RC Helicopters for Beginners

Start with a simulator

This is the single most useful thing we can tell you. A few hours on a PC simulator will save you more money than any upgrade, and you will learn orientation - which way the machine is facing when it is pointing at you - without breaking anything. Every experienced pilot will give you the same advice.

Which type?

• Coaxial - two rotors, one above the other. Very stable, hard to crash, limited in what it can do. The gentlest way in, and a good choice for a child.
• Fixed pitch - height is controlled by rotor speed. More responsive than coaxial, still forgiving.
• Collective pitch - the blade angle changes, so the machine can climb hard and fly inverted. This is what you will want eventually, and starting here is possible with practice and a simulator.

What actually matters when choosing

• Spares. Ask before you buy whether parts are stocked. A cheap helicopter with no parts support is more expensive than a dearer one you can repair.
• Size. Small machines fly indoors and cost less to fix, but are pushed about by wind. Larger machines are steadier outdoors but need space. See helicopter sizes.
• RTF or BNF. Ready-to-fly includes the transmitter and everything else - the simpler first purchase. BNF binds to a radio you already own.
• Training gear. Removable outriggers stop a machine tipping over on landing and are worth fitting for the first few weeks.

Where to start

For an indoor or garden machine, see small RC helicopters. For something to grow into outdoors, a 450 or 500 class from Align, or a Goosky S1 or S2.

We fly these ourselves and we would rather sell you the right machine than the dearest one. Ring us if you want a recommendation - it takes two minutes and saves a lot of frustration.