RC Helicopters – Some useful information for beginners

Flying RC Helicopters is one of the most satisfying hobbies out there. In fact, this hobby provides you will the chance of having a real picture of how pilots fly real helicopters. But even though joining the hobby is a great way of learning how to fly RC Helicopters, there is still need for new hobbyists to have adequate information before concerning these air-crafts.

There is a lot of information on Helicopters. But not all of it is important for individuals who are joining the hobby for the first time. Most of the information found either online or offline mainly carters to the needs of those who already have been flying helicopters for a long time.

Mistakes that new hobbyists face when flying RC Helicopters

Due to the fact that new hobbyists have inadequate knowledge on how to fly helicopters, they tend to face a lot of problems after joining the hobby. Some of the problems that they face include:

Buying the wrong air-crafts

A lot of people who have no access to information on RC Helicopters end up purchasing the wrong type of helicopters. For instance, those who want an indoor aircraft end up buying an outdoor helicopter and those who want the outdoor one mistakenly purchase an indoor air plane. This is all a result of having inadequate information on what kind of helicopters suit what type of environment.

Having few flying skills

Just like any other worthwhile hobby, flying RC Helicopters is not easy and hence one can't expect to learn everything overnight. In fact, it may take some people more than 6 months to have adequate flying skills. And because most new hobbyists have no knowledge of this, they end up crashing their expensive Helicopters since they don't know that one needs to start with simulators before trying various flying techniques on real helicopters

Losing confidence in their flying abilities

Whether you like it or not, the helicopter that you will buy will crash sooner or later. This is one of the realities that everyone who joins the hobby has to accept. However, many new hobbyists don't realize this and they lose confidence in their fly skills when their helicopters crash frequently.

Begin with a simulator

Most of the mistakes mentioned above can be easily avoided if new hobbyists buy RC simulators before they purchase an RC Helicopter. This is necessary because simulators provide you with information on what type of RC helicopter is best for what environment as well as are a great platform where you can learn the skills that you will need to fly helicopters.

RC Helicopters – Some useful facts about their maintenance

RC helicopters require constant maintenance. Investing in the right tools right from the get go will save you a lot of time and money. Trying to construct your own RC helicopter without the proper tools will most likely lead to a crashed aircraft and even if you purchase a ready to fly remote controlled helicopter, you will still need the proper tools for its maintenance. Don't waste your money buying every available helicopter tool, start with the bare essentials and over time, you will know exactly what tools you need for each job.

The simple helicopter pitch gauge is utilized to align the pitch angle and the type of range of pitch that your main rotor blades will have. This is one of the most important tools and is used even for ready to fly models as you need to confirm whether the pitch angle and pitch range are correct.

Do not rely on the cheap, poor quality tools that come with most remote control helicopters. It is better to invest in your own assortment of metric Allen Drivers. The best way to do this is to start with a nice basic set then buy hex and nut drivers individually.

To prevent damage due to vibrations, get a Dubro Balancer which can be used for engine cooling fan balancing and airplane propeller balancing. Make sure you also buy a good soldering iron and station with adjustable heat settings, replaceable tips, cleaning pad and holder.

Your kit should also include wire charger leads for your charger and a flybar lock for some helicopters, small flat blade and Phillips screw driver, spark plug socket, hobby knife and blades and quality wire strippers. To set up a 120 degree CCPM swashplate in the right manner and to level it as well, you will need proper swashplate leveling tools. To save money you can also build your own swash leveling tool. It won't be as easy to use as a readymade one, but it will be adequate for most users.

For the electric powered remote control helicopters, make sure you buy a good quality computerized battery charger. This can also be used to power the on-board electrics on your fuel powered models.

Lastly, be sure to purchase different types of bearing greases and the general lubricating oils, epoxy glue, instant CA glue, blue medium strength locktite, a good quality metric ruler, an electric drill and drill bits, heat shrinking tubing and nylon tie straps.

Remote control helicopters are the most rewarding of all RC hobbies and part of the fun is all the work that goes into it. Without the right tools, it will be impossible to finish a project and lots of first time buyers end up abandoning the project altogether after getting frustrated at the length of time it takes. Make sure you research on remote control helicopter repair tips before attempting any work yourself.

RC Helicopters – Some interesting facts about remote controlled helicopters

RC Helicopters are very special. This is because they don't need such frivolities like runaways in order for them to fly. All they need is a large open space and they will easily take off. In addition to this, you can also purchase different models of the helicopters on the market. Some of the models available include Jet turbine powered helicopters, toy helicopters, multi-rotor helicopters and electric powered helicopters, just to mention a few.

The most amazing news about this hobby is that due to the competition that is prevalent between companies that manufacture these air-crafts, the prices of the RC Helicopters are now more reasonable than before.

Advantages of remote controlled helicopters

There are a lot of advantages that people enjoy while flying RC helicopter. One of these is that information is easily accessible. Every hobbyist will agree with me that there is a lot of information out there that deals with helicopters. This information allows all hobbyists to have knowledge about all the technical aspects that involve RC Helicopters.

