Kenneth Green - Australia

John, I am new to RC and bought mCX, 120SR, mSR, and mCPx in thatorder. I am not totally stupid as I was in charge of launch operations for the space shuttle and the ops group commander at Cape Canaveral while in the USAF and have two masters degrees. That said, I have tried for over two months to get smart about this exciting hobby and traveled hundreds of miles to the LHS inthe area as I live in a small town. Well, I stumbled on to your site and decided to try your mSR and 120SR ebook and after getting that I realized I needed your beginners book and then said, hell, I need all of your books. You are an amazing technical writer that puts it in simple plain English that is usable. A+! Only after I got your ebooks did I realize how very little I knew. For example, I bought the DX6i TX and their instructions must assume that you have done this all of your life. Thanks to you, I can now effectively use my radio. You have saved me years on the learning curve and your ebooks ought to be included with every RC Heli that is sold. Thank you so much for reassuring me that this hobby just might be achievable to an old fart like me.

Jim Posey - United States

Hello John, I am a professional "flight-instructor and konstructeur" for "real" sport planes, helicopters and gyrocopters. I wanted to tell you that I have seen all your "videos" (Helicopter school: 1-10 ...). I know of lots of videos on YouTube BUT yours are the best! I fly as a hobby RC-Helicopter and RC-Airplanes too and I like to bring beginners into this hobby; if they still want to learn more, I say they must watch your videos. So, to make it short. Your videos, explanations and tips are absolutely top, and really much more than just amateur-Tips. Your work is professional and VERY GOOD! Keep it up... and many happy landings!

Frank Frühauf - Germany

Hi John, I just wanted to thank you for the work you have done onyour excellent website and E books. I caught the RC Heli bug one year ago now after getting myself a toy co-axial indoor model for Christmas last year, and I soon after bought a Blade mSR, Phoenix simulator and then later a 2nd hand Trex 600e. I joined a local club in March and started hovering the Trex on training gear, and I used your flight school as my guide. I also bought your beginners guide ebook and then later the setup and swashplate guides. Using these I was able to gain a real understanding of how my heli worked, and when various partswore out was able to replace and rebuild everything following your guides. I found the format of the guides and your approach very logical and easy to follow, with a great technique of managing to explain a complex subject (for someone new to it all) in an informative and enjoyable way.

I found your flight school very methodical and easy to follow, and my club mates were impressed at the rate I was improving and learning to fly. I removed the training gear after a few weeks and went on to get my BMFA A certification, which here in the UK demonstrates a basic level of safety and control of the model (hovering, lazy 8s, general safety and setup etc). A few weeks ago I did my first stall turns, loops and rolls (again followingyour video for inspiration), and today had quite another "milestone moment" when I attempted my first inverted hover. It was very messy and only lasted about 3 seconds, but it's a start and left me grinning like a fool! One of the things I love about this hobby is the fact you always strive for the next little goal, whether that is hovering side on, nose in, flying circuits or the first stall turn etc. Each step seems like such a hard target, yet when you reach it the feeling of achievement is amazing, and you really feel like you have progressed and can move on to try something new.

Anyway, just wanted to thank you for the time and effort you must have put in to helping others in this great sport, as I certainly think my progression owes a lot to your wise words and advice. I really don't think I would have gotten this far or had this much fun without finding your website and your brilliant guide ebooks.

Sam Aldcroft - United Kingdom

I had to write you, I rarely ever contact anything web based. I built and flew r/c airplanes back in the late seventies and early eighties, what blast that was, especially the learning curve even back then in Futaba's early days. So, I took on the task to build a Mantis .040 size helicopter not having any clue what I was in for. This was a very tedious endeavor insomuch as the building was concerned but beyond that was that treacherous first attempt to FLY! I managed to construct extended trainer landing gear which you describe in your e-book which I purchased. I won't drag on here but instead get to the point!

Thank You! for renewing a latent passion in me to reach beyond, new skills, introduction in to new and amazing technology, again what a blast. If I hadn't stumbled across your website I would have been headed for disaster. I would have bought the wrong heli, had no clue regarding the programming capabilities in order to tame the control characteristics of my Blade 450 RTF I just bought. Bottom line, I'm having a ball getting back into this, kind of like Alfie looking forward to his Red Ryder BB gun with the compass in the stock, now we have gyros! I'm going to follow your flight training tutorial because it makes sense to me. I also purchased your set up tips e-book, works for me! I now know something about what I'm about to learn, exciting for sure!

