Learn to fly model helicopter
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By
Oliver K.
You always wanted to be a pilot and bring a helicopter in the air? With a model helicopter from CARSON you succeed easily.
How you can learn to fly a model helicopter and which models are best suited for beginners, shows you the following article with all important tips around the topic of model flight for beginners.
How difficult is it to fly a model helicopter?
You would like to learn to fly model helicopters?
Model sports with flying machines of all kinds is a great hobby. Especially learning to fly model helicopters is very appealing to many. However, to control a helicopter yourself is not so easy.
A good spatial imagination and motor skills in handling the model helicopter are important. To learn to fly model helicopters, you need to have an overview of where your helicopter is at all times. You need to steer in multiple directions and implement certain flight maneuvers that only a helicopter can do, by remote control.
The helicopter model is crucial how quickly you learn to fly with the model helicopter. Depending on the type, it can be controlled by beginners or only by professionals. However, some practice is necessary in advance with all models.
What types of RC helicopters are there?
If you want to learn to fly a model helicopter, a model for beginners would be the right choice first.
At CARSON there are helicopters for indoor use only as well as models for outdoor use. Especially suitable for beginners are coaxial helicopters.
There are also so-called CP helicopters and fixed pitch (FP) helicopters. However, both are significantly more difficult to handle and are not part of the CARSON helicopter range, which is primarily aimed at beginners in model sports. More experience is needed to fly FP helicopters.
For CP helicopters, learning to fly model helicopters even requires practicing on a simulator in a flight school.
Learn to fly coaxial model helicopter
Coaxial helicopters are available with different rotor diameters. Here, two counter-rotating main rotors are arranged one above the other in a rotation axis. This has the advantage that a tail rotor for stabilization can be dispensed with, since the torques of the two rotors cancel each other out. This reduces the propulsive force required for lift-off and increases the range.
This type of helicopter is inexpensive to buy, relatively robust and easy to control.Since it is quite stable in the air, you can fly it even as a beginner. However, coaxial models are relatively susceptible to wind and therefore can not be used in all weather conditions.
In addition, coaxial helicopters are somewhat less maneuverable than models for professionals. Not all flight maneuvers are possible with these models. However, if you want to learn to fly a model helicopter for the first time, this type is ideal, provided that the rotor diameter is not too large.
Learn to fly single blade model helicopter
Another type of helicopter well suited for beginners are so-called single-blade helicopters. They are equipped with a main rotor and a tail rotor. Thanks to this design, more flight maneuvers in all directions are possible with this type. The two single-rotor blades also allow beginners to fly very agilely, but you have to learn difficult flight maneuvers first, even with a single-blade helicopter.
Can I fly with a remote control helicopter right away?
Theoretically, you can start flying immediately with a coaxial helicopter, but some practice in handling would be important for safety. The single-blade helicopter is also relatively simple in terms of control and flight behavior.
If you want to learn to fly model helicopters with these types, you should follow some rules and acquire knowledge about certain flight maneuvers. This way you will avoid damaging your helicopter after only a few flights due to carelessness and lack of experience.
Before the first RC helicopter flight - what to consider
Before you can learn to fly with RC helicopter, some things are important.
Pay particular attention to the following points:
- Read the instructions carefully.
- Check the model helicopter. Are all components securely screwed and is the wiring correctly laid?
- Make yourself familiar with the setting and operation of the control system.
- Charge the battery completely.
- Choose a safe environment and pay attention to an outdooreinstz on optimal weather conditions (calm or little wind).
- Always keep sufficient distance to passers-by, buildings, trees, power lines and other obstacles.
- Limit the flight zone and make sure that the helicopter does not fly out of range. Before flying, establish specific points in the terrain that will help you orient yourself.
- Keep calm. Instead of frantically flying off, you should take it very slowly and pay attention to compliance with safety rules.
- Practice takeoff and landing first, before you start with the actual flying.
The first RC helicopter flight
It should finally start now? You want to learn to fly with a model helicopter and put theory into practice? You fly an RC helicopter by remote control, which is built differently depending on the model. With a helicopter you usually start vertically up and then fly forward or backward. Holding at a certain altitude is also possible.
