Remote Controlled Helicopters – Buyer’s Guide

Remote control helicopters are a constant source of joy for both the young and old and can be used in whatever space you have available to you be it indoors or a large open space. Due to the variety and quantity of new products available and the vast complexity and expense it is necessary to understand the basic concepts of remote control helicopters before taking the plunge.
Ready to fly (RTF) helicopters come fully assembled and ready for immediate use as there is no need for any additional purchases such as receivers. These kits are simple to use and are ideal for novices and children.

Almost ready to fly (ARF) are remote controlled helicopters that do require the purchase of additional parts/components before one can be able to use them. Some kits only supply the frame while others will also include the electrical components which haven’t been installed.

Pitch is the angle of the main rotor blade and the angle of the pitch is measured relative to the horizontal plane. These toy birds gain lift by rotating their rotors through the air.

Fixed pitch (FP) helicopters have blades whose angles are always fixed. This means that the “pilot” cannot always be changing the angle. When the rotor spins at a higher speed, this creates a powerful lift and the machine rises. These are much cheaper due to the simplicity of its design and they are also easy to fix in case you should damage them. This type of variation of helies generally comes in an RTF set and is easier to fly than the ones with a collective pitch.

Collective pitch (CP) helicopters are able to fly in three dimensions due to the motions created by the additional level of control gained from adjusting the rotor blades. In simple terms, the pitch of the blade is another decisive factor in generating lift. Thus, lift generated can be altered by simply changing the only the pitch. They are more agile and smoother to fly. These types of remote control helicopters require a more sophisticated transmitter which makes it harder to learn. Because of the number of moving parts they are more susceptible to damage and require more maintenance. They are also more expensive than fixed pitch options.

When buying the one that you think suits you the best, you have to make sure that it has a well-established user community. That way you can be sure that there will be a large database of questions and opinions. Ensure that you also have quick and easy access to spares.

Take time to consider which of the many options is best suited to your circumstances. Do you have easy access to large open spaces to fly a large aircraft? Do you have the time and skill it takes to build a remote control helicopter from scratch? What kind of budget are you looking at? This includes the long term costs of fuel and maintenance.

Lastly make sure that the final option you wish to buy is from a well-established brand and that it has the possibility of upgrades with future releases. Make sure you do your research well