Helicopters

Types of different RC Helicopters

RC helicopter kits are miniature versions of real-life helicopters but controlled byremote-controlled transmitters. There are several different types of radio-controlled helicopters available, each with its own unique features and characteristics. With so many different model RC helicopters in the UK, making the choice can be difficult. 

1. Single Rotor: Single-rotor helicopters have one large main rotor and a smaller tail rotor for stability. They are designed for more advanced pilots and offer a high level of movement and control.
2. Coaxial Rotor: Coaxial rotor helicopters have two rotors that spin in opposite directions, which provides increased stability and easier control. They are ideal for beginner pilots and can be used for both indoor and outdoor flying.
3. Collective Pitch Control: Thesehelicopters have an angle of attack to give more precise control of the helicopter's movement. This pitch angle provides the lift as the blade pitch provides the lift needed. These radio-controlled helicopters are often used for aerobatics and more advanced flying. The rotor speed on these models is normally a constant speed, with just the pitch angle changing.
4. Fixed Pitch: Fixed pitch remote-controlled helicopters have blades with a curve, pitch already added. This allows the model to rise and fall based on the speed of the rotor blades. As the model has limited movements, these are best used by beginner pilots in helicopter flying.

RC Helicopters: Electric Vs. Petrol and Nitro

Radio-controlled helicopters can operate using a range of different power sources. Each of these has advantages and disadvantages, so let's take a closer look.

Electric RC Helicopter

If you've been looking at the listings for a remote control helicopter in the UK, you've probably encountered many RC electric helicopters. There are several reasons why these remote control helicopters are so popular, including the following:

• They provide excellent control and manoeuvrability, especially for novice and casual pilots.
• They have few emissions, both in terms of gases and noise, making them ideal for operation indoors.
• This type of model RC helicopter is generally easier to maintain than its fuel-driven counterparts.
• They're easier to use, having fewer technical elements (including maintenance) than their fuel-driven counterparts.

On the other hand, an electric remote-controlled helicopter has some disadvantages as well. These include the following:

• Electric RC model helicopters often have less power than their fuel-driven counterparts.
• Generally, an electric radio-controlled helicopter will have shorter flight times than its fuel-powered counterparts.
• If you want a high-powered model RC helicopter, the pricing may be higher than fuel-powered helicopters with similar power. This is especially true if you buy battery extenders and other devices.

Petrol Radio Control Helicopter

If you're looking for a petrol-driven RC helicopter in the UK, you'll discover that these models have a range of benefits. Some of these may include the following:

• Significantly longer flight times than your average electric RC model helicopter.
• Higher power and torque than all but the largest electric RC helicopters.
• This type of RC helicopter often looks and sounds more like a real helicopter.

Sadly, if you see petrol-driven RC helicopters for sale, you should be aware that they have potential disadvantages as well. Some of these may include the following:

• The helicopter remote control is generally more sensitive, meaning that these models are best suited to experienced pilots.
• While they sound more like real helicopters, the gas and noise emissions can be prohibitive - especially for flying indoors or in environmentally conscious neighbourhoods.
• They can be significantly more expensive than base-model electric RC helicopters.

Nitro Remote Control Helicopter

If you find yourself looking at a Nitro-powered RC helicopter for sale in the UK, you should know that this type of model RC helicopter has a range of benefits that include the following:

• Fantastic acceleration, resulting from the high-torque motor.
• These models have an excellent power-to-weight ratio.
• The engine sounds are realistic, thanks to the internal combustion engine.
• Nitro RC helicopters generally offer considerably longer flight times.

Disadvantages with Nitro-fueled helicopters are mostly similar to those encountered by pilots of petrol-fueled helicopters. These may include the following:

• Nitro-fueled helicopters make excessive amounts of noise, which can make them prohibitive indoors or in close quarters.
• This type of RC helicopter can consume large amounts of relatively expensive fuel, making the run costs far higher than for electric helicopters.
• Nitro-fuelled helicopters are generally far more expensive than their electric counterparts, though they can have prices similar to petrol-fueled helicopters.
• As with petrol RC helicopters, Nitro-fueled helicopters have high maintenance requirements due to fuel lines and other moving parts.