Also typical for helicopters are sideways movements, but these can only be easily implemented with single-blade models. A coaxial helicopter is less able to do this.
The first step is to learn how to take off and land the helicopter safe. Practice this several times until you can do it flawlessly before you start actually flying. If you are confident in forward and backward flight, further flight exercises are possible. For example, flying an figure eight or a pirouette.
You can train the various flight movements and exercises quite specifically. For safety reasons, it is very important that the tail of the helicopter always faces you and that no other people are standing directly in front of or next to the helicopter.
- Hovering flight: With the helicopter safely stand on the spot, this is the so-called hovering flight and a prerequisite for a safe landing at a certain point. Practice the takeoff and landing and hovering flight as a first.
- Flight specific points: In the next step, you can fly with the helicopter different positions in a manageable area, for example, the corner points of a 10 by 10 meter square. Choose a low flight altitude of maximum 3 to 5 meters for this.
- Turn to the side: About the slow rotation of the tail you control the helicopter so that you see him from the side. Train the whole thing for both sides, you are confident in it.
- Flying forward - and back, turning: Now it continues with the forward and backward flight. Also the turning 180 degrees must be practiced. Sitzen the basic movements, you can dare to further flight maneuvers.
- Eight: Achter you fly by first flying forward and then initiate a turn, slowly turning the tail. The right timing and feel for the controls are very important.
- Pirouette: Here you hover on the spot and turn the tail briskly 360 degrees. You can also perform several pirouettes in succession.
Tip: Practice the handling of the remote control regularly, so you train your reflexes and improve in the model helicopter learning to fly more and more.
Buying RC model helicopters - what beginners should pay attention to
When buying a helicopter, various things are important. In addition to the size and price, it is worth looking at the age specification, the range of functions, the drive power and the area of application.
- Application area: Models that are only intended for indoor use are not suitable for outdoors. If you have little space available in the apartment, you should look directly for an outdoor helicopter. Alternatively, you decide for a helicopter that is equally suitable for indoor and outdoor.
- Power and range: The more drive power, the higher the helicopter can fly.
- Battery: A strong battery is important if you want to fly the helicopter not only for a few minutes.
- Control: Also with the remote control there are differences. Controlled are RC model helicopters by MHz, GHz or infrared remote control. The latter is designed exclusively for indoor operation.
- Feature: Look for the number of speed levels, control modes and the number of channels. Practical are functions such as automatic altitude control and automatic takeoff and landing function.
- Size: A model helicopter should be neither too big nor too small for optimal
Flying fun. The longer the rotor blades are, the smoother the helicopter flies, but the more space is also necessary. Small models are altogether more agile and ideal for many flight maneuvers.
Age recommendation: Most outdoor beginner models are allowed from an age of 14 years. Smaller children do with the control difficult, here would be small indoor models initially the better choice.
CARSON offers several beginner models to get you started in model flying. For example, you can learn to fly model helicopters very well with the Eagle 220 or the Toxic Spider 340.
Important: Even with beginner models, something can go wrong. To cover possible damage and accidents, appropriate insurance is necessary. Before you learn to fly an outdoor model helicopter, you should clarify your insurance coverage. If your homeowner's insurance does not cover the use of model airplanes, a separate insurance is recommended.
Conclusion: RC model helicopter learning to fly made easy
You can learn to fly an RC helicopter with the CARSON helicopter models for beginners. With these you can learn to fly RC helicopters and experience the maximum flying fun. To get started, choose a model helicopter that fits your skill level and budget - for example, a coaxial helicopter.
The most important flight techniques are best practiced in a safe environment with sufficient distance to walls and furniture inside. Also, keep a safe distance from trees, roads and power lines when flying an outdoor model.
Decide per place for an indoor or outdoor variant. Other criteria are the battery and drive power, the range of functions and the size and age specification. CARSON has various RC helicopters, but also airplanes, quadcopters and throw gliders in the range.