Where could I start?

[luv2flyguy]

Hey guys- I been into planes for years and now I'm thinking about selling all my planes and getting into helicopters. I need some help here what would be a good one to start with, I know nothing about them but they look fun.

[exeter_acres]

electric or nitro?

[luv2flyguy]

I really don't know, I just used to hate the mess the nitro fuel made on my glow planes. Does it do the same to helis?

[exeter_acres]

Yep...

[MAVRICK]

What kind of flying experience do you have? Do you have a 6ch heli radio? if so I would recommend like a T-rex450 or something in the size range. Or there are 30 to 50 size nitro helis witch would be more stable then the T-rex. If you don't have a heli radio get like the new E-flite 400 because its a great heli and it comes with a spektrum DX6i that you would be able to use in most helis.



Hope it helps

[luv2flyguy]

Futaba Super 9C

[Mithrandir]

Friends don't let friends Fly Helicoptors!!! lol

[castlebravo]

I flew heli's for 10 years before selling most of them to finance my first of a fleet of giant aircraft (GP Ultimate and a Hanger 9 33% Extra).
The best advice I can give is whatever heli you choose........make absolute sure that you can get replacement parts quickly and locally. Quality is not really an issue with most of the Heli's avalable now a days.....they're all pretty good.
You have to realize however that you are going to crash that heli.....it is inevitable! If you cant get replacement parts, you are going to become very discouraged. Being able to go down to the LHS to get parts on a Saturday afternoon to be up and running on Sunday will do wonders for your learning curve.
As far as sizes go....The larger the Heli.....the better it will fly. However, the larger the heli......the replacement parts are more expensive.......and you are less likely to "try new things" for fear of crashing.

Remember....its not about the model......its about the parts!

[MadMonkey]

The best starting choices (imho) are the Trex 450
(electric) or 600 (Nitro).

[MAVRICK]

YUP Get the T-rex450SE or the T-rex XL. The SE/SEV2 are going to be alot more $$ so the XL is a good starting piont. Parts are cheep and you can get them most anywhere, and you can upgrade it later down the road if you want. The LX version you'll be cost you close to $600 RTR verses the SE/V2 will be about 8 to $900 or so depending on what you put in it.

Oh and don't forget to make yourself a good training gear for it. Some ping pong ball and a strong carbon fiber rod and zip-ties should do the job.




Hope it helps

[mangoats]

Do not rule out a blade 400. It come with everything and is a great starter heli. Parts are cheap and flys pretty good.

[Flyinfool]

You will want to get at least a 7 channel radio.
If you go nitro or gas you will want that 7th channel for a gov.

I always recommend a 50 size heli or a 600 if you must go electric.
A 50 is the best compromise between stability, agility, and operating cost.
The small electrics are actually a lot harder to fly than a 50. they don't handle wind nearly as well and they are a lot more twitchy.
A 30 size is basically the same heli as a 50 with shorter blades. You will quickly out grow the 30 engine and be looking to upgrade to the 50 engine.
A 90 or bigger while it is even more stable and more powerful than a 50 will also drink fuel at twice the rate of a 50 and the repair parts will cost a lot more.