* How much does it cost to get started?

You've got 2 choices here... you can buy brand-new equipment and get started for approximately $1000 OR you can purchase used equipment and get started for as little as $400-500. As for what equipment you need... read on.

* What do you recommend as my first helicopter?

We generally recommend that you start with a .30-sized or .50-sized helicopter (.30 copters use engines with 0.30 cubic inches of displacement). There are several different models to choose from which are all good for beginners - the Hirobo Sceadu .30 & .50, the Thunder Tiger Raptor .30 and .50, the Century Hawk, and the JR Venture are all popular models. The .30-sized machine is less intimidating to the new pilot, the initial cost is less, the cost to repair the machine is also less. 50 class helis are slightly more expensive than 30's, and offer more stability and power, yet retain the low repair costs of the 30's. The models mentioned above are made of high tech plastics which are, in general, more forgiving of the abuse that a beginner is going to give them. Other advantages are the cost of the engine, the cost of fuel, etc. These models above are in use by our club members and have many hours of flight on them and they are still going strong! .50 sized We also recommend that you fly equipment similar to what is being flown by the people that will be assisting you. It's much easier if you have someone who is already familiar with that particular type of equipment as they already know how to set it up properly and you can learn from their experience! As to how to actually get started you need a .30-sized helicopter, a radio control unit with servos designed for helicopters (a computer radio is highly recommended), starter, starting battery, glow plug, glow plug adapter, power panel or glow plug battery, fuel, some basic hand tools for assembly, one of the 3 books listed below, and the assistance of someone who can help you with your initial setup and tuning.

* Are they hard to build?

The state-of-the-art technology available today allows all manufacturers to provide a very high-quality kit that basically "bolts together" in a very reasonable amount of time. Most people should quite easily be able to assemble today's R/C Heli kit with very little trouble. If you do have problems though the manufacturers are very responsive to questions and providing guidance if necessary. The last phase of assembling your machine is the "final setup"... for this we recommend that you seek the assistance of an experienced pilot. You're going to be learning a completely new set of dynamics and properties, which are very interactive with one another. A Heli that is not setup correctly is almost impossible to fly and learn on. Seek experienced help, even if means a considerable drive - it's worth the investment! Most, if not all, experienced pilots are more than willing to give you some of their time to help you get going... at no cost to you! Seek them out, get their guidance, and when someone approaches you in the future remember how it was when you started and lend a hand.

* What are they made out of?

The modern R/C Helicopter has taken advantage of several "state-of-the-art" technologies and can be constructed of materials ranging from aluminum, to space-age plastics, to exotic carbon-fiber and kevlar materials. It is all very dependent on the manufacturers design for that particular machine. Recently, the use of carbon fiber composites and G-10 (epoxy fiberglass) materials has come into great favor, both for resistance to damage and vibration-damping qualities. Most of the machines we recommend to beginners consist of high-tech plastics that are more durable and able to absorb the abuse of the initial beginner.

* Is it hard to learn to fly an R/C helicopter?

Being successful with an R/C Helicopter requires dedication and patience. One of the reasons that model helicopters are difficult is because the very first maneuver that you're going to learn is an advanced maneuver... hovering! All "successful" helicopter flights start and end with a hover and that is one of the keys, being able to successfully control your machine in a hover. There are people that have learned to fly a helicopter, at a novice level, in less than a month... it all depends on how much practice you're willing to put in (dedication) and/or simulator time. There are also some people that may never really be able to pilot a helicopter because they don't really have the desire. If you have the desire, and you're willing to put the time in to learn and practice, then in all probability you'll be successful.

 * How fast does it go?

Speed is dependent on size, body shape, engine power, fuel, weight, and blade design. Most of today's helicopters can reach speeds of between 40 and 90 mph in stock configuration. The current speed record for a model helicopter that was highly modified is over 130 mph. Speed events such as closed course, absolute, climb-to-altitude and drag racing are common events at fly-ins. Helicopter vertical (climb-to-altitude) or horizontal (traditional) drag racing, is the most popular, however.

* What can you do with an R/C Helicopter?

Today's modern R/C Helicopter and radio can do just about anything. We can perform the same aerobatics maneuver that planes can (with the exception of knife-edged flight), we can not only fly inverted but we can also hover inverted, and last but not least... we can do all of this flying forwards, backwards, or sideways, day or night!! A helicopter doesn't glide, as a plane does, but we can also land without the motor running, which is called an auto-rotation. A couple of really good VHS videotapes available that demonstrate the extent of what an R/C Heli can do are "Curtis Youngblood - What's He Doing Now?" and other commercially produced videos of large fly-ins. Both have some unbelievable flight demonstrations on them including Night Aerobatics Flying!

* How noisy are they... are they loud?

All model helicopters are flown with mufflers (quieter but with a little less performance) or tuned pipes (somewhat louder but with more performance) and on the average are quieter than a similar size model airplane. Generally speaking the noise level is acceptable to most people.

* What kind of motor and fuel do they use?

Helicopters can be powered with electric motors (not recommended for the beginner as they are fairly fragile), 2-stroke glow fuel engines running a combination of methanol, nitro-methane, and synthetic oil (model airplane fuel), 2-stroke gas engines (similar to your weed eater), 4-stroke engines, and even diesel engines. Most people use a 2-stroke glow fuel engine that is designed for use in model helicopters which usually has a different carburetor and a larger area heat-sink cooling head.

* How much can it lift?

Most model helicopters can lift app. 3-7 lbs or at least half their weight... but there are specially built machines that are capable of lifting in excess of 20 lbs (camera equipment, payloads, gliders, etc.).

* How safe are they... are they dangerous?

A model helicopter is NOT a toy! If proper safety precautions are not exercised a model helicopter can be very dangerous and even lethal... not only to yourself but to fellow pilots and spectators as well. The safety precautions for flying a model helicopter are based on common sense and if followed will prevent mishaps from happening. Our club has been flying together for app. 2 years and we have established rules for flying at our field and we police ourselves to ensure that they are followed. Nobody wants to be around an unsafe pilot!

* Where can I get more information on R/C Helicopters?

Books:

Safe & Easy RC Helicopters - Bob Motazedi
Ray's Complete Helicopter Manual 3rd Ed. - Ray Hostetler
R/C Helicopter Basics - Paul Tradelius

Magazines:

Rotory Modeler Magazine
Radio Control Modeler
Model Helicopter Technique
Model Helicopter World
On-Line Heli Magazine (link is http://www.lance.co.uk/w3mh/)

Internet Resource Links:
Colorado Rotor-Heads Links Page…………………..Helicopter Links

* Are there any computer-based simulator programs available to assist me with learning?

There are several different computer simulators available that will run on either an IBM compatible system or on a Macintosh system. Each has its pros and cons. Remember... while a simulator can help it is no substitute for "stick time". Perception of the helicopter on-screen is very different although stick movements are very similar to "real-time" flying. Simulators are a very worthwhile investment as a training aid and can definitely speed up the learning process... not to mention saving you $$$ and rebuilding time. Based on club experience, if most of us were to rate simulators, it would probably be in this order: RealFlight G2, NHP Flight Simulator, Skylark R/C Heli Simulator, Aerochopper, Tru-Flight simulator and the Dave Brown Flight Simulator. All of the simulators listed have both and airplane and a helicopter simulation (with the exception of Skylark).