Frank - United States

Hi John, just wanted to say thanks for the help your website has given me. I took up the hobby about a year ago & most of what I have learnt is from your website and Ebooks. Started with a Nine Eagles Coaxial, moved to a Nine Eagles Solo Pro FP, have a Blade MCPx for indoor practice & have for the last few months moved onto a 450 class CP. This was built from a kit and yourEbooks have helped me to learn to set them up perfectly. Started out with the Phoenix Simulator & have had my share of crashes with the CP, but seem to have turned a corner now. Flying most days and have not crashed for around 6 weeks now. Followed your training lessons which have been a big help. Thanks again for a top class site that has helped me get into the sport. I have also personally referred numerous people to the site. Keep up the good work.

Phil Roberts - Australia

There are LOTS of training YouTube videos and "how-to" articles on RC Helicopters but nowhere have I found anything as complete as yours. I have watched your videos which are very helpful, but your articles and e-books go far and beyond expectations. The fun you’re having shows in your work and rubs off on the rest of us. I just want to pass along my thanks.

Dan Marler - United States

I just wanted to thank you for having, as far as I can tell, the most comprehensive RC heli website on the internet. I taught myself how to fly based on the information you provided, and I have steered my friends who are getting into the hobby to your site as well. Your site is not only informative, but it is fun to read as well.

Eric Miller - United States

John, just a short note to say thank you for such an excellent website. I have three of your e-books and they have been wonderful as I learn the joy of RC helicopters. I've flown RC planes for years, including giant scale. Nothing has been as fun as my Blade MSR and Trex 450 helicopters and just learning to fly them. You have been my flight instructor and educator as I had no one else around my area (that I knew anyway) that flies helicopters. Thanks again for all your help!! Merry Christmas

Jack Baber - United States

John, Today I hovered! Last year I emailed you for suggestions about what I should buy as my first Heli and you suggested the Align T-Rex 600 ESP. After getting an inferior and inexpensive RTF that came with a non programmable remote I upgraded to a Hitec Aurora 9 and the T-Rex 600. Well, today I hovered for the first time. WOW, you were right. After taking my time and crawling before walking, today was the big pay-off. Hovering for the first time was so exhilarating, breathtaking, hand cramping, and all consuming. By the time my first battery was depleted, I was exhausted, and biting at the bullet to get the second battery loaded up to do it all again. I had to force myself to take a twenty minute break before getting back on the stick. Because of you and your “helpful guy at the flight field”, feeling website, I was able to reach this point. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

CJ Beck - United States

Hi John, The Trex 600 flies like an absolute dream. The setup was absolutely spot on and the heli lifted off clean and hovered. The blades required no adjustment and not even a minor tweak needed from the radio. What an absolute dream in how smooth this heli is. You said it would be easier to fly if put together right than my Blade 400's and you sure where right. My wife said I had the biggest Cheshire cat grin she ever saw after the first flight. As you know I had my doubts I would ever see this through but I must admit having feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment. I can't say enough thanks to you & your e-books for the help. Thanks and more thanks John for all the help.

Kieth Carter - Canada

Hi John, Just want to say what a brilliant site and what fantastic advice you give. Two weeks ago (before discovering your site) I purchased a Blade mSR RTF. I didn't take me long to master hovering but initially I never felt in control when on the move. Then I found your site. I purchased your mSR e book, this prompted me to purchase a DX6i. The Dx6i settings you give in the book have completely transformed the mSR and instantly gave me more control and confidence. I wish I had found your site before purchasing the mSR, as I would have got it with the DX6i rather than the basic kit transmitter, oh well! Your flight training vids are perfect and I am now (almost) flying circuits. Your help has massively sped up my learning time, thank you. Just one complaint though. You have got me so hooked I think my wallet is going to take a pounding from this hobby! I can already see a Blade 450 on the horizon...

