Newbie Heli

whacky · Junior Member Joined: Nov 11, 2003 Posts: 7

Hi i am a newbie to helis and and the moment i am just lookig into what would be a good starter heli, any suggestions or tips???

Philippe · Newbie Joined: Oct 29, 2003 Posts: 2

Hi WHacky!

I'm also a newbie here. I've just started with a second hand Morley Maverick helicoper, it's is .50 sized one. But it isn't that good, so solled it and ordered a Thunder Tiger Raptor 30 V2. It's a very good starter helicopter, and spare parts are much cheaper than other brands.

Philippe

whacky · Junior Member Joined: Nov 11, 2003 Posts: 7

Thanks phillipe,

i have looked at the raptor i started off looking and the indoor electric heils but soon realised i could fast outgrow them so i am looking further afield now aithough i might still be tempted to getan electric for the wet nights in over winter

fubar_again · Member Joined: Sep 12, 2002 Posts: 30 Location: Fife

If you are flying up here I'd definitely go with the R30 - they are excellent starter helis, have the lowest splat costs and require few upgrades to do really silly stuff. If you are near to a club you can be sure that someone can help set it up & get you started. The 30 is cheaper but if you are going to stick with this, think about getting the 50 - it is more stable and you are unlikely to grow out of them - I still fly my 50 the most particularly when trying out new ways to crash... You could start with a 60 (Raptor 60 is excellent) but crash and fuel costs are higher.

Where do you fly - largest clubs with helis are Clyde View (Hamilton), Falkirk, and Perth (and Aberdeen but they switched the lights off for winter up there last week)

whacky · Junior Member Joined: Nov 11, 2003 Posts: 7

i live in norfolk so no where near you.

My research has led me to either the Raptor 30 or the Hirobo Shuttle.

I am going to get a new TX though as i was advised that my skysports 6 would work for helis but since then i have been told it wont so i am going to have add that cost into it all. I have had both the Futuba field force 6 or the JR662,, what do you guys think to either of these radios

fubar_again · Member Joined: Sep 12, 2002 Posts: 30 Location: Fife

Assuming that you want to progress beyond basic hovering and circuits in the relatively near future:

Shuttle is fine for learning (probably more stable than Raptor) but that's about it - get a R30v2 from the start and you will struggle to outfly it ever.

Advice about finding what local flyers use still applies even if you are not lucky enough to live in Scotland.

Unfortunately the position for radios is normally 'buy the best you can at the start' as you will grow out of the entry models as soon as you try any aeros - in particular they don't provide '5 point throttle and pitch curves' for different flight modes (Normal, Idle-up and Throttle Hold). If this is gobbledigook, my apologies. There are suggested sites in Alex's links section that will help decode this if you need - also have a look at some downloads from Augusto's video server to see what can be done with these toys www.augustoheli.com

I don't do JR so don't know the model numbers - but for Futaba - try for a second hand Field Force 8 (good but now discontinued) off the BMFA site or a FF9 (UK or grey market import). Both of these can be used for helis and planes, and provide everything you are likely to ever need for helis. I started with a FF6 but it only lasted 6 months before it limited progress

Haven't used or seen the current Sanwa or Hitec heli radios but the specs/prices look pretty good. Alex - what are the right incomprehensible JR numbers?

Alex · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2003 9:14 am Post subject: Re: Newbie Heli

JR Transmitter numbers
662 2 types (heli, plane) 6 channels 6 models memory
378 3 types (heli, glider, plane) 7 channels 8 models
3810 3 types 8 channels 10 model (good radio)
9X 9 channels (new model looks good)
10X 10 channels can only buy ether heli or plane

as fubar sayd buy a R30-50 best crash per £

Shuttles are geting long in the tooth unless you want to stuff it in a scale fusalage. most are made to fit them
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Alex

whacky · Junior Member Joined: Nov 11, 2003 Posts: 7

thanks guys, it seems that every store i go to has a different opinion of what i should do although this is no doubt linked to what they do and dont sell, on that note i was told the kyosho Nexus is a good beginners heli does anyone have any opinions on this heli.

I have also had the Century Hummingbird electric heli suf=ggested to me and it has its merits but not enough to make me rush out and by one

Thanks for al the JR info alex, canh i ask what the difference between a heli/plane and a heli/plane/glider tx is?

Mike · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2003 5:19 am Post subject: Re: Newbie Heli

I'd avoid the Nexus if possible, the few that have appeared at the Aberdeen club have been a waste of good plastic:-)

Mike

whacky · Junior Member Joined: Nov 11, 2003 Posts: 7

thats a recomendation for the nexus then Laughing

Alex · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2003 8:34 am Post subject: Re: Newbie Heli

A good way to look at the different models is count the cost of crashing

In other words work out what a main shaft, feathering shaft, fly bar, boom and blades will cost. Then multiply that 4 times and then see what the better heli is. And don’t worry you will crash.

Its not if, its when.

A glider TX just has some functions dedicated to gliders like spoilers and different mixes.

A Hummingbird is fine if you have a large indoor space to fly them, in a house they are easily disturbed by your own turbulence making them hard to learn on. A 30 size glow heli is the cheapest easiest and most enjoyable way to get into RC helis.

The best thing you could do is seek out your local club that has some heli pilots and go talk to them, try the BMFA web site for details.
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Alex

whacky · Junior Member Joined: Nov 11, 2003 Posts: 7

Thanks for the tips alex i will get the calculator out,

i am in the lucky enough to have either a sports hall or maybe even a hanger to use if i get a hummingbird or similiar.

MY main dilema is that a humming bird is cheaper to repair when i crash but not a real long term model unless i am really bad, add to that i cant really take it outside to learn/be taught on that makes me think I/C would be best but when a crash on first go do £30-£50 damage it could be expensive

just keepn reading i guess

fubar_again · Member Joined: Sep 12, 2002 Posts: 30 Location: Fife

I started with a nexus - best thing I did was fly it into a banking at 20mph so that it wasn't worth repairing and bought raptors instead

one thing we haven't mentioned - strongly recommend getting a simulator. There are some free shareware ones around - haven't tried them but Realflight G2 is excellent.

Not sure whether I'd start on a small electric (Hornet/Picollo/ Hummingbird) - they are tricky to fly, aren't that cheap once you add up the bits, you need a reasonably large space indoors to fly them and you'll probably want to progress onto ic ones outside anyway.

Good luck with your decisions and don't forget the bicycle clips for the first flight/crash/loop/roll

whacky · Junior Member Joined: Nov 11, 2003 Posts: 7

thats a definate no for the nexus the that takes me back to the shuttle or raptor or another new contender is the Moskito Sport by Robbe anyone fly this any comments about it??

i will get a simulator i think it will allow me to practice at home without the risk of crashing my pride and joy any other suggestions for a good sim??

i am a newbie so dont get the bicycle clip thing Confused

Also what are your thoughts on the futuba FF7 i think i am right in saying you can no longer buy it new but i might be able to get hold of one secondhand

FENMAN46 · Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2003 10:47 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie Heli

hi all
well i have read this post with intrest,lots to go on,at the moment i am flying hawks{real ones} and want to learn to fly helicopters,
i have clubs near me ,but they seem anti heli, i know of one chap who flys so i may approch him for help, i am thinking of going for a raptor 2 in a 60 size
{plan a ,look for a good second hand set up and to see it flying},or go for a new one??what they like to build set up ect? the reason i want to be so big is that it wont out grow me from basic flight,to 3D,,,,if i ever get that far{how much for that bag of bits Very Happy

}
any views or thoughts anyone
cheers