Remote Control Helicopters - know anywhere?

Given that the cyclic takes up two channels, I wanted to break it down. As for anti-torque, is that some new fangled Americanism??

I'm thinking of getting this one:

http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/De...rodID=EFLH1400

It comes with Spektrum’s DX6i 2.4GHz DSM2 6-channel unit.

DX6i features include:

• Full-range capability

• 10-model memory

• Heli and airplane programming

• Two types of swashplate mixing: standard or 120o CCPM

• 3-axis dual rates and exponential

• Travel adjust

• Servo monitor

• Two 5-point throttle curves

• Three 5-point pitch curves

• Revo mixing

• Gyro sensitivity programming

• Two programmable mixes

I have tried searching a bit, but these Blades dont seem to be supported much here in Swiss (although they are for sales on ricardo.ch)

Anyone have advice on the model above (sorry... I know I'm pushing my luck, but you have been so helpful so far!)

I don't think that model would be very suitable for a beginner given that its designed for 3D (aerobatic) flying. These tend to be over-responsive and twitchy much like a sports car. You can buy a more docile helicopter to learn with, and then upgrade components as you go along for a more sporty feel.

Also I've never heard of Spektrum, it seems to be an exclusive brand of Horizon Hobby and therefore you are not going to get that much support from the Heli flying community (forums etc..). These types of Radio are more like computers since there is a fair bit of programming involved (e.g. setting non-linear stick throws) so it pays to follow the crowd. In addition if you get an instructor, you will need to have the same brand of Radio as him if you want to to link up for dual control flying. Finally there are a lot of PC flying simulators which link up with your radio. These are extremely useful for learning how to fly Helis because they teach you about orientation, stable hover, smooth throttle control etc.. and again these simulators usually only come with dongle for the well known radio brands.

Therefore my advice would be to get a Radio from a well known manufacturer eg Futaba, JR or Sanwa and then maybe look for a good Ready to Fly (RTF) helicopter kit with engine, so all you need to install are the receiver and servos. I've been out of it for >5 year so my knowledge of the marketplace is non-existant

Nope, pretty much universal term - been in use since they

stopped fitting rudders to helicopters, i.e. from Day 1

.

OK, point taken. I am not a complete *complete* beginner. I have had a lot of time with a smaller coaxial heli (5 channel). But as you say, am not ready for 3d flying. I understand that the one above can be set on 3D or non-3D mode, so I would start with the "non" option.

My issue is that I would not have a clue where to start with buying all the things separately.. Guess Ill check some of the stores mentioned by people above!

I actually have a coaxial helicopter (V3 Lama) and it really does put the fun back into flying helicopters. The point is though that its not a very realistic introduction to real RC helicopters since these literally fly straight out of the box, they are extremely stable, fixed pitch blades and you don't have a tail rotor to worry about. However if you waggle the cyclic about a bit you will see their limitation e.g. they wobble and then the blades crash into each other

Gosh, I sound so negative don't mean to be

Exactly, and as this was completely distant from a *real* helicopter, I thought I would try something closer. Remember, this is all about me fulfilling (albeit in a very small way) my dream to pilot a real helicopter... Hence, no need for 3D acrobatic etc etc at this stage!

I found a mixed (heli/aero) club nearby us here in Basel

http://www.mg-nussbaeumli.ch/

More are listed on the Swiss aeromodeller assoc website

http://www.modellflug.ch/summary.htm

It might be worth having a nosey wander down there and see who is flying what. RC flyers are well used to public curiosity and most are more than happy to answer quetions.

Great, thanks for the link! (again!)

And whichever you pick, don't forget the RC model insurance...

Well I had an Aussie instructor and he always used the term rudder to describe the tail rotor control... for a beginner I actually thinks it makes more sense even though its not technically correct.

Saw some people flying them in the Gym at the Kloten pool.

Much safer than outside for beginners, plus don't forget to buy the trainer landing gear.

Not really, the two controls behave very differently - put in a bootful of

rudder on a fixwing and you'll yaw a certain amount and stabilize there; do

the same on the helo and you'll be doing 360s until you get bored, sick or

run out of go-juice (in the hover, at any rate )

>> Granted, fixwings aren't renowned for their hover capabilites...

.

If you push on the rudder stick of an rc plane you get a yaw followed by a roll (so called yaw-roll coupling), which is great for beginners flying simple 3-channel models.

Slightly off-topic.

But every year there is a 'Flugtag' weekend near Zurich in a place called: Hausen am Albis.

http://maps.google.ch/maps?f=q&sourc...h&z=12&iwloc=A

This is usually the first weekend in October (this year being the 3rd & 4th).

Lots of Helicoptor displays and stalls selling them.

http://www.mgaffoltern.ch/

A very inexpensive way to start flying is to download a freeware flight simulator and install it on your computer. Here are a couple of links to try out.

http://www.heli-x.net/index_e.shtml

http://n.ethz.ch/~mmoeller/fms/index_e.html

Simulators will save you alot of money because you can crash as often as you want. It also builds up your confidence so that your first flight is something to be proud of.

Have a real good read thru the following link. Fabulous info from real pros with regards to everything you need to know about RC helcopters.

http://helifreak.com/

Marcus

Hi I am selling my large sized RC helicopter

You can check it out at my place this sunday for buying for 150 Chf

Why is a lack of german language a limitation to flying a helicopter nor does it limit you in buying one as the process is similar to any other consumer item

Asking specific technical questions could be tough, if you don't know the vocabulary in German. Not something you'd pick up in a B1 course at Berlitz, I think...

Also, as there is structuration and regulation for almost anything here, are there regs for when, where, how one can operate a RC aircraft? What about licensing and insurance?

2009 thread bumped by a spammer and the discussion continues as if it was from yesterday .......classic EF