LOOKING FOR A FUN AND REWARDING HOBBY? START FLYING RC HELICOPTERS!
Why would you want to take up RC helicopters as a hobby? Two words come to mind - "FUN" and "REWARDING" - that is after all what most of us are looking for in a hobby.
I have been flying radio controlled helicopters (RC helicopters) for over 20 years now, and have seen huge advances in this fun hobby over those years. There simply has never been a better time to start flying radio controlled helicopters then right now.
Unlike most RC airplanes, radio controlled helicopters don't require a large mowed or paved runway; they take-off vertically so any open area will do. At the other end of the spectrum are small electric indoor RC helicopters that you can fly in your own home or at the office. Add in the amazing fun factor and it is easy to see why RC helicopters are showing the strongest growth among all the various forms of RC hobbies.
I built and maintain RC Helicopter Fun.com to help answer many common questions related to this relatively "technical hobby". From toy to turbine - information, advice, tips, recommendations, and guidance to help you succeed.
SO MUCH CHOICE
The number of helicopter models available is to say the least, mind blowing. Today there are RC helis for every budget and ability. Toy, Micro Coaxial, Electric, Nitro, Gas, even Jet Turbine RC models are showing up in the main stream.
The best news - the cost of RC helicopters keeps going down while the technology keeps improving; introducing so many more people to this wonderful hobby.
THE PROBLEM AND SOLUTION
There is a down side to this huge selection of helis – information overload! Unless you have all the facts and understand some of the technical aspects of this hobby, you will not choose the best RC helicopter for you.
This leads to crashing, frustration and perhaps ultimately in giving up with RC helicopters. I know so many people who have been down that road. Unfortunately, there is also a lot of JUNK out there that will add to these frustrations!
My goal is to give you all the tools (information & knowledge) to get you off on the right foot. You will save TIME and MONEY... but above all have FUN!
THE DISTINCTION - TOY, MICRO COAXIAL, SINGLE ROTOR COLLECTIVE PITCH
There is little doubt the single rotor collective pitch hobby grade RC chopper is the most complex and most difficult RC vehicle to master. This is not true of the new RC toy mini helicopters and micro coaxial RC helis that have been "hovering" up all over the place.
I have special sections devoted just to RC Toy helis and Micro Coaxial helis – yup, they’re fun and easy to fly - for kids and adults alike.
I wanted to make that distinction clear so you understand there is a big difference between RC toy helis, RC coaxial helis, and hobby grade single rotor collective pitch RC Helicopters - they are all completely different machines.
Scale Bell 222 RC Helicopter - Challenging, But Oh So Rewarding
THE CHALLENGES AND REWARDS
Yes, hobby grade single rotor RC helis are challenging. They are complex machines with hundreds of parts. Single rotor helicopters (model and full size) are unstable - at least when hovering.
Hovering is kind of like balancing on a big ball. This is why the RC chopper is more difficult than other RC vehicles - you are always making control corrections to keep it flying.
This might make you ask "how on earth can that be fun or rewarding, this guy must be as unstable as his helicopter" right – ask my wife, she might agree.
All kidding aside, these constant control corrections connect you to your helicopter like no other RC vehicle.
Once you learn how to hover your helicopter, you will never forget - the control corrections become second nature - you don’t even realize you are doing them.
I can still remember the first day I learned to hover all those years ago. It is the same feeling you get when learning to ride a bicycle or any other seemingly impossible balancing act.
After trying and trying, something just clicks - your brain gets it - you are on cloud 9 for days. You have to keep flying, getting better and better. A natural high occurs and yes, you are becoming addicted.
Of course hovering is just the first step, the fun is just beginning – wait till you do your first loop or roll. Yes – now the adrenaline really starts flowing. In addition to the flying fun is the technical fun of understanding and maintaining a RC heli; for many, that is the most rewarding aspect of this hobby.
Here is a video of what a hobby grade single rotor RC heli can do in the hands of a professional 3D master.
