There are literally thousands of different radio control helicopters when you factor in not only the different styles and models of remote control helicopters, but all the different kits and modifications people make. I’m going to go through a few varieties of RC helicopters to help you choose the perfect one for you. While there are a variety of radio control helicopter kits, choosing the best helicopter is critical.

You first want to decide is you want a gas powered radio control helicopter or a electric radio RC helicopter. These will be your number one decider in the type of helicopter you end up with. If you decide on gas powered radio control helicopters you’re in for the long haul. Many gas powered RC helicopters will cost more, but they’re also (usually) more stable and will last longer.

The electric radio control helicopters tend to be less stable and their flying distance is generally not as far, although this is changing more and more as batteries get smaller and more powerful. One large problem I’ve experienced with electric RC helicopters is instability in power. With gas power RC helicopters you have a relatively stable power source, but sometimes faulty electronics can prove fatal on electric choppers.

Another difference is flight distance, many gas powered RC helicopters can fly further and higher than most electric RC helicopters. This is important to think about when purchasing one because you must think about where you’ll be using it. If you’re using it in close confines such as your back yard primarily, you may want to stick to an electric radio control helicopter as it may be better suited for smaller areas (unless you have a huge backyard!)

The gas powered radio control helicopters will be a bigger investment at the beginning, but generally will last you longer. If you’re thinking that you’ll be using your radio control helicopters for quite some time and it’s not just a passing interest as many people have, then I’d recommend going for one of the many gas powered radio control helicopters on the market. If you’re really just experimenting with RC helicopters then I’d recommend checking into some nicer electric models and moving up if they hold your interest.

Whichever you check into and eventually decide on, ensure that you pick the right kind of radio control helicopters as you’ll hopefully be using it for quite some time. Have a look around at some of the other articles on the site to try and find the perfect RC helicopter for you. Remember to take your time and do plenty of research before you decide which of the many radio control helicopters is perfect for your flying style and needs.

Before taking your first flight on one of the varieties of remote control helicopters, safety is imperative. While many may choose to skip this step, it is critical to the long term success of your flying record and health of you, your helicopter and those around you. Follow these tips and tricks to be a safe radio control helicopter pilot.

The first step should be obvious when it comes to safety of radio control helicopters but many people disregard it. Do not fly your radio control helicopters around other people or in very close proximity! While many times people tend to disregard this, it can have devastating consequences! Sometimes a rookie pilot will fly near friends or family in an attempt to show off his helicopters prowess, but in doing so when something happens, they will lose control and put themselves and those around them in danger.

A radio control helicopter, while small, still has rotating blades that can severe and maime you. Not to scare you but it can be very dangerous! Also, pay close attention to where you are taking off and landing. Always have a landing prepared in case of emergency. In case something happens while you’re flying the radio control helicopter you should have a planned out place to perform a safe crash landing that isn’t nearby.

You want to also ensure that you never fly over large groups of unknowing people when flying radio control helicopters. While it may seem fun or cool, if something were to happen you could seriously injure someone in the process, especially if they are unaware as they may not be scouring the skies for radio control helicopters and may merely be enjoying their afternoon.

Another huge safety tip is where you take off. While it may seem obvious, never take off or land within 20 feet of where you’re standing. This is crucial incase you have engine problems or run out of gas, the radio control helicopters blades won’t come crashing down on you! Your safety and the safety of those around you is number one. Ensuring that you don’t take off in dusty or sandy areas as well will keep you safe as your helicopter won’t be more prone to engine trouble. Many times a radio control helicopter can suck up dust, rocks or other particles into its engine and cause problems, thus causing a crash!

When it comes to your radio control helicopters safety, using your brain and common sense is number one. Think on your feet and always have an escape plan and never fly near people. Using your brains and not trying to do anything senseless or dangerous should be your number one concern. You can buy a new radio control helicopter, you cannot buy a new finger, eye, arm or leg!

