Molly Ayala
Flying an electric RC helicopter is a challenging but rewarding hobby. It requires practice and patience to master the controls and perform advanced maneuvers. Before taking off, ensure you have a clear and safe space, free from obstacles and people. When starting, focus on keeping the tail pointed towards you and maintaining a constant altitude. As you gain confidence, you can experiment with the direction stick to make your helicopter spin, turn, and fly in circles. Today's electric beginner RC helicopters are more accessible, affordable, and user-friendly than their predecessors, with features like multiple stability modes and auto-takeoff. With the right guidance and practice, you can progress from basic hovering to advanced aerobatics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | $300 in parts |
| Difficulty | Hardest RC device to operate |
| Learning Curve | 6 months |
| Basic Controls | Throttle Stick, Direction Stick, Trim Buttons |
| Throttle Stick | Controls height and landing |
| Direction Stick | Controls direction and spin |
| Trim Buttons | Stabilize helicopter |
| Tail Rotor | Used to spin |
| Floor Type | Slidy floor like wood, laminate or tiles |
| Space | Clear space with no windows, doors, fans or people |
| Safety | Keep helicopter pointed away from you |
| Simulator | RC simulator for PC |
| Channels | 3-6 |
| Coaxial Helicopters | Easier to fly, less agile |
| Single Rotor Helicopters | Harder to fly, more agile |
| Micro-size Helicopters | Can be flown in a living room |
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What You'll Learn
Basic controls: throttle and direction stick
The controls of an RC helicopter are crucial for mastering the art of flying. The controller has two joysticks, each with a specific function in manoeuvring the helicopter. The left joystick is the throttle stick, which controls the helicopter's power output, regulating its altitude and speed. Pushing the throttle stick up makes the helicopter gain height, while pushing it down slowly descends until it lands. Effective throttle control is crucial in maintaining a stable flight, as abrupt changes can lead to sudden drops or climbs.
The right joystick is the direction stick, which controls the pitch, roll, and yaw of the helicopter. Pushing the direction stick to the right makes the helicopter fly in a clockwise circle, and pushing it to the left makes the helicopter spin in an anti-clockwise direction. The pitch control adjusts the angle of the rotor blades, enabling forward and backward movements, as well as climbing or descending. The roll control tilts the helicopter left or right, allowing for smooth turns. The yaw control rotates the helicopter clockwise or anticlockwise, enabling directional changes.
The swashplate and rotor head also play a role in controlling the helicopter. The swashplate, found at the base of the rotor head, tilts in any direction to control the cyclic pitch and collective control. The collective pitch refers to the angle of the main rotor blades, which can be changed independently or collectively to adjust the amount of lift generated.
It is important to start with basic flying techniques and gradually progress to more advanced manoeuvres. Beginners should practice hovering, flying in a straight line, and making turns before attempting more complex moves. Understanding the relationship between throttle, pitch, and yaw is key to maintaining a controlled hover and transitioning to forward flight.
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How to hover
Hovering an electric RC helicopter can be a challenging task, but with practice and patience, it can be achieved. Here is a detailed guide to help you master the art of hovering:
Pre-Flight Checks:
Before attempting to hover, it is crucial to perform routine checks to ensure the safe operation of your RC helicopter:
- Inspect the helicopter for any signs of damage, loose parts, or wear and tear. Pay close attention to the blades, main rotor assembly, tail rotor, and landing gear.
- Check the battery for any damage or swelling, and ensure it is properly connected and secured.
- Test the control surfaces, including pitch, roll, yaw, and throttle, to ensure smooth movement and responsiveness.
- Verify that all transmitter controls are functioning correctly and that the connection between the transmitter and receiver is reliable.
- Check the receiver, servo motors, wiring, connectors, and fasteners. Ensure everything is securely in place and tightened properly.
- Immobilize the main rotor and set the throttle to idle before turning on the transmitter.
- Perform a range test to ensure effective communication between the transmitter and receiver.
- Familiarize yourself with emergency procedures, such as initiating an emergency landing or activating throttle hold.
Choosing a Suitable Environment:
The flying environment plays a crucial role in successfully hovering your RC helicopter:
- Select a calm day with minimal wind. Avoid gusty conditions that can make hovering more challenging.
- Choose an open area free of obstacles and people to ensure safe flying and minimize distractions.
- Look for a smooth surface, such as packed snow or pavement, to facilitate ground hover exercises and sliding movements.
Understanding Hovering Techniques:
The specific techniques for hovering an RC helicopter depend on its type:
- Fixed-Pitch Helicopters: These helicopters are designed to return to upright flight when the pilot neutralizes the controls. They require fewer corrections during hovering and are generally more stable, making them ideal for beginners.
- Collective Pitch Helicopters: These helicopters offer increased agility but demand more control inputs and immediate corrections by the pilot to maintain stability. Small aileron and elevator bumps are used to correct deviations during hovering.
Hovering Tips:
As you progress in your hovering skills, keep the following tips in mind:
- Practice makes perfect: The more you practice, the better you'll become at hovering. Simulator practice can also help improve your skills in a safe environment.
- Avoid over-controlling: Use multiple small control inputs to correct deviations instead of a single large input. Keep your fingers nimble and actively make adjustments to maintain control.
- Maintain a safe altitude: If you're flying a nitro RC helicopter, keep an eye on your fuel level to prevent engine issues. Electric RC helicopters don't have this concern.
