Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Helicopters / November 2007

Larger helis are more stable, they're easier to see and easier to work
on just due to the sheer size of them.

You'll need a pretty big place to fly as the larger helis can eat up a
LOT of room in a hurry.

Crashes will be a bit more expensive - especially should you break
main blades.

What are folks near you flying?  What do the local stores stock parts
for?  

The Trex600N (or the electric version) are good platforms for starting
out and most heli shops carry parts for 'em.  Same with the Raptor 50.

You could always do like I did and start with a 50 sized bird then
"augment" your collection with 8 other helis of various sizes and
powerplants.  :)

if your wallet can afford the heli and the repairs go for it, but dont
go it alone as "overkill" might be just that as these sized birds pack a
lot of energy and are lethal

Hi Crispin,

I'm a bit late to this conversation but what the heck!  ;-)

Anyway, as it so happens, I met a guy at the Fall Fest Fun-Fly in Sulphur,
LA this past week end and he's learning on a Raptor 90.  I got it used,
essentially ready to fly, from some guy and got some help from someone else
with the setup.  He was having some minor engine tuning issues and asked me
for help which I gladly supplied.  All it needed was a little tweaking on
the idle and mid range on the YS engine it had and it was a lot happier.  At
any rate, whoever it was that did his setup for him did a wonderful job of
it because that was one of the sweetest flying machines I've had my hands on
in a long time.  It was very stable and docile on the controls but not so
much so as to be unresponsive when he really needed it to be.  Unlike
airplanes, making a helicopter a "trainer" is more a matter of setup than it
is of design and any of the top line helicopters will make outstanding
trainers if they're setup properly.  So, if you can afford it, then go for
it but make certain you get the help because it's going to be a very
expensive (and potentially dangerous) undertaking if you don't.

On other related topics in this conversation, as others have mentioned, the
simulators will go a long way in helping you develop your base reflexes and
are highly recommended.  Always keep in mind though, that the sims tend to
be a lot more forgiving than the real world is so be conservative when you
fly the real thing.

As for buddy boxing, it's simply the connecting of two transmitters with a
specialized cable.  One radio with be the "master" transmitter and will be
the one actually flying the model.  The second radio will be the "slave"
transmitter and will activate through the cable when the master radio is
turned on.  You "do not" turn on the slave transmitter directly, if
functions through the master transmitter.  The programs in both radios need
to be matched to that there are no unwanted servo movements when the
instructor switches control to or from the students radio.  It's not hard to
do but can take a little time at first.  Once it's done, it's done and you
can continue on from there.  I recently cut loose a student that I buddy
boxed from day one.  He spent a fair amount of time on the sim before we
ever got together so his flight skills were pretty good from the start.  He
was very enthusiastic but also disciplined enough to not try to jump ahead
into things he wasn't ready for and do date (knocking on wood!) he hasn't
crashed yet.  So, if you can find someone skilled enough (and willing) to do
the buddy box thing with you, it's well worth the added peace of mind.  Just
remember that instructors are human too and they can't guarantee that you
won't crash.  All they can do is try their best to reduce the possibility of
it.

Best of luck & Fly Safe,
Steve R.

90 size helis are large expensive (to run, buy and repair) and can be
very dangerous.

However! Larger helis are more stable to fly and some advice I read
once.....

"Buy the biggest helicopter you can afford to crash - because no RC heli
pilot exists who has not crashed at some time"

One IS far more excpensive than the other and that sound you hear? Well
that's the noise a wallet makes when its credit cards die :-)

Turbine power of course.