Getting Started
Choosing the Right Remote Control Helicopter
Choosing the Right Remote Control Helicopter
Electric RC helicopters are now widely available, more affordable and easier to fly than ever before, making them extremely popular throughout the US. Mini and micro model copters can be flown indoors for year-round enjoyment, regardless of the weather.
Once you get the hang of them, RC helicopters are a LOT of fun! But you need to proceed carefully at first. You don’t want to hurt yourself or someone else with your new helicopter and you don’t want to crash it either.
There are three basic groups of electric RC helicopters depending on the rotor/blade design: Coaxial, Fixed Pitch (FP) and Collective Pitch (CP).
Coaxial RC helicopters have two main rotors (and blades) that spin in the opposite direction of each other. When you see “counter-rotating blades,” “dual rotor” or “contra-rotation” in a helicopter’s description, it uses the Coaxial design. The two rotors cancel out each other’s torque, so a tail rotor is not necessary. That gives you one less channel to worry about when you’re learning to fly, making things easier. Coaxial helicopters have the big advantage of being easier to master.
Fixed Pitch (FP) is the next step up from Coaxial. If you have a Flight Simulator to work with or an experienced helicopter flier to learn from, the FP 4-channel electric helicopters are great for beginners who want a realistic looking helicopter, but don’t want to spend a large amount of money. These copters definitely have a learning curve but they’re a good introduction to multi-channel RC helicopter flying. Spare parts are readily available and you will need spare parts at some point. The Venom Night Ranger line included some great FP models that have been immensely popular. Venom is phasing out and discontinuing the Night Ranger line and while the helis and parts are still readily available now, over time, they’ll eventually become harder to find.
More complex than the Coaxial and FP designs are the Collective Pitch (CP) helicopters. Once you’ve mastered the basics of helicopter flying and you’re ready to attempt the amazing aerobatics and 3D flying that’s so exciting and fun to watch, then you’re ready to begin shopping for your first CP copter. Some CP’s are specifically designed with the CP novice in mind and they’ll be easier to fly, but all CP helicopters have the inherent instability that comes with single rotors,. You’ll want to practice and learn as much as you can (through side-by-side instruction with an experienced pilot, flight simulator practice, reading) before your maiden solo flight. When shopping, read the descriptions carefully, e.g., in the description for the Align T-Rex 450 models: T-Rex 450 Sport Version is the correct choice for beginners looking for a 400 class copter while advanced pilots may prefer to go with the T-Rex 450 Pro.
We covered side-by-side instruction and rc flight simulators in previous articles and you might want to check them out. Articles Page
Due to their immense popularity, it is easy to find helicopters to fit any skill level and budget . As long as we follow the manufacturer’s instructions and are cautious and sensible, anyone can learn to fly radio remote control RC helicopters and become one of the many copter fliers who are addicted to this intensely satisfying and rewarding hobby.
There is an organized schedule of progress specifically for RC helicopter pilots on the IRCHA's website. It's called the Pilot Proficiency Program (PPP) and you can download the Word documents for Levels 1 through 7 at: http://ircha.org/index.php?pr=PPP_Levels
It is strongly recommended that you complete the steps in the order
they are listed. Discipline and precision will pay off big-time as your
flying skills progress.
The most Easy-to-Fly Coaxial Model Helicopters can most easily be found on the Kids Remote Control page and they're listed in groupings by age (e.g., age 14 and older, age 12 and up, etc.). Grownups: Just because these models are deemed to be safe for kids who read and follow the instructions and fly under adult supervision, that does not mean that older teens and Adults will have an easy peasy time with them. They're still plenty challenging and a LOT of fun once you get the hang of them. As with all radio remote control flight models, it is CRITICAL that you read and follow the instructions. To protect your investment and stay safe - you absolutely must read the instructions!
In our own personal experience, there's no more satisfying and rewarding hobby than flying RC helicopters and planes. It's healthy for the mind and body, gets us outdoors, it's fun for the entire family and a great way to make new friends. As you get started in your new hobby, we would love to hear from you and if there's anything we can do to help, please let us know! You can reach us anytime by filling in the message form on the Contact Us page or by sending an email to Support@RcPlanesandCopters.com. Have fun, stay safe and good flying!
IMPORTANT: Before turning an RC helicopter over to a child, an Adult or responsible older teenager should always read and familiarize themselves with the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions first. Children
should only be
allowed to fly age-appropriate
aircraft unless they are under the close supervision of an
Adult who is an experienced flier. Those watching a child fly an
aircraft,
particularly young
friends and siblings, should stay back, maintaining a safe
distance from
the flight area.
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