Simon Knight - United Kingdom

Dear John, I began with an MSR about 12 months ago and bought your MSR ebook and loved it. About 6 months ago I decided to take the plunge with a Blade 400, and after 5 flights and 5 major repair jobs, decided to get your heli setup and swash plate leveling books, plus follow your lesson plans. I just wanted to express my deepest thanks for the information you made available to me. I had almost given up. I now spend much more time flying than fixing and I am loving it. Thank you for teaching me to fly my helicopter!

Regards, Ben Mercer - Australia

John, I just want to say how much I have enjoyed your e-books. Based on your books, I purchased a Blade 400 and was able to successfully hover it today. The flight training course on your website, including the videos, is really a huge help. Thanks for sharing your skill and knowledge with others!

Bill Gerth - United States

Found your site informative and helpful. I've sorta been "stuck" on my trex 450 for too long - "afraid" to try nose in etc for fear of wrecking. But a week ago read your review of the Blade mSR and bought one. On the first mSR battery I was doing forward flight. On 2nd I was doing nose in and figure 8s. I'd never gotten that far with the trex, even though I've been doing it on the sims. I practiced on the MSR for 3 days then today I took out my trex and jumped right in doing nose ins, figure 8s and piros. The MSR was just what I needed to advance my flying. Thanks

Michael Makuch - United States

Hi John, I first tried to fly a big (to me) .60 powered "Shark" R/C heli back in 1976. I was 17 then. Never got it off the ground, and gave up. After seeing your site a couple of weeks ago, and your description of learning to fly, I took your advice and got a new Blade 400. I've been following your flight lessons. I am now able to hover within a 10 ft circle, about 4-6 inches high, for most of a battery pack. A little more work, and I'll start working on the forward/back/left/right stuff in lesson 4. Not one single crash so far. I really want to thank you for the help and optimism this site gives. I probably never would have taken the hobby back up if I hadn't run across your site. Thanks.

Brian Barnes - United States

John, Thanks! I was able to download the ebook. I picked up both the Blade 120 SR and the mSR over the holidays, while I rebuild my Trex 450 SE(V1). I am flying figures 8s patterns with the mSR in the basement (tame mode). You are correct - a simulator is no substitute for flying the real thing. I have four of your ebooks and found them to be very well written and informative! You reinforced some topics, clarified other topics and brought to light topics which the local hobby shop expert never discussed.Happy New Year!

Tom Wahlig

Hi John, Just wanted to let you know that I downloaded 2 of your E-Books and have made my decision to get the Blade 400. Guess the guys in the hobby shop will remember me. Seems I'm the only female that is interested in RC Helicopters. I am proud to say that John Salt was the person who took the time to write anexcellent web page dedicated to getting people started in this fun and exciting hobby and I owe it all to YOU! I'm sure you have heard a lot of praise, but I really wonder if you know justhow much your information has made this hobby all that much better, and without your help I sincerely believe that I would not have started flying RC helis! My deepest thank you and appreciation for all you do. Sincerely and CHEERS!

MaryAnn - United States

Hi John: Just a brief note to express my thanks for your encouragement through your website and words of wisdom. I was the first to attempt flying R/C helicopters here in Trinidad & Tobago and that was back in 1979 when I purchased a Kavan Bell Jet Ranger. Needless to say that did not go well based on the lack of information and technology. The model was retired in pristine condition to this day as a static display. Tried again in 2008 with a Blade 400 and was not too successful with that either - way too fast and twitchy for this old brain and reflexes. In January 2009 I got Real Flight 4.5 and with your advice began practicing. I then bought a Raptor 50 Titan in March 2009 and began learning in earnest, again with your fine advice and with my flying buddies at the field. I have progressed continually and rewarded myself last summer with Bergen Intrepid Gasser and a Century Bell 222. Although I am not into 3D, I have progressed to the stage where I feel confident in taking delivery tomorrow of my Bergen Intrepid Turbine. Not only am I the grandfather of R/C helis here in Trinidad & Tobago, I am making more R/C history with having the first R/C Jet Turbine here. Just wanted to say thank you for helping make all this possible - I really enjoy this hobby.

Cletus Berkeley - Trinidad and Tobago

Thank you for taking the time and effort to put together one of the best hobby websites I have ever seen. I've already spent several hours reading and using the links on your site. It's been so enjoyable that I'll definitely be doing more of the same in the next few weeks. Your articles are well written and very informative. You have clearly put a lot to time and thought into them. You obviously enjoy your hobby and it shows in your writing.

