Buying a Remote Control Helicopter

Not so long ago anyone who wanted to get involved in the hobby of flying remote control helicopters needed a degree in mechanical engineering. Because the models were so expensive and complicated they were inaccessible to most people. As with all items of consumer electronics the increased functionality and ease of use has transformed the hobby over recent years.

The variety of models available is huge. All levels of ability and budgets are catered for. For as little as $150 you can get an entry level helicopter that will test your flying skills as well as been great fun. There are even cheaper models on the market but they generally fall into the category of toy helicopters. They are not hobby grade and as such fall outside the scope of this article.

There is nothing more frustrating than spending money on a helicopter that you get bored with after a few days, or even worse one for which you cannot purchase spares. Rushing out to buy a model helicopter without doing proper research is a recipe for disaster. There is a huge variety of models available and all have advantages and disadvantages. Some are easy to operate but cannot be used outdoors, some are basic and stable, the list is endless. By informing yourself properly you will get the helicopter that is right for you, leading to hours of enjoyment and fun.

There are two main factors that will influence which helicopter to buy. Firstly how much you have to spend and secondly what type of flying you want to do. For example, if you are determined to progress to flying aerobatic routines then you should probably skip straight to a collective pitch model. In a lot of cases people "over buy" and end up with an expensive helicopter that they are not able to get the most out of. If you intend to spend more than $150 then you need to start asking serious questions.

In this article we have limited our explanation of the types of model helicopters to electrically powered ones. These are most suited to beginners and it is only the more advanced versions that use other power options, such as nitro helicopters.

Coaxial Helicopters : For those interested in a helicopter that is fun and easy to fly then a coaxial model is perfect. More ambitious "pilots" may find these models a little limited in what they can do but there is no doubting there stability and low cost. The configuration of a coaxial helicopter is slightly different to what you would expect in that it has two main sets of rotor blades, one mounted above the other and no tail rotor.

Fixed Pitch helicopters (FP) : Unlike coaxial models, fixed pitch helicopters are configured as you would expect. There is one set of main rotor blades and a tail rotor to prevent the tail spinning as power is applied. They are not suitable for advanced, precision flying. Because the pitch of the rotor blades is fixed the only way of controlling the height of the helicopter is through the use of the throttle (power). This can be a rather "blunt" control and can take some time to master. Having said that they are definitely a step up from coaxial models and will be an enjoyable challenge.

Collective Pitch Models : These helicopters are great fun, powerful and not for those who just want to fly a model now and then. Don't waste your money if you are not going to practice regularly and get the most from the helicopter. They have a full set of controls similar to what you would expect to find on a real helicopter and can be flown at speed. These helis are better suited to the outdoors or large sports halls.

Hopefully the detail above will make you aware that there is a great deal of choice when it comes to purchasing a remote control helicopter. That choice can be confusing. Spending a few hours reading about the pros and cons of different models will be time well spent. Putting a little effort into research before making a purchase will help ensure that you do not waste time and money.