FlyingGiants - View Single Post - Thinking about getting into Heli's or have questions, Let me know!

Nitrohuffer · 03-11-2006, 12:39 AM

Biff and Shortman pointed out that some of us are bi curious (Planes and Heli's...what did you think I was talking about?) If you have any questions or want to know if something is the way to go or how to set something up reply here. I may not always be 100% right so anyone can feel free to jump in with input. I'll start it off with a very common question:
What heli should I start with?
Answer: A sim. Reflex xtr is the cats meow for heli simulators. Real flight g3 is just about as popular. Me I don't have either, I keep upgrading my heli and forget to buy a decent sim. I'm using FMS just to get the idea of what to do for new tricks.
Most of you guys know how to fly already so maybe an hour or two on the sim will get you used to hovering. If you guys can hover a 30% plane, cut that down to 15 minutes. I'm a firm believer that you should go the simplest and most common route when starting in heli's. If you can tune an engine and set up a plane go nitro. Electrics are great, but are just too unstable for my tastes. My raptor 50 will stay is such a solid hover I can let go of the sticks for 5 seconds and it will barely move. My beef with beginners ( again I'm talking heli beginners, not new to RC beginners) starting with electrics is this. An indoor heli like a xrb is great for the living room, but that's it. Out in the field if you start with something like a blade cp you will want to upgrade it for stability and performance. If you go with a trex se you are in nitro $$ area and you have heli that is super quick and will stuff it's self super quick. A 50 size heli will be 100x more stable and easy to handle. The training gear will help the real green guys learning to hover. Well what about crashing a 50? A raptor 50 crash kit goes for $39.99 at Heliproz. That includes all the common parts that get trashed in a typical crash (Wood blades, main shaft, tail boom, tail boom supports, tail control rod, feathering spindle). Plus everyone and there grandmother owns or owned a raptor so it's easy to find help if you need it. Also with a nitro there is no wait to charge batteries at the field. Land, fuel, GO! I went flying the other day and flew 4 tanks (10 minutes each) in an hour. And that is what is needed for a new heli pilot, stick time.
Now why am I saying to go with a 50 instead of a 30? You will get hooked and you can turn a 50 from a floaty turd into a beast by getting some lighter paddles, carbon blades, and cranking up the head speed. An all metal head is not needed for mild 3d such as loops, rolls, flips, inverted flight. Once you start banging sticks, then yes.

03-11-2006, 12:39 AM	#1
Nitrohuffer Bad-ass Super Contributer! Join Date: Jan 2006 Age: 34 Posts: 891	Thinking about getting into Heli's or have questions, Let me know! Biff and Shortman pointed out that some of us are bi curious (Planes and Heli's...what did you think I was talking about?) If you have any questions or want to know if something is the way to go or how to set something up reply here. I may not always be 100% right so anyone can feel free to jump in with input. I'll start it off with a very common question: What heli should I start with? Answer: A sim. Reflex xtr is the cats meow for heli simulators. Real flight g3 is just about as popular. Me I don't have either, I keep upgrading my heli and forget to buy a decent sim. I'm using FMS just to get the idea of what to do for new tricks. Most of you guys know how to fly already so maybe an hour or two on the sim will get you used to hovering. If you guys can hover a 30% plane, cut that down to 15 minutes. I'm a firm believer that you should go the simplest and most common route when starting in heli's. If you can tune an engine and set up a plane go nitro. Electrics are great, but are just too unstable for my tastes. My raptor 50 will stay is such a solid hover I can let go of the sticks for 5 seconds and it will barely move. My beef with beginners ( again I'm talking heli beginners, not new to RC beginners) starting with electrics is this. An indoor heli like a xrb is great for the living room, but that's it. Out in the field if you start with something like a blade cp you will want to upgrade it for stability and performance. If you go with a trex se you are in nitro $$ area and you have heli that is super quick and will stuff it's self super quick. A 50 size heli will be 100x more stable and easy to handle. The training gear will help the real green guys learning to hover. Well what about crashing a 50? A raptor 50 crash kit goes for $39.99 at Heliproz. That includes all the common parts that get trashed in a typical crash (Wood blades, main shaft, tail boom, tail boom supports, tail control rod, feathering spindle). Plus everyone and there grandmother owns or owned a raptor so it's easy to find help if you need it. Also with a nitro there is no wait to charge batteries at the field. Land, fuel, GO! I went flying the other day and flew 4 tanks (10 minutes each) in an hour. And that is what is needed for a new heli pilot, stick time. Now why am I saying to go with a 50 instead of a 30? You will get hooked and you can turn a 50 from a floaty turd into a beast by getting some lighter paddles, carbon blades, and cranking up the head speed. An all metal head is not needed for mild 3d such as loops, rolls, flips, inverted flight. Once you start banging sticks, then yes.