It’s time! You’ve made your choice, you’ve picked your battles and finally decided on the perfect chopper from the variety of radio control helicopters. It’s time to find a clearing and prepare for your first flight. You may and probably will be quite nervous, as this is the time in which all your research and hard work will potentially pay off, or you could end up crashing and damaging your new investment. Follow these tips to ensure your first flight on your remote controlled helicopter isn’t your last.

First things first you want to ensure that your safe. If you haven’t, please take time to read the article about safety in flying your first of many radio control helicopters.After you’ve gone through your safety checklist it’s time. Relax as it will be okay as long as your careful and familiar with your and the limits of your radio control helicopter.

Once you know how to work your radio control, fire up your helicopter in a grassy area. Try and find an area with an abundance of grass and not a parking lot or other cement or rocky area as this can help in case of emergency. Also ensure that there is little to not dust or rocks as these can get clogged within the engine and cause problems.

Practice taking off slowly just enough to lift the radio control helicopter slightly off the ground. Remember not to get impatient during this time as something it may take a minute to gain enough force for lift. Do not go into full throttle due to impatience. Right before lift off you’ll see the radio control helicopters tail start to shake a bit and fight for stability. This is okay but you should be ready as you radio control helicopter is about to lift!

Once you gain enough force, slowly accelerate your speed to get just above ground in hover mode. If this is your first flight, merely take off, don’t try and push too far, too high or too fast. Take your time, bring the radio control helicopter’s feet just off the ground until you’ve fully cleared the ground. Try slightly increasing velocity and then practice a safe landing from just 1 foot above ground. Any experienced radio control helicopter pilot will tell you to try landing from 1 foot instead of 50 feet your first time, as your first landing can be rough!

Now relax! You’ve just had your first radio control helicopters flight! I hope everything went safely and you feel more accustomed with flying your radio control helicopter. Now is time to continuously practice a few more safe takeoffs and landings from this relatively safe heigh of 1 to 5 feet off the ground, slightly increasing your altitude every time. You can never have enough practice, and while it may seem boring now, you’ll be thankful later if you get in a hairy situation!

Picking out and choosing from the plethora of radio control helicopters may seem daunting at first, but with these handy tips you’ll find the perfect one to match your budget, experience and style. You don’t want to end up with the wrong type of remote control helicopter because it could potentially cost you a ton of money if an unexperienced pilot tries to fly a hard to fly helicopter!

If you’re an unexperienced radio control helicopter operator you need to know that they are very difficult to fly and while you think you may be able to learn with ease, learning on a cheap poorly built helicopter can leave you facing technological limitations, not the limitations of your control abilities. This isn’t like flying a remote controlled airplane in which the cheaper models still fly well. Many cheaper models of radio control helicopters will fly absolutely horribly and leave you frustrated and helpless.

The best raio control helicopters to purchase are those that usually require some building or assembly. One great advantage to building a radio controlled helicopter is that you can then customize and adjust your radio control helicopter accordingly in the future. Sometimes you may want to switch from wood to carbon fiber blades, thus by having a great started kit with interchangeable parts, you’re not stuck with just one type.

Finding the right radio control helicopters in the sea of options at your hobby store may seem daunting, but try talking with the clerk and asking which is not only the most popular, but which is great for a beginner to learn on and also upgrade and work with in the future. By doing this you’re tapping into the resources that the store owner has. He/She has seen and talked to more owners and operators and will know the best type of radio control helicopters for your area. Many times the choice is dependent on your area, for example if you live in a windy part of the country you will want a helicopter that has stability and control as its primary focus and can fly under a variety of conditions.

If you’re in an area of the country that gets less wind and has less obstacles, you may be interested in radio control helicopters that are faster and more agile. Either way there is a chopper that is perfect for you. Also don’t fear if you’ve never built a remote controlled helicopter before, as if you’ve got the adventurous spirit, you’ll be able to figure it out. Plus by building one, you’re learning more about it for the future when or if you may need to fix or repair anything on the helicopter.

Hopefully we’ve helped you narrow down your options and informed you a bit more about the variety of radio control helicopters out there. Remember that it is critical to do some research and homework before deciding as it is an investment that will most likely be with you for a while and you want to choose wisely! Safe Flying!