TIME TO START
Well if you are still with me, I guess I didn’t scare you off. That is good - even if you don’t take up the RC Heli hobby in one form or another, you will learn a lot about RC Helicopters here. My goal is to make learning about this hobby rewarding and... you know it - fun!
I have arranged the navigation bar in a logical progression of beginner information down to more advanced material. If you have some experience with RC Helicopters already, by all means click on a topic that interests you.
There are good points on all pages, so as time permits please have look at them too. If you find the information useful, bookmark this site, share the page, or subscribe to "The Heli Blog".
Radio Controlled Helicopters - Getting Started The Three Most Common Questions I Get Asked About Radio Controlled Helicopters Are: How Much Does It Cost? Do You Have To Know How To Fly A RC Plane First? Are They Hard To Fly? Want The Answers...
Are RC Helicopters Hard To Fly? Are RC Helicopters Hard To Fly - Yes & No depending on you and your helicopter - here is a simple expanation...
The Best RC Helicopter For You Looking for the best RC helicopter? Confused With the huge selection? Trying to find that perfect gift? Don't get grounded by making the wrong decision.
Toy Helicopters Are Fun And Easy To Fly Mini Or Toy Helicopters Have Made Owning A RC Helicopter A Reality For Everybody. Easy To Fly And Inexpensive. They Really Are The Prefect Gift For Anyone.
Micro Coaxial RC Helicopters. Helis For Everyone! Micro coaxial RC helicopters are the perfect indoor RC helicopter. From first time fliers to experienced heli pilots – everyone loves them. Why? Stability and low cost!
Electric Helicopters Will Give You A Charge! Electric Helicopters are fast becoming the leading RC heli choice for so many peope. This article will help you understand more about them and recommendations.
Understanding The Nitro RC Helicopter The Nitro RC Helicopter is still the most popular kind of RC heli. From beginner to pro – these helicopters provide so many benefits for all.
Understanding Gas RC Helicopters Gas RC Helicopters Are Often Mistaken For Their Smaller Nitro Brothers. Gas Helis Use A Small 2-Cycle Gasoline Engine, And Are Among The Largest of RC Helicopters.
Understanding The RC Turbine Helicopter The RC Turbine Helicopter Is As Close As Most Of Us Will Ever Get To Own A Real Helicopter. These Large RC Helicopters Sound And Fly Exactly Like The Real Thing.
RC Helicopter Controls and Flight Theory Learning How RC Helicopter Controls Function And Understanding Basic Helicopter Flight Theory Is The First Step In Learning How To Fly RC Helicopters.
How To Fly RC Helicopters Learning how to fly RC helicopters can be difficult and frustrating with out proper instruction and guidance. Here is a lesson plan that works - Flight School is in!
Understanding The RC Helicopter Gyro The RC helicopter gyro has made flying RC helis easier. With terms like heading hold, yaw rate, remote gain, and digital servos - deciding on what gyro to get has never been harder.
RC Helicopter Tools There are a number of special RC helicopter tools required when getting into the RC heli hobby. There are must have tools and nice to have tools – let’s see what you need.
The RC Field Box Essentials Before you even think about going to the field to fly your RC helicopter or airplane, you will need to get a RC Field Box. You also need to stock your field box – here is what you must know.
RC Helicopter SiteSearch RChelicoperterfun.com is an all inclusive informative and fun site about RC Helicopters. Save time by using the SiteSearch page to find out the exact information you are looking for.
Contact Me Contact me for feedback on this site. Perhaps you would like to share a RC heli story, rc heli pictures, or link to this site – let me know.
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RC Hobby & Aviation Web Sites Looking for great RC hobby and aviation web sites that proved top quality information – I have reviewed and hand picked the best.
Blade 400 RC Helicopter Review The Blade 400 RC helicopter is one of the best values on the market for people who are just starting out in this fun hobby – find out why.
My Favourite RC Hobby Shops RC Helicopter Fun is proud to recommend the following RC hobby shops for all your RC and hobby needs.
The Cheap Turbine RC Helicopter The day of the cheap turbine rc helicopter is here - Introducing Bergen RC Helicopter's 44 Magnum