Terry Potter - United States

Hi John, Your information was spot on and I have now been flying for 3 months successfully including plenty of repairs and re-setting up the helicopter. I now fly confidently in circuits and limited aerobatics and have started flying a T-Rex 600ESP which is superb. I love this hobby and I wanted to thank you for being a great help in tackling the more complex aspects of it which has increased the pleasure I get from it hugely. Looking back, the ability to rebuild a helicopter consistently so that it flies the same way after a big crash/repair has been a big factor in progressing my flying skills quickly. Thank you very much!

Richard

Hi John, Just wanted to let you know that even though my flybar & upper rotor didn't seem to be binding even in the slightest, I followed the directions on your website and sanded & silicon lubed the flybar ball joints & the TBE is almost completely gone. It's kind of interesting that I couldn't feel the "binding" but it was obviously there. Thanks again for all the great info on your site and for your great personal support. I know that it's not just because I'm also Canadian even though I live outside SF. :) LOL Also, I'm sure you already know this but I regularly see you and your site referenced on HeliFreak as "the best rc heli reference site on the web". Congratulations on a great job and a very helpful site. I'm ready to get back to leveling the swash plate on my Blade 400 & following your flight school with it. Thanks again.

Brian Samuels - United States

I just found out about your site. I bought a Blade 400 1 year ago and have yet to hover it. If I had known about your site I would have already been well on my way to flying my 400. I have been on many informational sites but yours has already taught memore than all of the rest. I purchased both of your e-books and am well on my way to flying my 400. Thank you very much for all of your hard work to make flying possible. I am telling everyone I know to look at your site. Thanks again...

George Copas - United States

Hi John:I just wanted to drop you a note and say thanks for all the terrific information on your web site. Your site has a tremendous wealth of information that seems perfectly oriented to my need for information at this stage. I have several hobbies that are what you might call "technical" topics in and of themselves (aviation, astro-photography, and tennis for example) and I must tell you that I have yet to come across a resource in another field that is as complete, no-nonsense, concise and well organized as what you have created with rchelicopterfun.com -- truly: kudos to you and my thanks for the [remote] helping hand! Cheers,

Mark

I just wanted to say thank you for all your help to me in this hobby. I have purchased your e-guide for the Blade 400 and it has helped me out tremendously and my B-400 is a much tamer ship with your suggested settings. Again, thank you John for your web-site and for sharing your knowledge in this great hobby. I have always been into aviation, especially growing up in Alaska. I used to go flying in helicopters with my buddied father who worked for Evergreen Helicopters in Anchorage. So I have always loved helicopters. In the Navy I was jet mechanic and worked and flown in A7-E Corsairs, E2-C hawkeye's, P3 Orians, F/A-18's, and my last jet the S3-B Viking. I was what they call an In Flight Tech. (IFT). My current job now is a Subject Matter Expert on the new F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter(JSF) jet. Man I love that bird and hope to get an RC of it soon.

Scott Maney (Ret. USN) - United States

John, your website is excellent. I've been wanting to fly heli's for the last 10 years, but was discouraged by the fact that they are the most challenging of all of RC vehicles. Your website provided answers to my questions including which helicopter to buy. Anyway I did purchase a Blade 400 per your recommendation and I am so happy. I hovered today 04-10-2009. I practiced on the simulator everyday for about 3 weeks, before going out. Thanks also for your information on fixing the TBE problem with the CX3. I had just about given up and had set the helicopter aside, but after reading your information I gave it a try and "polished my balls" now it fly's great!

Hugo - Alhambra, CA, United States

Dear John: I have been searching the net for information about RC Heli's. Your's is by far the best I have found. Congratulations! I am 71 years old and retired. I have not flown in many years but I was an instructor for many years. (fixed wing) The advancement in the hobby is absolutely amazing. We never had electric models and I had a flight kit that weighed 40 pounds. I am interested in Heli's for three reasons. 1. I can fly in my own back yard. 2. The challenge. 3. The availability of computer driven simulators. I have purchased the RealFlight G4.5 simulator and am blown away by it. I couldn't resist flying the fixed wing models and find that I haven't lost my touch, but as you say they are different as night and day. My goal is to get as good as I possibly can on Heli's. Thanks for writing down your knowledge and I am pleased to make your acquaintance.

