Electric RC Helicopters – Best For Newcomers to Radio Control Aircraft

Newcomers to the hobby of flying electric RC helicopters are often so excited, so filled with anticipation that they literally can’t wait to take that first flight. You may have bought a Ready To Fly (RTF) heli, and in theory could be ready to go shortly after taking it out the box, but that doesn’t mean you should rush to take it up. First things first--learning to fly electric RC helicopters is a process, and to be successful you need to set practical, attainable goals. Be patient and persistent; think of getting started as a journey, and take little steps, not big leaps, along the way. While the introduction of electric RC models has made helis easier to fly than ever, they’re still quite demanding, and the quickest way to get discouraged is to fail to develop a basic underpinning of knowledge and skills.

The best way to learn is to have an instructor teach you; it’s the quickest, safest approach, and let’s you relax and concentrate on matters at hand. To find one, contact a local flying clyb—they usually have at least a member or two with experience flying RC helicopters. If you indicate you plan on becoming a member—and you should, it’s a great way to learn about RC aviation and make new friends as you do—you’ll probably get instruction free of charge, and you may even find a member to sell you a used copter cheap.

Before you take that first lesson, do yourself a favor and read the owner’s manual cover to cover. You’ll be get to know about your aircraft and how it works, learn to conduct a pre-flight check, and be given some very basic safety precautions. While micro electric RC helicopters may appear harmless enough, the spinning rotors turn in excess of 1500 RPMs and generate enough energy to cause a lot of damage to both people and property. Find out all you can about flying safely, not just from the manual but from your instructor, videos/CD-ROMs and Internet websites about RC helicopters.

This article has focused on electric RC helicopters simply because they are easier for beginners to learn to on than gas-powered models. They are also very quiet, non-polluting and more reliable than gas helis. Electric motors are less likely to cut off in mid-air than gas engines, and they require much less maintenance. If you become really serious about RC helicopters—a very real possibility, once you’ve had a taste--you’ll probably want to eventually progress to a more challenging, more realistic gas model. If you’re looking for a quick, hassle-free, economical way to experience the thrill of flight, you can’t go wrong starting off with an electric RC helicopter, and may all your flying experiences be good and safe!

Check out these related hubs:

RC Helicopters and Airplanes - Learning To Fly, Part I

RC Helicopters and Airplanes - Learning To Fly, Part II

RC Helicopters and Airplanes - Learning To Fly, Part III

RC Airplanes and Helicopters - Learning To Fly, Part IV

Best Choices for Your First RC Airplane

RC Helicopters: Coaxial, Fixed Pitch and Collective Pitch Simplified

2.4 GHz Radio Systems are Revolutionizing RC Model Flying

Flying RC Airplanes Safely: Guidelines for New Remote Control Pilots