- Nose-In Hovering: When the helicopter is facing you, the controls are reversed. Practice bigger figure-eight maneuvers to improve your nose-in hovering skills.
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How to spin
To spin an electric RC helicopter, you will need to use the direction stick on your controller. The direction stick is the control stick on your right. If you push the stick to the left, the helicopter will turn anti-clockwise in one place. If you push the stick to the right, the helicopter will fly in a clockwise circle.
To spin the helicopter in one direction, simply push the direction stick to the left or right. To stop the helicopter from spinning and hold it in a certain position, use the trim buttons. If the helicopter starts to spin anti-clockwise by itself, press the right trim button. If the helicopter starts to spin clockwise, press the left trim button.
If you want to spin the helicopter in a circle while maintaining a constant heading, you can do so by pushing the direction stick gently to the right. This will cause the helicopter to gain a small amount of forward speed and turn in a clockwise direction. To compensate for this, push the direction stick to the left.
It is important to note that the direction stick is more sensitive when pushed to the left than when pushed to the right. It takes more time for the helicopter to react to the right direction stick command than to the left direction stick command.
Additionally, if your helicopter is spinning in circles, it could be due to several reasons, including incorrect trim settings, issues with the gyro, uneven rotor blades, or an unbalanced helicopter. To rectify this problem, you can adjust the trim settings, replace the gyro, replace damaged or worn rotor blades, or redistribute weight on the helicopter.
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How to drift
Drifting is a crucial skill to learn when flying an electric RC helicopter. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to drift:
First, ensure that you have mastered the basics of controlling your RC helicopter. Start with the helicopter pointed away from you at a safe distance. Practice taking off, hovering, and landing repeatedly until you feel confident.
Next, you can attempt more advanced maneuvers. Take off and hover, then use the tail rotor to spin 90 degrees in one direction. Spin back to the original position, facing away from you. Now, spin 90 degrees in the opposite direction while maintaining a steady hover.
Once you have mastered this, you can move on to the drifting technique. Take off and fly in an 'H' pattern, drifting to the right while maintaining the nose heading away from you. Repeat this process, drifting to the left, then forward, and finally, backward, always maintaining the correct heading.
It is important to keep the tail of the helicopter pointed toward you when taking off and landing. If the tail begins to drift, land the helicopter, reposition it, and start again. Practice on a smooth, slidy floor, such as wood or tiles, to make it easier to glide the helicopter.
Additionally, ensure your helicopter is properly trimmed and set up correctly. Seek advice from experienced RC enthusiasts at your local RC field, and consider using a simulator to practice your drifting skills before trying them out with your RC helicopter.
Finally, remember that drifting may be influenced by factors such as rotor direction, torque, and wind. For example, if your helicopter tends to drift to the left, you may need to compensate by keeping it banked or leaning to the right.
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Choosing your helicopter
First, you should decide on the type of helicopter you want. There are two main types of RC helicopters: coaxial and single-rotor. Coaxial helicopters have two sets of main rotors, one mounted above the other, which turn in opposite directions to cancel out reactive torque. This type is easier to fly as you don't need to worry about controlling a tail rotor, making it a good choice for beginners. Single-rotor helicopters, on the other hand, offer more advanced flying capabilities and the potential for aerobatics, but they are inherently unstable and more challenging to master.
Next, you should consider the size of the helicopter. Micro-size helicopters, for example, can fit in the palm of your hand and are perfect for indoor flying in a controlled environment. Larger helicopters, such as the Trex 600, offer more power and outdoor flying capabilities but may be more difficult to control.
You should also pay attention to the specifications of the helicopter, such as its flight performance, agility, and stability features. Some helicopters offer different modes, such as beginner, intermediate, and expert, which provide varying levels of stability assistance. Additionally, consider the quality and lifespan of the helicopter's electric tail motor, as these are known to burn out quickly, which can cause a loss of yaw control during flight.
Finally, you may want to opt for a Ready-to-Fly (RTF) electric helicopter, which is simpler and more affordable than their glow plug-powered counterparts. You can also look for helicopters with training kits, which include attachments like ping pong balls to reduce the chance of damage during crashes.
Remember, choosing the right helicopter depends on your skill level, intended flying environment, and desired capabilities. Taking the time to select a suitable helicopter will greatly aid your journey in learning how to fly an electric RC helicopter.
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Frequently asked questions
First, make sure you have a clear space to fly your helicopter in, with no windows or ceiling fans around you. Familiarise yourself with the controls: the throttle stick controls height, and the direction stick controls the direction of flight. When you want to land, slowly release the throttle stick.
Once you have the basics down, you can try some more advanced moves. Take off and hover, then use your tail rotor to spin 90 degrees in one direction, then spin back. Drift to the right, then the left, then forward, then hover backward, all while maintaining your heading.
Today's beginner RC helicopters are very widely available, affordable, and easy to operate. Many are of the coaxial variety, which means they have two sets of main rotors that turn in opposite directions to cancel out any reactive torque, making them easier to fly. You can also get micro-size helicopters that can be flown in a controlled manner around your living room.
Make sure the helicopter is properly trimmed and your expo is set. It can be helpful to make friends with people at your nearest RC field and ask them for advice. Flying an RC heli is one of the hardest RC devices to operate, so it may be worth getting an RC simulator to practice with.
