Remote Control Helicopters and Your Options

by George Thomas

Ever since I was little I was interested in remote control vehicles and toys. Remote control helicopter amazed me the most. They can fly like an airplane plus they can do many things an airplane could only dream of, like hover. Remote control helicopters can do all of these things as well just like the real thing. The more advanced remote helicopters can even do maneuvers real helicopters can not do.

When you think about all the different directions and abilities a helicopter has why would you not want one? Especially a remote controlled helicopter. Well as I found helicopters are one of the most complicated and difficult aircrafts to learn to fly. So are their remote control counter-parts. The other down side of remote control helicopters is their price. They are very complex and technological advanced aircrafts. As a result they are very expensive.

Remote control helicopters have came a long way in the last 20 years and have gotten easier to fly and easier on the wallet as well. Remote control technology in general has really improved over the years and it continues to get more affordable. There are a lot of different options for remote control helicopter now and some of them are even beginner friendly.

Micro helicopters are small usually 2-channel remote control helicopters. These are toys which everyone and every skill level can enjoy. They are not capable of all the functions of a real helicopter but they are inexpensive and easy to fly. Micro remote control helicopter are great for beginners.

A step above micro remote control helicopters are coaxial helicopters. Coaxial helicopters have two main rotors which spin in opposite directions. This eliminates the need for a tail rotor. Coaxial helicopters are usually 3 or 4 channels and are capable of all the functions of a real helicopter except 3D and inverted flight. The coaxial rotors as make them easier to fly and more stable. Coaxial remote control helicopters are also great for beginners. Just remind these are not toys like the micro helicopters and will take some learning and patient to learn to fly. Price wise you can get complete kits ready to fly for under $200.

Next up are 4-channel fixed pitch remote control helicopters. These are a step above coaxial helicopters. Real helicopters have what is called collective pitch. These means the main rotor blade pitch can change. This allows the helicopter to go up and down very quickly. Well with a fixed pitch helicopter the pitch of the main rotor is fixed hints the name. The helicopter goes up and down by how fast or slow the rotor blades spin. Fixed pitch helicopters are a bit easier to than collective pitch helicopters because you have one less control to worry about when flying.

Next up are full blown remote control helicopters. These have up to 6 channels of controls and can be very difficult and expense to learn to fly and maintain. These have a collective pitch main rotor just like a real life helicopter. Do not let they hold you back though. Once you learn how to fly them you will not regret it. They are simply amazing. They can do everything a real life helicopter can do and more. They can fly completely inverted and do some amazing 3D maneuvers.

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