Albert - Canada

I would like to personally thank you for taking the time to build this website. I have been fling fixed wing RC for years and have never had the nerve to take the leap into R/C Helicopters... Until I found your site. I purchased a Century 30 Hawk three days after reading over your site. And with the information that you have given me through this site I have set up and began to fly my new heli. (Tail in, Nose in hover And forward flight) AND TODAY!!!!!!! My first autorotation!!! (BUT FROM ONLY ABOUT 50FT) But hey! This is only the 10th day of me owning a RC heli! To make a long story short. THANKS! I know it has taken you a great deal of time to create this site. And the information that you have given ME is price-less! For what its worth... THANK YOU!I have given your site to some of the guys that I fly with, because they all wanted to know "How the H%LL did you learn how to fly so quick" One of them swore that there was somebody hiding in the bushes controlling my chopper! I guess the years that I flew RC planes helped a little bit because this bird flies like a plane in forward flight. Believe it or not, hovering was the hardest thing for me. But I would not have got that far if you had not been so thorough in the way you explain how to set up the heli on your site! The only regret I have is that I didn't find your site sooner!

JB - United States

Awesome website you have here. I started flying helis not to long ago. I started out with a Blade CP-Pro all I could get it to do was a little hovering. Last week however I got myself a nice Blade 400 3D I love this heli. I'm looking forward to to using your flight training to help me get better with my 400. Anyway I just wanted to say how much of a AWESOME job you have done on your website.

Kevin - Canada

I stumbled across your site and thought to myself "yea, another site that hasn't been updated since 1996" Wow, was I wrong. Your site is amazing. I'm finding more information in this one place than weeks of searching previously. Thank you so much for spending the time to provide such helpful information.

Brian - United States

John, I forwarded the link of your web site to many members of my club and I have to tell you, they all are very impressed! Even experts and sponsored professional heli pilots are very impressed with the excellent information you posted. I wish I had come across this info when I started the hobby since I made so many mistakes that could have been avoided if I had read your recommendations which I agree 100% with you.

Juan - United States

Just a Quick note; Great Website, good information, straight to the point. I wish your website was around 12 months ago when I started flying RC heli's.

Tony - Australia

Hello, I am very impressed with your internet site. I am new to the hobby of rc helicopters and find you advice and knowledge very useful in any way. Many congratulations on your internet site and I certainly will consult it many more times.

Ralf - United Kingdom

I REALLY appreciate your site. I've been googling helis for a while as a couple friends and I are considering electric helis, and the info available is sketchy. Thank you very much for all the work you've put into this. I've learned more from your site in one hour than I have from days of internet searches!

Dave - United States

Hello John, Just wanted to thank you for such an excellent web site, I am very impressed and can see you know your stuff. I have been involved with aviation for years. I was a helicopter and Harrier pilot in the Royal Navy and then became an instructor. Now I am currently working towards my aeronautical engineering degree. My son and I have been into fixed wing RC for years and started messing around with nitro RC helicopters about 10 months ago without much success. Then my son found your web site. We took your advice and purchased the RealFlight G4 simulator and started following your 10 day lesson plan. I just can't thank you enough for sharing this information with us. In less then a month we have both learned to fly circuits and nose in hover. Keep up the excellent work!

Jeff - United Kingdom

Hi John, I contacted you earlier after I purchased my heli (Voyager 50) and you gave some opinions on this model. I read your segment on how to fly helis, read it again, and before I went to practice the first time, I read it again. Providing I was 10 years younger, I would have likely wanted to pop that sucker in the air and test my luck, but my added years of wisdom has taught me to "respect the advice form the experienced" and I kept replaying in my head about what you said about don't lift off the ground and if you stick to the plan you won't crash. I believe that's what has kept the heli in one piece.....the temptation is great to lift off to about 10' but these suckers are pricey to fix. With that, I say thank you for writing such a great article....I will surely contribute my success to this article.

