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Learning to fly a helicopter can appear quite daunting.  These fears are not unfounded, the helicopter is still one of the hardest types of radio controlled models to fly.  However, with a helicopter you can learn at your own pace; from the ground up.   The idea is that you learn how to hover your model first, then as you gain confidence you can move into forward flight.  Because you can already hover, you can perform new manoeuvres, safe in the knowledge that you can slow down at any time and hover before you land.  As you become more skilled these skills will become second nature.

WHAT TO BUY

A tough question.  There are so many different makes and models of helicopters and accessories available it can be very difficult choosing the right one to buy; Hirobo, Thunder Tigre, Kyosho, etc.  Different models suit different people and purposes.  The biggest deciding factor for most people will be price, be it the price of the heli, the spares, the radio, engine, etc.  So, set yourself a budget and look within that price bracket.

Make enquiries, try your local model shop, scan the magazines and ring a few mail order outlets, ask at your local club. You want to try and get a proven make that will be durable and long lasting.  Good instructions are a must if you are buying a kit.  As are spares lists.  On this point it is essential that you are readily able to buy spares for your model otherwise you could find yourself grounded for weeks!  Armed with all of this information you will be able to converse knowledgeably about the sort of heli you want to buy which should allow any reputable model shop to tailor a deal to suit your needs.

The price of deals will depend upon the quality of the content.  For example, a budget deal may include an MDS engine and basic radio system and gyro with starting equipment.  This is absolutely fine, however if you could afford to buy an OS engine, computer radio system and a more advanced Gyro for example, you will find the heli a lot easier to fly; you will be able to concentrate on learning to fly as opposed to re-setting the engine because it keeps stopping, or wishing you had bought the better gyro because the one you have is slow and suffers with interference.

Second hand is common but not always a good choice, especially for a beginner.   Try to establish the model's history, get your local shop to look it over and give it a value before you buy.

Your model shop should be friendly and helpful (like us!) and offer sound knowledge, impartial advice and a good aftersales and back-up service.  You should be able to go back once your machine is assembled and have your heli checked over, perhaps even flown and set-up for you if practical. 

THE GYRO

A Gyro works to stop the body of the helicopter form turning about it's axis.   When the heli's blades spin in one direction the body naturally turns in the opposite sense.  This can be stopped by increasing the pitch of the tail rotor blades and thus creating an opposing force.  Even the smallest changes in pitch or throttle control will change the amount of opposing force needed to hold the helicopter still, consequently constant input to the servo controlling the tail rotor must be made.  A Gyro fitted between the receiver and tail rotor servo recognises any rotational movement and automatically compensates with the tail rotor control.  The pilot will not notice this due to the speed of the Gyro and can therefore concentrate on the other controls.   The better the Gyro the less likely you will be to have problems in this area.

RADIO CONTROL

You don't have to purchase a helicopter radio,  but if you want to progress in the hobby it is something we recommend.  A helicopter radio contains special features which increase the flying potential of your machine.  When flying a heli the throttle and pitch functions must be used together, a heli radio works to make the mixing of these two functions more flexible and enables you, for example, to perform aerobatics and auto rotation landings.

BASIC FLIGHT CONTROLS

There are five distinctive functions which control a model helicopter all of which are implemented by the two sticks on the transmitter.

1) The throttle increases or decreases power from the engine to increase or decrease power to the main rotor blades.
2) The collective pitch of the main blades is increased or decreased to make the helicopter rise or descend.  The pitch is mixed with the throttle so that when the engine throttle is increased, the blade pitch is increased at the same time and the head speed remains constant.
3) The tail rotor is normally geared from the engine and main rotor so that it turns at a speed that is proportional to both.  Turning the helicopter - or yawing - is carried out by altering the pitch of the tail rotor blades.
4) Fore/aft cylic creates a forward or backward movement on the helicopter.  It does this by increasing and decreasing the pitch on either the leading or trailing rotor blades.
5) Left/Right cyclic creates a left and right motion of the helicopter in the same way as the fore/aft function moves the helicopter forwards and backwards.

Balancing four controls simultaneously (pitch and throttle can be considered as one function in flight) is something that very few people can do naturally.  More hand to eye co-ordination is required and every control has an effect on the other.  Push the cyclic  stick forward and the helicopter moves forward.  Simple enough but it also loses height since some of the lift now needs to be used to move it forwards.   So you open the throttle to compensate and you find that the tail swings because of the change in torque (remember the gyro!).  Don't let this put you off.  Accept helicopter flying as a challenge and you will find it very rewarding.

BUILDING AND SETTING UP

There should be no gluing, shaping, covering or unnecessary painting involved in building a helicopter unless your project is of the scale variety.  Basic tools will be required and construction usually involves screwing and bolting together a mixture of plastic and metal components.  Instructions today tend to be very comprehensive with step-by-step diagrams and exploded views to help with the assembly, leaving less to chance.

It is essential that the helicopter is built and set up accurately.  A well set up helicopter can almost fly itself which makes the learning process a whole lot easier.   Consequently we strongly recommend that you seek professional help from a reputable source, get the final assembly checked over and try to get some assistance with your first few flights.  Practically all of our local customers bring back there assembled machines to allow us to check them over and take the first flight as well as setting the engine.  To us this is important as it can also help to nip potential hazards or problems caused by poor assembly in the bud.  The service should not cost much (ours is free!) and it will give you further opportunity to pick up flying tips and ask questions.

SAFETY

A model helicopter, as with any machinery, is potentially a very dangerous piece of equipment and should be routinely checked and maintained.  Specifically check the everything is tight and without signs of wear, look at linkages and blades for signs of damage.  This should ideally be done at the beginning and end of each flight.   One advantage of owning a helicopter is that everything is visible making spot inspections quick and painless!

WHERE TO FLY

Interested pilots should join the British Model Flying Association (BMFA) who will be able to help with insurance and supply details of local clubs.
They can be contacted on Tel: 0116 244 0028
or you can write to:

BMFA
Chacksfield House
31 St Andrews Road
Leicester
LE2 8RE

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The image(s) of products shown on any page are intended only to give you an overview of a specific model. DO NOT take this as an accurate reprsentation of items supplied (or not) with a model, e.g. (wheels, tyres, engine or motor, silencer, batteries, body mounts, or radio equipment). Please rely on the text of the page associated with a particular model for this information.