Helis for first time

[Benji]

Hello guys I have been flying planes for a while, now I want to start on helis, but I dont know nothing about them, can someone tell me wich is a good heli for beginers? I like the raptor´s so tell me a few things about them, and what do I need to buy to get a heli flying? for example in a raptor 50, like servos and all that stuff, please help me.

[bodywerks]

I'll tell you what. I started out with a Shogun 400 V2 and quickly realized that, although I consider myself an extremely accomplished airplane pilot, I had no clue when it came to helis (I also fly mode 4 on planes and was trying mode 2 for the heli's so that may have had something to do with it)
Anyway, I sold it and had my wife buy a CX for xmas. I went this route because I don't think I will ever really get IN to helis, per se. It was an essential step, as far as I am concerned, as it teaches you the basics of hovering and forward flight, but my flying ability quickly exceeded its abilities, and I am now on the CP. I have been told that if you can successfully fly this type of micro heli then a Raptor 50 or the likes would be a piece of cake. I was succesfully hovering it by the second battery and have since gone to a lipo setup and have bought the aerobatic enhancement kit for it and switched to a direct-drive tailrotor motor for it (a must, IMO).
Anyway, this is my recommendation if you are just curious about helis, but if you know you want to make an extra hobby of it and money is no concern, go right to a Raptor 50 or the likes.
BTW, I am back at square-one, now....I decided to switch to mode 4 for helis, too. It is more natural to me for forward flight, but I have to re-learn the hovering part now...

[JeeUm]

Everyone will tell you to go with the Raptors, and their right. You can't go wrong with them. I've got a Raptor .90 which I like alot and a Hirobo EVO .50 which I really love. The EVO is another one that will treat you right, and also they are coming with carbon main and tail blades now. Though you'll want to use woodies for training.

Servos, I'm running futaba 9001's in my .50. You don't have to go crazy with super high torque and speed in the heli's.

Gyro, get yourself a Futaba gy 401 and 9254 servo for the TR. Don't skimp there.

Motor, I'm running a regular OS .50 non hyper with a Curtiss youngblood Muscle Pipe II and feel no need to upgrade to the OS Hyper .50, which is quite a bit more expensive.

For training you don't need to get crazy with mufflers, the stock one that TT sells works great.

Training gear is a must, either buy it or make it yourself with some wiffle balls and wood dowels.

You'll need to get a start shaft for your electric starter, or just use a cordless drill with a 6mm(?) ball end hex wrench. My brother uses that with no problem.

A Pitch gauge is also an absolute necessity along with a pair of ball link pliers.

An most important of all, get some experienced help, because in all honesty they're not that much harder to fly then planes. But it's setting them up correctly that takes alot of experience.

[bodywerks]

Couldn't agree more. what makes them seem dificult is the fact that they are a different flying machine than an airplane...

[Benji]

Yeah I like raptors actually Im practicing in the sim to make it easier but Im thinking to go with someone with experiense and tell him to teach me there are diferent sizes of raptors, wich is the best for beginners? I think the 90 is very stable.

[Toro]

with a 90 machine your repair costs go up about 100%. Its gonna cost you more when you ball it up. Take a look at a machine called a vibe 90. That one will run ya about 300 bucks average a crash. A rappy 50 you'll get away with a crash costing ya 100 bucks including carbon blades. I'd say go with a 50, and youll grow into it. A friend of mine works for thundertiger, and he has about 10 raptors. Everything from the 30 to the 90 electric, and nitro. He consistently flys the 50 SE the most in and out.

[trent collins]

A agree guys, the raptor 50 is the way to go. Most of the guys out here have a T-rex, a 50 size and a 90 size but the 50 size is what everyone flies all the time, the 90's dont get as much thrashing cause of the repair costs.
My first raptor had a good budget setup:
1) OS50
2) JR DS811 servos
3) Futabe GY401 with 9254 tail servo

My new raptor has a little more good gear on it without going crazy on $$$:
1) OS50 hyper
2) Futaba S9292 servos
3) Ftuabe GY601 with 9251 tail servo
4) GV1 govenor

Make sure you get a good gyro, some descent servos and you wont have any problems.

[bodywerks]

Hmmm...I am thinking of going the Raptor route this spring if I can get decent enough with my CP. Once I master forward and backward flight, rolls, piro circles and inverted hovering, I think I will have earned it. In looking at Heliproz.com. They have a good deal for the V2, plus carbon blades and other useful (according to them) upgrades, and an OS 50 or another combo that includes an upgraded pipe and the Hyper engine. Considering my altitude, do you think I would need the Hyper setup??