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Cost to get going:
How much will it cost to get all the helicopter equipment needed? This will include the radio, gyro,
engine, muffler, the helicopter itself, and the support equipment for the
engine, training gear, books and fuel. You will be able to use the radio,
engine, gyro, flight line equipment for any helicopter you purchase. You need to consider the difference between
the helicopter kits, radios, engines and gyros. Try researching model helicopter
web sites or get a copy of Radio Control Modeler (RCM) magazine which includes
most major helicopter manufactures. Do a price comparison amongst brands
but in the long run consider the following questions:
1. Are there any local flying fields or helicopter friendly model clubs
that can help me?
2. What lines of helicopters are available at the local hobby shop?
3. Above the price of the helicopter kit, what is the price of a crash kit
(blades, tail boom, main shaft, feathering shaft, flybar) +
landing struts, main gear and tail drive shaft/belt which are commonly damaged
in a beginner's crash?
Look at what it will really cost. Look at what it will cost to buy the helicopter, then upgrading to another
size of helicopter. I purchase a small 30 size to learn on but then decide to get into 3D aerobatics
or contests, will the 30 size work? Or will I have to purchase a larger size? So I lay-out $400 for the
smaller size, then lay-out another $500 for the larger size. Would it have been more economical for me to
have just purchase the larger size it the first place. Try to buy the best you can now! My opinion over
the years has changed some. It used to be...buy the best helicopter you can...now its buy a good quality
helicopter but buy the best radio you can. The reason for this is most helicopters today are very good.
But buying a cheap radio will make setting up even the best helicopter difficult. If the helicopter is not
set up right, it will not fly right, and you will be very unhappy. Not to mention that if you buy a cheap
radio now and want to fly more then the basic learning stuff, you will have to buy another radio later, but
the helicopter will still be the same.
Choosing the right size helicopter:
Determining which size of helicopter you can afford to buy should not be the
deciding factor for the helicopter, for years the 60 class ship has been
recommended on the basis that the larger the airplane and thus the
helicopter, the easier it will be to fly . It is true that once most learn to
fly they aspire to the 60 class. I really do not have a strong answer to
counter this reasoning however from my experience there are two major factors
that will become evident.
1. Time needed to learn to fly.
2. Initial cost to get started.
Notice I didn't list cost first, the reason is I have sold many beginners 60
class helicopters right from the start against my recommendations. When I
worked for Century there whose customers who truly fell into "the customer
is always right" category and want to spend the big bucks right from the
start. What many customers found out on their own is that they have
purchased the best equipment, the wonderful simulator and had access to local
support from the local gurus. Problem, the learning curve for helicopters
is exactly the same no matter what level you start at. My point being that
when a 10 pound 60 class helicopter crashes as a result of a
"beginners" loss of orientation, the resultant crash is expensive but
the real issue is the time to be back flying. Most 60 class beginners go
through the following cycle:
| Action taken |
Money |
Time |
| Disassemble heli and buy replacement parts. |
$150-$350 |
1 week |
| Re-assemble and setup heli. |
|
1/2 week |
| First partial flight after crash, strong vibration in tail. |
|
|
| Disassemble and buy parts missed first time. |
$20-$30 |
1 week |
| Second partial flight after crash, slight vibration in tail. |
|
|
| Third disassembly, many questions and frustration. |
Total $170-$380 |
2-3 weeks |
This is a guide to help steer beginners getting started, when I am asked, I
recommend the Falcon 46 as the first helicopter to buy or any full size 46
helicopter would be suitable. The 46 class is relatively new in the last 5
years but offers 80% of the stability of the 60 class at nearly the cost of the
30 size. A very good compromise. From the cost perspective, a 30
class Hawk 30 complete runs on average $850-$1000, the Falcon 46 runs $950-$1200
and the 60 class will range $1500-$2000. Why the range in price, simple I
recommend the better radio but have listed the low end with the basic 6 channel
radio.
I don't think that a beginner should purchase a electric helicopter to learn on. They take different support equipment and
will be more expensive to initially buy and replacement part costs are higher. They also
will not fly in wind stronger than 5 miles/hr, generally fly a 4-5 minute run
and will not withstand the beating that a glow engine helicopter will. Needing upgraded parts are fine if you want them for that little extra performance, but to have
them when your first learning is not as useful than if you wait until you can
hover your helicopter. Look into which helicopter has a good performance record.
Check your local flying site and see what your fellow flyers recommend. This is also very important because
they are the ones with the experience and they will be the ones that will be helping you during your
learning times. The larger helicopters will handle the wind better and are easier to see and control.
Getting support for your helicopter:
One thing you will want to consider is what kind of support will you get from the supplier of the
kit and other parts. Will you be able to get parts for the particular kit you purchased or you be left on
your own. Will the retailer be able to help or recommend some one who can. Will they be able to
recommend what special tools you will need to get you going. The internet is the
best source and is free of charge but at the beginning buy a basic book
like "The Basics of R/C Helicopters, 2nd Edition" by Paul
Tradelius and/ or "Ray;s Helicopter Manual, 3rd Edition" by Ray
Hosteletter. If you enjoy a thorough read then Ray's book will be of
interest but is very technical and deep in content.
Cost of replacement parts:
When your shopping for that first helicopter or even a second one, you need to consider
the cost of parts. Where you can get those parts. Does the manufacture of that helicopter have a good
supply of parts. Do they offer "upgrade" parts. Do other manufactures have after market parts. If there are a good supply of
"upgrade" parts or after market parts, this is a good sign of a popular helicopter kit.
Will you be upgrading in the future: There probably will come a time that you will want some of those trick
parts to make that helicopter fly like the pro's at your field or club. If the past has shown anything, you will end up with at
least a few helicopters. So where will you be getting those parts from? Who will be making those parts?
What will those parts do for you? These are just some of the questions that you will have to ask your
self. Consider who makes what parts for what helicopters. Remember that in the most cases,
these parts won't make the helicopter fly, they will only give you that added edge.
Are you going to get into contest or 3D: If you someday plan on getting into contest or 3D aerobatics,
you need to consider the fact that these helicopters are usually of the larger size. Not to say that the
smaller ones will not do this kind of flying, but they just don't do it as well. There's a point that you need
a good combination of weight and size to get a good flying helicopter. If you plan on doing 3D or contest
work, make sure the helicopter that you get will have enough pitch range for that kind of flying. This will
usually be a full 20 degrees for 3D. In most cases this type of flying is
done with the 60 class helicopter, simply stated it has the best power to weight
ratio of all the combined sizes. Ultimately the choice is yours.
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