LARGE RC HELICOPTERS OR SMALL - HOW TO FIGURE IT ALL OUT
Size is a "big" topic. Many people say large RC Helicopters are the best to learn on once you make the fun progression to single rotor collective pitch. This is absolutely true, but what is considered large and how are RC helicopters sized? With so many sizes available and so many different ways advertisers are promoting RC helicopters, where do you even start? In the good old days when all we had were nitro engines , sizing planes and helicopters was easy. Basically what ever size engine was used in the helicopter – that’s what size it was referred to. This is still a convenient way to size nitro models. For example a 30 size nitro helicopter would mean it uses a 0.30 cubic inch nitro engine ... a very popular entry level helicopter size to this day. With so many different power options now like electric and gas, how on earth can we compare apples to apples? For example a 600 class electric heli is roughly the same size as a 50 size nitro heli. Of course electric motor manufactures numbers are all over the place. Sizing for electric motors is just to indicate physical size of the motor - it doesn't actually indicate how powerful it is. Micro and mini helicopter sizing has also clouded the issue with both terms being thrown around more as trendy niche marketing tools than as ways to determine helicopter size. Micro and mini are therefore completely subjective without any common point of reference. Confusing – You bet! Fortunately there is a better way to determine large RC helicopter size from small, and that is by the main rotor diameter. All helicopter manufactures will indicate main rotor diameter on their specifications of each helicopter model. This way you can compare apples to apples without getting lost in engine or motor numbers. The rotor diameter is simply the distance measured from rotor tip to rotor tip – just the same as measuring wing span on an airplane. For helicopters, this distance is usually measured in millimeters; however, there are a few manufactures that indicate rotor diameter in inches. I have broken this mess of sizing down to a simple five size list. Just like ordering a beverage at the movies. Under each size heading, I have included rotor diameter range in millimeters and inches. I have indicated possible engine sizes – remember those are subjective especially for electrics. I have also included one popular helicopter model that fits under that size range. 
This way, you and I are on the same page. It will also be much easier referring to a "large" RC helicopter instead of talking about various engine sizes and rotor diameters throughout the rest of the best RC helicopter size discussion.1:MINI RC HELICOPTERS 2:MICRO RC HELICOPTERS 3:SMALL SIZE RC HELICOPTERS 4:REGULAR SIZE RC HELICOPTERS 5:LARGE RC HELICOPTERS Now that we have our 5 basic sizes identified lets look at which will be your best RC helicopter to learn on. As stated in the opening paragraph:“The Bigger The Better”. This might not seem to make sense from a cost standpoint, but from an ease of learning to fly standpoint, large RC helicopters have many advantages. The down side to large RC helicopters is they cost more than small ones – sometimes a lot more. They also cost more to repair and operate. The best way is to start out with the largest RC helicopter you can afford to purchase, operate, and maintain. For most people that means what I have classified as a “Small” size 400 series electric or "Regular" size electric or nitro. More RC heli pilots have successfully learned to fly on these two sizes than any other. These two sized RC helis are big enough to see what you are doing and small enough that it won’t cost a fortune to purchase and operate. Light wind won’t bother them either; so when you are learning, you won’t have to wait for that dead calm day. "Small" size 400 electrics are becoming the most popular helis due to cost. The nice thing about this size is the price. There are many complete packages available such as the Blade 400 that will give you the "biggest bang for the buck". The wind will affect them more than it would with a regular sized 30-50 nitro or 500-600 electric, so calm days while you learn are important. Of course the next best size is the "Regular Size". If your RC heli budget is strong, it is really the best size to start out on. RC helicopters in this size range are much less susceptible to wind and their mass makes them more stable. Stay away from "Micro" size electrics or nitros as your first hobby grade single rotor collective pitch RC helicopter. They are actually surprisingly difficult to control and because of their small size, it is easy to get disorientated. Most of the electric ones such as the Blade CP use a tail rotor electric motor to counteract the main rotor torque instead of changing the pitch angles of the tail rotor blades. This makes for a very vague feeling tail and is again very difficult to control. Micro electrics are fine for flying in a large room or out side at the park on dead calm days as a novelty helicopter once you have mastered RC helicopter flight – but definitely not the best RC helicopter to learn on. I have one of these little buggers and never fly it. It is a true pig to control and so much operational strain is being put on that little tail rotor motor, it always burns out within 20 flights or so. Ask around, you will get the same advice from anyone who made this "money pit" mistake. More people have given up this hobby because this was the first type and size of helicopter they decided to purchase (based on cost & perhaps blinged out looks alone)... Please don’t make the same mistake. I should point out that micro electric coaxial RC helicopters such as the Blade mCX are very stable and easy to fly, but we are talking about single rotor collective pitch here... Stick to “Small” or “Regular” for your best hobby grade single rotor collective pitch RC helicopter size choice and you will have a much easier time learning. Replacement parts for these sizes of helis are generally easier to find as well. Moreover, most manufactures have put together “crash kits” in this size range - they include all the normal replacement bits that usually break in a light to moderate crash. Purchasing a “crash kit” will generally save you money over purchasing each item separately.
|