Doug - United States

Just a quick note to say I have found your guide a great help. As a new pilot on a fp heli I was having difficulty in flying circuits ( but good at crashing circuits )But the way you explained and broke things down into segments helped greatly, everything is much smoother now,and considering I only ever want to fly scale is the way it should be. I think the furthest I'll ever want to go is a stall turn, which at my age (52)will be ample for my reflexes I suspect. I'll stay with your teachings until I reach my limits. Thanks once again, keep up the good work.

Dave - United Kingdom

Hi John, Absolute appreciation for the site my friend! I bought a Raptor 30 a few months back and am enjoying the learning stages. Your site has helped with the learning and breaking down the amazing amount of information on rc heli's. There's a lot of info that's higgledy-piggledy across the internet and your site brings it all together in a friendly manner, easy layout, easy to understand - thanks!!

Ian - New Zealand

Hi John, I’ve paid tribute before about how good your site is as a one-stop-shop for RC Helicopter info. I’d like to expand that by stating how good your training info is for the novice and have given this feedback (and site details) to other pilots at the airfield, after them noticing how I seemed to have a certain plan in mind while flying. A training plan is so important in order give structure to learning - so I took your plan, performed it on the simulator and then took it to the airstrip; giving me the confidence to try it out for real. It really works and saves $$$ Thanks!

Ian - New Zealand

Hi John, Came across your site today and wanted to say you have done a great job with it and have enjoyed reading through it. I am just about to venture into heli turbines and that’s how I found your site.

Julian - United Kingdom

Hello John, I just wanted to tell you this is a great site, I have played around with some toy rc helis and just purchased a honey bee King 2. I am glad I found your site and am going to try and learn on your 10 day schedule. I am on a very limited budget but have always loved helicopters. I think its great you are willing to devote the great amount of time you do for this as most I have found are only out to make a buck. As I am new to this and learning from your guidance I will keep you posted on my progress, I just wish you lived close lol. Not much around here in the way of rc help. Thank you so much and great site!!!

Tim - United States

Hiya John, I pride myself at giving credit when, in your case, it is certainly due. There are no fancy-anything’s on your site. It is simple, your font size is nice and big, the paragraphs are not a wall of text and I actually have read everything a few times now. (And I am one helluva a zero-focus sort of guy, *laughs*) I especially like how you said not to waste time with free simulators, and guess what, I was doing just that. I am looking at the RealFlight demo now thanks to you. And it was your site that prompted me to change the servos too. Also I got a DX7! So what I am saying John is, thanks to you I just blew 800 bucks! *Joking* But yeah, I think it is important for you to know, that your simple yes ultra informative-straight-to-the-bloody-point-site might have just help my VISA bill to go over the edge and to follow my heart. You Rock! I'll take your 10 day flying lesson seriously. In fact I'll do a log for you!

Luke - Singapore

Hi John, I found your Web site looking for info on turbine heli basics and what a nice surprise it was, to find so much excellent and useful information on RC helis concentrated in a single place, I can only thank and congratulate you for the wonderful stuff you have here. I'm still browsing your site but already am hooked!

Decio - Brazil

John, Thanks for putting this web site up. After 13 years of my son and I doing fixed wing he got hooked on Heli's. After 6 months he is doing 3-D. I had to buy a 600E just to try and keep up. I have been practicing in the Sim but this site has given me valuable insight on how they work. This is a huge help. I am 61 years young and intend to master at least sport flying. Thanks again and keep up the good work.

Tom - United States

I am hopefully about to start out in this fascinating hobby. Your website is brilliant! I am so glad I have found it! It's a very welcome source of information, for a novice especially. Know that your considerable time and effort in creating this site are much appreciated. Keep up the great work.

James - United Kingdom

Hi John, I have just spent a great deal of time browsing for tips from your site... May I just say that it is a fantastic site and I will be visiting again OFTEN! I have just bought my 1st RC Heli after messing around on a sim and a micro heli for 12mths. I have slight colour blindness and was told I would never fulfill my dream of becoming a Helicopter pilot when I was 10yrs old. I'm now 33, after 12yrs in the British Army where I got to fly in many Heli's and jet aircraft. It is now time to get as close to being a pilot as I possibly can. I thank you and this site for giving me more insight to flying and probably saving me money on a few spares!! Thanks again.

Rob - United Kingdom