RC HELICOPTERS
RC helicopters offer more than just a hobby; they are a source of relaxation, stress relief, and pure fun. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced pilot, constructing and flying your own radio-controlled helicopter can be an enjoyable and rewarding pursuit.
It's important to recognize that RC helicopters are not mere toys; they are highly sophisticated machines. As an RC helicopter enthusiast or pilot, you'll need technical aptitude to build and maintain your helicopter, responsibility to adhere to safety guidelines, and patience to master the art of flying these incredible machines. RC helicopters are a subset of model aircraft, distinguished from RC airplanes by differences in construction, aerodynamics, and flight training.
There is a wide variety of brands and types of RC helicopters available, but all share the common principle of using one or more primary rotors for lift and directional control. Different power sources are used for these helicopters, including nitro, electric batteries, gas turbines, petrol, and gasoline.
Electric RC helicopters are powered by rechargeable batteries, which can be either NiMH or lithium polymer. Lithium polymer batteries are lighter and provide more power, but they require specialized chargers and careful handling to avoid damage. Electric RC helicopters are relatively quiet and great for beginners.
Nitro-powered RC helicopters run on a combination of nitro methane, methanol, and oil. They tend to be larger and noisier than electric models but offer long flight times, as refueling is easy. Operating nitro helicopters can be more cost-effective than buying multiple battery packs.
Gas turbine and two-stroke petrol engines power larger RC helicopters, designed for advanced pilots due to their complexity and expense. These are best suited for experienced RC helicopter enthusiasts.
RC helicopters come in various designs, including toy electric, electric coaxial, electric fixed pitch, and collective pitch:
Toy electric helicopters are great for beginners, but they lack full directional control. They are robust and durable, making them suitable for novice pilots.
Electric coaxial helicopters have two rotors arranged vertically, canceling out rotor torque. They are self-stabilizing and ideal for those new to RC helicopters.
Fixed-pitch helicopters, both electric and nitro, use changes in rotor speed to control vertical movement. They are suitable for those working their way up to collective pitch helicopters.
Collective pitch helicopters maintain a constant rotor speed but vary lift by changing the pitch of the rotor blades. They offer greater control and aerobatic capabilities but require more skill to operate.
RC helicopter pilots must invest in essential gear, including a radio, a good instruction book, a flight simulator, and training gear to protect their helicopter during practice.
The choice of materials for RC helicopters is essential. They need to be robust enough to withstand various stresses, including vibrations, landings, heat, and G-forces, while remaining lightweight for optimal flight performance.
Understanding RC helicopter controls is fundamental. RC helicopters have directional and cyclic controls, lift and collective controls, and torque and tail rotor controls. Learning these aspects and the underlying principles of helicopter flight is crucial for mastering RC helicopters.
Safety is paramount when flying RC helicopters. The rotor blades spin at high speeds and can be extremely dangerous. Adequate precautions and knowledge of safety practices are essential to prevent accidents.
Finally, it's important to note that RC helicopters can be a significant financial investment. Maintenance, repairs, and spare parts can add up, so budgeting for your hobby is essential. Mastering the art of flying RC helicopters takes time and dedication, but the joy and satisfaction of taking to the skies with your own helicopter are well worth the effort.
Horizon Hobby is the leader in the RC hobby. They have RC airplanes, RC helicopters, RC Cars, RC trucks, RC boats, RC transmitters, and so much more!
Largest in Norway for radio-controlled! In addition, we have an impressive selection of exciting products in 3D printing, laser engraving, solar energy, and much more cool stuff!
AMain Hobbies offers a wide selection of RC Planes, RC Helicopters, Drones, and RC Cars/Trucks, along with industry leading customer service and support.
AMain Sports & Hobbies' mission is a commitment to sharing the fun, camaraderie, and joy of sports and hobbies with everyone. Whether you're new to the hobby or an extreme pilot, basher, or hard-core racer you can rest assured our team of passionate experts and professionals will check, double-check, and triple-check your order. Our goal is to provide the best before and after sale support in the industry.
Passion, value, and service drive us at HobbyKing to bring you the very latest radio control (RC) products and accessories at the best prices. We're always developing and sourcing new RC products and then bringing them to you at the best price possible while maintaining quality and performance. From Turnigy, H-King to Durafly, we're also one of the leading developers of many known RC brands.
Our professional team includes engineers from various disciplines as well as designers, RC aficionados, sourcing agents, product testers, and marketers. Our focus is and has always been on the products, not the hype.