Another advantage of this hobby is that enthusiasts have the chance of selecting different kinds of models available on the market. These include selecting air-crafts such as the RC Chopper (which is considered difficult to fly and thus, is more suitable for experienced hobbyists) or selecting easy to fly helicopters such as the micro coaxial or the toy helicopter.

Features of RC Helicopters

Though these helicopters are of different models, they basically function the same way when it comes to flight. All helicopters fly using what is called rotary motion. This motion allows RC airplanes to fly exactly in the same way as real helicopters. This is achieved through the use of a transmitter which sends signals to receivers that are installed in the helicopters.

Apart from having similar flight motions like full sized helicopters, RC air-crafts are relatively of two types. These are namely co-axial and single rotor helicopters.

Single rotor is divided into two models. These are namely fixed and collective pitch helicopters:

1. A fixed pitch helicopter has 4 channels and flies by using throttle.
2. While on the other hand, a collective pitch helicopter has 6 or more channels and is able to fly without relying on throttle.

The fact that collective pitch helicopters don't rely on throttle makes them too advanced for beginners. For these individuals, it is more suitable for them to start off with the fixed pitch helicopters and then advance on to the collective ones after they have mastered the essential flying skills.

RC Helicopters – Get into the fun

For all those with the love of flight, practicing this hobby shouldn't be far-fetched. You probably yearn for doing cool flying stunts like the ones you see on TV, and it's all possible with RC helicopters. RC stands for "radio controlled" and not "remote controlled", which is what most people think. The good thing about RC helicopters is that they can be flown anywhere; indoors and outdoors. They don't require a runway path like RC planes. Instead they take off vertically.

RC helicopter are not childish; they can be really tough to fly and master. They look nothing like a children's toy; with the complexity of design and the importance of small details, they are more similar to real helicopters than you may think. They come in many sizes ranging from the size of a speaker to the size of a vacuum cleaner. Their prices vary from around 20$ to 200$ depending on quality, size and type. Fortunately, they keep getting cheaper and cheaper with time due to the technological improvement.

As a beginner, you will become completely overwhelmed with the extremely wide range of types and brands out there. If you are thinking about buying your first RC helicopter, then the coaxial helicopters are perfect for you. They have two main rotors and no tail rotor. Having two blades that rotate in opposite directions eliminate the necessity of a tail rotor, thus the beginner has one less channel to worry about. Their flight is extremely stable since the two main rotors cancel each other's torque effect. They fly smoothly and slowly. The four channel coaxial helicopter comes with the most movement options; it can go back and forth, up and down, side to side and spin around its axis. However, its speed remains limited which insures minimum damage when crashing.

When you master the coaxial and you feel ready for the next level, you can upgrade yourself to the fixed pitch. The fixed pitch is a single rotor helicopter that can go much faster than the coaxial helicopters. Controlling altitude is done by the rotor speed; more motor power generates more lift. This makes it hard to maintain a constant height though. But still, fixed pitch helicopters are a great additional challenge for those who want more than coaxial helicopters.

Collective pitch helicopters are even harder. Before buying them, one has to be sure he is ready since they are serious business. He has to know about the coordination of motor power, collective pitch control and cyclic pitch control. Going wrong with them can cause unpredictable damages. That's why they come with more thrill, and really cool moves and stunts can be done with them.

Flying RC helicopters empower maneuvering skills, quick thinking and physical laws. It's also great for people with an interest in electrical circuits and machinery. Indeed, flying an RC helicopter is one of the most rewarding hobbies out there.

RC Helicopters - Some amazing tips on maintaining your RC helicopters

Looking after RC Helicopter is not an easy task as some people may claim. It requires the right knowledge and expertise otherwise you may end up damaging the planes. Below are some of the tips that are necessary if you want your RC Helicopters to last for a long time.

1. The most important and obvious tip is to make sure that you are well trained. Many people make the mistake of flying their Helicopters before they have the necessarily flying skills. This leads to their planes crashing regularly and as a result the helicopters need regular maintenance and hence do not last. Thus, make sure that you are well trained before you attempt to fly your precious RC Helicopter.
2. Visit helicopter maintenance experts. This is one of the best ways that you can look after your plane. Always ensure that you are visiting an RC Helicopter maintenance workshop or other similar places regularly. Do not make the mistake of trying to maintain the planes yourself. One of the benefits of choosing to place your helicopter in the hands of an expert is that he knows how to deal with any issues that may arise.
3. Make a habit of checking that the important parts of your aircraft are working properly. The most crucial parts of an RC Helicopter include tail rotor and rotor head. Ensuring that these parts are working well will greatly help in your plane being more durable.
   
   
   

Why should you look after your RC Helicopter?

