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.

RC Helicopters

Without a doubt, mastering the proper control of your RC helicopter is one of the most difficult challenges you will face when you first get your hands on your new flying bird. The radio control set used to control an RC helicopter is actually almost identical to that of the real thing, and so it takes considerable practice to get to grips with it. No one said it was going to be easy, but with a little practice you will be on your way.

The very first thing that a novice pilot needs to learn is how to balance the RC helicopters when hovering just off the ground. Keeping your RC chopper in the 'hover' position is the most essential basic skill you need to learn. It is very foolish to attempt any other maneuver until you know how to keep the helicopter balanced, and so today's lesson will instruct you on how to do just that.

Familiarize yourself with the controls

This might seem obvious, but it really does need repeating. Read up in the instruction manual and play with the controls a little, so you know exactly what each lever and button does before you attempt to fly your RC helicopter. If you don't know the controls it's all too easy for your chopper to go flying off and smashing into the nearest tree or angry dog walker the moment your crank the power up for the first time.

Lift off

Once you understand how the controls work, you are ready to begin flying your chopper. Note that it's wise to proceed very slowly:

• Firstly, place the RC helicopter at a safe distance away from you, around 6 or 7 feet away, and make sure that the tail of the helicopter points to you and the nose points away from you.
• Slowly bring the RC helicopter up to speed. What this means is you need to maintain ground stability while slowly increasing the speed of the rotors, till the chopper is just about ready for takeoff - But don't lift off right now, just try to maintain this balance (this can be quite difficult, so take your time).
• Once you are confident enough, it's time to begin the takeoff procedure and get yourself airborne - Slowly! Using the throttle control (or collective), give the RC helicopter a very slight boost in power and slowly ease it into the air. When you get to a height of approximately one foot, ease off the throttle a touch. The idea is to keep the chopper hovering in the air in the same place - If it keeps rising then you are applying too much throttle; if it starts to descend then you are not applying enough. It takes time to get it right, but keep concentrating and you will soon be able to maintain your RC helicopter in exactly the same spot.
• The second important thing is landing safely. To do so, release the throttle VERY slowly, so that the bird gradually drifts back down towards the ground. Don't release too quickly, or your chopper will smash into the floor, leaving you with a very expensive pile of wreckage!