectations. To avoid a mismatch you need to do research and decide what you want the helicopter to do. Hopefully the information above will start you off on the right track and get you thinking about the options.
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