New to the Hobby?
Welcome!
First things first. Radio Controlled (RC) Helicopters are commonly referred to as ‘Helis’ (Hel eee) in the aeromodelling hobby. They are the most versatile, challenging, fun and rewarding hobby around bar none! I’ve dipped my toes into plenty of interesting things over the last few decades, but the thrill of flight and the limitless possbilities of what you can do with aerobatics is nothing short of amazing. The sense of satisfaction you feel after assembling your first helicopter, configuring the flight controller and radio transmitter and watch it leave the ground for your first hover is pure adrenalin pumping exhiliration! Trust me, it’s unklike anything out there.
If you thought RC Heli’s was just about flight, have I got news for you! In this hobby you’re not only the pilot but also an electrician, a mechanic and an engineer! This hobby needs attention to detail, critical thinking, and an understanding of how things work. But the great news is if you don’t think you have any of these, this site will help you develop them.
So why Helicopters?
The RC Helis this site and the aeromodelling hobby caters to are nothing like the toy RC models you buy from toyshops and department stores. If you’ve ever heard of anyone talk about the RC Helicopter they got for Christmas that they crashed in the first 2 minutes and gets blown around easily by the wind, they have the highest cost to fun ratio hands down. I had one of these ‘toys’ years ago and almost never persued this hobby due to that negative experience. Collective pitch heli’s are by far the most prominent and supported models available and the principles of control are almost identical to that of full size helicopters used for transport, military and rescue operations around the world.
So why a heli?
- Compared to a plane or glider they are very compact. The main rotor blades fold back making it easy to transport and store when not in use, with the exception of our scale heli modellers but that is another level again in my opinion.
- No runway required! A micro sized heli you can fly in your backyard, even indoors. You don’t need a lot of room to fly even a large size model.
- Heli’s are modular, meaning every single component can be replaced or even upgraded. When you crash it is 100% possible to rebuild it as new.
- Heli’s can be flown in windy conditions. All flybarless helicopters that use modern flight controllers can still be flown long after our plane enthusiasts are grounded.
- I love all things STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics). If you dig any of these or would like to see your child follow a life long rewarding career in these fields, this hobby brings valuable hands on experience that is transferred into all aspects of STEM.
- I maybe a little biased but helis look and sound down right cool! The number of people I’ve had ask me if my heli was turbine powered and the look on their face when I show them it is electric – priceless!
And finally, why not drones? If I had a dollar for everytime someone asked me this I think I could retire early. Drones, also known as Quadcopters in my view cater to a very different interest group. They certainly have a significant benefit over helis and that is cost. Quads in comparison to some helis are much cheaper to not only purchase outright and operate but repairs are significantly cheaper. I’ve seen pilots smash their quads into the ground only to see them ‘turttle’ back on to their belly with the flick of a switch and fly off. Some other smashes I’ve seen the owner simply bend the propellor blades back into shape with their bare hands and go for more! Majority of the racing type drones are downright tough and resilient, but it’s certinaly no spectator sport. If you had someone ripping through trees with their drone and a heli beside pulling off pirouetting pogo’s and tictocs, I guarantee you with 100% certainty which one will pull a crowd. I personally own a First Person View (FPV) drone and while they are fun, I feel very little accomplishement and satisfaction compared to a helicopter. But seeing is believing, so check out the video below and if you’re still not convinced then maybe video games are more your jam 😉
"I've heard helis are very hard to fly and expensive!"
Well they certainly can be, but doesn’t have to be. I can assure you, any hobby with the complexity of flight can be both difficult and expensive, no doubt about that. I have a friend who used to jump out of perfectly good aeroplanes for the thrill of skydiving. The costs involved in that sport is nothing short of eye watering! Like most hobbies out there, venturing in with little or no guidance will likely leave you frustrated, broke or both! Fortunately for you I’ve been down that road and I’m here to show you how to avoid both of these heart breaking possiblities. In life there is one constant, anything that requires dedication and perseverance have great rewards. When I first took flight I said I would be more than satisified with eventually flying a nice figure eight. After three months I pulled off my first big air loop and after six, practicing inverted hover!
Getting Started
Choosing Your First Helicopter
Easier than you thought
Essential Equipment
A guide to tools, batteries, and accessories. (Coming Soon)
Basic Flight Training
Learn the basics of controlling your RC Helicopter. (Coming Soon)
Step-by-Step Guides (Coming Soon)
Building Your Helicopter
Detailed instructions for assembly.
Maintenance Tips
How to keep your helicopter in top condition.
Programming and Customization
Explore the tech side of the hobby.