The first benefit of looking after your helicopter is durability. Well maintained airplanes last longer than those that are not well looked after. This means that you need to regularly check your plane for any small issues that may arise as failure to do so results in bigger and more serious problems that are difficult to deal with. Thus, make sure that you visit Helicopter maintenance experts frequently for the durability of your aircraft.

Another reason why you should take care of your RC Helicopters is enjoyment. As any other hobby, RC Helicopters are there for the increased enjoyment of hobbyists; by providing the necessary fun that people who like to fly seek. However, this enjoyment becomes a nightmare if the planes frequently breakdown or lose bolts and nuts whenever you fly them. Such incidences will definitely compromise on your fun and thus the hobby becomes less and less enjoyable than before. Hence, make sure that you look after your aircraft well to prevent this.

Looking after your Helicopter is also great as it develops in you a sense of accomplishment. By ensuring that all aspects of your plane are working efficiently, you develop a sense of responsible ownership that leads to a feeling of accomplishment.

RC Helicopters – Some essential facts that you need to know

As an RC Helicopter hobbyist there is need for you to know about owning helicopters. For instance, you need to about what aspects to reflect on when purchasing them. Some of the factors that you must consider before buying a helicopter are listed below.

The Price

Even though owning a remote control helicopter is a hobby for those who buy them, there is no point in buying one that is way above your budget. It is very common to see helicopters that are priced as high as $1,000 in shops. And though this may be okay for some people, it does not necessarily mean that you should do the same. It is always important to buy an RC Helicopter that you can easily afford. So if your price range is below $500 then make sure that you buy helicopters that are priced lower than that amount. It is insane to buy things that are way above your budget.

The Size of the flying location

A lot of hobbyists usually disregard the locations that they will use to fly the helicopters. This is a serious mistake that you should avoid at all costs. There is no sense in purchasing an indoor RC Helicopter when you’re indoors; whether warehouses, barns and car garages; are small. You must always ensure that the flying location fits the RC Helicopter that you are going to buy; otherwise you will never enjoy the experience as a serious hobbyist.

Level of Training

Your level of training as a radio control helicopter hobbyist is also important. There is no sense in purchasing something that you do not know how to operate. So if you have no experience in flying RC Helicopters, especially the large ones, then I suggest that you first of all get adequate training before you venture into this hobby. For one to be considered an RC Helicopter expert, one has to have a good eye vision as well as great hand coordination. There are a lot of places where you can get this type of help. Some of them include your local flying club, the local hobby shop and other similar avenues.

Maintenance

As a hobbyist, you must also be aware that RC Helicopters need to be maintained regularly, especially the electric ones. Thus, it is always important that you should always know where you can get the needed helicopter spare parts before you buy a radio control helicopter. This not only saves you a lot of time involved in searching for good spare parts but it also gives you a real picture of how much you will be spending in maintaining the RC Helicopter. You can always find spares easily. The internet and hobby shops are ideal places that you can start your search.

So, these are some major factors that you need to keep in mind while purchasing remote controlled helicopters from the market.

Flying Electric RC Helicopters

Flying electric RC helicopters is becoming more and more popular among all age groups, with new folks coming on-board daily. In fact, electric RC helicopter is the fastest-growing sector of RC aviation and may soon overtake airplanes as the preferred remote control aircraft. One reason is that most electric RC helicopters are easier to fly and maintain than gas models. Something, many gas and electric helicopters have in common, is the capacity to inflict injury if handled carelessly, so always take care to treat them with respect. Hobby-grade models have very high rotor speeds and the spinning blades are capable of causing serious injury - even toy model blades can hurt. To protect yourself, learn the safety rules and follow them to the letter before, during and after each flight.

You should always conduct a pre-flight check. Confirm that your radio is functioning properly and puts out enough signal for normal flying distances. Any loose screws, nuts or bolts should be tightened and batteries fully charged; check servos, linkages and control surfaces and make needed adjustments. It is best to work from an actual checklist rather than memory, so you don't overlook an important step. And if you are new to flying, it is a good idea to have a pro check behind you.Beginners should not fly alone. You will be more comfortable with a seasoned pilot by your side and he can take over if you lose control. On the other hand, you also don't need a crowd around - it could be dangerous for them, and make it harder for you to concentrate. Never fly if wind conditions are unsuitable - it doesn't take much of a breeze to play havoc with all but the largest electric RC helicopter. Fly in open spaces, clear of trees, power lines, or other obstructions. When in the air, keep the copter a safe distance from yourself and others. 15-20 feet will allow a little time to react if something goes awry. Remember, even very small models generate serious blade tip speed, so do not come close when they are spinning. Wait until the blades come to a complete stop before approaching, and never hold onto to your helicopter when the blades are turning.

Plain commonsense, along with strict adherence to safety rules, will make for optimal enjoyment each time you fly. As you gain experience, you will become more relaxed and skilled, but don't get overconfident. Remember the safety rules, put them into practice and have a great time flying electric RC helicopters.